This is Andrew from TRS, and today we are going hands-on with a lineup of bi-xenon HID projectors to help you figure out which one belongs in your next retrofit. We pulled five popular units onto the bench for a side-by-side look: the Morimoto FX-R, the Evo XR, the Acura TL, the Lexus RX350, and the Lexus LS460 bi-xenon. Each one brings a slightly different size, shape, and installation quirk, so we tested and handled all of them to give you the real story from the workbench. If you have been trying to choose between these projectors for a headlight build, this shootout should clear things up.
Bi-xenon projectors are the heart of any serious retrofit. They deliver both your low beam and high beam from a single projector using a solenoid that moves a shield out of the way when you flip to high. Because the projector controls the beam pattern, picking the right one affects everything from cutoff sharpness to how much work you will do adapting it into your housing. We handled each unit in this comparison so you know what to expect before you commit to a build.
Morimoto FX-R: The Ready-to-Retrofit Standard
We started with the Morimoto FX-R, and it is a great place to begin because it is Morimoto’s first offering built as a ready-to-retrofit projector. Out of the box it uses a 2.5 inch lens by default, but there is also a 3 inch lens option if you want a larger face. It comes in both left and right hand drive configurations, which is a big deal if you are outside North America or building a car that needs a specific cutoff orientation.
What we like most about the FX-R is how streamlined it is. It is a very compact unit with the bi-xenon motor on the bottom and it is already set up for a D2S bulb at the rear. That means it is easy to retrofit without a lot of extra fabrication. If you are new to retrofitting and want a projector designed from the start to drop into your build, this is the one we point people toward first. And if you want to understand how the projector pairs with the rest of your electronics, take a look at our guide to matching HID ballasts with your projectors so your whole system runs the way it should.
Evo XR: A 3 Inch Open Body Performer
Next up is the Evo XR, a 3 inch unit that gives you a bigger lens face and a clear lens ready to rock. The key difference here is that the Evo XR has an open body design. That open body means you do need to worry about light leaks, so during installation you might need to cap it off with aluminum tape or something similar to keep stray light contained.
One thing to note is that the Evo XR is left-hand drive only, so keep that in mind if you need a right-hand drive cutoff. For a lot of builders, that open body is a non-issue once you know to seal it, and the 3 inch face makes for a clean look behind a shroud. If you want to browse the current version of this platform, check out the Morimoto EvoX-R 2.0 swap-in projectors to see how the line has evolved.
Acura TL: The Popular OEM Powerhouse
The Acura TL projector has been a longtime favorite in the retrofit community, and for good reason. It is a pretty large projector and a fantastic performer, which is exactly why it stays so popular overall. When we set it on the bench, the first thing that stands out is the solenoid on the bottom.
That solenoid is large, so large in fact that none of our shrouds can fully cover it. You need to be mindful that the solenoid on the bottom is going to stick out, and you will want to plan your shroud choice and headlight fitment around that. Aside from that quirk, the TL remains a strong performer and a solid pick for anyone who wants OEM bi-xenon output. If you are sourcing one for a specific project, our Acura TL headlight conversion kits are a good starting point for parts and fitment.
Lexus RX350: Compact With Strong Output
The Lexus RX350 is a more recent entry into the retrofitting world, largely because the RX350 itself only came out a few years ago. It is a 3 inch unit with a clear lens, and it is a fantastic little product. In terms of size, it is very compact, almost the same width and height as the Evo XR.
Where the RX350 separates itself is performance. Even though it is close to the Evo XR in physical dimensions, it is a better performer overall. That combination of a compact footprint and stronger output makes it a smart choice when you want serious light in a package that will not eat up your whole headlight housing. It is one of our favorite newer options for builders who value both fitment and beam quality.
Lexus LS460: The Biggest, Widest Unit
Finally we get to the Lexus LS460 bi-xenon, and it is much larger than any of the other projectors in this comparison. It has a large solenoid piece at the bottom, but here the solenoid is hidden, which gives it a cleaner overall shape despite the size. It uses a clear lens as well, and it is genuinely massive.
Performance is where the LS460 shines. It is a fantastic performer with excellent width, probably wider than anything else in this group. You can even fit an LED ring inside the shroud for a very interesting look. The tradeoff is size. This projector does not fit in pretty much any headlight without real effort, so you have to be considerate of its dimensions before you commit. It takes a lot of work to get this one into most housings, but if you have the room, the payoff in beam width is worth it.
How to Choose Between These Bi-Xenon Projectors
After handling all five, our takeaway is that each of these bi-xenon HID projectors fills a slightly different role. If you want the easiest, most streamlined install, the Morimoto FX-R is our recommendation because it was built from the start as a ready-to-retrofit unit and offers both lens sizes plus left or right hand drive. If you want a larger 3 inch face and do not mind sealing an open body, the Evo XR is a proven option.
For OEM-based builds, the Acura TL remains a strong and popular performer as long as you account for its oversized solenoid. The RX350 is our pick when you want a compact projector that still punches above its size, and the LS460 is the choice for anyone chasing maximum beam width who is willing to do the extra fabrication work. Whatever direction you go, matching the projector to your housing space and your electronics is the key to a clean result. For even more options beyond these five, you can explore the full lineup of projector retrofit kits to compare against your build goals.
That concludes our overview of these bi-xenon projectors: the LS460, the RX350, the Acura TL, the Evo XR, and the Morimoto FX-R. Pick the one that matches your housing, your drive orientation, and the amount of fabrication you are comfortable with, and you will end up with a retrofit that looks and performs the way you want.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size lens does the Morimoto FX-R use by default?
The FX-R ships with a 2.5 inch lens by default, though a 3 inch lens is also available, and it comes in left or right hand drive configurations.
Why does the Evo XR need extra sealing during installation?
The Evo XR has an open body design, so installers need to cap it with aluminum tape or a similar material to prevent light leaks.
What fitment issue should I watch for with the Acura TL bi-xenon projector?
The TL projector has a large solenoid on the bottom that is too big for most shrouds to cover, so the solenoid will stick out and needs to be accounted for during installation.
How does the Lexus RX350 projector compare in size to the Evo XR?
The RX350 projector is a 3 inch unit that is almost the same width and height as the Evo XR, but it delivers better overall performance.
What makes the Lexus LS460 projector different from the others in this comparison?
The LS460 projector is significantly larger than the rest, with a hidden solenoid and wide beam performance, and its size means it is difficult to fit into most headlight housings.
Meet the Experts Behind The Retrofit Source
Tyler Jordan – Technical Writer
Tyler works directly with the TRS product R&D team, bringing over a decade of automotive aftermarket lighting experience to every article. An avid enthusiast with hundreds of personal installations under his belt, his content is built on hands-on knowledge from the workbench, not spec sheets.
Caleb Morgan – Marketing Manager
Caleb brings over a decade of automotive lighting industry experience and works with TRS customers daily on the front lines. With hundreds of personal lighting installations and a direct feedback loop from real buyers, his content addresses the questions and problems that actually matter.
