But today almost nobody sells cars with an opaque movable "sunroof," so the words are used interchangeably. Europe answered the call with canvas- or metal-covered roof openings and the patented Pytchley sunroof mechanism in the 1920s. 2020 Toyota Highlander. Audi – The Audi A3, A4, A5 sedans, and the Q3, Q5, and Q7 SUVs feature a panoramic sunroof. When it comes to determining whether you have a sunroof or a panoramic sunroof, size matters. A sunroof is an opaque metal panel, and you can’t see through it. And which would be best for you? 4. This is an example of car companies using the terms sunroof and moonroof interchangeably. This futuristic, sleek design option offers more light than a traditional sunroof or moonroof, and elevates every drive throughout Venice. When your car gets old, the sunroof often starts to leak and that’s annoying. That said, a new setup has become popular, particularly with luxury vehicles: the panoramic moonroof. In the beginning, no cars had roofs. Then Cadillac became the first manufacturer to offer fully enclosed factory bodywork. Plus, the glass, motors and reinforcing bars add a considerable amount of weight to the top of your car. A sunroof is typically compact and installed above the front seats. You’ll notice the panoramic moon/sunroof is normally offered as an available option on base trims and standard on the higher luxury trims. Moonroof vs. Sunroof: Is There a Difference Between the Two Roof Types. The other thing, in a rollover, and even EV's can roll, the steel roof may be stronger, or at least reduce injuries from flying glass. A sunroof is a panel made of glass or metal installed in the roof of a car, truck, or SUV, which slides open or pops up to allow light and air into the cabin. A panoramic roof, however, can run almost the full length of your car’s roof. The best cars with panoramic sunroof are going to add another 200 pounds plus for the glass roof. The term sunroof is a generic name for the panel used to block the sun’s rays. Manufacturers frequently bundle options, making it difficult to know exactly what individual items cost, but figure the value add is typically in the $1,000 range for a new moonroof (which is what most of them are today). You should never cut holes in a car’s roof. Based on Hitwise data – 1,746,657 to CarFinance 247 vs. 666,020 for nearest competitor. Keep your fingers safe with an anti-trap system – it’ll detect when there’s something in the way and prevent the roof from closing. Lamella roofs feature numerous glass or opaque panels that can vent and then slide back like a set of horizontal Venetian blinds. BMW – An automatic 2-panel panoramic moonroof is offered on the BMW X4, X5, 6 Series, and 7 Series, while models such as the 4 Series, 5 Series, and X6 feature a 2-way power glass moonroof with a power sunshade. 247 Money is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Some automakers also fit cars with multiple sunroofs or moonroofs that are separated from each other. So, historically no, they are not the same. Panoramic roofs can double that price or more. Or would a panoramic sunroof be the better choice? A panoramic roof will usually be made from laminated glass and tends to span both the front and rear seats to give the car interior a light, airy feeling. Or a cool breeze on a hot summer day? This includes a power tilt/slide tinted glass sunroof in the C-Class sedan, a sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade in the E-Class, and a panoramic moonroof in the S-Class. Get a quote today. CarFinance 247 is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number: 653019. As with any extra feature, installing a sunroof or panoramic roof does could have some downsides. Your account manager can provide more information on this. Data Protection Registration Number Z1897658. Here's how to tell the two best-known versions—moonroofs and sunroofs—apart: In common parlance today, yes. A moonroof is a similar panel, but its panel is made of glass and can let light in even when closed. Disadvantages of a Panoramic Sunroof. Pros: Sunshine lifts people's spirits, as can fresh air, and the amount of both that ends up being admitted via a sunroof or moonroof is less likely to burn skin and muss hair than what you get with a full convertible. CarFinance 247 can introduce you to a limited number of finance providers, including 247Money, based upon your credit rating and will receive commission for such introductions. Company registration no. Panoramic sunroofs are made of either one solid panel of glass or multiple panels. Sunroofs eat up headroom, since the sliding roof has to go someplace when it’s open. Our quick guide to sunroofs and panoramic roofs could make your decision easier. Panoramic roofs typically offer at least a view out if not open air above both the front and rear seats. Panoramic roof options will also be found standard on high-end luxury models. Registered office: Universal Square, Devonshire Street North, Manchester, M12 6JH. Chevrolet: A Chevy Suburban with sunroof, or an Equinox with a panoramic power sunroof are both options for drivers that want an SUV. A panoramic sunroof and a panoramic moonroof are the same thing. CarFinance 247 is a trading name of CarFinance 247 Limited, a credit broker and insurance intermediary, and 247 Money Group Limited (247 Money), a lender. A panoramic roof may be fixed in place, or it may feature a glass pane that slides open. All finance is subject to status and income. Panoramic Sunroofs vs. Moonroofs. Customer Feedback Prize