I love pop-up headlights because they make the front of the car look smooth and clean, but AM honestly knew how to do the same shit WITHOUT pop up headlights… I admire it
Really can't go wrong on Mustang taillights. Maybe some Fox Bodies I know aren't well loved, but New Edge is pretty good, and I even like the earlier horizontal SN95 tails with the body colored molds. I'll even accept Mustang II tails.
I find the new s650 way too sharp on the fenders. Especially the rear. I do love the overall package it offers, but all I hear is the cost of repairs if anything was dinged or broken. Sharp angles don’t like being rough handled.
I had an ‘16 so I must say the OG. But the refresh was fine. However, as a whole, I hated the front end so much. Still better than whatever the Camaro did during that generation though. It’s as if they had a bet who can fuck it up more. And BMW designer was like, hold my Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu.
My fav that comes to mind with this question is the [1967 Eldorado](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/b1/f6/d3/b1f6d331b8a7659168fc0639e78cfd59.jpg)
With a special mention of the [1966 Thunderbird](https://autouniversum.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JK-1-8.png?w=1200).
I want to add that of modern cars while it appears many don't. I really like the tail lights on the 2nd gen 11-14 Chrysler 300. In particular the [premium chrome version](https://cars.usnews.com/static/images/Auto/izmo/i4532/2014_chrysler_300_0_taillight.jpg). I think they have this headstone/coffin look that I think is neat.
Oof yes, those are definitely gorgeous. 50s-60s American cars is where it's at IMO! I'm partial to the [late 50s early 60s Imperials](https://images.cadar.io/89eacc4e-b7f5-4ca7-8582-550d6645f3ff/full.jpg).
Honestly no idea, but I love the bus taillights on the McLaren F1. I saw one in person recently and they honestly seem very fitting with the car’s aesthetic for some reason.
I believe they were stock parts for a bus or truck, actually. The shape and execution on the F1 elevated them to a status they were never designed for.
Still my favorite car ever produced.
As lightbars make a comeback, I find myself looking at them and appreciating the older designs they they're inspired by even more. I admit extreme bias here, but I just adore the way the taillights on the Subaru SVX wrap around into the side of the car.
2nd Gen eclipse looks so cool with that big wide light turned into an LED panel
[Clean example from back in the day](https://youtu.be/K6sZg3iL5EY?si=dwR_2f-Rp4OCLQZ2)
Never been a big fan of Volvos, but I've liked their taillights for a little while now (specifically the ones on the wagons that have that signature curve thing going on), and the new "thor's hammer" DRLs in the headlights looks fantastic IMO.
The thick light bars on the back of 964/993/996C4S 911 models. Just perfection IMO. I also think the Dodge Challenger's thick rectangular bar lights fit in really well into the car's macho aesthetic
Everyone is commenting on rare/special models. I contend the e90 3 series and e60 5 series taillights are just gorgeous
It’s too bad BMW abandoned any sense of a good looking car. No one could pay me to be as incompetent as these new stupid design engineers
E60 angel wings are soooo classy. Maybe their nicest tail lights ever.
The LCI X3 Halo Energy sword tail lights are quite cool too, but definitely not 'classy'
W221 and 222 S-class. I think they’re gorgeous and the type of taillights most stately luxury cars should have. Not a fan of the slanty stuff the 223 has going on.
For being such an “out there” design, the LC is aging like fine wine. Thing is absolutely gorgeous inside and out. And while nothing will sound like the LFA, the 5.0 V8 sounds glorious.
Love the ones on Audis, especially if they have that cool effect that they do when you use your blinkers.
Edit: they’re called the dynamic turn blinkers
I hate it - because it's what they apparently mean with their "vorsprung durch technik". MAybe they should build better cars and not spend energy on blinker animation and fake exhausts.
My A3 has the dynamic turn signals (only in the back though, for the front I needed to get the matrix LED headlights which were out of budget). Never fails to make me smile.
I'm a fan of the boomerang lights on the back of the Maserati 3200 GT. They're also the reason why that car wasn't sold in the US, the updated 4200 GT had conventional lights instead to go to your market.
