[ccstl2008]

Are the Cross' taillights dim and dangerous? Real-world comparisons are the best way to find out, so I stopped and shot some video of cars (including my Cross LE) on a dark country road at night. I'll update this with more vehicles as I have time to stop and shoot some more videos at this location. I'm not great at identifying cars at night by just rough shape and taillights, so if you're a savant at field identification of cars, please chime in!

Here is the video form of this:

cctaillights.mp4

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[bmorris12s]

Are the Cross' taillights dim and dangerous? Real-world comparisons are the best way to find out, so I stopped and shot some video of cars (including my Cross LE) on a dark country road at night. I'll update this with more vehicles as I have time to stop and shoot some more videos at this location. I'm not great at identifying cars at night by just rough shape and taillights, so if you're a savant at field identification of cars, please chime in!

View attachment 573

Interesting, looks like the RAV4 is more noticeable since the band of lights is wider and the Cross has brighter license plates than taillights. I replaced my taillights with LED equivalent.

 

[foxtherouge]

What camera did you use? What settings? Keep in mind if you used Auto on any camera it will adjust light balance and skew your results. A prime example of this is your 1/4 miles results. The 4Runner looks brighter than the Cross however your camera was letting more light in on the 4Runner, you can tell by looking at the crossing sign. Also all of the 4Runner pictures are relatively dark compared to the Cross pictures, you can barely tell the 4Runner has headlights on.

This is the same issue people have when saying X headlight is brighter than Y headlight brands.

Good experiment though, don't get me wrong!

 

[ccstl2008]

This was shot on a Panasonic AG-DVX200 in manual mode, wide open aperture. The 4Runner likely had its high beams on. In these conditions, most cameras are beyond their low light capabilities and are shooting wide open (and at high gain) if on auto.

My assessment is the Cross’ taillights are a little on the dimmer side, but not enough to be a major safety concern.

 

[JoeProcopio]

I created a petition to get the lights on the L and LE models the same as the XLE that go onto the hatch and are much more visible at night. Feel free to sign it, have your friends sign it....etc
Corolla Cross Light petition

 

[foxtherouge]

Jeez, what do you do for a living?! That is a very serious camcorder. Glad you know your stuff.

 

[ccstl2008]

I put together a full-res video collage of this in 4K that you can watch/download:

cctaillights.mp4

Shared with Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

Jeez, what do you do for a living?! That is a very serious camcorder. Glad you know your stuff.

Thanks! Been doing various freelance work that has required it.

 

[JoeProcopio]

the weird thing is that the Cross XLE has similar lights to the RAV4 in the photo. they are LED and they continue onto the hatch. The RAV4 lower trim levels actually follow suit with the LED light for the XLE and above, but the L and LE models for both cars only have the incandescent bulbs on the outer edge of the rear. This seems to be a pattern on Toyota SUVs, as I have seen it on the Highlander as well. Not sure about the Sequoia as we don't have many of them down here in Myrtle Beach.


The photos kind of doesn't show how bad the Cross is. The lights on the license plate are not that prominent, but it looks like they are lighting up the entire rear of the Cross.

 

[ccstl2008]

the weird thing is that the Cross XLE has similar lights to the RAV4 in the photo. they are LED and they continue onto the hatch. The RAV4 lower trim levels actually follow suit with the LED light for the XLE and above, but the L and LE models for both cars only have the incandescent bulbs on the outer edge of the rear. This seems to be a pattern on Toyota SUVs, as I have seen it on the Highlander as well. Not sure about the Sequoia as we don't have many of them down here in Myrtle Beach.


The photos kind of doesn't show how bad the Cross is. The lights on the license plate are not that prominent, but it looks like they are lighting up the entire rear of the Cross.

Try the video link I posted, it is a better comparison. My Cross' license plate light is pretty bright compared to other vehicles, I'm not sure if everyone else's is that way?

