Honda Pilot Sunroof: Availability, Cost, Etc
My wife is absolutely crazy about the Honda Pilot’s panoramic sunroof—she says it makes selfies inside the car look so much better! LOL, is your wife like that, too?
Yeah, if you’ve ever seen the panoramic sunroof on a Honda Pilot before, it’s pretty impressive.
Well, there are a few things you should know when considering a panoramic sunroof for your SUV, so I’ll break down everything you need to know, including availability, cost, potential issues, and much more!
Panoramic vs. Standard
You’re probably aware that there are two types of sunroofs available on the Honda Pilot across two different generations; for the fourth generation (2023–present), Honda offers a panoramic sunroof.
Meanwhile, for used models from the third generation, the panoramic sunroof is only available on the Elite and Black Edition trims; for all other trims, Honda offers a standard sunroof—this is important to know if you’re looking at the used Honda Pilot market.
Wait a minute—doesn’t Honda always call it a moonroof on its official website? So, what’s the difference between a moonroof and a sunroof?
Well, a moonroof is actually a type of sunroof. A sunroof is typically made of metal and must be slid open to see the sky from inside the cabin. A moonroof, on the other hand, is made of tinted glass—you can see the sky even when it’s closed.
But since we’re all more familiar with the term “sunroof,” I’ll stick with that term in this article. Sound good?
Back to Panoramic Sunroof vs. Standard: What’s the Difference?
In short, a panoramic sunroof covers a larger area of the roof than a standard sunroof.
The interior view through the panoramic sunroof is very different from that of a standard sunroof, as expected, given the significant size difference.
You have a wider field of view with the panoramic sunroof, especially for rear-seat passengers.
Model Availability
The fourth-generation Honda Pilot (2023–present) is equipped with a panoramic sunroof, but it is available only on certain trims, including:
- TrailSport
- Touring
- Elite
- Black Edition
Older Honda Pilot models offered two sunroof options: some came with a panoramic sunroof, while others had only a standard sunroof.
Models with a panoramic sunroof on older Honda Pilots (2022 model year or earlier) include:
- Elite
- Black Edition
Meanwhile, models with a standard sunroof include:
- EX-L
- Touring
So, if you’re shopping for a new Honda Pilot, you just need to avoid the two lowest trims—Sport and EX-L—to get a panoramic sunroof on your SUV.
However, if you’re in the used car market for a Honda Pilot, you’ll need to pay close attention to the trims; look for the Elite or Black Edition if you want a panoramic sunroof.
Cost
Speaking of cost, I’ll limit my discussion to the latest models available at the time of writing.
Since the panoramic sunroof comes standard on some of the top trim levels, you’ll need to opt for those trims to enjoy the airy cabin feel that a panoramic sunroof provides.
- TrailSport: $50,595
- Touring: $51,295
- Tourin Blackout: $52,495
- Elite: $53,695
- Black Edition: $55,195
The prices listed above are starting MSRPs and do not include tax, license fees, registration, and destination charges.
Potential Issues
While the panoramic sunroof offers an airy and spacious cabin, it doesn’t come without its drawbacks. Some users on Reddit and Facebook groups have reported issues with the sunroof in their Honda Pilots.
Here are some of the incidents that have been reported.
- Leaks
- Shattered
- Rattling
- Motor malfunction
The issues mentioned above are not very common. I once spoke with a mechanic at a dealership and asked how often customers come in with sunroof problems; he said it happens to about 10 out of every thousand customers.
Even though it’s rare, it’s still important to take preventive measures.
Most sunroof problems are caused by a lack of maintenance. For example, leaks usually occur because the drainage channels are clogged with debris (leaves, insects, etc.). Clogged drainage channels can lead to leaks; once a leak occurs, the sunroof motor can also be damaged, potentially causing the sunroof to fail.
So, the bottom line is: While a sunroof’s aesthetic appeal comes with potential issues, those issues can be prevented through regular maintenance and cleaning.
Is It Worth It?
Since then, it has come standard on nearly all top-tier trims. It’s a bit difficult to say whether it’s worth it or not, because whether you like it or not, it will be included when you choose that trim.
Yes, a panoramic sunroof offers luxury, a more modern, and spacious cabin look. But some people aren’t willing to deal with the potential issues.
Some actually wish this feature were optional, so you could still get a high-trim Pilot without the sunroof.
The problem now is that if you don’t want a sunroof on your Pilot, you’ll have to stick with the Sport and EX-L trims. The question is, do those trims come with as many features as the top trims? Of course not.
But hold on—the Honda Pilot Sport and EX-L might actually be the best value for money if you don’t want a Panoramic Sunroof. How is that possible?
Well, generally speaking, the Sport and EX-L come with just as many features as the higher trims. They have tons of standard features!
I’ll cover this in more detail in another article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
The Honda Pilot is equipped with a panoramic sunroof on some of its top-of-the-line models.
However, you should consider the potential issues this feature may cause.
If you’re confident about getting a Honda Pilot with a panoramic sunroof, congratulations—you’ll be driving an SUV with an airy, spacious, and comfortable cabin for the whole family.
There’s nothing more enjoyable than driving in the late afternoon while enjoying the view of the sky from inside the cabin through the panoramic sunroof.
If you have further questions or want to share your experience with the sunroof, leave a comment below to join the discussion!
