I went with my son and it was good. Not really surprised that Lexus was a no show. Having killed the GS, LS and the IS being just a reface (same car underneath)... I was expecting to see the new ES, even in prototype behind the velvet rope. But Lexus was a no show.

My son and I rode on the Bronco course and it was fun. Very impressive vehicle but I'm not an off-roader. Having just bought my ES 350 last December, I'm not in the market for a new car. I was impressed with the Kia section. They had plenty of cars for people to check out. I was impressed with the K5 GT. Very nice car. Toyota was Toyota. I found it boring since I know their cars quite well already and they had nothing new.

A car that really caught my attention was the Toyota Crown Signia. I myself love station wagons and the CS would have been great had it been 2 things. 1. A little lower. I am sick of the crossover form factor of cars. I'm tired of raised suvs. Ugh. 2. Hybrid only. I love the 3.5 V6 of Toyota and if the CS came with a V6 and not just hybrid, it would have been a tough competitor to overlook when I bought my ES.

Anybody else went to the show? How was your experience?

 

thanks for the write-up. not being on the left coast, i didn’t go.

yes i think the signia is the best toyota product to come out in a long time. i get some like yourself don’t like the crossover look but obviously the market has spoken and i actually think it’s pretty sharp looking. the hybrid is important so people can feel they’re doing their ‘bit’ saving the planet and all, lol, and getting better gas mileage / range. but yeah i hate the buzzy 4 coming to life from the silence under load, lol, although toyota and others have done a lot to make hybrids not quite as terrible sounding (mostly through sound deadening i think).

congrats on your es350. a car that will last forever, lol.

 

The Crown S is a great looking car. But a big let down as no available turbo + e-axle.

And why is there no panorama roof that opens

typical Toyota

 

electricity is rapidly replacing turbos.

because you’re the only one who wants one.

 

🤣 🤣 🤣

 

the Crown has both a turbo + e-axle…by why not the wagon? Typical Toyota

the dumb thing is that the roof is fixed glass ​​​​​​​

 

I want a panoramic roof that opens. Fixed glass roofs are dumb IMO, even dumber when they have no sunshade.

 

right?

Some brands sell accessories. Some even have screen protectors and cases

 

Yep this is a very annoying trend in the auto industry, and its just to save cost. I hardly ever roll down my windows, but I want them to roll down!

 

Exactly, having a pan roof that doesn't open makes no sense. My wife would probably have a Crown Signia instead of an NX450h right now if the roof opened.
I guess that worked out for ToyMoCo in terms of profit.

 

Would be interested in hearing other cool things at the LA Show. That K5 is a great product.

 

Although Steve makes a point about the lack of sun shades or covers being a cost-cutting measure, in general, I have to agree with bitkahuna. IMO, a fixed-glass roof, particularly with a shade, is preferable to one that opens. A fixed one at least cannot fail right when that ominous thunderstorm is about to hit. Nor is it likely to develop leaks if installed properly. And it takes less torsional-strength out of the vehicle's unibody structure itself than an opening-roof.

Years ago, automakers used to provide a small metal hand-crank and manual-hardware that could be used in an emergency to close the roof in case the electronics failed, but those also are almost extinct...another seeming case of cost-cutting.

 

The new 2027 Kia Telluride is going to be introduced there as well.

 

In all the cars I have owned with sunroofs I have never had one leak. Ever.

 

Gemini: Why are car companies now using glass roofs that don’t open?

That's a great observation about modern car design! The shift toward large, fixed panoramic glass roofs instead of traditional sliding sunroofs is driven by several key factors:

✨ Design and Passenger Experience

• Sense of Space and Light: The primary reason is aesthetics. A large glass roof makes the cabin feel significantly more open, airy, and inviting, which is a highly desirable feature for modern buyers. It provides a better view for all occupants, especially those in the rear seats.

• Modern/Futuristic Look: Especially popular in electric vehicles (EVs), the all-glass roof is seen as a contemporary, sleek, and high-tech design element.

📐 Engineering and Practicality

• Increased Headroom: The mechanism required for a sliding sunroof—including the motor, tracks, and the space for the glass to slide into (the cassette)—takes up significant vertical space. Removing these moving parts for a fixed glass panel can actually increase precious headroom inside the cabin.

• Simplicity and Cost: Eliminating the motors, rails, and complex drainage systems of an operable sunroof reduces manufacturing costs and complexity for the automaker.

• Fewer Failure Points: With no moving parts or seals that need to accommodate motion, a fixed roof is less prone to leaks, rattles, or mechanical/electrical failures over time.

• Weight Reduction (Relatively): While glass is heavy, removing the complex mechanisms and motor assembly can sometimes result in a net weight saving, or at least prevent the addition of weight higher up in the car compared to a large, operable panoramic system.

🛡️ Safety and Structure

• Improved Rigidity: Modern fixed glass is incredibly strong (often laminated and engineered). In some designs, particularly with newer bonding techniques, a fixed panel can contribute to the overall structural rigidity of the roof, which can be beneficial in a side impact or rollover event.

💡 Addressing the Heat Issue

One common concern about fixed glass roofs is heat, but modern technology addresses this:

• Advanced UV and IR Protection: The glass used in these roofs is typically heavily tinted and specially engineered to block most UV (ultraviolet) and IR (infrared) rays, which are the main sources of heat. This keeps the cabin cooler than you might expect.

• Electrochromic Glass (In High-End Models): Some luxury and high-end models offer "smart glass" that can change its tint from transparent to opaque (like the Porsche Taycan or some Rivians) at the push of a button, giving the occupants ultimate control over light and heat.

In summary, car companies are choosing fixed glass roofs because they offer a superior aesthetic experience while simplifying the design, lowering manufacturing costs, and improving headroom, all without sacrificing structural integrity.