Why have a moonroof

So you might think of it as something that happens to come for free with the other options you want, rather than something you're paying extra for.

It brings so much light into the car, and makes the caning feel much larger. I was able to nurse it along without replacing anything. It was nice for temperature control and getting fresh air without lots of turbulence. Not a must-have, but pleasant. Best answer: pro - does open the cabin up quite a bit, especially nice on nicer days.

Since a moonroof typically doesn't open, the intrusion into head space is less though more than if it were a normal roof - mechanical nonsense to make the sunroof move takes up room. Makes the cabin hotter in warm weather unless there's a decent shade and some makes, even now, skimp out on that. Another piece of glass that can get broken. Makes the cabin cooler in colder temps though IMHO it's more pronounced in the summer.

Does still take up some interior space so you may need to adjust seating position or otherwise be a bit mindful of it. If this were a vehicle from the 80s I'd worry about leaks; they're certainly not impossible much like the seals on any other bit of the interior, like the windscreen but I've owned several cars with sun or moon roofs and never had an issue with them and have only briefly been able to garage said car.

The oldest in that range was a model year Pathfinder. I do miss having the top glass - the last few cars have been solid roof models and having the extra light and air was nice, to the extent that - especially with a recent-model car with big pillars and all that - the ones that the solid roof cars feel quite a bit more cramped and claustrophobic.

The only "major" risk here is hail breaking it. That said, if your car is ever subject to hail stones large enough to break the moon roof, they will break the rest of the glass as well, so it's not really a practical disadvantage. Seconding phatkitten here. When I had a RAV4, a few years ago, what they called a moonroof was actually more of a sunroof -- it opened all the way. I never had any issues with it.

My current car -- a Ford Escape -- has a massive sunroof now because I loved it so much. I would never buy a car without a sunroof now.

It is so much less claustrophobic and so much less like you're sitting in a little box. I did not know I would have such strong feelings until I actually had a moonroof, btw. Our CRV developed moonroof leaks. I always want a moonroof but have found we never really use it. Well, for early 's Honda accords, I will tell you that after about sixteen years, the long plastic drainage tubes that run inside the car can become cracked and leak into your car, flooding the interior.

It's another way to get fresh air and sunlight on a nice day. Just remember to close the cover when you park so your car doesn't bake any more than it has to in the summer. FWIW, I can't imagine not having a moonroof. It's a must-have for us now, and every car we bought since the mids has had one or a sunroof, if we couldn't get a moonroof. We use it all the time. It kind of feels wrong when we get in a car without one. I adore my moonroof. I have one of those absurd double-length ones.

The only downside I've experienced so far is if you leave the cover open on a nice summer evening, sometimes the next day your car is extraordinarily hot if the sun's been baking into it. Small price to pay for breezy drives and letting light in! As others have said, it makes your car feel extra-expansive. The only moonroof I've ever experienced that leaked was the one my dad installed in our Buick in the early 80s, and even that leakage was minimal and I love the fact that he cut a flipping hole in the roof of our brand new car because he was SO sure he could make that moonroof happen.

We've got one in our Civic and have never had any problems with it. I love watching the rain hit it, I love the occasional bonus glimpse I get of a cool bird flying by overhead, I love looking up and seeing stars or the moon when we're driving at night Moonroofs moonrooves?

I also like it for nice autumn days where I don't want to open my windows, but I want a bit of fresh air. I can crack open the moonroof and get air in.

It's not overly windy at all. I don't love it enough to have it become a dealbreaker on a future car, but it's a nice option to have. Best answer: They are extremely useful for cooling down the car on hot days, but when those roof drains fail, they fail in a really horrible way that you may not discover until you feel water dripping on you inside the car. Best answer: Yeah, moonroofs open.

In the past few years, panoramic moonroofs have been increasing in popularity. In these types of moonroofs, most of the vehicle roof is made of glass and does not open. A panel over the front seats may be able to open in some versions.

A manual or electric shade can be pulled over the panoramic moonroof to block sunlight. There are benefits to having either in your vehicle, but what should you choose: moonroof or sunroof? If you prefer the full, open-air experience, you may want to select a sunroof. However, if you are more interested in the tilt function and staying protected from the sun, a moonroof would be a good choice for you. If you decide to buy a car with a sunroof or moonroof, Glass Doctor is here to help with any of your glass installation or servicing needs, from repairing cracks to applying darker tinting.

Call our experts today at or schedule an appointment online to get started. Skip to main content. Your health and safety are our highest priority during this time. Click here for our precautionary measures. A sunroof is typically made from metal and is opened manually by hand or by using a hand-operated crank.

The term moonroof was actually a term thought up by a Ford marketing manager John Atkinson. Ford got their first moonroofs through a partnership with a company called the American Sunroof Corporation, which was based in Detroit.

The German company Golde was also producing moonroof kits during the same time period. As the popularity of the moonroof versus sunroof option increased, Ford began offering them on Mercury Cougars, and Thunderbirds. Virtually every car manufacturer building autos in the time period features models that have moonroofs or sunroofs, as they have become more popular.

Sometimes they are considered an option and cost more. Other times they may be part of an upgrade package which may include other sought-after specials like better sound systems, power door locks, and leather interiors. As sunroofs and moonroofs have gained more acceptance, power moonroofs that slide and tilt have become the norm.

A sun visor is typically included that closes them off by sliding it when less light is desired. The automakers are now competing for buyers attracted to moonroofs and sunroofs by making them larger, which has led to panoramic roofs—some of which open. A panoramic moonroof or a sunroof generally refers to a factory-installed roof system made up of fixed and sliding glass panels.

Panoramic moonroofs and sunroofs are similar to traditional moonroofs and sunroofs. A panoramic moonroof may be available as a standard feature or may be presented as an option.

If your vehicle does not come with this option, it is possible to install an aftermarket panoramic sunroof with the help of a professional. A panoramic sunroof will allow more natural light to enter your vehicle. Having a panoramic sunroof also helps drivers who are claustrophobic. There are some downsides to panoramic sunroof installation.

Keep in mind that a panoramic roof may reduce the headroom in the car. If you or your passengers are tall, this feature could affect your comfort level. Since a panoramic sunroof allows more natural light into your vehicle, it could make things hotter during a sunny day. You may need to crank up the air conditioner to stay cool , which will require your vehicle to use more gas. A panoramic sunroof can also make your vehicle heavier.

There are certainly both benefits and drawbacks to installing a panoramic sunroof in a car. Keep these pros and cons when deciding whether or not you should invest in panoramic moonroof installation.

Tesla models include panoramic options as well as entire roofs made from glass from the front to the back. If you enjoy the feeling of riding in a convertible but want to be able to control the amount of wind, you should get a moonroof or a sunroof.

If you enjoy looking at the sky as you drive, you will enjoy a glass-paneled or panoramic roof. If you already own a car with a standard roof, a sunroof or a moonroof can be added as an aftermarket item. Some drivers have no desire for extra wind or wind noise in the cabin. Safety is another concern as being thrown out of sunroofs kills about people a year.