Subaru Forester Moonroof: What To Know
2019 Subaru Forester by Kevauto — CC BY-SA 4.0
People often use the terms moonroof and sunroof interchangeably. They do have in common that they are both panels in the roof of a vehicle that open to direct fresh air and sunlight into the car. While a moonroof is a type of sunroof, several things differentiate these two.
Moonroofs hit the market in 1973. However, what many call a sunroof has been a moonroof all along (more on this later). This article will explore what you need to know about moonroofs—specifically, the 2021 Subaru Forester moonroof.
Moonroof vs. Sunroof: What’s the Difference?
Consumers took their initial peek through a sunroof in 1937 when Nash Motors offered the first vehicles equipped with the option. An authentic sunroof is nothing more than a metal body-colored panel cut into the car’s roof.
This panel can either be removed or easily slid back to allow fresh air and light to engulf the cabin. Curiously, while a moonroof is a type of sunroof, what people have called sunroofs for decades have indeed been the moonroof classification.
Moonroofs forgo the removable or retractable metal panel for a glass panel which is often tinted and has an interior cover that easily slides back when you’d like to access your moonroof. Depending on the moonroof, the glass can slide back, tilt open, or both, similar to powered windows.
To this day, the terms sunroof and moonroof are used interchangeably by both the carmaker and consumer. To make matters more confusing, there are several moonroof variations, such as the panoramic moonroof, the eco-friendly moonroof, and a whole glass roof, to name a few.
For now, let’s see what the scoop is on the 2021 Subaru Forester moonroof.
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2021 Subaru Forester Moonroof
We would be remiss if we did not cover the numerous variations of panoramic moonroofs. One variant is two panels of glass that meet in the middle. Another is that which the 2021 Subaru Forester so elegantly utilizes—a single, large piece of continuous glass. This approach is less obstructive as there is no middle panel like the variant mentioned above. However, the Forester’s single glass plate is smaller than the two-panel approach. The third style of panoramic moonroof is a hybrid of these two approaches. A great example is the BMW X3, which covers a good deal of the car’s roof in glass.
Yes, the Subaru Forester moonroof covers less roof area than other variants of the panoramic moonroof, but that is not to say that the Forester moonroof is small by any measure. It’s big, bold, beautiful, and more than large enough to point out your favorite constellations.
Is the Moonroof an Add On?
If you’re in the market for a 2021 Subaru Forester, you should know that not all trim levels come with a panoramic moonroof. This is somewhat disappointing since Subarus are in part built for and marketed to the adventurous consumer who is much more likely to spend a weekend in the woods with a trusty Forester than on the couch binge-watching the latest streaming shows. The moonroof is one of the main adventure-seeker-approved features missing from the standard 2021 Subaru Forester.
The base model 2021 Forester comes in a little under $25,000. To get your hands on a 2021 Forester with a moonroof, you’ll need to upgrade (at least) one trim level to Premium for $3,000. Whether $3,000 is too much or not is subjective, though this level-up delivers much more than a moonroof. There are numerous upgrades with the Premium trim, such as heated front seats and blind-spot detection.
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Subaru Forester Moonroof Pros and Cons
Pros
Extra sunshine: Vitamin D has numerous duties to keep our bodies healthy. The best source of Vitamin D is direct sunlight. Opening your moonroof is an excellent way to get natural sunlight and soak up that ever-important Vitamin D. Of course, you want to be careful not to stay in any sunlight too long as you need to avoid sunburns or worse.
Natural air conditioning: You can naturally cool down your Forester with fresh air by either tilting your moonroof open or powering it open completely through the simple touch of a button. Indeed this will save you a few bucks by keeping the air conditioning off. It will also keep the cabin quiet and calm since no windows are open, creating an often overbearing experience of loud wind sounds and air blowing papers and the like.
Increased visibility: True, a moonroof won’t necessarily add to a vehicle’s overall safety by increasing visibility, but it will improve the overall experience of the drive. The cabin feels larger with more window space, and who doesn’t love gazing up at fluffy clouds as they pass or a star-speckled midnight sky?
Escape hatch: Hopefully, you’ll never need to use a Subaru Forester moonroof in this fashion, but it could save your life. There are situations, such as flash floods or other water hazards, where you quickly find your vehicle submerged in water. It is often impossible to open a door in these situations due to the oppressive weight of so much water. This is where a moonroof can act as an escape hatch, so you can exit the vehicle quickly and get to safety.
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Cons
More windows, more heat: When you slide back the moonroof interior cover to enjoy some sunlight, you add to the cabin’s overall heat. Depending on where you live, some could consider this a pro, but if you live in Arizona, you’ll probably want to keep the interior cover closed during the hot months or run the risk of spending more on air conditioning.
Still a hole: While most drivers will never have these problems with their moonroofs, they still happen since a huge hole in your roof, even when it’s sealed and engineered to keep everything out, is still less solid than a roof without a hole. There is always the risk of vandalism to the moonroof or other dangers such as large hail that could chip the moonroof or worse.
Finally, the Subaru Forester moonroof has excellent rubber sealing to keep water out. However, the vehicle also utilizes drain lines that can clog and cause possible damage to these channels causing them to overflow and leak into the cabin. This shouldn’t be a problem if you keep up with your moonroof’s maintenance and the rest of your vehicle.
Potential Problems With the Forester Moonroof
If you’re getting a vehicle with a moonroof (like the Forester), you must know what could go wrong. Below are some of the most common problems with moonroofs or sunroofs:
- Leaks - Probably the most common issue with moonroofs is leakage, and it’s a disaster to deal with. Whether it’s a clog in the drain or wear and tear of the rubber seals, leaks can cause severe damage to your cabin upholstery and electronics.
- Shattered glass - A sunroof or moonroof adds another piece of fragile glass to your vehicle that can break. While moonroof glass is heavy-duty, it can still shatter and leave you with costly repairs since most warranties don’t cover them.
- Electrical issues - A non-working moonroof can be a nightmare, especially if you live in an area with harsh weather. A faulty moonroof may point to a broken fuse, malfunctioning switch, or a dead motor.
- Rattling while driving - Although this may seem like a minor annoyance, it’s never fun to drive while something rattles in your vehicle and you can hear it. There might be some alignment issues with the glass, or you may need to lubricate the end of the glass.
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