Moonroof Vs. Sunroof

Both sunroofs and moonroofs let light into a car's cabin.

Cars now have a number of upgrades you can add to a base model before you drive it off the lot. Two favorite accessories are the sunroof and the moonroof. Besides the fact that both of these accessories allow light into the cabin of a car, almost everything else is different. The distinction is important to understand before you decide to buy a car with either of these features.

Materials

The materials made to make a moonroof and a sunroof overlap slightly. Both can potentially use glass (depending on the style of the sunroof). A moonroof is simply a plate of glass in the roof of your car that allows light in. The plate of glass usually is tinted. A sunroof, on the other hand, can either be made of glass or use no glass at all. A covering made of the same roof material can be retracted back from the cabin of the car, revealing an opening that lets in both light and air.

Features

A moonroof is always static. This means that it cannot move. The only added feature a moonroof can have is a retractable covering that you can control from the inside of the car if too much light is entering the cabin. Conversely, sunroofs can move. The glass of the sunroof can either be retracted back or be lifted up. This feature allows both light and air into the car.

Types

There are two types of moonroofs and sunroofs. The first type is the standard version that takes up only a small portion of the car's roof. This is what you are most likely to find in cars. There is also the panoramic versions that cover almost the entirety of the car's roof. This allows a significant amount of light into the car and a lot of fresh air as well in the case of sunroofs.

Models Offering Sunroofs and Moonroofs

These two accessories are usually found on luxury car models. In fact, some luxury car models will have a moonroof or a sunroof as a standard feature. Today, many luxury accessories can be added to nearly any car brand and model. Some economy cars now offer this feature. Ask your dealer whether these items can be added to a specific car.

Cost of Installation

Owning a car with a sunroof or moonroof does not come cheaply. The average cost of adding these features is $2,000 as of 2010. The price will vary depending on the style of the roof and the car you are driving (for example. it will cost more to install this feature on a luxury car than an economy car).

References

• DifferenceBetween: Difference Between Sunroof and Moonroof
• Car Tech Auto Parts: Car Sunroof