Why Some New Cars Look Like Their Taillights Are Off

LED Light Bars Are Taking Over

Over the last decade, we’ve seen LED taillight bars on new cars become pretty much the go-to design choice, in the process also becoming one of the most divisive changes in car design. Everyone from Kia to Porsche uses a horizontal strip of LEDs at the rear. Some designs, like on the new Tesla Model Y, take things even further, with a truly unconventional glowing light bar design.

So unconventional, in fact, that a Model Y driver was pulled over in Indiana because a policeman believed his taillights were on the fritz. At which point, we have to ask ourselves, have light bar designs gone too far?

The Trick Model Y Light Bar 

The 2026 Model Y “Juniper” uses what Tesla calls an Indirect Running Light (IRL), which reflects light from the painted surface of the boot. What looks like the top taillight housing doesn’t really work as you would expect. Instead, the horizontal LED light strip hidden under it provides the bulk of the illumination from reflections when you’re driving along. The traditional brake light spots only light up when braking, otherwise remaining dark.

Tesla’s chief designer, Franz von Holzhausen, appeared on Jay Leno’s Garage explaining the indirect running light design, stating that the unique, new design was refreshing. Lars Moravy, Vice President Vehicle Engineering at Tesla, stated that federal regulations are based on the amount of lumen output from the surface area of a light (and not necessarily the type of surface), and the Model Y’s running lights meet that requirement. That said, it could still appear to be malfunctioning to someone driving behind a vehicle at night, especially if they are unfamiliar with newer models.

Striking Design Choice or Just Confusing?

While this issue is isolated to the new Tesla Model Y tail light design, the larger question is whether automobile manufacturers prioritize making vehicles stand out in terms of design versus providing clear and recognizable functionality to the average driver. In this case, Tesla performed its due diligence regarding regulation compliance, but other people on the road may need to play catch-up in terms of getting familiar with how it works. 

That shouldn’t be too difficult, seeing as how many cars use light bar designs nowadays, though Hyundai design chief Simon Loasby certainly thinks it’s a design trend that’s played out. In the meantime, maybe manufacturers can innovate with lighting design, just as long as they serve their main purpose: as safety equipment that increases visibility, not confusion.

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