There are some car features you don't really think about until you've had them. And then, all of a sudden, you can’t live without them.
Heated seats. Wireless charging. A reversing camera that means you no longer have to perform a 14-point turn in the Aldi car park.
As for a panoramic glass roof - it’s not a feature you necessarily shop for. So, why are people craning their necks to get a glimpse of the Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta?
A Roof with Benefits.
Are there any benefits to having a panoramic glass roof other than the obvious one of more light?
As it turns out, quite a few.
More Space
A panoramic glass roof won't add a single millimetre to the Qashqai's dimensions, but it does utilise the optical illusion to make the cabin feel noticeably more spacious.
By extending your view upwards, the interior feels more open and less enclosed, particularly for rear passengers. It's a clever trick of the eye, but one that works remarkably well.
Better Views
Whether you're driving through the Yorkshire Dales, navigating city skylines or simply watching the clouds drift overhead while waiting at the school gates, a panoramic roof gives everyone a better view of the world outside.
It's a feature that helps passengers enjoy the journey rather than simply endure it.
A Better Mood
There's something about a brighter cabin that makes everyday driving feel a little less everyday.
The morning commute feels less gloomy. Long journeys feel less confined. In short, more light tends to put people in a better mood. And that's no bad thing when you're sharing a car with the family.
Let There Be Light!
Natural light changes how a space feels.
It's why homebuyers love south-facing windows. It's why the best restaurant tables are always by the window. And it's why, on the day of creation, God famously said:
"Let there be light."
Not:
"Let there be a dark cloth roof lining and a tiny sunroof for the lucky few."
A cabin flooded with daylight simply feels more welcoming, more premium and, dare we say, a little more uplifting.
Is a Panoramic Glass Roof Just a Gimmick?
Is it a feature people actually shop for? We imagine not.
Yet, there are plenty of car features that sound impressive in a brochure but become completely irrelevant approximately three days after you've picked the car up.
The glass roof is slightly different because you notice it every time you're in the car. It's not something buried three menus deep in the infotainment system. You can see it. Your passengers can see it. Kids in the back can see it.
Not bad for a piece of glass, really.
We imagine once you've lived with one, you suddenly don't want to be without it.
All You’ll See is Grey
Ah yes. The British motorist's eternal dilemma. Bleak weather.
But what if the sun does actually shine, like it did this summer? Will it be the classic "We've finally found some sunshine and now we'd quite like it to go away" response?
We'd hope not.
That said, a panoramic glass roof can make a car warmer in direct sunlight. Great. Unless it's too hot, of course.
Fortunately, Nissan has thought of that.
The Qashqai's panoramic glass roof is paired with an electric blind, meaning you can cover the glass when the sun decides to turn it up a notch.
So whether it's fifty shades of grey or the hottest day of the year, you've got the best of both worlds.
Is the Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta with a Glass Roof Worth it?
We think so.
If you're considering a Qashqai anyway, the panoramic glass roof isn't just there to make the specification sheet look impressive. It adds light, makes the cabin feel more spacious and gives the interior a more premium feel.
And given that we're in Britain, there's a reasonable chance you'll spend considerably more time appreciating the extra light than desperately trying to escape it.
