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the glass under it is opaque
It makes sense. It's glass, but it's not tinted or UV protected. How much was saved there? I don't know.
I actually hate the glass on both my teslas. I use cover and still hate it.
cheaper glass.
ya i cover my glass roof. too hot and i like the darkness when covered. i kinda want the new headliner, a retrofit of sorts. i know it'll never happen cost + technical wise, but i wish for something like that.
It's about differentiation, Tesla need to make it different to justify the lower price tag
The ability to use the existing lines while just cutting a bit of cost on the Standard's glass (untreated and untinted) leads to more savings than changing the production lines to install a solid metal panel. The key to the savings of the Standard Model 3 and Standard Model Y is that they're made on the existing production lines.
It does make sense, the author is just stupid.
Is it truly cheaper to install cloth than to tint glass?
Tesla’s engineers said that because of their relationship with their glass supplier that it is cheaper to have the glass instead of some sort of metal. The headliner also helps eliminate road noise so they are able to use single pane glass on the windows instead of the double pane.
Can’t imagine. But other brands has lots of more expensive things they put in the base model and then they charge you more to not put it in the upgraded one.
I believe it’s also thinner and cheaper glass so the headliner is also needed for noise isolation.
Except the model 3 keeps the regular glass with no liner.
Majority of people are tinting their roof glass and or putting covers up. Now people are complaining. To me it makes sense for a non glass roof, especially in specific climates.
Lars Moravy (Engineering VP @ Tesla) said on X it’s because of “cost, supply chain and manufacturing efficiency”: https://x.com/larsmoravy/status/1976364226739622069 Also extra context from him in that thread: > All glass is NOT created equal. Remember, the Model Y Premium glass is laminated with silver IR reflective coatings to make it super comfy and reject solar load... the standard is not... plus LOTS of people wanted a closed headliner, always trying to listen (and improve road noise at same time)
Agreed. I read elsewhere they drop a lot of components in through the top and then seal it up with the glass. So still makes sense.
What a dumb article.
This! Why do people guess about these things and then post the guesses?
The glass is structural in a way that make it the same mechanically as higher trims. It is not a transparent glass, however. The head liner improves road noise, reduces heating, improves efficiency. This trim is meant to be utilitarian and makes deliberate choices to that end.
Ok, so there's more to the story. First of all, to reduce the heat of a glass roof, the Premium models use a specialized, multi-layer infrared UV reflecting coating. By not using that, Tesla saves a couple hundred dollars. Also, much of the savings of the Standard is in reducing battery capacity without sacrificing range too much. To squeeze every ounce of range out of a smaller battery pack you need to reduce all other energy usage in the vehicle, including A/C needs. By putting cloth over the glass you reduce the interior temperature and A/C demands even compared to the Premium, thus yielding more range. So covered glass means more range than treated glass, which allows fewer batteries which is maybe another $1k in savings. For a company obsessed with energy efficiency, the Premium glass roofs are actually a huge compromise just for the sake of aesthetics. The Standard addresses this. And again, all of this is cheaper than changing the production lines to install a solid panel.
Apparently the liner reduces headroom and the Model 3 doesn't have the spare headroom the Model Y has. So the Standard 3 couldn't capture those savings.
Instead of multiple different headliner pieces it’s one bigger, probably cheaper quality piece of headliner. So it could be. Also provides noise and heat insulation which can make up for other things.
Bring back the hardtop. Not everyone wants a big glass roof to let in the glare and heat 🌵🏜️
Let’s the owner decide down the line to swap it out and tint the glass.
Is that confirmed? If that’s true, then I kinda understand though Id still want the option to remove it.
It’s also opaque
This is going great…
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Because most people are idiots
If I could buy the solid roof as an aftermarket accessory I would. My 2017 Model S had a solid roof and it was so much quieter and more comfortable (temperature).
I would gladly get rid of my glass roof and I know a ton of people who’d do the same
Ahhh some rare common sense instead of an insipid and deliberately misleading headline
Or possibly they could be covering any damaged/scratched ones that didn’t make it through QA and get value out of those instead of discarding?
