2023 Hyundai Tucson Highlander hits glass ceiling: sunroof deleted

The top-of-the-range Hyundai Tucson has hit a glass ceiling, of sorts.

The panorama sunroof has been temporarily deleted due to parts shortages out of the factory.

Buyers who want to skip the queue are being offered the same car minus the glass sunroof – but with a $1500 refund in their pocket.

Hyundai dealers in Australia have been advised that, to "overcome current production constraints" and reduce customer wait times, the company has temporarily introduced "a new steel roof option" for the top-of-the-range Hyundai Tucson.

The steel roof option replaces the panorama sunroof and trims $1500 off the original RRP, and will initially be available only to buyers already in the queue.

Hyundai says the steel roof version of the Tucson Highlander is only a temporary measure and will be deleted once customer orders are filled and/or the panorama roof option becomes available again – whichever comes first.

The change also means steel roof versions of the Hyundai Tucson Highlander come with bulb-type rather than LED interior lighting. A centre cabin 'dome' light is also added.

For now, customers who have already ordered a Hyundai Tucson Highlander will be given first preference for the steel roof version.

However, it may become available to new buyers if the initial take-up rate is small.