Panoramic Sunroof isn’t Worth it? (Pros & Cons)

For over a year, I have a car with a panoramic sunroof, and you know what? It is a great thing, but…

it also has some cons.

Today, I will tell you the most important pros and cons of having a car with a panoramic sunroof, so you can decide whether it is a good feature for you or not.

Is Panoramic Sunroof Worth it?

Although the panoramic sunroof demands more care, it is worth it because it makes your car look better, increases your visibility at stoplights, and pleasantly warms up your car when the temperature outside is low.

What’s so Good about a Panoramic Sunroof?

Right now I want to tell you thinks that I like in a panoramic sunroof.

1. You Car Looks 10 Times Better

Let’s be honest. Cars with panoramic sunroofs are minorities on the roads.

You can see all the time cars with conventional roofs, and it is quite boring. I think cars with panoramic sunroofs look way better.

That’s because the sunroof from away looks as if you have a black roof. And if your car is in some light color, for example white, silver or red, it looks really impressive.

And your car also looks better from the inside. You can have the most boring interior, but when you have a panoramic sunroof, your car gains additional 20 points to the appearance.

If you’re interested in a Toyota with a panoramic sunroof, take a look at the models in this post.

2. Your Friends and Family are Going Crazy About it

I remember when I first showed my Peugeot 207 to my friends.

They were, of course, congratulating me on buying this car, they were watching it, but I remember that what they liked the most was the panoramic sunroof.

None of them had a car with a panoramic sunroof before, so it was pretty amazing for them (and of course for me too).

Right now, they still like driving with me, and whenever I meet someone new and drive my car with him, he always says how he likes the sunroof.

It’s a good stuff, making your car more attractive, even if it’s not too expensive.

Read it: Top 14+ Sedans with BIG Panoramic Sunroof

3. You are Safer at Stoplights

I bet most of you guys had a situation when you’re driving your car in the city, and the stoplight turns red, and you stop your car at the last moment. As a result, you realize that you have just stopped your car in the middle of the crosswalk, and you can’t even see the stoplights.

In some cases you can back the car, but what if there is a train of cars behind you?

The panoramic sunroof can be priceless for you in that situation. All you need to do is to look up, and you will see the stoplights even if you are just a few inches ahead of them.

If you had a conventional roof, it would be impossible to see the lights from such closeness, and other road users behind you would horn at you with anger that you still don’t start off even when the light is green.

4. It can Pleasantly Warm up Your Car in the Winter

If you live in a place where you have winters or at least lower than 50°F (10°C) temperatures and the sun shines sometimes, then you should have a car with a panoramic sunroof. Why?

Let’s say it’s 35.6°F (2°C), and you leave your car that has a panoramic sunroof in the parking lot in front of the supermarket. It’s freezing, but the sun is shining- we all know this type of weather.

You did your shopping, you’re cold, and you get into your car. You expect your car to be as cold as the weather, but when you get in…it’s warm inside. The temperature is so pleasant that you take off your jacket and you don’t even have to switch on the air conditioning.

That’s what I really like in a panoramic sunroof. I live in Europe, where winters are pretty cold, but only if the sun is shining, your panoramic sunroof can make your car a really cozy place.

I also created a list of the best Hondas with a panoramic sunroof here.

5. You can Sell Your car Way Easier

People tend to desire things that are rare. We tend to pay more for things that are limited.

The same applies to cars with a panoramic sunroof. If you put your car up, you have a greater chance of selling your car because it has one advantage- the panoramic sunroof.

What would you rather buy- a car with a conventional roof or the same model with a panoramic sunroof? Exactly. If someone wants to buy a car, he’d much rather choose an extra version with a sunroof, because why not?

Of course, the car with a panoramic sunroof is a little more expensive, but I’m sure if someone wants to buy a car, he’d be likely to pay 5-10% more for a feature that will be useful and helpful for him.

From my own experience, I know that if some model has 90% of cars with a conventional roof and 10% of cars with a panoramic sunroof, the latter go like hotcakes.