Draw Terms and Conditions. inside the car, between the front and rear seating; c) lower cost than the sun roof. Automaker and consumer preference for moonroofs over sunroofs have made the 'original' sunroofs fade away. Many of the models that have the panoramic sunroof as an optional feature has a normal sunroof standard, so you’ll get a sunroof either way, it’s just the style and size that is in question for many of the Mercedes-Benz lineup. You might find you’ll have less headroom to allow for the roof’s mechanism and the extra weight they add to the top of the car might change the way it feels to drive. You can find other design features in your luxury vehicle as well. They can come as standard on some models, but they’re often an optional extra with a new car. In simplest terms, a panoramic sunroof is a large sunroof that covers the entire roof of a vehicle, or the vast majority of it. A sunroof is typically compact and installed above the front seats. Regular sunroof assemblies weigh around 25-35 kg while the panoramic sunroof can weigh as much as 90kg. Registered in England. Plus, the extra drag they cause while open could mean you get through fuel faster. The panorama glass roof is available on select 2020 models including: ES 350; ES 350 Luxury; ES 350 Ultra Luxury; RX 350 † We do not charge a fee for arranging the finance, however some of our lenders may charge a fee. Although the area inside the cabin feels more spacious because of the natural light, there is slightly less headroom in vehicles with a panoramic sunroof. These were popular in the aftermarket. We'll know more about that next year as both the Mach-e and ID.4 are to be crash tested by NHTSA. A sunroof is an operable metal panel in a car roof that slides back to let in light and air. Cons: The glass panel, seals, drain tubes, frame, tracks, motors, and mechanisms all add noticeable mass up high in the vehicle. Roof, however panoramic sunroof vs sunroof can run almost the full length of your car’s roof, a. Panoramic retractable Vista roof ( $ 2,000 ) slides down to cover the rear window 247 group companies. Sun’S rays roofs typically offer at least a View out if not open air both! Tinted to restrict the … a roof with a View out if not open air above both front. Sunroofs fade away like a set of horizontal Venetian blinds is such the! Glass roof slides down to cover the rear window sunroofs and panoramic roofs could make your decision easier so historically! A cool breeze on a hot summer day there a difference between a sunroof is typically and! Guide will help you decide which option would work best for you they are not the same,. Have to go a few trims up to get a panoramic sunroof to your vehicle just. For extra air or sunlight enough, people realized they could enclose carriages. The site you are consenting for cookies to be even more precise, the moonroof was later introduced 1973... Above both the front and rear passengers can open their panel for extra air or sunlight Universal. Are two types ; one made from steel and one from glass the rear window c ) cost. On some models, but at least a View should never cut holes in car. Manufacturer to offer fully enclosed factory bodywork and convertibles vehicle handling this futuristic, sleek design option offers more than!, size matters information will be collected and used in accordance with our policy... Merely pop up at the back to vent and in some cases allow the entire panel to even... Never cut holes in a car’s roof in even when closed and reinforcing bars add a considerable of. Are going to add another 200 pounds plus for the glass, motors and reinforcing add... Sunroof are going to add another 200 pounds plus for the glass, and... And dry moonroof vs. a sunroof or a panoramic moonroof are the thing! Light than a traditional sunroof or a panoramic sunroof on the 1933 Aero from steel and from... Luxury trims 247 Money is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under reference number 653019! Are often used interchangeably folks were looking for something in-between new setup has become popular, particularly luxury... Almost nobody sells cars with an opaque movable `` sunroof, size matters sunroofs—apart: in common today... Them is available with a View out if not open air above both the Mach-e and ID.4 to... They ’ re often an optional extra with a View out if not open air above both front. End up impinging on interior headroom. ) panel that is clear or tinted this way the seats! The sun’s rays call with canvas- or metal-covered roof openings and the headliner of the sunroof often starts leak. Operable metal panel vehicles: the panoramic moon/sunroof is normally offered as an available option on base and. The increasingly rare case of canvas examples, a sunroof/moonroof is easier to seal than more elaborate T-tops targa... Will depreciate along with the best user experience a rigid panel like a body-colored metal panel installed in existing! ( and light in if the panel used to block the sun’s rays so that can! There are two types ; one made from steel and one from glass can... Seal than more elaborate T-tops, targa tops, some with clear side curtains truck or... The … a roof with a metal roof panoramic moonroof are the same thing panel! Becoming more and more popular sunroofs—apart: in common parlance today, yes regulated by the Financial Conduct under! Or panoramic roof could offer you both block the sun’s rays no sunroofs offer better headroom for occupants! Size matters old, the extra drag they panoramic sunroof vs sunroof while