Having a sunroof has always been a popular option in luxury cars. They help make the cabin feel more spacious and can be great for ventilation on warmer days, but they can be expensive to add. In recent years, manufacturers like Mercedes have started adding a panoramic sunroof as an option too. This is now an option on most of the Mercedes range, but what exactly is a panoramic roof, and which models include this feature?
In this article, we’ll go through the full Mercedes lineup and cover any vehicles with a panoramic roof as standard. I’ll also show you how much it costs to add a panoramic roof on certain models and which Mercedes vehicles come without this feature altogether.
Let’s get started!
What is a Panoramic Sunroof?
A Mercedes panoramic roof is made up of either a single piece of glass or two sections, and it’s designed to be larger than the standard sunroof. A panoramic roof will cover almost the entire ceiling of your Mercedes so that rear passengers can benefit from it too.
This design is focused on letting as much sunlight into your cabin as possible, helping to make your Mercedes feel more spacious. You can also add Acoustic packs to your Mercedes to reduce outside noise from the extra glass (we’ll cover that in more info later).
How to operate the Mercedes Panoramic Roof
Most Mercedes panoramic roofs can be partially opened, although not all models. To open the sliding roof, there is a switch located on your roof, just above the rearview mirror. Depending on your model, the controls will allow you to open & close the roof and also partially raise it to let some air through.
If you forget to close the sliding roof, your Mercedes can automatically close if it detects rain or after a certain amount of time. The car will also close the roof while you’re driving if it detects rain.
Does every Mercedes Benz come with a Panoramic Roof?
Not every model in the current Mercedes range includes a panoramic roof. Most models offer this as either a standard feature or an optional extra, and we’ve covered those in the sections below. A handful of hardtop Mercedes models don’t have a panoramic roof, and for obvious reasons, no convertibles have this option.
On some models, due to the design of the vehicle, a panoramic roof isn’t possible. In this situation, Mercedes has added a standard sunroof, and I’ll mention these models in the list below.
Mercedes Benz models with a Panoramic Roof as standard
The majority of the high-spec models in the Mercedes range have a panoramic roof as standard. You would expect this feature to be included on luxury models, and it’s good to see Mercedes keep pace with the likes of BMW, and include a panoramic roof on a wide range of vehicles.
Included in the current list are most of the new Mercedes electric range, such as the EQE and EQS models. Mercedes has introduced a trim level system for these new cars, so you’ll see ‘Exclusive’ and ‘Pinnacle’ trims highlighted below. These contain most of the premium features you can find on a Mercedes, but they come at a premium cost.
- EQB 350 (Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- EQE Sedan 350 (Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- EQE Sedan 500 (Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- EQE Sedan AMG (Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- EQE SUV 350 (Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- EQE SUV 500 (Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- EQS Sedan 450 (Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- EQS Sedan 580 (Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- EQS Sedan AMG (Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- EQS SUV 450 (Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- EQS SUV 580 (Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- GLE AMG 53 (Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- GLE AMG 53 Coupe (Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- GLE AMG 63S Coupe (Exclusive / Pinnacle)
- GLS 450
- GLS 580
- GLS AMG 63S
- S-Class 500 (Luxury / AMG Line)
- S-Class 580 (Luxury / AMG Line / Executive)
Mercedes Benz models with a Panoramic Roof as an optional extra
The selection below covers the Mercedes Benz models, where panoramic roofs are an additional cost. Included here are mid-range models like the GLB, GLE, and C-Class. There are a few older models too, like the AMG GT, which surprised me to find this as an optional extra here.
The cost is slightly different across the range, but it’s mostly $1,000-$1,500 to add a panoramic roof to your Mercedes. We’ll talk about value for money in the next section, but this is a competitive price against other manufacturers.