 

[JoeProcopio]

Try the video link I posted, it is a better comparison. My Cross' license plate light is pretty bright compared to other vehicles, I'm not sure if everyone else's is that way?

my wife's license plate is pretty dim...not sure why there is a difference unless you have LED lights and she has regular incandescent bulbs...which is weird since they are both LEs and should have the same light bulbs but you never know.

Also, keep in mind what the eye sees and what the camera sees are 2 different things, but I'm sure you know that if you are in the business...cardholder since '95 here, lol (Video Production business)

 

[9mmwrecker]

Hi all, not sure if you are aware but there a petition started to have Toyota address the safety concerns of the tail light, or lack there of .please check out the link . ttps://chng.it/7bhDL2qWH5

 

[JoeProcopio]

yeah, I started it. need more signatures

 

[9mmwrecker]

Hi all, regarding the tailgate lights, I found this Wiring harness on amazon, it's for a Rav4 but it seems that the Rav 4 and the Cross share a lot of the same parts. I can peek inside the tailgate from the inside and you can see there is a light plugged into the running lights section just no harness. Going to give it a try and I'll keep you posted.

 

[JoeProcopio]

Hi all, regarding the tailgate lights, I found this Wiring harness on amazon, it's for a Rav4 but it seems that the Rav 4 and the Cross share a lot of the same parts. I can peek inside the tailgate from the inside and you can see there is a light plugged into the running lights section just no harness. Going to give it a try and I'll keep you posted.

yes please, take photos and document everything you can as well...if possible!

 

[JoeProcopio]

although it doesn't "add" the tailgate light to the LE and L model because that is only a reflector and it only affects the brake being applied. The biggest issue is with the running lights being so small and dim. I hope the aftermarket releases something for the Cross so we don't have to purchase the LED lights for the XLE and install them on the LE and L models.

If you watch the video, what this does is allow the tailight portion of the running lights to light up with the brake light. If your lights are on at night, your running lights are on, this video only shows what happens during the day when the running lights are off. And this has the LED brake light that the XLE has. So this would be great for the XLE model if it works with it which it looks like it might but doesn't help the LE and L models that don't have the tailgate lights to begin with which is the reason for the petition.

 

[Harrischris]

I was shocked to drive behind my daughter tonight as she drove her 2022 LE Cross and to discover the fake lights on the back, above where the white reverse light comes on. Those red covers are NOT reflective and serve absolutely no purpose accept to make one think they are part of the tail lights. I was shocked that we paid almost $30,000 for a Toyota and to discover it has these tiny, circular lights as tail lights. I called my husband and yold him to Google how to tuen the tai lights on because I figured these had to be running lights. The fake light areas are the same that actually light up on the XLE. We had no idea until tonight and I am stunned.

 

[jaysto]

I was shocked to drive behind my daughter tonight as she drove her 2022 LE Cross and to discover the fake lights on the back, above where the white reverse light comes on. Those red covers are NOT reflective and serve absolutely no purpose accept to make one think they are part of the tail lights. I was shocked that we paid almost $30,000 for a Toyota and to discover it has these tiny, circular lights as tail lights. I called my husband and yold him to Google how to tuen the tai lights on because I figured these had to be running lights. The fake light areas are the same that actually light up on the XLE. We had no idea until tonight and I am stunned.

I am looking at possibly putting this as my license plate light. A lot of reviews say it is quite bright.

Amazon.com: LivTee License Plate Light, Extremely Bright LED License Plate Lights Assembly for Trailer UTV ATV Truck RV Boat, Xenon White(6000K) : Automotive

Buy LivTee License Plate Light, Extremely Bright LED License Plate Lights Assembly for Trailer UTV ATV Truck RV Boat, Xenon White(6000K): Frames - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[jaysto]

Hi all, regarding the tailgate lights, I found this Wiring harness on amazon, it's for a Rav4 but it seems that the Rav 4 and the Cross share a lot of the same parts. I can peek inside the tailgate from the inside and you can see there is a light plugged into the running lights section just no harness. Going to give it a try and I'll keep you posted.

Were you ever able to get this working for the Cross?