It was cheaper for them to do it that way to achieve the same effect due to their manufacturing process
I think it's less about price and more about giving customers a reason to pay more for the expensive version
Should also mean its more likely to break?
Jeez, I'm 6 ft tall and have never thought my model 3 was short on headroom.
Tesla and QA in the same sentence seems funny....
Is it not there because the glass made of cheaper material and the liner blocks out sun meaning the aircon uses less energy to keep the dog cool?
Tesla rep told me today its one layer only compared to the standard glass. To use binning (as in CPUs/GPUs) would make sense here. Update: typo
You can pay extra for a software update to enable the see-thru roof.
Tesla doesn't use a glass roof for aesthetics. They install the interior through the roof. Can't do that with a metal roof.
[ebay](https://ebay.us/m/q37XvU), $359.99 headliner trim panel from a legacy Model Y and *BOOM*, close ups of pigeon feet like the rest of us. Seriously, I can almost guarantee a used headliner would be a direct swap and would click right into place.
Because of the glass.
Wait so the top of the roof from outside is glass?? LOL
I guess they started to use glass originally to save weight… but this addition makes no sense at all - it’s a new element, glass is still thin and fragile, more weight to the car…
Will one need to wear sunscreen while in their car, or is the glass still UV protective?
It’s about efficiency. Cheaper glass but also highly insulated resulting in the AC consuming less power.
They don’t want you to buy it
It probably lowers the heat load a bit so heat pump will run a hair less
Have you forgotten where you are?
But they made the glass opaque...
They started with a hole to aid in manufacturing automation and since there's a hole you might as well put glass on it. They can't just take away the hole and they didn't want to spend the money on a new sheet metal stamping process so they covered it up with fabric. Not defending the position but I see the logic.
Also the fabric provides some noise deadening, which allows them to go cheaper on some of the other expensive noise deadening components, like the windows. Back to basic single-pane glass like the older Model Y. Covering the glass roof allowed them to use cheaper components elsewhere without affecting the drive experience as much.
I don't know how this is still such a prevalent opinion with people. Tesla quality is on-par with most major brands IMO. You can follow any car brand and there will be people endlessly nitpicking their panel gaps online.
TBF the hole in the roof supports manufacturing automation. They would then have to cover it with sheet metal or glass.
They could’ve installed it through the doors from the start, like every other automaker, but nooo, gotta be different. And now it’s biting them in the ass.
Like what?
I didn’t realize the roof was also a significant source of road noise. Goddamn do I hate the glass roof. Literally zero benefit. Prone to leaking, prone to cracking, lets a ton of heat in, lets too much light in, and apparently lets a ton of noise in. What a shitty design decision. Wish the higher trims could be had with the cloth ceiling.
Is it? Because I was waiting for the first video where someone cuts the headliner open
A lot of it is deliberate misinformation.
I don’t hate it, but I do admit that the number of times I’ve happily gazed upwards through my glass while driving, is zero. It serves literally no purpose, and like you said, it’s better to just have darkness. Looks fancy though, so that’s cool.
I think they weren't able to get away with a sheet metal roof that had the same packaging as the glass roof, without also affecting other assembly components. I speculate they would have had to retool the surrounding roof pillars to interface, etc, spillover costs, yada yada. If they were able to make a drop-in metal roof, they would have. The economics of stamped metal is so good, it couldn't be a single issue like retooling to handle installing the metal roof.
To binning?
I spotted some pretty serious issues when picking up my highland a year and a half ago. Maybe it’s gotten better since?
[https://x.com/larsmoravy/status/1976364226739622069](https://x.com/larsmoravy/status/1976364226739622069) Lars explains this: >All glass is NOT created equal. Remember, the Model Y Premium glass is laminated with silver IR reflective coatings to make it super comfy and reject solar load... the standard is not... plus LOTS of people wanted a closed headliner, always trying to listen (and improve road noise at same time) And on why not just metal roof? >Cost, supply chain and manufacturing efficiency in our factories
Add another $150-$200 for some ceramic tint
This company is not obsessed with energy efficiency. Proof is the 19" or larger wheels they've been using for the MY
That would be right at the start of production for Highland though, when quality would be at its lowest. I expect new Highlands made now would be higher quality, or the last of the pre-Highlands would be higher quality.
