To many manufacturers throughout automotive history, headlights are just safety devices. That said, some have bucked the trend, transforming headlights from boring safety equipment into art. Here are the 15 vehicles with the best headlight styles that stand out for their looks and functionality.
1986 Ferrari Daytona
Pop-up headlights are always a fashion statement. The Daytona takes the concept to a new level with a slightly angled design. They even look sharp when they’re not turned on or up. You can still see the headlights peeking out near the grille, which is a fantastic look in itself.
1968 Dodge Charger
The 1968 Dodge Charger mounted headlights inside the grille instead of putting the grille between the headlights. The vehicle’s front end doesn’t appear to have headlights at all until the grill swings up like a garage door, revealing the lamps.
Audi R8
The Audi R8 was cool when launched in 2006 and remains a stylish vehicle packed with serious technology. Audi put laser high beams in the R8, making it the first vehicle model with the innovation. It doesn’t hurt that the lights within look like individual light bars, which is pleasing to the eye.
BMW 5 Series
BMW introduced “Angel Eyes” to the automotive world in 2001 with the 5 Series E39. The name is derived from the halo-like appearance of a glowing LED that stood out on the road. They are now common on vehicles and a popular aftermarket add-on. You know a headlight trend works when everyone starts to copy it.
1963 to 1967 Pontiac GTO
With a long, sleek body and split grille, Pontiac’s use of two stacked beams per side made four simple, round headlights into an iconic statement. The GTO’s design, in particular, made the vehicle look classy and aggressive, though the style didn’t last very long.
Volvo XC90
At last, a more modern vehicle. The unique Volvo headlight design is known as “Thor’s Hammer” for an excellent reason. The headlights resemble hammers with an LED bank and a vertical light bar. The design has changed slightly since its introduction in 2015, but Volvo continues to follow the trend.
McLaren P1
While this one is definitely out of the average person’s price range, the headlights of the McLaren P1 have boomerang-shaped headlamps. These feature a swoop that extends below the top of the vehicle grille, while most vehicles simply have a round shape. Why? Because it looks like the McLaren logo.
Rivian R1T
Rivian did a great job making the R1T look unique with different colors, and they made standout headlights, too. This truck features a horizontal light bar that runs the length of the front end and goes just a bit past a rounded, vertical headlamp. The bold design looks like the top of a stadium.
Lancia Stratos Zero
At first glance, this wedge-shaped vehicle already has such a quirky look that you might look past its barely noticeable headlights. That’s because they are in a straight line, right below or above the bumper, depending on the generation. Lancia’s overall design may have contributed to a much more common vehicle, with Tesla’s Cybertruck bearing a more than slight resemblance to the lightbar and wedged shape.
Porsche Taycan
In addition to being a technological marvel, the headlights on newer Porsche Taycans have a graceful and modern look. The headlamps appear in four small segments, which makes the Taycon one of the more stylish exotic vehicles on the road.
Chevrolet Corvette C4
Some vehicles are popular not just because they have pop-up headlights. The Corvette C4 had an odd, almost prolonged way of opening the headlights that was undoubtedly eye-catching. The headlight unit would flip into place 180 degrees, giving you a glimpse of the body-colored headlight casing before heading back into the vehicle.
Buick Riviera
While the Riviera is well out of production, its headlights were pretty cool. The 1965 edition had stacked headlights like the Pontiac GTO, with the additional twist of offering a clamshell cover that opened from two vertical panels to reveal the lights underneath.
Tucker 48
The Tucker 48 was never mass-produced but offered a new feature in 1948: a third headlight in the center. Unfortunately, vehicle maker Preston Tucker couldn’t raise the money he needed to produce more Tucker 48s, which is sad because the car was revolutionary in many ways besides the headlights.
Cizeta V16T
This Italian supercar stands out for its 16-cylinder engine, which is rather special in itself. Cizeta also made the front end stand out with four individual pop-up lights. While only nine vehicles were made, three were purchased by the Royal Family of Brunei because of their 540-horsepower engine and looks that turned heads.
Porsche 928
Porsche made some interesting design choices with this vehicle. The headlights weren’t hidden but started in a position where the lamps didn’t quite look ahead. The lamps could flip up with a smooth mechanism that placed them nearly upright. They looked good for a Porsche.
Headlight Styles Add to Already Unique and Classic Vehicles
Many vehicles with more thoughtful and innovative headlight styles were already destined to be stylish standouts. Challenging industry trends and ensuring a vehicle’s essential equipment contributed to its style helped move them into the memory of automotive enthusiasts. Which headlights stand out most to you, from today or yesterday?
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