Take a look at all the pros of a panoramic sunroof:

Cons of Panoramic Sunroof

To be honest, a car with a panoramic sunroof isn’t 100% suitable for everyone. You should consider these disadvantages before you make a purchase.

1. Your Car is More Expensive

A couple of sentences before, I wrote that it’s easier to sell a car with a panoramic sunroof, but it might be more expensive for you if you are a buyer.

Cars with a panoramic sunroof are usually more expensive for 2 reasons:

• They come up in some superior version that is better equipped

• The production of a panoramic sunroof is more expensive

A panoramic sunroof costs about $1.500. Plus, in the assembly process, it needs to be mounted, which is another cost. Compare it to a conventional roof which is essentially a piece of steel that doesn’t demand any mounting.

That’s why a car with a panoramic sunroof is more expensive, so you need to pay a bit more for it. But if you buy a car, maybe it’s worth paying more, especially if it is your dream car…?

Read it: 24 Cars with Great Panoramic Sunroof (with Pictures)

2. It Requires Some Maintenance

If you want to have a clean panoramic sunroof, you need to take care of it.

Washing your car on the car wash is not enough because glass needs to be treated a bit differently than steel. Fortunately, if you want your sunroof to look great, it is not so hard.

All you need is a window cleaner. I’m sure you have one in your house.

You should clean your sunroof at least once a month from the inside because it gets dusty and if you touch it often, there can be some marks.

Trending Video: How to Easily Bring Back to Life any Old Car Battery and Save Tons of Money (click to watch)

Of course, you have to also clean it from outside where it’s dirtier. I’m sure there is lots of dust, damp patches, and sometimes birds’ poop. That doesn’t look too aesthetic, so take care of it as much as possible.

A conventional roof is better if you want to save time and some money for cleaners.

3. It can Increase the Temperature by 25%

We know that a panoramic sunroof can increase the temperature, but you know what? It is good only when the temperature outside is relatively low.

When it’s hot, let’s say 77°F (25°C) and more, the panoramic sunroof becomes unbearable. When it’s 77°F outside, there is about 110°F inside your car. With a sunroof, it is at least 125°F or even more. That’s a lot.

Of course, you can cover your sunroof with coverage that every car has, but it will help only a little. The temperature will be maybe 2-3°F lower.

It gets even worse when you have a leather seats. In short, they can burn you.

To cool down my car, I need to open every door, which takes a few minutes, and switch on the air conditioning. That is why I sometimes miss my previous car with a conventional roof.

On the other hand, when the sun isn’t shining in the winter, my car’s interior gets even colder because glass lets in more cold and leather seats are freezing…

Here are all the cons of having a car with a panoramic sunroof:

Do Owners of Cars with Panoramic Sunroof Recommend it?

As you know, I’m a big fan of the panoramic sunroof and I recommended it to a few of my friends who bought cars with a glassy roof. I decided to ask them what they think about it. These are their reviews:

I have Peugeot 407, and I can’t imagine a car without a panoramic sunroof. It’s an amazing feature. It’s a different experience when you sit in the car. It’s bright, pleasantly, spacy, and not so grimly as in the bunker. On sunny days, the sky looks great, and it’s nice to see the rain falling. It seems like a cabriolet car. ~Anna

Worse heat isolation, it feels the cold from the “ceiling”~Thomas

I was hesitant to buy a car with a panoramic sunroof. But I recommend it after a few months of using it. I’m a beginner driver, and this sunroof makes me smile whenever I uncover it. ~Peter

Related Questions:

Does Panoramic Sunroof Leak?

When the panoramic sunroof is factory-made it never leaks. In the production process, the panoramic sunroof is sealed and leaktightly locked down.

Is Panoramic Sunroof Safe?

A factory-made sunroof is safe because it doesn’t weaken the structural rigidity of a vehicle. Even during a car accident, it doesn’t crash into glass fragments, and it can’t hurt anyone.

Are Panoramic Sunroofs Noisy?

Panoramic sunroofs don’t increase noise inside the car, even when the speed is high, because they are precisely locked down.