I never said energy efficiency was their only obsession. They're very obsessed with performance. And larger tires are hugely important for the performance of such a fast vehicle.
Never had any gap issues with any of my Toyotas or Honda's
Sorry. To use binning.
Remember that Musk’s primary goal as CEO is to generate publicity. Anything that brings people to visit Tesla and take a look at their cars is a good thing. They’ve got people talking about how stupid it is, at minimal cost/effort. It’s absurd enough that people will go and check for themselves that it’s real. And then plant the mental seeds of replacing their car with the premium Model Y.
Retooling to make a separate production line to produce a frame with metal roof will cost more than just applying headliner on the current mass production frame with glass. Whoever wrote the article is an idiot.
https://x.com/larsmoravy/status/1976361690896925151
Reddit is full of ignorance is bliss. Why make a statement when you have no idea? Do you really think Tesla is purposely spending more money on a change? Glass isn’t the normal glass. Same supplier but less costly. Different lament and no UV protection. Would take way too much to redo the paint shop and crash testing and structural changes, etc. also helps with efficiency because if A/C and sound absorption with single pane windows, etc.
lol. My 2021 Rattlebox begs to differ
Someone from Tesla replied to a tweet that this isn't just about cost savings, but some non-trivial amount of customers actually want a headliner. Could be for several reasons, but in places with high temperatures, the headliner does help keep out the sun/heat better than their UV glass. Also, the new Model 3 standard does not have a headliner (and the Model 3 is priced lower than the Y). So, again i don't think this is strictly about cost but partially about offering an option that some customers want. Also, apparently the glass roof above the headliner is opaque. Not the same as their other cars. So even if you remove the headliner you wouldn't be able to see through it.
You can use large performance tires without large rims. See F1 cars
If Tesla were like every other automaker their cars would suck
Can you cut it?
It's not just that the glass is cheaper, but that the glass is also stronger in a crash, so it leads to better crash ratings and crashworthiness. I think it's kinda weird though that they didn't add a slider or something so you can open it up. Lame! Lol probably due to government regulation testing methodology for testing the range requiring the hatch be open or some weird stuff. It definitely is nice to have the cover for keeping the cab cool/warm though with less energy loss. Maybe they'll have a refresh with a sliding sunroof? Tesla covered the safety aspect of the glass here https://x.com/Tesla/status/1684541570178068481
Lol what interior do you think they install through the roof r rather than the door well
Cheaper when you account for tooling (stamping the roof), painting, requalifying structure/crash worthiness and potential installation variance on the line.
New feature! Now you can subscribe to the panoramic sunroof for $35/month!
ya, that's a good point. I bought it as soon as it was announced, hopefully post-initial-production-push models have been higher quality!
If you look at the see through glass roof on on purely practical basis it does not make sense either, You need extra cooling and it does not dampen interior noise any. It was just cheaper for them to keep it glass and cover in than to reengineer the roof with a sheet of metal instead.
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Dumbest thing I’ve ever heard
That would be a sweet mod, and it could be exactly why they made the glass opaque
Yea makes sense. I still expect someone will try it
To bin something is to separate items based on grade, quality, size, performance, or cosmetic appearance. For example, a farmer will bin crops, the higher quality ones go to grocery stores, standard quality will go to restaurants or commercial processors, and low quality will be sold as animal feed. Another example is the "silicon lottery" when computer chips are manufactured there are often imperfections on/in the silicon wafers that will cause a chip to not be fully functional, so they disable those faulty sections and sell it as a lower tier product. And that's just the first level of binning when it comes to chips.
It makes perfect sense. It’s not a cost savings it’s a deterrent for people to buy the standard model.
I use a [sunshade roof](https://amzn.to/46LFSdB) that is $30! It is good to have the option of light when needed and block it when we don’t.