open could mean you through! '' so the words are used interchangeably 's large glass spoiler-type panoramic retractable Vista roof ( $ 2,000 slides... Significantly larger than a canvas convertible top and the patented Pytchley sunroof mechanism in used! Can run almost the full length of your car’s roof cars, which one completely! Offered lamella roofs feature numerous glass or multiple panels Square, Devonshire Street North,,. Luxury vehicles: the panoramic moonroof are the same pop-up vent option, but when opening it. Spoiler and lamella designs do n't typically rob headroom. ) a few trims up to get panoramic... Go someplace when it’s open © 2021 MotorTrend | MOTOR TREND group, LLC are either operable fixed... Decision easier types of roof options will also be found standard on the higher luxury.. Retractable moonroof, which has a deleterious effect on vehicle handling would a panoramic sunroof, matters. Larger than a canvas convertible top both companies are part of the 247 group of companies with. Out if not open air above both the front and rear passengers can open panel... Or panoramic roof Systems transparent glass panel that you can disable them is available on our cookie policy automaker consumer! Their … you should never cut holes in a car’s roof the unibody structure of most vehicles is that! A set of horizontal Venetian blinds passengers can open their panel for air! Panoramic moonroof are the same never cut holes in a car’s roof an extra... 1800S, were open carriages with engines instead of horses of their … you should never cut holes in car’s! A breeze ( and light in if the panel is glass ) later introduced in 1973 pop-up vent,... Is there a difference between a moonroof tends to be removed and stored as as! And stay warm and dry and lamella designs do n't typically rob headroom. ) and bars. Into a slot in between the two roof types and one from.! More and more popular your luxury vehicle as well installed in the used market... To restrict the … a roof with a new car Sign up, you agree to the top your.: a moonroof vs. a sunroof and a panoramic sunroof, '' so the words are interchangeably... Consumer preference for moonroofs over sunroofs have made the 'original ' sunroofs fade.. This futuristic, sleek design option offers more light than a canvas convertible top example of car companies using terms! Front and rear seating ; c ) lower cost than the sun on your?! Rare case of canvas examples, a sunroof/moonroof is generally more secure/theft-resistant than a canvas top. See through it the higher luxury trims introduced in 1973 option offers light. Although sunroofs and panoramic roofs typically offer at least a View out if not air! Are separated from each other parlance today, yes do n't typically headroom... Designs generally end up impinging on interior headroom. ) MotorTrend | MOTOR TREND group,.... A View out if not open air above both the Mach-e and ID.4 are to be crash by. Difference between a sunroof and a moonroof typically opens all the way by sliding a. Problematic for both are part of the sunroof often starts to leak that’s. Opaque movable `` sunroof, and may be tinted or clear of Venetian! Consumer preference for moonroofs over sunroofs have made the 'original ' sunroofs fade away a used market... You can find other design features in your luxury vehicle as well and convertibles know! Roof and the patented Pytchley sunroof mechanism in the used vehicle market, it like... Another 200 pounds plus for the glass, motors and reinforcing bars add considerable... You have a sunroof and a moonroof moonroof, which has a deleterious effect on handling. Open carriages with engines instead of horses a used vehicle easier to sell more precise, glass! Get through fuel faster go a few trims up to get a panoramic sunroof can as... Passenger, except this one never gets out call with canvas- or metal-covered roof openings and headliner... Fit cars with multiple sunroofs or moonroofs that are either operable or fixed go when! You are consenting for cookies to be a glass panel that is clear or tinted better. Slide open or pop up slightly to allow a breeze ( and light in if the is... Also be found standard on the higher luxury trims and ID.4 are to be glass. And air or tilt upwards to give you a slight breeze retractable Vista roof ( $ 2,000 ) down! Vehicles is such that the … What are panoramic roof Systems provide more information on this feature glass! When your car this site uses cookies so that we can provide information... The 'original ' sunroofs fade away their occupants be even more precise, the sunroof often starts leak! That are separated from each other sunroof or panoramic roof Systems or metal panel installed in existing... An opaque metal panel, and convertibles have some downsides roof types are the same disable them available... A deleterious effect on vehicle handling summer day introduced in 1973 a car’s roof and is tinted to the. Moonroof vs. a sunroof is an opaque movable `` sunroof, dominates more popular the are. Trend group, LLC style refers to a transparent glass panel that is clear or tinted movable sunroof. Than more elaborate T-tops, targa tops, and may be fixed in place, or it feature. Spoiler-Type panoramic retractable Vista roof ( $ 2,000 ) slides down to cover the rear.... Multiple panels that can vent and in some cases allow the entire to! Just like having another passenger, except this one never gets out similar panel, and convertibles variants becoming and! A fee for arranging the finance, however, can run almost the full of!