10 Cars with the Best Panoramic Sunroofs

2014 Kia Optima Hybrid

Cars with the best panoramic sunroofs are at the top of the list for more and more customers today, and for a long list of reasons. Among them: They make your car’s cabin feel more spacious and airy and, in some cases, even deliver an open-air driving experience. But panoramic sunroofs are also more weatherproof—and theft-proof—than actual convertibles. They sometimes even look better than dedicated drop-tops when those tops actually have to be closed. And panoramic sunroofs are not limited to luxury vehicles. They’re increasingly available on some surprisingly affordable cars.

(Note: The “panoramic” part of these sunroofs has to do with their size, as they offer a clear view for both front- and back-row occupants, thanks to some combination of fixed and openable glass panes.)

2016 Scion tC

The 2016 Scion tC is surely going to be missed. Yes, its replacement, the FR-S (now Toyota 86), does everything a little better, but that car’s MSRP is more than $7,000 higher than that of the tC. But just to be clear, the tC is still a blast to drive, and its starting price of $20,180 includes what the brand calls a “panoramic-glass moonroof with front power tilt/slide.” It’s what Autobytel experts would call a sunroof, but drivers will call it the perfect complement to the tC’s eager-to-please 180 horsepower engine, especially on their favorite back roads on a beautiful summer day. Like many cars with panoramic roofs, the tC earns the highest possible IIHS rating for roof strength.

2016 Hyundai Veloster

The 2016 Hyundai Veloster is similar to the Scion tC in that it’s a relatively sporty entry with a practical price point, dramatic styling and a secure spot among our favorite cars with panoramic roofs. Of course, the Veloster doesn’t look like the tC, trading the Scion’s traditionally coupe-style silhouette for the aggressive stance of a hot hatch, and it doesn’t offer its panoramic sunroof as a standard feature. On the other hand, because the Veloster’s MSRP is $18,000, and the sunroof-containing package is $2,100, Hyundai does slightly undercut its rival in terms of pricing. The Veloster also can overpower the tC, courtesy of Hyundai’s available 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, which can unleash 201 horses.

Photo by Hyundai

2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2-Door

If you thought a MINI-sized vehicle couldn’t maximize its overhead opening, you haven’t seen the 2016 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door. It’s a nimble 151.1 inches in length, so it’s shorter than a traditional subcompact, however it still finds a way to fit a power-operated, panoramic sunroof on top, and it does so for an also-small outlay. The MINI stickers from $20,700, with the open-roof option available in the car’s Premium Package, along with a Harman/Kardon audio system, a cargo-management bundle, and a keyfob-sensing, automatic-unlock function for the tailgate. Shoppers also should remember that MINI sells a variety of cars with a panoramic sunroof, from the Clubman to the Countryman and the Hardtop 4 Door.

Photo by MINI

2016 Volkswagen Golf

Another company providing high-value cars with a panoramic sunroof is VW. Both the 2016 Volkswagen Golf and the Golf SportWagen have the power-opening versions, with the Golf S—already boasting standard touchscreen infotainment and a rearview camera—furnishing one for $22,625. Meanwhile, the SportWagen Limited leverages the panoramic sunroof at $24,995, then piles on standard premium cues like heated front seats, and VW’s Car-Net connectivity technology. Safety measures such as adaptive cruise control, a blind-spot monitor and autonomous emergency braking are also on tap. On the topic of occupant protection, although the 2016 Sportwagen hasn’t been tested, the Golf hatchback has a “Good” grade for roof strength from the IIHS, along with a full Top Safety Pick+ rating.

2016 Kia Optima

Prefer midsize cars with panoramic roofs? The 2016 Kia Optima has a large two-pane setup in which the front pane slides back over the rear one to let the fresh air in. For a premium touch, a power sunshade is included if the sun gets too bright. Kia also treats its super-sized sunroof as a premium option, making it available for the mid-range EX and SX trims, and standard on the range-topping SX Limited. That turbocharged model has an MSRP of $36,400—nearly $12K above the entry Optima—though it also features plenty of extra standard content. Indeed, this ultimate Optima comes complete with heated and quilted Nappa leather seating, Harman/Kardon audio, and Kia’s full range of driver-assistance technologies.

Photo by Benjamin Hunting

2016 Hyundai Sonata

The Kia’s counterpart at Hyundai—the 2016 Hyundai Sonata—takes a similar approach. The entry model is a practically priced midsize sedan that starts at $21,750, yet if you’re shopping for cars with a panoramic sunroof, you’ll have to opt for the Sonata Limited, at $27,350, then add the $3,100 Tech Package. But another similarity is that you get a lot of value for the money. Consider: The bottom line of $30,450 is well under the average transaction price of a car today (especially one with a panoramic sunroof), and it includes heated and ventilated front seats, a 400-watt Infinity sound system, an 8-inch infotainment and navigation touchscreen, heated rear seats, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel.

2016 Audi A3

When the four-rings brand first launched its subcompact sedan in this country, the team wanted to ensure no one could confuse the vehicle with a mainstream econobox. With that in mind, the A3 was packed with the same kind of standard content you’d expect in an Audi of any size. Well, fast forward a few years, and the 2016 Audi A3 continues to live up to that reputation, and then some: The A3 is one of those cars with a panoramic sunroof as standard, something that can’t be said of the brand-new, more-expensive A4. The smaller Audi’s MSRP of $30,900 even covers a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated windshield-washer nozzles, and key Audi safety technologies.

Photo by Lyndon Bell

2016 Chrysler 300

Moving beyond some of the most affordable cars with a panoramic sunroof are entries like the 2016 Chrysler 300. No mere economy choice—despite peak EPA ratings of 31 mpg highway—the full-size 300 put its focus on a sophisticated ownership experience. Thus, Chrysler’s wide-opening sunroof also has handy functions like an express open/close feature, and it comes standard on the upscale models. It’s not just the 300’s creature comforts that set it apart from the crowd, either. The 300 relies on a standard rear-wheel drive powertrain for premium performance, like top-name German sport sedans. It also builds on that benefit with a distinctive all-wheel-drive setup that disconnects from the front axle, for fuel-efficiency purposes, when maximum traction isn’t required.

Photo by Chrysler

2017 Lincoln MKZ

As Ford Motor Company’s luxury brand looks to reinvent itself for modern-day luxury drivers, it’s begun to establish a reputation for particularly impressive roof designs. For example, the refreshed 2017 Lincoln MKZ showcases the largest opening among any sedans with a panoramic sunroof. Now, to score that fully retractable skylight, owners will have to pay an additional $2,995, so that MKZ models with that option will approach $40,000. At that point, Lincoln’s midsize premium sedan is exceedingly premium, with leather-trimmed and heated front seats, real wood cabin trim, and a reconfigurable 10.1-inch “virtual” gauge cluster. The MKZ Hybrid can combine all that with EPA ratings of 41 mpg city / 39 mpg highway / 40 mpg combined.

Photo by Lincoln

2016 BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon

The Bavarians can supply a bunch of cars with a panoramic sunroof, such as the 2016 BMW 3 Series Sports Wagon. Chosen by Autobytel experts based on its combination of utility, style and performance, the 328i xDrive Sports Wagon is stickered from $42,650 with its expansive sunroof, and that, in turn, touts power sliding and lift control, a power sunshade for the cabin, and a built-in wind deflector that makes enjoying the open road a breeze—or not. Also easy is accessing the car’s 50.3 cubic feet of total cargo space, since the rear glass can be lifted separately from the tailgate if customers prefer.