[Storm2.0]

Hello all ! Recently I just drew a comparison among tail lights of different cars from different manufacturers. I was surprised to see that we have number of cars in the markets which are having tail lamps too similar to each other.
Here I'm looking at similarity on the basis of the overall shape of the tail lamp and not the elements inside it.
Do manufacturers give less importance while designing the rear end of a car ?

Below are some examples which caught my attention.

Hyundai Creta, Ford Ecosport, Isuzu MU-X and Suzuki S-Cross (in order top to down):



source:https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/modif...dai-creta.html (Installed! Sweet rear reflector LEDs in my Hyundai Creta)



2.




source:team bhp https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attac...10a0280f1.jpeg



3.



source:https://img-ik.cars.co.za/images/201..._1800x1800.jpg


4.



source:https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attac...iew-155992.jpg


Other models while similar tail lamps are, previous gen Ertiga and Honda Jazz, new gen Ertiga and new gen Honda Cr-v

What are your thoughts about the same? Do you find similarity among tail lamps of any other cars? Please share.

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[Nav-i-gator]

New gen Honda city and Ciaz. It's almost identical.

[self_driven]

Add Maruti Vitara Brezza to the list. Its tail lamps are identical to Creta, EcoSport and S-Cross in shape. More than copying each other, this phenomenon is because of manufacturers playing it too safe or following their design languages seriously.

The newly launched Maruti Ertiga and Honda CRV also have similar tail lamps. Then we have Tata Tiago and Ford Figo. For some reason, I also find the tail lamps of third-gen Swift and Toyota Liva to be quite similar!

This trend has also shifted to headlamps. Hyundai Grand i10 and Santro, Ertiga and Innova Crysta have similar headlamp designs.

I have observed that more than tail lamps, it is the headlamps that have to be neutral to please everyone in the market. Modern headlamp design is a must in mass-market cars while manufacturers do have some liberty to experiment in terms of tail lamp design.

[Storm2.0]

Sorry Mods, I'm learning to post content according to team bhp guidelines and will be careful in future.

I agree with Navigator, Ciaz and City have similar tail lamps which have been copied from BMW.
Even Toyota Etios has tail lamps quite similar to Renault Logan.

As far playing safe and being neutral with the design is concerned, I feel this was not the case 10 years back when we had different and radical shapes as seen on Honda City Zx , Maruti SX4 , Hyundai Verna, Maruti Baleno, Mitsubishi Cedia, Civic etc.
I feel designers have become complacent now. Heck till sometime back all the cars from the same manufacturer looked different and had their own identity, but now even an S class is on the verge of losing its exclusivity with E class LWB and C class being seen as scaled down version of S class because their is nothing much to distinguish between them as far as exterior design is concerned !

[saket77]

I remember the tail lamps of Civic & Cruze were almost identical as well.
Ciaz & City's are another glaring examples.

Regards,
Saket

[ChiragM]

The tail lights of the Ciaz and the City are similar, as mentioned above:





I also find the lights of the Lexus IS similar to that of the new BMW 3-series:


Image source: Wikimedia Commons

[Storm2.0]

Originally Posted by ChiragM

I also find the lights of the Lexus IS similar to that of the new BMW 3-series:

I feel they both have jointly taken inspiration from new age Audi and Skoda cars.

[tushky]

Add more to the list. Tiago, Figo and 2019 Honda Brio. Similar tail lamps and similar rear profiles. Image Source: Internet

[KiloAlpha]

I have been noticing this trend of similar looking tail lights as well. To me, there is a logical explanation for it.

The five elements needed in a tail lamp cluster are the tail light, brake light, indicator, reversing lamp, and reflector. In order to reduce the number of elements to be squeezed into the cluster, designers find ways to put the reflector on the bumper. Most of the time, brake light and tail light are combined into the same space. So, effectively, there are 3 elements in the cluster.
Given the other design constraints like needing maximum tailgate/bootlid width, shape, cost, and safety/regulation related issues, there are only so many variations of design that one can have. The fact that designs have converged does not surprise me.

[a4anurag]

Latest entrant in the market:

2018 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga


2018 Honda CR-V

[AMG Power]

About to enter the market:

The new Wagon R and Volvo:

Wagon R:



Volvo:

[cbatrody]

Renault Koleos tail lamps - looks like copied from Dodge Durango









Image source: www.caricos.com

[arjab]

Datsun Go & Suzuki Swift 3rd gen.

[bhavik.1991]

Jetta & Audi A4 ~ Perks of having a luxury car subsidiary.

[SS-Traveller]

Erm... What kind of a comparo is this thread talking about? Back in the 1970's and half of 1980's, every car had round (usually 7") headlamps. Today, every car seems to have the headlamp looking more and more slit-like. The grille above the bumper disappeared in the 1990's, and now every car one sees has a hexagonal grille. It's just a matter of designers copying others with a stretch here and a tuck there.

Maybe someone can now open threads on "similar grilles" or "similar headlamps", or for that matter, similar ORVM and windscreen shapes?