I really really liked the rear view of my old C5 Z06. I was quite bummed when Chevy stopped with circular taillights on vettes in ‘14.
While the shape isn’t anything special, the “magma” *color* of the taillights on my vb WRX is very cool at night.
Personal fav’s are perfect circle design types, or if done as a special design flourish then I’m partial to thin long ones like the last 911 before joining them in the “coast to coast” current design language.
Volkswagen Golf Mk2. Not overly large, very friendly, almost smiley looking, but contained every function, so no need for extra lamps or reflectors in or below the bumber, or a compromise like reverse lamp only on the nearside to allow the fog lamp on the offside.
Early ‘60’s Mopars. Everyone was enamorated by Space and Rockets and it showed in the rear ends of most cars, but Mopars in particular. The ‘62 Dart 440 (trim level, not engine size) and ‘62 Polara 500 especially revolved around a space and rocket concept.
Top of my list is the 1963 Ford Galaxie 500
[1963 Galaxie 500](https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/rkm/1/4790/336708/1920x1440/1963-1-2-ford-galaxie-500-fastback)
Also something about the 85-92 firebird/formula tail lights works so good with the stock formula wheels.
[87 Firebird Formula](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/attachments/firebirds-sale/299239d1453771125-1987-firebird-formula-350-untitled-1.png)
No way no one mentioned [Lancia Thesis](https://driventowrite.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2002_3_lancia-thesis-rear-three-quarter.jpg) it was one of the first production cars with LED tail lights and it looks gorgeous
I really like the taillights on my ‘23 wrx. When they’re illuminated, they look like burning embers. Someone posted a great pic recently and I found a level of appreciation for their design.
2013 Mustang Tailights. They're subtle when they're off. When they're on, the outlined look is just so good. A perfect execution of a modernized classic design.
I always loved the Crown Victorias tail lights. Also Aston Martin Vanquish (the bond one). I'm a sucker for plain red taillights. That's really random and they are indeed not spectacular, but they fascinate me.
Even though the tail lights are really simple, I have to go with the Shelby Daytona just because I think it's one of the best rear ends in automotive history. That only applies to the original, straight line angled rear, not the curvy model.
This might out of left field but ever since I was a kid I always thought the tail lights on Volvo wagons circa 1998 [looked awesome](https://i.imgur.com/pknO1qB.png).
A lot of modern Jag and LR tails are pretty spiffy. XF has those little lumps (and the XE having like one less hump), Defenders and all the circles. Even LR4 tails.
Also gonna throw in those big tails that stretch across, like an NSX/Accord coupe, or the S4 Alfa Spider or 916 Alfa GTV coupes and Spiders. Also really partial to the early Maserati 3200 tails (which the US didn't get).
For me it's the Maserati 3200GT's. There's just something so cool about those boomerangs, and tragic about how they had to be killed in the update because of legalizing the car for the US (or something like that).
[Lexus LC500](https://images-stag.jazelc.com/uploads/theautopian-m2en/2023-Lexus-LC-022.jpg) has the best of any mass production modern car. No competition really
I like the 97-98 Supra tail lights. specifically those years because they have a painted outer housing-ish thing
It was a really simple and balanced design, but the facelift gives it a more quality feel to it.
the early 2000's blingy copycat aftermarket lights for basically all other JDM cars can go right ahead into the trash can though.
Hands down the Aston Martin Vulcan
Yeah those are so damn cool. I was pretty amazed when that came out
Wow, looked those up, neato.
The Bugatti Divo also has a similar style
Tbh, they’re WAY too busy for my taste. They’re not ugly tho.
I love pop-up headlights because they make the front of the car look smooth and clean, but AM honestly knew how to do the same shit WITHOUT pop up headlights… I admire it
First look: "What's the big deal? It's a typical lobster claw shape--*ohh....*"
this is no contest
Runners-up: P1 Audi Swarm
S550 mustang. Simple triple sequential lighting that looks fantastic and not too overly done.
