Latest News
The Toyota 2000GT was Japan’s First Supercar
Panoramic roofs may weigh more, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Let’s look at our top SUVs with panoramic sunroofs and find the one for you.
Let the Sun Shine In
Panoramic sunroofs are appearing on sports cars, sedans, and even pickups like the Ram 1500. However, there’s no better place for a pano than in an SUV. The interior of a Suburban or even a CR-V can benefit from the light of a well-placed panoramic sunroof. Although it may weigh more, the benefits far outweigh the bad. Let’s look at our picks for SUVs with panoramic sunroofs and the value that comes with them.
2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude 80th Anniversary Edition
You know the Jeep Cherokee Latitude as a consummate off-road machine. The 80th-anniversary edition adds Nappa leather-upholstered power-adjustable front seats, Granite Crystal 19-inch wheels, an 8.4-inch touchscreen with premium nine-speaker Alpine sound system, and a panoramic sunroof of course.
Even though the Cherokee is an off-road capable SUV, it’s still based on a car chassis. So, it rides and handles well with firm control of body roll while cornering. Inside, you’ll find it more intimate than some of its rivals. There’s enough space for five people, but it’s not full of elbow room. The quality of materials isn’t up to par like some other Chrysler products, but we still liked the dash design and switchgear. If you want an excellent four-wheel-drive Jeep that gives you luxury and trail chops, the Latitude may be the one for you.
2021 Buick Envision Avenir
You may not know it, but the Buick Envision has been built in China for sale in the US since it was introduced in 2016. In 2021, it has been redesigned with the looks to be a successful competitor in the SUV market. Buick wants you to love it since they only sell SUVs, and we agree that it’s a very nice-looking SUV.
The Avenir trim of this SUV comes with a large panoramic sunroof whose expanse is only interrupted by the roof pillar. Also added with this trim are the 20-inch wheels and a distinct grille design on the handsome exterior. Inside, there’s a long list of standard features. Unique to the Avenir level are things like a driver’s seat massage (really) with heating and ventilation. The nicely designed dash includes a 10-inch infotainment screen with a decent-sounding Bose Audio system. There’s a distinct luxury feel in the Avenir that doesn’t appear in the other Envision trims. You’ll be able to feel the difference in leather quality and toned wood trim in the driver centric cockpit.
There’s not much change with the previous model’s comfort-focused suspension. It’s quiet, capable ride isn’t going to make you go to a track day, but you’ll appreciate it around town. We would have hoped that Buick would have had a more powerful engine, but the efficient 2.0L is powerful enough to get you where you need to go.
2021 Volkswagen Atlas SEL
We like the VW Atlas and its complete feature list, including the panoramic roof, but we feel it could use more power. The standard 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 struggle a bit under the weight of this mid-sized SUV. But that doesn’t mean we dislike the size.
The interior space holds three rows and up to 7 passengers. You have more space than a Highlander, and each row will provide decent legroom for adults. You get a German sense of quality here and there, and everything fits well, even though it’s made here in the states.
The Fender audio system is one of the best we’ve heard, and we like the responsive 8-inch screen and excellent software. With other competitors now making larger screens, we wonder how soon it will be that VW follows suit.
The VW Atlas SEL may not be the most luxurious and is genuinely not the fastest, but its size and features like all-wheel drive, leather upholstery, and parallel parking assists will impress you.
2021 Kia Telluride SX Prestige
Kia’s Telluride has made a big splash in the midsize three-row SUV segment. Its low price and high content have raised the bar for comfort and its standard features attract value-minded families.
Even at the SX Prestige trim price, the Kia Telluride is welcome on this list. It comes with active on-demand AWD with AWD lock and snow mode, heated and ventilated premium Nappa leather front and second-row seats, and is packed with tech and safety gear. The interior feels more open with the panoramic sunroof and still keeps things cool inside. Its comfortable interior, car-like ride, driver safety tech, and generous standard features list make it an excellent buy for families. The V6 engine provides sufficient power and good fuel economy that gives you an estimated 20 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway.
2021 Toyota Highlander Platinum
The Toyota Highlander may be categorized as a mid-sized SUV, but its large interior will cause you to think differently. Storage spaces are everywhere in this recently refreshed SUV. The cabin is full of easy-to-use technology and with the addition of the optional 12.3-inch touchscreen, everything looks even more impressive. Even with the panoramic sunroof, the large touchscreen is visible.
As lovely as the Toyota Highlander’s build quality is, Toyota gets some pressure from the Kia Telluride. Still, the Platinum trim won’t make you think it’s an economy SUV. With leather and convenience items, you won’t be lacking comfort. The Highlander’s 3.5L V6 engine is quick and doesn’t struggle to carry eight passengers and luggage in its quiet environment. Overall, the Highlander is hard to fault. Even with the power, you’ll still get an estimated 36 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway.
2021 Chevrolet Suburban LT
The Chevrolet Suburban, introduced in 1935, was one of the original SUVs and its redesigned 2021 Suburban is the best version yet. If you’ve never been in one, the first time you step into the Suburban, it seems like an entire house-sized group of people and stuff could fill it. Up to 9 people can be comfortably shuttled around on trips and errands. You’ll be the go-to for road trips since the Suburban can carry more people and cargo than any other SUV in the US. Plus, with the Chevy Suburban’s length, its huge panoramic roof makes a noticeable difference in brightening up the interior.
Speaking of that interior, it no longer looks like a pickup. Chevy has done a complete redesign that is highly functional and luxurious. Soft-touch materials are everywhere. Its 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system is bright and very responsive. It’s also nice to have the volume and climate controls with actual knobs rather than hidden in the menus.
Another significant change is the suspension. You no longer have the solid axle truck-like rear end. The Suburban doesn’t feel like the 19 ft land yacht that it is. The standard suspension is excellent, but the optional air suspension and magnetic ride control system turn it into a well-disciplined SUV. The magnetic ride control instantly changes the shock absorbers to a sportier or more compliant ride depending on what the camera sees in front of you. Genius.
What Do We Recommend?
You couldn’t go wrong with any of these SUVs if you’re really interested in having a panoramic roof, but if pushed to choose, the Chevrolet Suburban would be our choice. Once you figure out how to maneuver its massive size, we couldn’t think of a more comfortable ride to have for a drive to baseball practice or across the country to see the relatives.
