10 Best Crossovers with a Panoramic Sunroof

2017 Buick Envision panoramic roof ・ Photo by Buick

Once you’ve ridden in a crossover with a panoramic sunroof, nothing else can compare. A generously sized sunroof turns a cave-like cabin into a true adventure wagon. With a roof that’s open to the skies, a ride in the country is an immersive experience, day or night. Our list of 10 crossovers with panoramic sunroofs includes an array of vehicles from America and Asia, with a focus on the most affordable entries. Panoramic sunroofs can differ in the way they bring the sky into the cabin, and you’ll find some unique choices on the list, including the most affordable crossover with a dual pane sunroof and a manual transmission, as well as the most fuel-efficient conventional crossover in America.

2017 Ford Escape

The 2017 Ford Escape offers a Panoramic Vista Roof that spans the first and second rows. The Panoramic Vista Roof is offered as a standalone option ($1,495) in the Escape SE and Titanium. It is not offered in the base Escape S model. The Vista Roof’s front panel tilts up or slides back to open fully. The Escape SE is one of the most affordably priced small crossovers to offer a panoramic sunroof and is equipped with a 1.5-liter EcoBoost engine as standard equipment. The optional 2.0-liter twin-scroll EcoBoost engine ($1,345) delivers a significant bump in performance at a reasonable cost, with a minimal hit to fuel economy.

Photo by Ford

2017 Lincoln MKC

The 2017 Lincoln MKC Reserve and top-of-the-line MKC Black Label feature an expansive Panoramic Vista Roof as standard equipment. While the Panoramic Vista Roof is a $1,700 option on the 2017 Lincoln MKC Select, it is not offered on the base MKC Premiere. Choosing the Reserve model also adds heated and ventilated front bucket seats, along with voice-activated navigation and blind spot mirrors. The MKC Black Label’s interior benefits from sumptuous Venetian leather upholstery and an upscale Alcantara headliner.  While the MKC Black Label might be the most luxurious entry on our list of crossovers with panoramic sunroofs, you can surely spend more if you venture to the other side of the pond.

Photo by Lincoln

2018 Chevrolet Equinox

The fully revised 2018 Chevrolet Equinox offers a panoramic power sunroof as an option in the LT and Premier trim levels. The Panoramic roof is included in the Equinox LT’s Sun & Infotainment package ($1,995) and in the Equinox Premier’s Sun, Sound & Navigation package ($3,320). The 2018 Equinox offers something extremely rare at its price point: a highly efficient optional 1.6-liter turbodiesel engine, capable of approximately 40 mpg highway. You won’t find that capability in any other crossover with a panoramic sunroof. The Equinox will share the 1.6-liter turbodiesel with Cruze Diesel Sedan, which is launching this spring.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Buick Envision

The 2017 Buick Envision offers a power panoramic moonroof on the Essence, Premium I and Premium II trim levels as a standalone option ($1,495). The 2-panel moonroof has a fixed rear panel and movable front panel. The Envision is positioned between the subcompact Encore and 3-row Enclave in the Buick lineup and is the first General Motors crossover to be manufactured in China and imported to the United States. The Envision Essence is equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, with heated leather seats in the first and second rows. The Premium models are fitted with a more powerful and responsive 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, along with a range of upgrades, including a HiPer Strut front suspension system.

2017 Kia Sportage

A panoramic sunroof is included as standard equipment in the range-topping 2017 Kia Sportage SX Turbo crossover and is offered as optional equipment on the mid-level Sportage EX. While the EX’s cabin is well-appointed and includes leather upholstery, the SX Turbo benefits from the addition of a Harman Kardon audio system and an 8-inch touchscreen navigation system, along with the 240-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. (The EX is fitted with an 181-horsepower naturally-aspirated four.) In addition to the panoramic sunroof, the EX Premium option package ($2,100) includes power folding outside mirrors with blind spot detection and lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and a heated steering wheel.

Photo by Kia

2017 Hyundai Tuscon

While 2017 Hyundai Tuscon crossover is offered in a range of trim levels, a panoramic sunroof is only available in the top-of-the-line Tuscon Limited. The Ultimate option package ($2,750) adds a range of features, including lane departure warning, HID headlamps with dynamic bending light, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, ventilated front seats, and heated rear seats in addition to the panoramic sunroof. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration gives the 2017 Tuscon a 5-Star Overall rating, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Tuscon a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with the optional automatic emergency braking system.

Photo by Hyundai

2017 Toyota Highlander

The Toyota Highlander is one of the most popular 3-row crossovers. While a generously-sized panoramic moonroof is included as standard equipment in the top-of-the-line Highlander Limited Platinum, a conventional moonroof is included on the Highlander XLE, SE, and Limited. You’ll find a host of cabin upgrade in the Limited Platinum, including heated second-row seats (bench or captain’s chairs), a heated steering wheel, and an Entune Premium 12-speaker JBL audio system with navigation and app support, along with Siri Eyes Free. Toyota’s Safety Sense technology suite is standard on all Highlanders and includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2017 Highlander a Top Safety Pick+.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Nissan Murano

The dramatically designed 2017 Nissan Murano crossover offers a power panoramic moonroof that spans the space over the front and rear seating area. The panoramic moonroof is offered in the Murano SV, SL, and Platinum models, as part of an option package. The SV Premium package ($2,540) includes an 11-speaker Bose audio system with dual subwoofers and heated front seats, in addition to the moonroof. The SL and Platinum Technology packages ($2,260) both include forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and predictive forward collision warning. The Murano’s interior features Nissan’s splendid Zero Gravity seats which use a 3-cushion design to relieve stress. The top-of-the-line Platinum provides heated seats in both rows, with ventilation in the front bucket seats. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2017 Murano a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with optional front crash prevention.

Photo by Nissan

2017 Honda Pilot

The top-of-the-line 2017 Honda Pilot Elite comes standard with all-wheel drive, a splendid panoramic roof, and a slew of marvelous features. A generous expanse of fixed glass brings the sky into the cabin for the second and third rows, while a smaller sunroof spans the first row seats. The panoramic roof is not offered in any other trim levels. The Pilot is one of the most versatile 3-row crossovers, with an impressive amount of interior space for passengers and cargo, alike. The Elite also features second-row heated captain’s chairs, a rear entertainment system, and the Honda Sensing safety technology suite, which includes adaptive cruise control, active lane keep, road departure mitigation, and a collision mitigation braking system. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the 2017 Pilot a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with front crash prevention and specific headlights.

Photo by Honda

2017 Jeep Renegade

While the Jeep Renegade is not available with a conventional panoramic sunroof, it does offer a unique dual-panel “My Sky” roof as a standalone option. The front panel is retractable and both panels can be completely removed and stored underneath the rear cargo floor for a unique open air driving experience. My Sky is optional on the Renegade Sport, Latitude, Trailhawk, and Limited trim levels. The power retractable roof is not offered on the base Sport model, which comes standard with a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine and 6-speed manual transmission. The affordable subcompact Renegade has been quite successful for Jeep, outselling all rival crossovers in 2016. Oddly enough, the Renegade shares its platform with the Fiat 500X, which is one of the slowest selling subcompact crossovers.

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles