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by Spixxy on February 15th, 2004

Spixxy

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Is there a difference between a sunroof and a moonroof?

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Answers. 14 helpful answers below.

  • by SavMan on June 19th, 2005

    SavMan

    A sunroof is opaque (usually flush metal with the body color on the outside). This roof can either tilt open to vent, slide open to let in light, or both. It is called a sunroof because the opacity prevents the sun from heating up the vehicle. These have existed for quite some time.

    In the 1970s, Ford introduced a glass sunroof that they named the Moonroof (actually, the American Sunroof Company, the company that made all domestic sunroofs and now known as American Specialty Cars invented it, but Ford was the first to install it). So to answer the question, a moonroof is a sunroof made of glass.

    The problem is, the distinction is becoming lost as more and more people use it incorrectly (some on this website, it seems) Most people today just consider any sort of hole in the roof a sunroof. But in the strictest sense, sunroof=metal, moonroof=glass.

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  • by Vashtar on April 27th, 2007

    Vashtar

    Historically, sunroofs have been opaque and open to the air to allow the sun to shine directly into the vehicle, while moonroofs have generally been transparent or semi-transparent and designed to remain closed while allowing muted light to penetrate the vehicle.

    Variations have become the norm and often combine the features of the Sun and Moon types into a single device. It is not uncommon to see tinted glass that can retract fully like a traditional sun roof, remain closed like a traditional moon roof, or tilt to allow for airflow.

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  • by 8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009 on February 16th, 2004

    8 Jan 2004-10 Dec 2009

    Generally, these two terms are used interchangably, and sometimes erroneously so.

    Sunroofs are opaque panels that slide rearward and open completely whereas moonroofs are tinted glass panels that flip up slightly to allow air to flow. And some (but not all) moonroofs allow you to remove the glass panel and stow it elsewhere to open completely like a sunroof.

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  • by djchad on May 9th, 2006

    djchad

    My understanding has always been that a sunroof is a manually operated glass panel that can be tilted up and often removed as well, and that a moonroof is an electrically actuated panel that slides back and often tilts up as well. Now, this is pure speculation, but, in support of my theory I have always wondered if a moonroof wasn't called a moonroof because of the variable amount you can open it, just like the varying phases of the moon. Also, has anyone considered the possibility that the moniker "Sunroof" is a trademark, so the name "Moonroof" is just an alternative?

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  • by Jessica Green on January 31st, 2005

    Jessica Green

    The sun roof is smaller and is usually tinted (nobody wants the sun shining right in their eyes when they are driving down the highway at 70 mph's), and usually only opens a little to let some air in the car. A moonroof on the other hand is larger and clear. the purpose of a moon roof is to open it at night to see all the stars (and the moon)

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  • by Vashtar on April 27th, 2007

    Vashtar

    Historically, sunroofs have been opaque and open to the air to allow the sun to shine directly into the vehicle, while moonroofs have generally been transparent or semi-transparent and designed to remain closed while allowing muted light to penetrate the vehicle.

    Variations have become the norm and often combine the features of the Sun and Moon types into a single device. It is not uncommon to see tinted glass that can retract fully like a traditional sun roof, remain closed like a traditional moon roof, or tilt to allow for airflow.

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  • by TAMTAM420 on September 25th, 2007

    TAMTAM420

    THEY ARE BOTH HOLES IN YOUR ROOF, BUT THE FIRST ONE MADE SENSE TO ME. THANKS

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  • by qwerty on October 9th, 2009

    qwerty

    according to Ford
    a Moonroof is glass and allows the driver to see outside of it without opening it
    a sunroof is metal
    both open all the way or tilt in the rear

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  • by Anonymous on July 4th, 2008

    Anonymous

    My car's roof has a glass panel flush with the exterior metal which can be electrically opened to tilt for ventilation or slide back to open all the way.

    Underneath the glass, however, is a solid panel that matches the interior headliner. This panel can be slid back by itself just to allow light through the glass.

    That said, do I have a sunroof, a moonroof or both?

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  • by Anonymous on May 13th, 2008

    Anonymous

    you can see sun light threw a sunroof and a moonroof no light will come threw unless it is open

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  • by southsider111 on August 27th, 2009

    southsider111

    Let's get to the bottom of this with nothing but the truth, clear and simple...Sunroof is the generic term used to describe an operable panel in a vehicle roof which can let in light and/or air. Moonroof is a term created by Ford in the 70s, yet is now used generically to describe glass panel inbuilt electric sunroofs.

    The difference is that while sunroof is the term originally used to describe a metal panel that would only allow light or air in when opened, a moonroof 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).

    Hope this helped...

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  • by jaygee on October 3rd, 2009

    jaygee

    most sunroofs are not glass....moon roofs are usually glass and tinted

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  • by Candi on October 9th, 2009

    Candi

    They are as different as night and day,,

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  • by spiritualwater777 on July 28th, 2007

    spiritualwater777

    yes there is a differance.

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