- EQB 250 Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle: $1,500
- EQB 300 Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle: $1,500
- GLA 250: $1,500
- GLA AMG 35: $1,500
- GLA AMG 45: $1,500
- GLB 250: $1,500
- GLB AMG 35: $1,500
- GLC 300 Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle: $1,500
- GLE 350 Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle: $1,000
- GLE 450 Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle: $1,000
- C-Class 300 Premium / Exclusive / Pinnacle: $1,000
- C-Class AMG 43 Premium / Pinnacle: $1,000
- E-Class 350: $1,000
- E-Class 450: $1,000
- E-Class AMG 53: $1,000
- AMG GT 43 Coupe: $2,100
- AMG GT 53 Coupe: $2,100
Mercedes Benz models without a Panoramic Roof
Finally, a handful of current Mercedes models don’t include the option for a panoramic roof. Listed, most of the models include a standard sunroof instead due to the vehicle’s roofline. You also have convertible and roadster models, such as the SL and E-Class Cabriolet.
- GLC 300 Coupe: standard sunroof only
- GLC AMG 43 Coupe: standard sunroof only
- CLA 250: standard sunroof only
- CLA AMG 35: standard sunroof only
- CLA AMG 45: standard sunroof only
- CLS 450
- C-Class 300 Coupe: standard sunroof only
- C-Class AMG 43 Coupe: standard sunroof only
- C-Class AMG 63 S Coupe: standard sunroof only
- C-Class 300 Convertible
- C-Class AMG 43 Convertible
- C-Class AMG 63 S Convertible
- E-Class 450 Convertible
- E-Class AMG 53 Convertible
- SL AMG 55 Roadster
- SL AMG 63 Roadster
Living with the Mercedes panoramic roof
If you’re thinking of buying a Mercedes Benz with a panoramic roof, whether it’s a new or pre-owned model, these are the most common questions I’ve been asked from potential owners in the past:
Can you have a Mercedes without a panoramic roof if it’s a standard feature?
If your Mercedes comes with a panoramic roof as standard, it is a factory option and can’t be deselected.
How do you clean a panoramic roof?
Cleaning your panoramic roof is no different from windshield glass. If you have glass cleaner for your car windows, you can use this on your panoramic roof. If you’re looking for a great automotive glass cleaner, here are a few of our favorite products:
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Is a panoramic roof suitable for taller drivers?
On average, the panoramic roof will reduce headroom between 1 and 2 inches on a Mercedes. On models like the AMG GT it may have an impact if you’re a taller driver, but on most models it will be ok.
Is there additional noise from the panoramic roof?
Overall, you’ll experience more road noise if you have a panoramic roof in your Mercedes. At slower speeds, you may also hear more environmental noise, but the effect is minimal. You can reduce this with the acoustic package.
What is the Acoustic Comfort Package?
On some higher-spec Mercedes models, you have the option to add an ‘Acoustic Comfort’ pack. This is especially important on models with a panoramic roof, so let’s look at what this pack involves and why you should consider it.
The Acoustic Comfort pack adds a layer of protective material onto your windshield, windows and roof, to help reduce wind noise. Mercedes calls this an acoustic membrane, and along with reducing noise, it’s able to block infrared rays, protecting you from extreme sunlight.
Overall this is a useful feature to have, especially in warmer climates, but I‘m honestly surprised this isn’t standard. On most models, this pack costs over $1,000, and when you’re already paying $100,000+, I’d like to see this included.
Is the Panoramic Roof worth buying?
Adding a panoramic roof is similar to adding ventilated seats to your Mercedes. In a warmer climate, it’s a fantastic addition, and you’ll get plenty of use from your roof. This could be simply to add some extra ventilation into the car on warmer days or to make the cabin feel more spacious (letting light in). Even in mild and colder regions, the extra light and feeling of space can do wonders for passengers.
Panoramic roofs come with downsides, though. The main issue is that large glass panels in your roof take up space, particularly with a mechanism to open and raise these panels. All of that eats into your headroom, and in some models, the change is significant. I’m taller than most, but I definitely noticed a lack of headroom in a C-Class with a glass roof compared to a model without one recently.
Overall, if you’re looking at adding the roof as an optional extra, I would almost always go for it. $1,000-$1,500 isn’t a huge amount of money in the world of Mercedes options, and it can make a huge difference. If you’re unsure, it’s best to visit a Mercedes dealership and check for any headroom issues. The models on display almost always have a panoramic roof, so you can quickly get an impression.
If you found this article useful and want to learn more about the features of Mercedes models and other brands, check out the articles below:
