Sunroofs are a highly sought-after feature in any vehicle, and the ultra-stylish and popular Teslas on the market today are sporting a wealth of impressive new technology and modern features that may leave you wondering- does the Tesla Model 3 have a sunroof?
The Tesla Model 3 does not feature the panoramic (moveable) sunroof that the Model S previously sported in 2012.
As we have already stated, the Tesla 3 doesn’t have a sunroof. But what roof options are offered and what are the pros and cons of these features. If you want to know some of the common faults and issues reported with the panoramic and glass roofs then keep reading.
The Tesla Model S back in 2012 had a panoramic sunroof that was fully adjustable from the touchscreen or steering wheel depending on your vehicle.
It could open from a small amount all the way to fully open by sliding along tracks on top of the car while a small windscreen deployed at the front to reduce drag. These came with some unavoidable faults and issues that come with all sunroofs.
In 2016 Tesla added another option of a Glass Roof alongside the already available traditional aluminum roof and panoramic roof.
The Panoramic roof needed housing for the motor and railing that made it perform, this allowed for fairly wide doors and created a better height and headroom to the vehicle, so the Glass Roof was introduced with slightly less headroom and was a shock to some.
Fast forward, and the Tesla Model 3 no longer features a panoramic roof option meaning the sunroof does not open. Instead, they have opted for separate panels with two over the cabin which are tinted and polarized to give infrared and ultraviolet protection.
The glass roof appears as one sheet of glass from the outside, but inside you can see a high-strength steel cross member running across the pillars to increase the structural integrity and protection.
Many people were shocked to see the Tesla Model 3 did not have any type of conventional roof and worried about the safety implications a glass roof may create.
Luckily they have strategically positioned high-strength steel into the structure of the vehicle and when tested it scored the highest marks in roof safety and can even hold in excess of 20,000 lbs of force on the roof!
The low mounted battery also means the weight is carried much lower in the vehicle and has a low chance of rollover in any serious collisions, and if this did happen then the roof would act similarly to a conventional windshield.
Although the inclusion of retractable sunroofs seems like a great addition to any vehicle, you won’t be missing the hundreds of dollars it can cost to replace a sunroof as well as realigning the tracks or even dealing with water leaking into the cabin if the seals were to dry out.
Without a doubt, the glass roof on the Tesla Model 3 has significantly fewer problems than previous models, but there are some faults reported with it that have left owners less than happy.
Stress cracks can appear on the glass over time and sometimes Tesla may not cover this under warranty meaning you could be left out of pocket.
The all-glass roof has become a popular option in Hybrid vehicles, but many car owners are staying far away from them as many report their glass roof has broken with no reasonable explanation.
Another problem is to do with heat. Although they have included UV light blocking tint and it rejects some visible light, it does not reject infrared radiation which creates the heat meaning many owners are concerned about heat becoming an issue during the hotter months.
Finally, it has been spotted that some Tesla glass roofs have appeared to turn orange in color from water accumulation which you can imagine is a frequent occurrence with the weather, morning dew, or even just in a car wash.
The orange tinge is related to the protective layers and coating on the glass roof, in particular the one that has an orange/red coloring to retract heat and keep the interior of your car cool.
So although it may appear that your vehicle has dirt on the surface, the orange look is a perfectly normal feature on your Teslas Glass roof.
The words sunroof, moonroof, panoramic roof, and glass roof can be highly confusing with them all defining different features in your Tesla model and only some being available in particular models.
However, Tesla did manufacture a car with a retractable and functioning sunroof with their Model S which is known as their Panoramic Sunroof.
A sunroof is different from a moonroof as the sunroof can be lifted or tilted, whereas the moonroof is a transparent and non-moving panel on a vehicle. In 2018, Tesla stopped production of their moveable sunroof meaning the Model 3 doesn’t have the option for a panoramic sunroof.
The Model 3 has the smallest battery of all Tesla vehicles, and on a full charge, it can last up to 267 miles. The Model S Long Range features a larger battery and can travel up to 375 miles on one charge.
Your Tesla cannot be plugged in whilst driving, however, if you coast or brake downhill the electric motors become generators that use the car’s motion to generate electricity and charge your vehicle.
Tesla recommends you avoid car washes that use brushes and bristles to wash your vehicle and if you are opting for a drive-thru car wash then make sure you only use touchless car washes to prevent any damage.
When your Tesla starts to run out of power it will suggest local charging points for you to visit in order to re-charge your battery. It will also warn you when you are traveling out of range from your nearest charging point as a safety feature.
The whole Tesla range has some of the most modern technological features seen in hybrid vehicles to date and the additional extras mean there is a great variety designed to suit everyone.
Although the Model 3 no longer offers a sunroof, there are other options offered such as a panoramic roof and glass roof offered across the Tesla range.
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