History

• The moonroof was an invention first used by the Ford Motor Company in the 1970s, according to the Sunroofs website. It was an advancement of the sunroof technology available at the time.
  
  

Material

• The major difference between a sunroof and a moonroof is the material they are made of. Car Tech Auto Parts reports that a sunroof is made of opaque material that sits flush to the roof of the vehicle, while a moonroof is made of glass allowing light into the vehicle.
  
  

Mechanism

• According to Car Tech Auto Parts, a sunroof is fitted with a mechanism allowing the panel to be tilted or opened completely for light and ventilation. A moonroof works with a similar mechanism but can often be removed completely and stored for maximum ventilation.