Light bars have made a gradual return to popularity in new cars, and for the most part they make designs look more futuristic , but not all are created equal. Full-width rear light bars had a moment in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and a few models carried the torch through the ‘80s and ‘90s, but modern cars seem to be embracing full-width lighting elements more than ever before.
The implementation of LED lighting technology in automobiles has opened doors for designers to make more radical lighting designs than ever before, and LED light bars have come back into popularity alongside the rise of EVs. I’m impressed with the variation that automakers have been able to apply to light bars — some are razor-thin, some are thicker, some are recessed and some are three dimensional. Full-width light bars are now used for headlights as well as taillights, too. 52 curved light bar
As car design is forced to comply with stricter aerodynamic limitations to maximize efficiency and to comply with pedestrian safety standards, the actual shape of new cars seem more homogenized, but lighting elements are an effective way for designers to make new cars stand out without compromising aerodynamics or pedestrian safety standards.
Read along to see what we think are some of the coolest light bars ever implemented on cars. Let us know if we missed one of your favorites in the comments!
Rivian’s signature front light bar is polarizing. Some folks despise the distinctive face on these lovable trucks, but obviously I am a fan. In a market where pickups seem to be heading more toward semi trucks both in style and in size, Rivian went a totally unique direction with its signature styling.
Though the original Mercury Sable also featured a front light bar, I like the front light bar on the second-generation Sable more because it was sleeker and was better integrated with the headlights. I recently stumbled across someone on Instagram who did an LED swap on their Sable’s light bar, and it looks a hundred times cooler. Definitely one of the best light bars ever made.
The new Hyundai Kona took light bars right where I wanted them to, and it looks like a car out of “iRobot” or “Terminator.” Both the front and rear light bars contribute to this vibe, but I again want to focus on the front setup. Despite looking a bit silly in lower trims, since only the portion of the light bar above the headlights illuminates leaving the middle dark, higher trims have the full-width LED light bar that looks badass. Gimmicky? Maybe, but I still think it’s cool.
Akin to the Sable, the early Mercury Villager had a full-width front lighting element that always tickled me. Mostly because I likened it to the little headlight on my family’s Oreck vacuum cleaner, but still, it was a distinctive styling aspect that made the Villager hard to mistake for any other van.
I have always been a fan of Audi styling, but when I saw the intricate design of the current generation A8’s rear light bar I was especially taken. Its light bar is thin and wide, connecting taller tail lights that extend below the light bar, which is reminiscent of a strong brow bone. I think it makes the rear of the A8 look distinguished, cohesive, and still distinctive.
Recently I saw a car driving down my street at night, and all I could see was a badass light bar. I was shocked when I realized it was a Toyota Crown, and not something way cooler. Let’s make one thing clear — I don’t like the way the Toyota Crown looks. I do, however, like its bold rear light bar. Another implementation of a sleek line of LEDs across the width of this big car’s tail, the Crown’s light bar looks cool, especially at night.
Hyundai has had some big hits as far as styling goes, a statement nobody would believe if you told them 15 years ago. Both the Ioniq 5 and the Ioniq 6 are striking vehicles to look at, but it’s the Ioniq 6 that really stands out with its futuristic pixelated rear light bar.
The 2011 Dodge Charger was one of the first cars to bring back the light bar in the 21st century, and it did so quite successfully. It featured a row of LEDs encircling the rear of the car, and despite the fact that they are very obviously separate LEDs in early models, later Chargers smoothed out the lights and made it look even better. We get desensitized to seeing Chargers on the road, but honestly they’ve always been good looking cars.
The Lucid Air is a design marvel that defies what we previously thought necessary to make a good looking car; it breaks rules, and it looks great doing it. Honestly both the front and rear light bars on the Lucid Air look great, so I’m not going to choose between the two of them.
Following the success of the Charger, Dodge brought full-width tail lights to the Durango in 2014. I love the way that the tail lights look almost like a pair of sunglasses that one would wear to an underground rave. This tail light treatment is distinctive and handsome, and definitely contributes to the Durango’s imposing style.
The Kia EV6 has one of the most daring rear ends on the market today, crowned with its full width light bar. I would go so far as to say that the EV6 rear end looks like no car ever before, thanks to the curves in bodywork that seem to serve as a pedestal to its lights. I wouldn’t call it beautiful, but it definitely is cool.
The Ford Thunderbird was a style icon, and the fourth-generation T-Bird was no exception. Its full-width tail lights included sequential turn signals, and the central portion of the tail light was silhouetted with the Thunderbird logo.
The 2019 Aston Martin Vantage was another polarizingly styled car, with a front end that could be likened to a Plecostomus, but I always loved the rear. Its swoopy tail light bar adds drama and accentuates the car’s already voluptuous hips. I wish the whole light bar would illuminate normally, though, since the central portion of the light bar is technically the third taillight. Otherwise, definitely one of the coolest light bars out there.
The 2007 Lincoln MKX brought back full-width tail lights with a fresh new design for the 21st century. Its massive rear lighting elements were the statement piece, but the car’s front end styling was pretty daring too. Lincoln followed this up with its hulking MKT, which also had similar rear lights, and after these cars the rest of the industry seemed to follow.
led lights on vehicles The old Prius Prime is a funky looking car, but I’ve always liked it, especially the rear. I love how it rises and flows, and I love how the rear light bar highlights the curvature of the window. Again, like the Vantage, the full light bar only illuminates when the brakes are on, since the top portion serves as the third tail light.