10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Buy A Car With A Panoramic Sunroof

If you’re thinking of buying a car with a panoramic sunroof, you might want to change your mind. We’ve put together ten reasons why it’s a bad idea from it weighing more and increasing fuel consumption, to ruining headroom.

What is a panoramic sunroof?

There are plenty of gimmicky bits of technology in cars these days. Voice recognition is barely used (or usable), our phones slip off a large number of integrated wireless charging pads, and you’ll never use your new electronic and panoramic sunroof.

A panoramic sunroof is a type of car roof opening that extends from the front to the back, allowing an unobstructed view of the sky. Unlike smaller sunroofs, panoramic sunroofs cover a significant portion of the car roof and offer a sense of spaciousness inside the vehicle. They can be made of various materials, such as glass or a combination of glass and metal, and can be either retractable or fixed. While they offer a unique driving experience, they also have some potential drawbacks such as higher weight and cost and reduced privacy and headroom.

A sunroof always seems like a good idea when you purchase a car. It’s yet another window to let in more light, making the cabin of a car feel more open, and you dream about opening it up on a sunny day to let in the rays and release hot air from your stuffy interior.

But they’re actually a really bad idea. Here are ten reasons why you shouldn’t buy one.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy A car With A Panoramic Sunroof

You’ll Never Actually Use It

When you first drive your car away from the dealer after buying it, you might open up the sunroof. But after a month of owning the car, you’ll forget what those buttons even do. When it’s hot, you’ll turn on the AC. When it’s raining, you’d be stupid to do such a thing, and when it’s overcast, what’s the point?

I honestly can’t give you a reason to open it, apart from when your kids want to act like they’re being driven in a limo and want to stick their hands out and scream.

It’s Heavy!

If you were asked if you wanted to make your car slower, less fuel efficient, and less likely to take a corner in return for having a hole in the roof, what would you say? Obviously, that would be a big no. Glass is a heavy material, so adding 50 lbs plus to not just the car, but the roof of the car, is asking for trouble. It greatly raises the centre of gravity, damaging your car’s handling, and means you’ll be lugging around that extra weight everywhere you go.

They are Expensive!

Not only are you paying more in fuel because of that extra weight, but you’ve also already paid to do so, with sunroofs being an expensive option on a lot of cars. It can cost a couple of thousand to buy a car with a hole in the roof. That’s a very expensive way to lose even more money.

They Go Wrong… Often

The thing is, some of these sunroofs can be quite complicated. They have rising functions, they can slide back and forth, and guess what, this means they go wrong. Actually, they go wrong quite a lot and can be a royal pain in the a** to fix, adding to the overall cost of owning one.

Rust

But when they’re not broken, they can be a great area for moisture to get trapped. This will slowly eat away at the metal of your roof and one day, rust bubbles will form around your beloved sunroof. Want to fix it? Well, someone will just have to remove your sunroof (expensive) do some welding (even more expensive), and finally, paint it to stop any rust from progressing even further. Did I mention this is quite expensive?

They Ruin Your Car’s Aerodynamics

There’s a reason why the most aerodynamic of cars are smooth with very few vents and holes. This is because the smoother the shape, the more slippery it is when travelling through the air. Just like you wouldn’t open a window on the motorway, you wouldn’t want to open your sunroof either. It adds to the drag of the car and that means it takes more power, and therefore fuel, to keep pushing through that custardy air.

It’s Noisy!

Not only have you lost the sound deadening of the metal, added insulation, and then the material that covers that to a lump of glass, you then open the sunroof and you’re greeted by the sound of turbulent air. Some cars have gone to great lengths to reduce the noise, but this then adds to the complexity of the system and its price.

No More Headroom

Talking of complexity, where do you think the sunroof goes when it’s opened? Well, it has to slide back into somewhere, and that massively reduces the height of the ceiling of the car, reducing headroom.

It Ruins Chassis Rigidity

This may not relate to many normal drivers out there, but to those of us who like a spirited drive with a car that doesn’t flex too much, this isn’t something you’ll enjoy. Just like when you take off the roof of a car to make it a convertible, you either lose structural rigidity or increase weight because there’s more bracing in other places to make up for it. This is a lose-lose situation and one you’ll want to avoid.

It Gets So Hot In The Sun!

While you’re driving you can turn on the AC to lower cabin temperatures, but if you’ve parked in the sun, your car is going to heat up to centre of the Earth temperatures in no time. Recently, car manufacturers have started to add UV and sun-blocking technology to their sunroofs, but again, this adds cost.

8 Cars That Have Sunroofs That You Should Consider

If you are going to buy a car with a panoramic sunroof, then these are your best options. They are all of high quality and have the best designs to keep the above issues to a minimum.

1. Audi A7
2. BMW X5
3. Kia Stinger
4. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
5. Porsche Panamera
6. Subaru Outback
7. Tesla Model S
8. Volvo XC90

Why You Should Buy A Car With A Panoramic Roof

Am I being overly exaggerating and pedantic? Yes, of course I am. Sunroofs really aren’t all that bad and if you don’t spec it in some countries, you could ruin your chances of resale. Here are 8 reasons why you should buy a car with this feature.

1. Natural light: A panoramic roof can bring more natural light into the cabin, creating a brighter and more open space.
2. Better view: A panoramic roof provides a better view of the sky and surroundings, making driving more enjoyable.
3. Sense of space: A panoramic roof can add a sense of space and airiness to the interior, making it feel more open and less confined.
4. Resale value: A car with a panoramic roof can have a higher resale value since it’s often considered a desirable feature by potential buyers.
5. Aesthetics: A panoramic roof can enhance the overall look and style of the car, making it more attractive and visually appealing.
6. Improved ventilation: With a panoramic roof, you can enjoy improved ventilation, which can help to keep the cabin cooler and more comfortable.
7. Enjoyment of nature: A panoramic roof allows you to enjoy nature and scenic views, which can enhance the driving experience and create memorable moments.
8. Status symbol: A panoramic roof is often considered a luxury feature and can be a status symbol, adding to the overall appeal and prestige of the vehicle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, buying a car with a panoramic roof can be a great investment for those who prioritise a bright, open and visually appealing driving experience. It not only adds natural light and enhances the aesthetics of the vehicle, but also provides a sense of space and improved ventilation, making the cabin more comfortable and enjoyable.

But this does come with several downsides which were illustrated above.

It all depends on what you prioritise in your vehicle, where you live, and your lifestyle. So hopefully this has allowed you to make a more educated decision on what to choose when you buy your next car.