Lubber

My wife drives a Mazda CX-5 that has the HID headlights which move left or right in a turn. IMO I think the RX triple headlight combo with the side LED that lights the side during turns is much better. That LED that shines to the side really lights up a large area. The CX-5 system doesn't light enough of the side to make a difference. Seems more like a fun gadget.

nukezero

The Triple Beam LED looks amazing on the RX350. The dealership had two 2018 RX350 side by side, one with triple beam LED, the other the standard HID. I turned both on at night this was 7:30PM. Viewing the triple beam head on, they are bright and distinct, more so than the projector HID. However when in the drivers seat, I noticed that the xenon HID projector had a better "throw" and lumen intensity whereas the triple beam HID's throw and lumen was not as good but maybe 10% less.

Does anyone feel the same way or is it just me?

coolsaber

The LED is nicer to look at, while the HID are nicer to look with :P

The same is reported by IIHS, for some reason unbeknownst to me, the tech isnt superior to old school xenon/hid tech....maybe different with other makes, but it seems its an LED thing

JSracer

they are both led, no hid in the projector its led.

Viru

Slightly OT, but more info on this? I've tried the LED headlights on the MDX and TLX and they've both been as bright and effective as a collapsed star - no clue why people would be unable to see with them.

Zmon

iTrader: (2)

Hey all, just curious, for those of you who've had multiple 4RX's and have had both headlight options, how would you compare them? I've been looking at trading in my 13 RX for a 4th gen, found a nice loaded 16 with every option and low miles so I've really been considering it. Maybe another question could pertain to how the 13's headlights compare to the triple beams?

signdetres

Check out these YouTube videos, this reviewer does a headlight test of each car, nothing scientific but confirms what many have said over time, including the IIHS. For the first video, the headlight test of the standard Bi-LEDs begins at 5:24. For the second video, the headlight test of the Triple Beams begins at 3:12. In the second video, he compares the Triple Beams to the Bi-LEDs that he previously tested. He had both vehicles at the same time.



Basically, the Bi-LEDs and the Triple Beams are actually pretty comparable in performance. This isn't to say the Triple Beams are bad, it's just that the standard Bi-LEDs are very good. With the Triple Beam option, you do get much better looking headlights, a nicer & crisper Lexus "L" DRL, & LED turn signals in addition to cornering lights that make upgrading worth it just for that alone, IMO.

However, the IIHS tested both sets of headlights and actually rated the Triple Beams as worse than the Bi-LEDs. The standard Bi-LEDs got an "A" or "acceptable" rating and the Triple Beams were rated as "M" or "marginal" which is one notch below "A" and just above "P" for "poor."

https://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/ve.../rx-4-door-suv

Newer generations of Lexus vehicles, like the new ES, have Triple Beams that are actually worth the upgrade in terms of lighting performance so this isn't a characteristic of all Lexus triple beam headlights and most are an upgrade over the base Bi-LEDs.

Zmon

iTrader: (2)

Ah, yeah, I remember that IIHS page now. At the time, I wondered why Lexus would add a headlight "upgrade" only for it to performance worse than the stock options at the time. Glad to know they've improved upon it with the newer vehicles. Thanks!

ssmtsx

D4V1D

This is 100% correct. We had the triples in our 2015 NX and loved them, but when we bought our new RX, it had everything else but that...it did have the upgraded Adaptive option, though. I was really bummed at first, but now, after researching a bit and reading the IIHS report, I'm actually glad we have the Adaptive Bi-LED's. From behind the wheel, these lights do a very good job and are definately as good as the triples and, apparantly are actually better performers.

Now, truth be told, I'm still bummed about the lack of front and rear LED turn signals that the triple package also include, as well as the cleaner looking DRL's.

So, for anyone looking for answers and reading this thread...the Adaptive Bi-LED's are easily as good/better as the triples, but you will loose a little pizzazz in regards to the LED turn signals and DRL's.

coolsaber

The tripples look better but perform below the standard...thats kind weird.

Makool

I just got an RX 2019 F sport series 3 and the guy at service says I don’t have the AFS option including the cornering feature when driving freeway, mine it’s the Canadian version, any thoughts? I believe I should have it.

ravenuer

What does it say on your window sticker?

Makool

I never got the sticker, I’ve been doing the research but the people who should know it, don’t know it.

ravenuer

Any Lexus dealer can give you a copy of the window sticker. Just give them the VIN.