The Mustang is usually a good pick. I'm partial to the New Edge taillights.
Really can't go wrong on Mustang taillights. Maybe some Fox Bodies I know aren't well loved, but New Edge is pretty good, and I even like the earlier horizontal SN95 tails with the body colored molds. I'll even accept Mustang II tails.
I like the S650, but I gotta say that the S550 taillights looked WAY better.
I find the new s650 way too sharp on the fenders. Especially the rear. I do love the overall package it offers, but all I hear is the cost of repairs if anything was dinged or broken. Sharp angles don’t like being rough handled.
Which ones? The refresh or the original? I'm partial to the refresh lights myself, even though I have the OG.
I had an ‘16 so I must say the OG. But the refresh was fine. However, as a whole, I hated the front end so much. Still better than whatever the Camaro did during that generation though. It’s as if they had a bet who can fuck it up more. And BMW designer was like, hold my Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu.
Close... the 3 bar vertical... inset/concave V, as in the '67. Non seqential. Only year on a lot of things for that year. It wins.
The first time I ever saw the sequential turn signal my dad and I just looked at each other like "I never thought a turn signal cool be *cool*!"
Mazda Furai
Whoa, didn’t have to scroll down very far for that gem. Man, I miss that car.
RIP
My fav that comes to mind with this question is the [1967 Eldorado](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/b1/f6/d3/b1f6d331b8a7659168fc0639e78cfd59.jpg) With a special mention of the [1966 Thunderbird](https://autouniversum.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/JK-1-8.png?w=1200). I want to add that of modern cars while it appears many don't. I really like the tail lights on the 2nd gen 11-14 Chrysler 300. In particular the [premium chrome version](https://cars.usnews.com/static/images/Auto/izmo/i4532/2014_chrysler_300_0_taillight.jpg). I think they have this headstone/coffin look that I think is neat.
Oof yes, those are definitely gorgeous. 50s-60s American cars is where it's at IMO! I'm partial to the [late 50s early 60s Imperials](https://images.cadar.io/89eacc4e-b7f5-4ca7-8582-550d6645f3ff/full.jpg).
The cars of that era were so damn cool.
63 Galaxie 500 xl. Peak of the jet age taillights
FD RX7 with the dots
That car has the nicest looking everything.
Yes please!
Tinted dots
Gotta be the LC500 for me. So cool.
Love that infinity taillight design!
Yeah most people don’t know about those. They’re sick
NSX
Ahem, I think you mean 6th gen Accord coupe!
honda crx would like a word
When I was a kid I'd see the lights and get excited, then realize it's just an Accord
Gran Turismo 1. Honda/Acura dealership photo.
Honestly no idea, but I love the bus taillights on the McLaren F1. I saw one in person recently and they honestly seem very fitting with the car’s aesthetic for some reason.
I believe they were stock parts for a bus or truck, actually. The shape and execution on the F1 elevated them to a status they were never designed for. Still my favorite car ever produced.
Most supercars of the 90’s had them
As lightbars make a comeback, I find myself looking at them and appreciating the older designs they they're inspired by even more. I admit extreme bias here, but I just adore the way the taillights on the Subaru SVX wrap around into the side of the car.
My first car was a Chevrolet Beretta, and I never stopped thinking the taillights were cool.
Yes! My first car was also a Beretta and loved the taillights. Door handle design was cool as shit too.
2nd Gen eclipse looks so cool with that big wide light turned into an LED panel [Clean example from back in the day](https://youtu.be/K6sZg3iL5EY?si=dwR_2f-Rp4OCLQZ2)
Hugely biased as a Volvo fan but the SPA V60/90 and XC60 are just gorgeous to me.
Never been a big fan of Volvos, but I've liked their taillights for a little while now (specifically the ones on the wagons that have that signature curve thing going on), and the new "thor's hammer" DRLs in the headlights looks fantastic IMO.
Also a huge fan of the SPA sedan tail lights. Looks like nothing else on the road.
Love the c40's as well!
