Is the Stargazer roof really that bad?

I’ve been trying to find a 2023 Venza, which are really hard to come by, and I started wondering if the Stargazer roof would actually raise my insurance. How easy is it to damage, and how difficult is it to repair or replace?

On a different note, is there much difference between a 2021 and 2023 Venza Limited?

I’ve got a 2021 with the Stargaze roof, and it’s been fine. It’s probably a bit of a gamble, but it’s quiet even on the highway, and I haven’t had any issues with rain, even though I live in a really rainy area.

It’s one of my favourite features.

We’ve got a 2024 Limited and I love the Stargazer. No problems at all with ours.

Cove said:
We’ve got a 2024 Limited and I love the Stargazer. No problems at all with ours.

Same here! We’ve had the 2024 Limited since August, and it’s been perfect. If we were still in Texas, where hail is common, I probably wouldn’t have chosen that roof, but in California, the hail we get is nothing compared to what Texas sees.

The Stargazer roof shouldn’t increase your insurance, but you’ll want to make sure the glass is covered. Like any panoramic roof, a rock could cause it to crack. The difference with the Stargazer is it’s electrochromic glass, and replacing it costs around $7,500. There’s also a rare chance the electrical system might fail and cause ‘burns’ in the glass. I’ve heard mixed stories about replacing it – some people find it easy, others find it a nightmare.

The 2021-2024 models are all pretty much the same. They made a few small changes like standard fog lights from 2022 onwards, and the 2023-2024 models have some extra features like a better multimedia system and standard Heads-Up Display. The 2023 models also have wireless carplay/android auto. The 2023 model has more comfort features, like an 8-way adjustable passenger seat. Also, the Safety Sense 2.5+ added features like bicycle detection and better lane assist. Another thing is that Remote Connect was $80/year on the 2021-2022, but now it’s $180/year on the 2023-2024.

@Aeron
Great info .

I bought my 2021 Limited back in May 2021 and haven’t had any issues with the roof. I really enjoy it.

I’ve had my 2023 Limited for 6 days and haven’t had any issues with the roof so far. I made sure my insurance includes the roof glass. My premium is only slightly higher than it was on my 2013 Highlander, so that gave me peace of mind.

My advice: don’t stress if you can’t find one without the glass roof. It’s actually pretty cool, especially for passengers.

@Freddie
Insurance will cover any cracking or exploding glass. But if the electrical system fails after the Toyota warranty, you’ll be stuck with the repair costs, which could be around $7,500. You don’t have to fix it, but you’ll lose visibility. There’s also a risk of injury from exploding roofs. The government did an investigation into sunroof explosions, and Toyota claimed the cracks were caused by external forces, but they couldn’t prove otherwise.

@ReubenSparks
Thanks for the info (https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/exploding-sunroofs-danger-overhead/)

This is worrying. Maybe I should consider PPF for the Pano roof… :thinking:

Freddie said:
@ReubenSparks
Thanks for the info (https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/exploding-sunroofs-danger-overhead/)

This is worrying. Maybe I should consider PPF for the Pano roof… :thinking:

I would skip the panoramic roof. That’s why I chose the Limited Highlander over the Platinum model. The Platinum had a nice interior, but I didn’t want the risk of dealing with a panoramic roof.

@ReubenSparks
I tried to avoid it, but the deal I got was too good to pass up.

Freddie said:
@ReubenSparks
I tried to avoid it, but the deal I got was too good to pass up.

I get it. Sometimes the deal is just too tempting. Hopefully, it all works out for you.

The only change from the 2021 to 2024 models was in the center display and the instrument panel. The updates came with the 2023 models. The display is now all digital, and the HVAC controls have been improved. They also made some small changes to the lane-following system. The Stargazer roof was an option, so you could find models without it. I have a 2023 Limited without the Stargazer roof. I believe the dashcam was a dealer-installed option, not a standard feature. Not sure if the 360-degree camera was available on all trims.

Make sure you’re okay with not being able to carry anything on the roof. We were set on the Venza Limited, but then we wanted to carry kayaks and realized we couldn’t use the roof for anything.

Archer said:
Make sure you’re okay with not being able to carry anything on the roof. We were set on the Venza Limited, but then we wanted to carry kayaks and realized we couldn’t use the roof for anything.

Are you saying you can’t put kayaks on top because of the Stargazer roof?

@madisonwilson
You can’t install crossbars for anything else either. Unless I’m mistaken, you can’t put anything on the roof at all.

I’ve had mine for 2 and a half years with no issues. I’ve never even closed the cover.

There hasn’t been any major update to the Venza models between 2021 and 2024. I chose the XLE because I didn’t want the headache of dealing with the Stargazer roof. I’ve heard of issues with it leaking and making weird noises while driving.