Honda CR-V Moonroof: What To Know
Photo by Paul Chambers on Unsplash
The first sunroof has its roots as far back as 1937, but it wasn’t widespread or popularized in the United States until the late 1960s and 1970s. In 1973, the moonroof with glass joined the party. The big panoramic sunroofs of today are a type of moonroof that has a large glass area. Luxury vehicles and SUVs are where you’ll find these most often.
Different from convertibles, and different from classic sunroofs, moonroofs bring in extra light, style, and weather permitting, a connection with beautiful sunny days. The CR-V’s moonroof has been upgraded like many other SUVs in recent years and a majority of the roof is actually retractable.
What is a Sunroof?
A sunroof is a plate on a car’s roof that slides back or may be removed to let in extra light, air, or both into the vehicle’s main cabin. A sunroof was historically an opaque-colored plate that would match the color of the car’s interior, and it may be tilted open or totally removed by drivers. However, a traditional sunroof that is both invisible and movable is uncommon.
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What is a Moonroof?
A moonroof, on the other hand, normally has a tinted glass panel on top of the car, almost similar to the shaded tints on windows. Moonroofs are not intended to be detached from the car, but they normally slide and tilt open, to varying degrees.
They are designed to let in light without completely letting in the elements and you’ll usually see a slanted angle and bug guard as the CR-V has. Many moonroofs will have an interior sliding panel that matches the interior of your vehicle. When the window is closed completely, very little or no light gets comes into the cabin.
Glass is commonly used with today’s sunroofs, and both also have inner colors. Panoramic sunroofs are a subset of moonroofs and most commonly found on larger SUVs and luxury vehicles. They have a much wider panel and can open farther than traditional moonroofs. Naturally, with bigger frames on SUVs, that’s typically where you can find these types on moonroofs.
While the words “sunroof” and “moonroof” are often interchanged, there is a distinction between the two. Both are panels in the car’s roof to let the sunshine and fresh air in, but that’s where the similarity ends.
Pros
Openness - The CR-V’s moonroof can help create a sense of freedom and a more open vibe while driving. It won’t quite feel like a convertible, but having what is essentially an extra window on the roof can really open up the feel!
Less noise - t may come as a surprise, but keeping the CR-V’’s moonroof open is actually quieter than riding with the windows down all the way down. This is different from the larger SUVs that have the panoramic roof that opens up completely.
Ventilation - Naturally, having better airflow keeps the vehicle better ventilated which is a win for everyone. Even by leaving the moonroof cracked just an inch, it can provide much-needed fresh air and help the air circulate throughout the vehicle.
Resale and trade-in value - It’s an extra feature that will retain its value during resale or trade-in scenarios. Of course, it needs to be working, but having a moonroof will give it some extra value down the road.
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Cons
Price - While it retains the vehicle value, the CR-V’s moonroof packages aren’t standard for all models and you’ll have to pay to upgrade or go with a higher trim to have the moonroof included.
Faulty possibilities - Leaks from the rubber lining panel, cracks on the glass, and faulty mechanical problems can create a frustrating maintenance issue. While it would be covered Honda’s standard warranty, it’s a small enough issue that could go unnoticed and gradually get worse.
Less insulation - With more glass, there is more room for ice and water to sit and affect the temperature of the car. While it’s only about 20 inches of glass, it’s something to consider if you live in a cold-weather or rainy state where you’ll definitely be able to feel it in the cabin.
Structural integrity - With all vehicles that have moonroofs, the glass material is more susceptible to cracks than the rest of the roof’s exterior. Minor damages might be more noticeable than other areas of the car.
The CR-V’s moonroof has a power tilt option that comes standard on the EX model and higher trims. The switch’s one-touch functionality eliminates the need to hold it for long stretches of time. If resistance to closing is observed, the moonroof has an auto-reverse feature that will reverse the course. A manually operated sliding sunshade is provided on very bright or hot days.
The CR-V’s moonroof is an optional feature for all trim levels except the base model, which is not available. It has a power slide feature that can be opened and closed with a single click, or you can hold the button to get the moonroof where you’d like it to stay. Think of the light fixtures that have different brightness amounts that you can adjust.
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It has a tilt option as well as an auto-reverse feature that allows it to reverse directions while closing if anything gets in the way. A manual-operated sliding sunshade can be used to cover the moonroof.
While the 2021 Honda CR-V lacks a panoramic sunroof, three of the four trim levels have a basic moonroof, which is more common for today and very similar based on the comparisons listed at the beginning of the article. On the EX trim and above the one-touch functionality prevents the need to keep the switch for long periods of time but it does allow drivers to put it at a custom length.
The moonroof has an auto-reverse feature that will reverse direction if resistance to closure is detected. On very bright or hot days, a manually controlled sliding sunshade can be deployed to prevent too much sun or heat.
The base CR-V trim costs $25,350, with higher trims costing $27,860, $30,450, and $33,650. A fully loaded CR-V can cost more than $40,000. All-wheel drive costs an extra $1,500, meaning some trims and enhancements can cost more than $40,000. The CR-V Hybrid has a starting price range of $30,560 to $36,350.
Throw in its 30 MPG fuel efficiency and affordability starting in the high $28,000 range, and the CR-V makes a great option for anyone looking for a consistent and fun midsize SUV that offers a moonroof. For its size, the moonroof is a decent size and has the warranty and backing of a great brand and should be at the top of your list when comparing midsize SUVs with moonroofs.
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