Difference Between a Moonroof and a Sunroof?

Toyota Truck, SUV and Vans Forum Toyota RAV4
1

I’m ordering a new RAV4, and it comes with a moonroof. However, I read about some issues with Toyota moonroofs and even a lawsuit.

Here’s my confusion: The dealership calls it a moonroof, but looking at the RAV4 XLE, it seems like a small sunroof. I always thought sunroofs were smaller and located above the front seats, while moonroofs spanned the entire roof. Can anyone clarify the difference?

2

There’s really just the standard moonroof and the panoramic moonroof. The regular moonroof is a movable glass panel over the driver and passenger seats. The panoramic version is much larger, covering most of the roof.

3

Historically, sunroofs were solid panels (metal or plastic) that opened fully, while moonroofs were glass and could tilt or slide. Nowadays, manufacturers use the terms interchangeably, so they don’t have clear meanings anymore.

4

Here’s a simple breakdown:

  • Sunroof: Solid, no glass, doesn’t let light through.
  • Moonroof: Glass panel, often tinted, allows light in.
  • Panoramic moonroof: Larger glass panels, covering most of the roof.

In your case, the RAV4 has a moonroof, which is a smaller glass panel over the front seats.

5

I have the “moonroof,” and it’s a small glass window in the roof that tilts or fully opens. I grew up thinking moonroofs only tilted and sunroofs fully opened, but now the terms seem interchangeable.

6

Toyota calls them moonroofs. These are glass panels that tilt or slide open. Panoramic moonroofs are the larger versions that cover the whole roof. Toyota doesn’t use sunroofs, which traditionally referred to solid panels made of metal or plastic.

7

To get the powered liftgate, you often have to include the moonroof option. Just something to keep in mind while configuring your RAV4.