When buying cars, we consider a lot of parts and features, like the engine capacity, layout, and tens of different aspects of a car. Rarely do we talk about the sunroof, which brings me to ask the same question you have –
Is it worth getting a car with a sunroof?
Car buyers have plenty of different features to choose from when shopping for a car, that’s why the CarPart AU blog offers info articles about all the auto parts in vehicles.
The thing is, not everyone needs a sunroof in their car, so whether it’s worth spending for or not totally depends on your reason for buying it.
What Is a Sunroof?
Sunroofs for cars are like an additional window that goes on the car’s roof.
You can slide or pop it open to allow more natural air into the vehicle’s interior. Even while closed, the sunroof will allow more natural light to enter the cabin, giving it a more spacious feel.
This guide will help you understand everything there is to know about car sunroofs – its functions, benefits, and drawbacks – so you can decide for yourself if it's a feature you want on your next car.
What Is the Purpose of a Sunroof in a Car?
The point of a car sunroof is to let more of the outside enter the car, particularly natural light and air.
Manufacturers typically place a sunroof at the centre of the car’s roof so that the car’s occupants get a direct view of the sun, sky, and clouds above, and that of the moon and stars at night.
I could just imagine when it rains! There’s something undoubtedly calming (and magical) about seeing and hearing raindrops fall on a closed sunroof that you won’t get from the vehicle’s side windows.
Still, car sunroofs aren’t just about the visual experience. You can slide or pop them open to instantly maximise ventilation inside the car and give you a breath of fresh air.
When you combine the view and the fresh air, you get a car cabin that feels much more spacious than it is. That will improve the overall experience of being a driver or passenger in the vehicle.
Sunroof Vs Moonroof, What’s the Difference
Another car feature that shares many similarities with the sunroof is the moon roof. For the most part, sunroofs and moonroofs are the same. However, moonroofs slightly differ.
Firstly, the two differ in terms of construction. Typically, opening a sunroof means pushing the glass out of its place to allow more natural air to flow in. In comparison, a moonroof slides open between the roof and the headliner.
Secondly, the two differ in terms of placement. You’ll find sunroofs at the centre of the roof, where all vehicle occupants can reach it. A moonroof, on the other hand, is focused towards the front, directly above the driver and front passenger’s seats.
Still, sunroofs and moonroofs have similar purposes. They allow more natural light and fresh air from the outside to flow into the cabin to enhance comfort and riding experience.
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of a Sunroof?
As you might expect, a car with a sunroof has several pros and cons. What you might not know is that those benefits aren’t just about aesthetics or what you can see with your eyes.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of sunroofs on cars.
Pros of Car Sunroof
- Overall aesthetics: First and foremost, a car with a sunroof looks cool, at least to some car buyers. Sunroofs are noticeable from the outside, so they become a part of the vehicle’s overall design.
- Fresh air and additional sunlight: Of course, sunlights are about the additional comfort they provide to the car’s occupants. With the sunroof open, you’ll get a lot of fresh air and natural sunlight coming into your vehicle, whether you’re mobile or stationary.
- Warmer cabin in cold climates: When the weather gets a little chilly, you’ll want your car to be warmer without relying too much on the heater. More sunlight coming through the sunroof will contribute to making your car warmer and, therefore, more comfortable. Of course, you’ll want to keep the sunroof closed to keep the cold air out.
Cons of Car Sunroof
- Additional hardware: You can slide or pop open car sunroofs because it has moving components. And as we all know, additional parts in a car means additional costs and weight. Plus, that means you’ll have more parts to maintain in the long run.
- Less headroom: While the cabin will feel more spacious, the components attaching the sunroof to the roof take up space and reduce the total headroom available.
- Made of glass: Sunroofs consist of automotive glass, just like any other window on your car. It means that your car has one more glass section that can potentially break and shatter during a strong impact.
Can an Aftermarket Sunroof Be Added to a Car?
Yes, technically, an aftermarket sunroof installation is possible for pretty much any vehicle on the market. But no, aftermarket sunroof installs are NOT a good idea.
Think about it this way. When a car manufacturer designs their vehicle to include a sunroof, they consider how the sunroof will affect the car’s structural integrity. In short, the vehicle is engineered to handle all potential risks.
However, if you decide on the aftermarket idea and cut a section of your car to add a sunroof, you will be undermining the overall structural integrity of the vehicle.
Cars with sunroofs installed by a third party will run like any other car, but it might not sustain impacts as well as it should during a car accident.
To learn more about sunroofs and other car features, check out our blog.
By Ray Hasbollah