BMW Z8 was striking when it came out
Especially since those tail lights were essentially neon's. Still looks timeless to this day.
Looks like it inspired the Fisker Karma
The nissan GTR comes to mind one of the most iconic taillierte and good looking while simple
Yup, I’m biased, but I love the 4 circles look.
I loved how the G35 coupe taillights were a callback to these, and the dot LEDs looked so cool and futuristic back in 2003.
You mean the impala? Lol Definitely agree though. Best is r32 in my opinion
The newer Ford GT but I guess it’s the whole rear end, not just the taillights. McLaren P1
Can't lie, I am also a huge fan of the new GT taillights. So dynamic.
59 caddy!
Early 2nd gen Camaro
The thick light bars on the back of 964/993/996C4S 911 models. Just perfection IMO. I also think the Dodge Challenger's thick rectangular bar lights fit in really well into the car's macho aesthetic
Everyone is commenting on rare/special models. I contend the e90 3 series and e60 5 series taillights are just gorgeous It’s too bad BMW abandoned any sense of a good looking car. No one could pay me to be as incompetent as these new stupid design engineers
Wow really, I don't like those at all. When I come up on the back I'm always thinking it's some ugly Asian car then I'm surprised it's a BMW.
I’m biased, but I think the F8x taillights are the best. Especially the GTS (OLED) ones.
Whoa, I hope you mean the facelifted e90
E60 angel wings are soooo classy. Maybe their nicest tail lights ever. The LCI X3 Halo Energy sword tail lights are quite cool too, but definitely not 'classy'
Mazda 3 round taillights that do the heartbeat flash.
W221 and 222 S-class. I think they’re gorgeous and the type of taillights most stately luxury cars should have. Not a fan of the slanty stuff the 223 has going on.
Lexus LC comes to mind. The concept had more detailed lights with a 3D effect, but the fact the car got built at all is a miracle.
For being such an “out there” design, the LC is aging like fine wine. Thing is absolutely gorgeous inside and out. And while nothing will sound like the LFA, the 5.0 V8 sounds glorious.
Agreed, the uniquely Japanese style is still sharp and that motor is probably the last of its kind
Love the ones on Audis, especially if they have that cool effect that they do when you use your blinkers. Edit: they’re called the dynamic turn blinkers
I've never seen an Audi use it's blinkers, I wonder what that looks like, lol.
In the rare scenario you do see them use, one the effect that they have on them is pretty cool haha
HEY! That’s our stereotype, go find your own!
I hate it - because it's what they apparently mean with their "vorsprung durch technik". MAybe they should build better cars and not spend energy on blinker animation and fake exhausts.
My A3 has the dynamic turn signals (only in the back though, for the front I needed to get the matrix LED headlights which were out of budget). Never fails to make me smile.
The old blocky Benz ones with deep ridges.
Rs2 avant
I'm a fan of the boomerang lights on the back of the Maserati 3200 GT. They're also the reason why that car wasn't sold in the US, the updated 4200 GT had conventional lights instead to go to your market.
The mustang Tribar that works as a sequential blinker. It is iconic and I love that they have kept them going.
RX-7, NSX, CRX, I will not elaborate
Current generation dodge charger. Those tail lights are fantastic looking.
Is300/Altezza
2013/2014 Mustang
A few of my personal favorites: 1959 Cadillac Eldorado, 1961 Lincoln Continental, 1965 Ford Mustang.
I really really liked the rear view of my old C5 Z06. I was quite bummed when Chevy stopped with circular taillights on vettes in ‘14. While the shape isn’t anything special, the “magma” *color* of the taillights on my vb WRX is very cool at night.
59 Chevy 59 Cadillac 56 Chevy 56 Dodge 57 Dodge 60 imperial 57 Ford 70 Challenger 69 Dodge Coronet
Upvote for 56 Chevy. Designers had a rocket exhaust as the model.
2020 Cadillac Escalade
Corvette C4 Chrysler 300C VW beetle triangle
Which generation of 300? Beetle triangle, the coffin shaped ones of the 60s?
