Panoramic sunroof - how does it stand up to our Aussie summers

[Mister_E]

Hi all,

I just recently put my order in for MY 2012 103 TDI. I've been told that worst case scenario, I should get it by June 2012

Anyways, I just wanted to know how others are coping with the full panoramic sunroof in our Aussie Summers?. I've been told that the heat easily penetrates through the sunblinds. I currently own a Honda CRV Sport with a sunroof but obviously it's not the full length of the roofline and it at least has a true shield that you slide across, not a thin sunblind. The Tiggy's just have a sunblind.

I'm still undecided if I should add that extra cost to my factory options! I have a dog tha sits up the back at times and just concerned that it"ll easily get super hot during our hot summers!! Not that I intend to leave the dog in the back seat locked up in the heat!!

Appreciate any advice or feedback

[blutopless2]

we have the sunroof and dont have any issues with it... the sunblind actually does a good job of not letting much heat and blinding light through.

[Mister_E]

we have the sunroof and dont have any issues with it... the sunblind actually does a good job of not letting much heat and blinding light through.

Thanks for that

Is the Sunblind thick? and when you say "not much" heat... what's it like during a really hot day? Can you actually feel the heat being dissipated from the roof into the cabin? I ask, because practically the whole roof will be a plate of thick glass. I'm really worried that the cabin will end up being like a "solarium" during the peak of summer and the air con will need to be running at full blast to compensate for the heat!

[DreamensioN]

We've got the panoramic sunroof on ours - and it's good. It blocks maybe 95% of the heat. It's probably not as good as a proper roof, and it's nowhere near as dark as a proper roof (you still get a fair bit of light come through), but it blocks out enough heat that it won't bother you at all.

The aircon in the Tiguan is also really good - so you won't need to have it blasting to compensate.

[Umai Naa!!]

At dealership level, I've not come across any issues.

Although, we had one lob in off the truck that digested the blind when it was checked at the pre-delivery. Too much glue on the blind when it attaches to the sprung steel runners. Wasn't fun to fix, but all it needed was a replacement blind and guide.

[jcubed]

Hi Mister E,

I think the South African summer is on a par with yours, so I can report that the tinting of the glass is very good at keeping the heat out. With the blind closed, you will not be aware that the air closer to the roof is hotter than elsewhere.

This is probably the best option you could take on the car - and not only because this is the single option that canNOT be retrofitted afterwards. It really is well thought out, and the fact that half the roof opens up, is an added bonus. Great for taking photos through with the front passenger seat moved completely forward with the backrest folded down, standing on the floor behind it.

Compared to my present Freelander 2 - where the tinting is very light and the blind perforated - well engineered.

[Mister_E]

Thanks to everyone who has offered feedback and advice. Much appreciated!!

I'm still undecided. I must agree, the panoramic sunroof looks cool and provides the vehicle an air of prestige but that's another $2K AUD option I still have to wait for the damn car though. June 2012 seems like such a damn long wait for a new car

[blutopless2]

had a closer look at the sunroof and the blind.... the blind is a very thin mesh material that would probably be about 1mm thick with perferations through it. Even this holds out the heat quite well... I have not had any issues with excessive heat from above while driving on hot sunny days - and i am follically challenged so i would notice if it was a problem.
The glass is probably standard thickness and i'm not sure if it is slightly tinted already from factory... i got my car tinted not long ago and never really thought about the sunroof as its never been an issue.
It lets in light but blocks quite a bit that if the blind is closed you dont get distracted by the sun shining in...
I have taken some pics and hope they help..
First is of the sunblind in the closed position, clear sunny morning.

next is pretty much the same shot but with the blind retracted a little

sunroof open a little

wind deflector

sun shot with the blind closed

sun shot with the blind open

[Tigger]

Hi All,

Sorry to be the only negative commenter, but as much as we LOVE the sunroof, I must admit that as for letting the heat in....It is pretty bad!

I use my car all day every day as a rep on the road, and we have the LEATHER seats, and it is very hot and sticky especially when in shirt and tie clothing .

I love it when in casual clothes over the weekend, but not during the 90% of use midweek...

That is my 2 cents worth anyway......

[blutopless2]

I'm sure there are others who probably don't like the sunroof.
In the end we are all different and use the cars in different situations so our likes and dislikes will be dependent on many things when driving a car.
Good that you posted as the op will get more ammo to help them ultimately decide. Or maybe they need to organize a test drive on a stinking hot day and test it out that way.

[Mister_E]

wow...Bluetopless2. Thank you so much! I ended up adding the Sunroof to my near fully spec'ed Tiguan 2012 TDI. Now it's all just a waiting game as to whether the dealership "Barloworld Fivedock" in NSW have already sourced a near fully spec'ed Tiguan in Pepper Grey Metallic.

Based on most of the positive feedback, I guess I can't go too wrong. A sunroof is such a personal thing. Just wish VW used a thicker sun blind. I'll probably get the roof tinted as well... just might help block out more UV and heat.

[Mister_E]

Hi All,

Sorry to be the only negative commenter, but as much as we LOVE the sunroof, I must admit that as for letting the heat in....It is pretty bad!

I use my car all day every day as a rep on the road, and we have the LEATHER seats, and it is very hot and sticky especially when in shirt and tie clothing .

I love it when in casual clothes over the weekend, but not during the 90% of use midweek...

That is my 2 cents worth anyway......

Hey Tigger thanks for your feedback.

Doesn't the air con help ? Surely with the sun blind fully closed, you wouldn't necessarily feel the heat right beating down on your head right? I'd imagine that the heat would be bad if the car was stationary

[blutopless2]

no probs Mister_E hope the info & pics have helped.

[niggles]

Have a sun roof to my MY11 Tig and I think that it was the best add-on my wife and I ticked in the list.

Certainly, the first thing friends are first to compliment when they get in the car is the HUGE panoramic sunroof.

Since acquiring the car, I've had the shade fully-on for only about 2% of the time I've used the vehicle. The cabin temperature has never been an issue for me and as people have pointed out, the AC of the tiguan is pretty good. Admittedly, with the shades off and on a very sunny day, I can feel my bald head burning from the sun's rays. Easily solved by pulling the shade or wearing a cap.

Now about the shade.... it is actually just a thin layer of ventilated cloth similar to what you would probably get on a basketball / soccer jersey. It does not block out 100% of the sun's rays but I feel it is adequate. My main concern is really about potentially cleaning it. (I haven't had to... but....) There is not much tension on it and I imagine that scrubbing it to remove a dirt stain would be a very ginger and careful job. You might also want to ask those with kids about it regarding its durability. I feel that an inadvertently placed hand might easily cause it to stretch or tear. Regardless, since I have it drawn 98% of the time, it is not a problem for me.

[dogbowl]

You simply have to get it. The sunroof can make a Tiguan, especially our MY10 which doesn't have leather or the optional stereo.

The glass is tinted and is very thick, so even on hot sunny days you don't get any heat coming through that is noticeable. Of course we have the air conditioning set to 22c in summer, and it only needs to blast for the first 5 or 10m minutes.

VW have designed the sun shade so that it blocks out sharp sun that affects vision. Seriously, tick that sunroof box, you will not regret it.