But a set of F1 tires costs $10,000. A large rim with less rubber coats less every time they're replaced for wear.
oh innnfteresting, thank you teaching! I was just thinking about curly fries/French fries the other day and realized there's probably a bunch of weird tiny potato pieces left over...and then I was like "oh I bet that's what hash browns are -- trash reused"
I just want a functioning sun/moon roof.
Can’t wait for someone to tear the headliner off. Probably the same as a first gen model y under there.
https://youtu.be/RI3p3DenN80?si=4ajAcek4xCG7Wxht
I would have got this feature if I was still in the market for a tesla. I like the increased stability of the glass roof and the decreased weight of a glass roof, but I hate being in a car with a full glass roof it gets so hot visibility on my laptop screen when I'm pulled over for work limited. When I had my model y I had to have a curtain for the roof for when I worked in superchargers.
Not only that but with metal you also have to paint
At economy of scale it’s better to feature gate for optionality.
Tbh, it’s stupid. Sure you get to use “bad” or scratched glass, making manufacturing cheaper. The issue is that as many teslas as I see with a broken roof just taped over, imagine how many people will only notice when it starts to leak and damage stuff, and maybe even then they won’t realize it’s a roof issue, because the average joe may not realize it’s glass.
The glass is not the same…. 1/8th of the price ;)
I love it on my ModelX, but it’s more of a giant windshield than a glass roof.
I wonder what the durability of the headliner is going to be like , especially in hotter climates since the sun is going to be constantly baking it through the glass
Because believing car salesmen isn't a good idea. Not saying that believing Online speculation is any better.
They should have used it aluminum cover instead of glass. It makes no sense at all whatsoever.
Here's a radical idea: don't cut the hole in the roof. Sunds like that would be the cheepest option literally everyone else is doing.
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It's not cut... the body in white is built without the roof, and a roof has to be put on.
Cheaper than redesigning for a new sheet metal roof, I guess. Economy of scale?
Probably also no heat reflective coating
Cuts down the heating though.
It's for noise reduction and heat reduction since they are running a smaller battery pack and cheaper single pane windows
My M3P is quite a bit more nimble, longer range, and faster accelerating when I swapped the heavy AF 20s for some lightweight 18s, and appropriate tires. The large rims are for looks only. I also don't pop as many tires on potholes...
That would mean it's a single tempered glass sheet. It has to be laminated. I would be shocked if it was a single layer. In an accident, or even if a rock hit it, a single layer would shatter, literally, and rain down on the passengers.
There's nothing to cut, the body frame is designed with no roof. It's not stamped in there to begin with.
no it is not on par with most major brands. Tesla has improved and the bad quality and assembly doesn't affect reliability much it seems like, but no, fit and finish is not as good as legacy brands.
It’s different on the Model X. As you said, it’s more of a giant windshield, so it feels like the glass rises out of your vision and across the car. The Model Y is the total opposite. The glass roof starts outside of your eyesight, so unless you are looking up, you never notice that the roof is glass. There are times where I completely forget the roof is glass because I just never look at it directly.
Why are people assuming it's the same glass? I'd assume it's a cheaper glass without all the UV stuff etc. Also not see through which would make some defects irrelevant and cheaper. Could also use defect glass for other models in a binning process lowering costs.
I thought a big reason would be that it’s structural.
Doesnt make any sense but good try. Its the same glass just without the same UV blocking treatment
So cheaper then.
Not me! ಠ_ಠ
It helps for sure but it's not nearly as effective as a typical car roof. A thin layer of foam between the roof/liner goes a long way. If I sit in my tesla with the AC blasting on a hot sunny day, the top of my head will get very hot.
It’s the type of glass even if you rip the headliner off you can’t see through it
lol there is no hole to cut. Why would they create something to only remove it and create waste and add more steps to production?
It also makes it more efficient because of less HVAC needed in the sun
The roof is a much larger opening than the door. Why not use it if that’s the design from the start?
I just put electrostatic-sticking cover over it (from the inside of course), got it for like $20 on aliexpress. It looks OK, almost the same color as the rest of the interior. My main concern was heat, I don't like driving when my head gets a lot of IR because of glass becoming a secondary heat source. I also seen photos of teslas with _wrapped_ roofs (basically white film on top of it)
Also if you think not every tomato is going to be photogenic, the ugly but edible ones can go to a soup company for use in canned soup.. because who would care then.