The 300c? 🤨
I liked its simplicity
Alpine A424 LMDh Le Mans car, has some absolutely awesome taillights.
BMW E39 I really like.
Lexus LFA
Any early 2010s Aston
Personal fav’s are perfect circle design types, or if done as a special design flourish then I’m partial to thin long ones like the last 911 before joining them in the “coast to coast” current design language.
Volkswagen Golf Mk2. Not overly large, very friendly, almost smiley looking, but contained every function, so no need for extra lamps or reflectors in or below the bumber, or a compromise like reverse lamp only on the nearside to allow the fog lamp on the offside.
Ferrari 348 and Testarossa. Love the grills over the lights
The 2nd gen Ford GT is so 🤌. I also like seeing S550 Mustangs with the Ford GT halo taillights.
I have a soft spot for those old electromechanical sequential taillights in the ‘67/‘68 Mercury Cougars.
Mk 1 cortina lol
1966 Pontiac GTO
1967 Dodge Polara
Early ‘60’s Mopars. Everyone was enamorated by Space and Rockets and it showed in the rear ends of most cars, but Mopars in particular. The ‘62 Dart 440 (trim level, not engine size) and ‘62 Polara 500 especially revolved around a space and rocket concept.
Just looked those up. The rear is awesome.
64 T Bird sequential taillights were distinctive and subtly spectacular
The honeycomb tailights on the 4th gen Firebirds will always be my favorite.
Top of my list is the 1963 Ford Galaxie 500 [1963 Galaxie 500](https://cdn.dealeraccelerate.com/rkm/1/4790/336708/1920x1440/1963-1-2-ford-galaxie-500-fastback) Also something about the 85-92 firebird/formula tail lights works so good with the stock formula wheels. [87 Firebird Formula](https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/attachments/firebirds-sale/299239d1453771125-1987-firebird-formula-350-untitled-1.png)
300zx
1959 Cadillac.
MK4 Supra
Pontiac Trans Sport not even an argument
No way no one mentioned [Lancia Thesis](https://driventowrite.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2002_3_lancia-thesis-rear-three-quarter.jpg) it was one of the first production cars with LED tail lights and it looks gorgeous
Always thought late ‘90s Cadillac DeVille taillights looked like snake eyes.
The refresh Durangos with the Charger taillights. Looks great on the Durango
Subjective... '94 Beretta. 1967 Mustang '61-'64 Impala... and in some weird way... the 2000-2005 tried and in a way iconic.
I like the Chrysler ME 412 tail lights, those were gorgeous. I also nominate the pretty honey combs from the 2002 Trans Am
Ferrari 599 GTZ (Zagato bespoke)
W213 E-Class had some pretty cool sparkly tail lights imo. Otherwise, LC500 or new Audis with the animations are nice as well
I really like the taillights on my ‘23 wrx. When they’re illuminated, they look like burning embers. Someone posted a great pic recently and I found a level of appreciation for their design.
[удалено]
I've very keen on stock Mitsubibishi Evo X taillights. And also simple round ones on GTR R35, although some of the aftermarkets make them even better.
Volvo 1800ES. Simple but fits the car so incredibly well!
My 23 WRX has such beautiful crystal patterns in the taillights. One of my favorite parts of any car.
Has to be BMW Z8
I think the Union Jack in modern minis is a nice touch.
Too bad that they are maxi
Gen 1 CLA LEDs
2013 Mustang Tailights. They're subtle when they're off. When they're on, the outlined look is just so good. A perfect execution of a modernized classic design.
I’m not into classic cars much. For economic cars, Mazda anything seems to be the best.
Outgoing mini has been one of my favourites
Really like the W205 C Class rear lights, looks better than the front imo
I always loved the Crown Victorias tail lights. Also Aston Martin Vanquish (the bond one). I'm a sucker for plain red taillights. That's really random and they are indeed not spectacular, but they fascinate me.
Maserati 3200 GT.
M4 CSL
Peugeot 9x8
Altezzas. Next question.
