Sunroof, Moonroof, Whats the difference?

[coloradosilver]

I've been looking at some new cars to buy. Some adds say they have a sunroof and some say moonroof, and some say they have both. Just wondering: Whats the difference between a sunroof and a moonroof?

Thanks.
8)

[gis]

i may be wrong but i think a sunroof is just a thing like i have were its only a small part that moves back about a foot and a half backwards,a moonroof is one that opens pretty much all the way.or maybe thats sumthin else and sunroof and moonroof are the same thing,lol

[SFDMALEX]

As far as Im aware its the same thing.

[Minacious]

They are essentially the same thing.

A "sunroof" is the term originally used to describe a metal panel that would only allow light or air in when opened. A "moonroof," on the other hand, is a glass panel that can allow light in even when it is closed (provided, of course, you slide back that nifty fabric-covered panel to expose the glass).

Cars don't really come with a true "sunroof" anymore. They pretty much all come with moonroofs.

[Junk2006]

moon roof- pops out a little
sun roof- panel slides out

[RC45]

They are essentially the same thing.

A "sunroof" is the term originally used to describe a metal panel that would only allow light or air in when opened. A "moonroof," on the other hand, is a glass panel that can allow light in even when it is closed (provided, of course, you slide back that nifty fabric-covered panel to expose the glass).

Cars don't really come with a true "sunroof" anymore. They pretty much all come with moonroofs.

I am going with this answer...

Unless "moon roof" means an opening big enough to stand up in, turn around, pull your pants down and "moon" people... :P

[gigdy]

They are essentially the same thing.

A "sunroof" is the term originally used to describe a metal panel that would only allow light or air in when opened. A "moonroof," on the other hand, is a glass panel that can allow light in even when it is closed (provided, of course, you slide back that nifty fabric-covered panel to expose the glass).

Cars don't really come with a true "sunroof" anymore. They pretty much all come with moonroofs.

what he said

[Zonda11]

They are essentially the same thing.

A "sunroof" is the term originally used to describe a metal panel that would only allow light or air in when opened. A "moonroof," on the other hand, is a glass panel that can allow light in even when it is closed (provided, of course, you slide back that nifty fabric-covered panel to expose the glass).

Cars don't really come with a true "sunroof" anymore. They pretty much all come with moonroofs.

I am going with this answer...

Unless "moon roof" means an opening big enough to stand up in, turn around, pull your pants down and "moon" people... :P

LOL :D :D :D

[coloradosilver]

They are essentially the same thing.

A "sunroof" is the term originally used to describe a metal panel that would only allow light or air in when opened. A "moonroof," on the other hand, is a glass panel that can allow light in even when it is closed (provided, of course, you slide back that nifty fabric-covered panel to expose the glass).

Cars don't really come with a true "sunroof" anymore. They pretty much all come with moonroofs.

Ok, I understand what you're saying, but then why is it when you do a price check on a car online and it asks for options it gives both (sunroof, moonroof) as seperate options? Do they still come as options on current cars? Can someone give me an example of a car with a sunroof and one with a moonroof?

[murcielago6200cc]

They are essentially the same thing.

A "sunroof" is the term originally used to describe a metal panel that would only allow light or air in when opened. A "moonroof," on the other hand, is a glass panel that can allow light in even when it is closed (provided, of course, you slide back that nifty fabric-covered panel to expose the glass).

Cars don't really come with a true "sunroof" anymore. They pretty much all come with moonroofs.

good answer and I even found the page you copied it from :P

[corvette97]

i knew that moonroof was bigger and sunroof was smaller

[coombsie66]

Our old E36 M3 had a sun roof, not moonroof, as in it was metal and slid back or tilted, but was not glass so was purely for air rather than light.
My car dont have a sun or moon roof, never been an issue!??
Plus it means i can track day anywhere. Aparently if you have a glass sunroof then you cannot go on sum trackdays.

[Minacious]

good answer and I even found the page you copied it from :P

Hey what can I say, it was easier to paste it than type it, even though I already knew the answer. I'm a lazy ass. :D

Colorado, I have no idea why both are listed. No car that I have seen made in the last few years comes with a "sunroof" only a "moonroof" or should I say they come with a combination of the two. For those that don't know, it has nothing to do with how it tilts or moves. The "sun" or "moon" only dictates whether you can see through the roof when closed or not. The optons you see Colorado, might be that you can order the car without the sliding panel that will completely block off the opening, but that doesn't make much sense to me.

[RC45]

Ok, I understand what you're saying, but then why is it when you do a price check on a car online and it asks for options it gives both (sunroof, moonroof) as seperate options? Do they still come as options on current cars? Can someone give me an example of a car with a sunroof and one with a moonroof?

Because the "trade and price" models used are all based int eh Kelly Blue Book and Black Book "option and pricing model" and it is simpler ti juust have every option listed as a choice - not just the options unique to that model.

I know - I helped write some code for some early "online price checking" software based on the Kelly and Black Book option models in 1996. ;)

Seems like they are still just as lazy as we were in the day... :P

[hemi_fan]

http://soli.inav.net/~crhayes/sunroofs/Moonroof.jpg
http://soli.inav.net/~crhayes/sunroofs/Moonroof.jpg
SUNROOF - Slides open fully like a normal car window.

http://www.auburn.edu/~cobblin/moonroof.jpg
http://www.auburn.edu/~cobblin/moonroof.jpg
Moonroof - Cracks open a little like a rear-minivan window.

Or at least thats the difference where I'm from....

[Sachmo12345]

i think a moonroof is the slit that moves up sunroof rolls back

[Vansquish]

A sunroof is a body panel that moves to reveal the sun or airflow...doesn't have to slide all the way back, might just pop up. A moonroof is a glass panel that moves instead of a metal panel.

[StanAE86]

Unless "moon roof" means an opening big enough to stand up in, turn around, pull your pants down and "moon" people... :P

Hahahahaha...

[nthfinity]

its actually closer to what vanquish said..... so wierd that nobody knows this accurately... to set it straight, i will try

sun roof
http://dussbrothers.ca/images/101-0174_IMG.JPG
can be metal, or glass
can be tilted up to allow air flow

moon roof
usually can be tilted up
can be glass or metal
can also be fully opened like a door window
or, it can be removed, like T-tops

and yes, RC moon-roofs can allow you to stand up, turn around, and moon the doods all around you!
a sun roof simply cannot

i have owned one car with a sunroof, and another with a moonroof. an 85 bronco II, and an 88 Saab 9000t respectively :)


also, there are two types of electric moonroofs
the best is electronically moved back into the roof
http://www.imperialclub.com/YearByYear/1972/Features/sunroof.jpg

the other is electronically moved above the roof, where its unsafe to drive above cirtain speeds :roll:
http://www.beretta.net/performance_corner/custom/exterior/images/sunroof-4.jpg

[interceptor_01]

then there are cars that have them both the Camry being one with the "SLIDE" and the "TILT" button

[ae86_16v]

then there are cars that have them both the Camry being one with the "SLIDE" and the "TILT" button

Yeah Toyotas and older Lexus have two buttons too.

But Vanquish is right, moon means glass and sun means no-glass e.g. BMW E36.