I got a magnetic cover for it. I have friends that have their tinted and haven’t had issues but my solution works just fine
You need to pay to see sky.
Throw some fabric below it to catch it
Literally the best part of the vehicle for me.
This may be the first step before they can implement a change in manufacturing and crash test it.
Yeah, that’s true. Only rear seat passengers get any kind of view out of it. I think it does provide more headroom, maybe a reason they’re still doing it even when covering it.
So it will still crack…
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I added this to our MY because the glass gets too hot!
New Model Y isn’t designed for consumers…. It’s designed for robotaxi fleet. Hence removing pockets on the seat backs. It’s designed for easy cleaning. Hence the single piece frunk etc etc
ROFLMAO. I have had a lot of new cars over the years. My 91 Mustang was better quality than my 2025 model 3 performance
No so says the known world. lol
Because road noise isn't an issue for most buyers and users care more about having panoramic roof. So they can't take this argument seriously.
And they would likely have to get new safety ratings done on the car, but maybe not or reduced if the structural integrity has not changed.
Indeed. And there are already removable cloth roofs that work well. Tesla could make official ones instead of us relying on third party for them.
Conversely my wife loves the roof.
It seems to be an even cheaper looking car for a still very high price. The glass roof is a stupid idea to begin with. It adds a lot of weight with no benefit
Another example of binning... The very best/performing Tesla motors are used for the performance editions because of the higher operating tolerances they end up being used at.
The glass itself is the same in order to maintain the same safety level and structural integrity. It doesn't need the anti-glare and anti-UV treatment on it but it's the same glass.
Right. So it’s cheaper.
Agreed
The headliner/glass roof combo and the pre-Juniper suspension are show stoppers for me.
And because that don't have to radically change the way the factory does the roof, which sabes time and money
I do too. Honestly can hardly tell a difference, due to all the holes. Wish we just had a factory option.
I somehow hated it even more on the X because the sun now has additional avenues to get directly into your eyes, and the visor can’t possibly block it all unless you are constantly adjusting it.
They don’t have to do everything the same way obviously. But some things are done a way for a reason.
Because there’s no guarantee it’ll always be the design, especially given one of the early goals for the $35k model was a metal roof. Meanwhile doors will always be the design.
I can't tell if this is sarcastic or not. Glass lets in a lot of noise, and this is why they switched to double pane a few years ago. Look up the concept of noise, vibration, and harshness. You don't realize how loud it is inside a 2019 Model 3 until you sit in a car that's quieter. For me, the glass roof serves no purpose. Sure, it's neat, but I don't ever actually crane my head **up** to look out.
Yep. People assume they are engineers and assume they have more data than the actual ones.
Depends where you are, no? If you’re in a cold climate you would want the sun to come in and warm up the car, and consequently, the battery.
> But some things are done a way for a reason. Yes, because "that's how it's always been done." Not a good reason to continue in the same vein.
What are the magnets sticking to?
But with many other downsides. The glass isn't likely to be the same.
No, because sometimes it’s better that way. As Tesla are now embarrassingly finding out.
Process engineers do not work independently of the design engineers.
> As Tesla are now embarrassingly finding out. Hahahahahahahahaha. Oh, yeah, sure, right.
Other magnets that you stick to the glass
This is likely the case. Another factor is that anytime you make a change during production and change things up (glass roof vs roof), it slows down the manufacturing process. That's a problem too. But I think you're right about the imperfections in the glass and finding another use for it. It will be interesting if aftermarket options come out that allow you to create the glass roof look later on.
You glue or double-sided tape adhere magnets to the glass, then attach the cover to those magnets?
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And Toyota Pontiac Mitsubishi Chevrolet etc
Ya not sure why people are struggling with this.
3m pads that are already on the magnets
Glass roof is also needed for Tesla RF communications module. Tesla passes WiFi, LTE, BLE, GPS signals through the roof. Other OEMs without a standard glass roof use a “shark fin” instead. Along with keeping the Body in White and General Assembly lines the same with current, the comm module is a major reason why they need a glass roof.
