Split Headlights: The Design Trend Redefining Car Fronts

Split headlights have become the latest design trend, where LED daytime running lights dominate and the main headlights are hidden or sculpturally integrated.

Forget the classic symmetrical headlights: modern cars now look at the world with slim, tall, and sharp eyes. The DRLs (LED daytime running lights) take center stage, while the main headlights are tucked into bumpers or sculpted shapes, giving rise to the split-headlight language increasingly common in SUVs, sports cars, and electric vehicles.

DRLs as Eyes and Hidden Headlights

Brands like Ferrari, Hyundai, and Citroën have embraced this philosophy. The Ferrari Purosangue features nearly invisible lights above large air intakes, while the Hyundai KONA and Tucson transform the light signature into a continuous strip across the front. The Citroën C5 X and Lancia Ypsilon use high LED lines resembling eyebrows, with the main headlights positioned lower, often almost invisible until activated.

Light Strips and Geometries

Manufacturers are experimenting with LED strips to unify the front end. Clear examples include the Volkswagen ID.4, CUPRA Tavascan, and the latest smart models, which integrate DRLs in a continuous line. Others, like the Skoda Enyaq or Peugeot 308, create crystal-like light masks, while the Audi Q6 e-tron and BMW i7 use fragmented LEDs like jewels. Among the most radical designs is the Tesla Cybertruck, featuring a horizontal strip across the hood with main headlights hidden in vertical modules.

From Eyes to Screens

The arrival of electric vehicles and the disappearance of traditional grilles have turned the front end into a brand identity and dynamic face. Prototypes like the BMW iVision Dee feature communication panels that replace headlights with interactive LED screens, while Chinese brands such as HiPhi, Xpeng, and BYD adopt lights that change shape, color, and sequence based on context, pushing lighting design to a new technological and aesthetic level.

A Constantly Evolving Trend

In all cases, lighting is no longer just functional; it has become an expressive and graphic element. Main headlights are increasingly small and camouflaged, while DRLs and LED strips define a vehicle’s personality, showing that modern automotive lighting not only supports functionality but also shapes the visual identity of 21st-century car brands.