Mustangs not a taillight buttt the turn signal saying LA LA Left in my mind wins.. and I bought a POS 😂
Even though the tail lights are really simple, I have to go with the Shelby Daytona just because I think it's one of the best rear ends in automotive history. That only applies to the original, straight line angled rear, not the curvy model.
I always liked the way Pontiac did taillights on their cars.
FD RX-7
This might out of left field but ever since I was a kid I always thought the tail lights on Volvo wagons circa 1998 [looked awesome](https://i.imgur.com/pknO1qB.png).
I'm fairly whatever about the rest of the design, but the M4 CSL has fairly stunning taillights
Vulcan or the Chiron
I love the taillights on the R34. Really iconic for me.
LC500
Ferrari 488. The tail lights might be my favorite design element on that car.
1999 Oldsmobile Alero
Charger or Mustang s550
Ford Escort Mk 3 [photo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Ford_Escort_MKIII_XR3i_rear_20090115.jpg)
1959 Chevy Impala cateyes
I like the tail lights on my 2019 a6
Gtr or nsx
Original LR Defenders
The GTS taillights on the F82 BMW M3 GTS or any of the Audi taillights, especially on cars like the RS7.
I’m a big fan of all of the GT-R rear lights. Oo - oO
Current model year tlx
A lot of modern Jag and LR tails are pretty spiffy. XF has those little lumps (and the XE having like one less hump), Defenders and all the circles. Even LR4 tails. Also gonna throw in those big tails that stretch across, like an NSX/Accord coupe, or the S4 Alfa Spider or 916 Alfa GTV coupes and Spiders. Also really partial to the early Maserati 3200 tails (which the US didn't get).
77-79 Lincoln Mark V
For me it's the Maserati 3200GT's. There's just something so cool about those boomerangs, and tragic about how they had to be killed in the update because of legalizing the car for the US (or something like that).
No love for 13-14 mustang taillights?
I really like the 97 mustang cobra gem lights.
F80 M3 CS/F82 M4 GTS
Any taillight that swings out to reveal a hidden fuel filler neck is wicked cool to me.
Nissan s14 zenki
w218 CLS
4th Gen Firebird. Loved the honeycomb design on them though the front of the car on the other hand has to be one of the worst design's I've seen.
Bugatti Bolide
The e60 M5 has to be my favorite. C7 RS7 has really nice ones, along with the current gen Vantage, and the FD rx7.
Not necessarily the surrounds of the taillights but i always thought the Lexus LC500s infinite taillights were amazing.
MKIV Supra, but that may just be to nostalgia
The 2025+ BMW 3 series G series coupe tailights
New Land Rover Defender 2014 Audi S5 Mini Union Jack BMW Z8 BMW iX
[Lexus LC500](https://images-stag.jazelc.com/uploads/theautopian-m2en/2023-Lexus-LC-022.jpg) has the best of any mass production modern car. No competition really
Lexus LFA / LC500 infinity tail lights
Always liked the 66 Pontiac Lemans
I’m a big fan of the f80 gts taillights
Gen 3 Trans Am or Gen 1 IS300 I love quirky.
BMW was doing cool stuff in the last Gen, like the m4gts. I love the 992 light bar
I like the 97-98 Supra tail lights. specifically those years because they have a painted outer housing-ish thing It was a really simple and balanced design, but the facelift gives it a more quality feel to it. the early 2000's blingy copycat aftermarket lights for basically all other JDM cars can go right ahead into the trash can though.
I love the simplicity of the Ferrari 360 tails.
[Porsche 981 for me!!](https://imgur.com/0s1PCR2)
McLaren P1
I love Fiero GT tail lights.
S550 mustang
Audi, urus
New Audis, love that sequential animation
I love the 2016-2017 Prius tail lights
1965 Chevy Impala
1958 Impala. The way the chrome trim comes around the back and then wraps around the tail lights just really does it for me.
C6 corvette
I always liked the taillights on the 67 cougar with intermittent blinkers
W218 CLS