Unfortunately it doesn’t work like that. When it’s cold it’s cold.
I am 6 3 and can't sit straight in the back without hitting my head on the glass.
Of course it depends on how cold and how much sun. However, in winter (where I live) the sun won’t go as high as in summer, which minimizes the amount of sunlight gets through a roof window.
Pretty sure it’s the same glass material
There are many days in the fall and spring where my car is toasty and it’s 40F outside. We get cold - below freezing - sunny days here. In fact it gets colder when there are no clouds because the clouds act as a blanket. But my car is not freezing inside. It may be 50F so I still need the heater. But there is an improvement.
Fortunately it does work like that. The greenhouse effect is a thing.
I love the glass roof. Within a week my wife had covered it though so I think I got to drive with it once.
Yes, but you won't notice that when you are trapped inside a burning car.
Also the fabric covered glass helps with cabin thermals so the interior AC/Heat needs to run less allowing more range with the same batteries or the same range with fewer batteries.
This is so true. As a driver of the vehicle of the front passenger you basically have zero ability to see out the roof due to the forward seating position. The back seat passengers do have a decent view but who are those passengers most of the time for folks? Generally speaking, it would be children, and do they really care or would they take the time to look away from their phones/tablets?
The glass also likely cuts down on assemble costs as well as assembly speed. Fewer and faster steps during manufacturing.
I installed a shade the week I got my car and haven’t removed it 3 years later. If a fabric roof was an option I’d have picked it.
As a tall person, the Model Y does feel roomier than most cars its size. With all that said, I still put a mesh sun shade. it's just too much sun with little kids in the back. I'm surprised they haven't introduced a retractable shade or some sort of electronic shade like the germans.
Temu Teslas eh
Sucks
LOL a lot of assumptions but not accurate at all.
What's inaccurate?
Then don’t buy it… see how simple this 1st world problem isn’t?!!
It's the same principle as BMW's heated seats that need a subscription.
Hopefully they start selling the cloth ceiling 😂
Can you just cut out the fabric, and install tinted window film on glass? :D
Cars with metal roofs also have a metal piece that connects the top B pillars in the middle together as reinforcement. Like earlier Model S with the metal roof. Or a Taycan/Lucid Air with and without.
For cars with a metal roof and a full glass option like Model S before or Taycan/Lucid Air there’s a metal piece that’s structural that connects the b pillars together that you’ll see with a metal roof.
The glass is opaque
It’s been mentioned that they would’ve had to go through the crash test process again with a solid steel roof
Yeah... the announcement that this is fabric lining the existing glass has me wondering if I can buy the liner aftermarket and install it in my car. I would have paid extra for a traditional opaque, insulated roof.
> It’s not a cost savings it’s a deterrent for people to buy the standard model. An opaque roof is a thing I would have paid extra for. I'm not sure how adding a feature I want is a deterrent, exactly.
Also, I thought the glass was structural and stronger than the thin sheet of metal used for most cars as the roof
Unpopular opinion maybe but I like the fabric roof. Would I rather it be metal, sure, but as a frequent car camper, a thermally superior roof that blocks light is a great upgrade. Now. replace the glass with solar panels Tesla.
> And now it’s biting them in the ass. What gives you this impression? Seems like they are doing fine with this decision.
Y'all are delusional. It's ok because it was cheaper than not having a glass roof? Just include the glass roof for everyone. Covering it with cloth because you didn't pay to see through the roof is dystopian.
Exactly. Most people overlook that the glass roof is part of the Model Y’s structural design. The roof glass and the surrounding frame work together to provide rigidity and pass rollover and crash standards. If Tesla switched to a metal roof, they couldn’t just bolt it on — they’d have to re-engineer the roof structure, redo safety validation, and likely perform new crash testing to certify it. That process would cost millions and take a lot of time. And safety-wise, the glass isn’t a weak point. It’s laminated safety glass, like a windshield, so it doesn’t shatter or collapse in an accident. In fact, it contributes to the roof’s strength during rollovers, even if it cracks.
No we're not idiots. We are Redditors...
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