woman looking out of a car window

What is the Difference between a Sunroof and Moonroof?

Sunroof vs Moonroof

You probably know what a sunroof is on a vehicle, but do you know what a moonroof is? It’s likely that you might have mistaken a moonroof for a sunroof, and vice versa. So, it might be time to answer the question and clear up all of this confusion. What is the difference between a sunroof and moonroof?

Sunroof

View from the cabin of car

Most people use the term ‘sunroof’ to refer to any roof panel on the top of your car that opens up, letting sun and air into the vehicle. While this is true of sunroofs, it is also true of moonroofs.

There are a few key differences for sunroofs.

  • Sunroofs pop up and slide atop the roof the car.
  • Sunroofs have no net/barrier between passengers and the outside when open.
  • Sunroofs are made of the same material as the body of the vehicle.

Moonroof

a family car with a sunroof sliding open

How does a moonroof differ from a sunroof? Well, judging from what we listed about the sunroof, you can probably start to guess. However, it should be known that most modern vehicles are now produced with moonroofs rather than sunroofs!

Moonroofs are made out of glass and instead of sliding on top of a vehicle, they instead slide into a built-in pocket with the car frame. Additionally, moonroofs come with a small sliding panel. This leaves a barrier between passengers and the outside when the moonroof is open, keeping out bugs and leaves while still letting sun and air in.


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For additional information regarding vehicle tips and tricks, please check out our blog for help! You can also contact us for assistance and browse our online inventory of used models here at Stop 23 Auto Sales. Now, the next time you see a car with a roof panel, you’ll know if it’s a sunroof or a moonroof!