There’s more to Valentine’s Day than a meal in a fancy restaurant - because it might also be the perfect time to enjoy some romantic stargazing.
Throughout the winter and autumn months, the UK’s most stunning landscapes take part in something called the National Parks Dark Skies Festivals.
It’s a chance to ‘celebrate our star-studded skies’, the organisers say, and to ‘learn more about star constellations’.
This year Valentine’s Day also coincides with a number of different dedicated Dark Skies Festivals - including the South Downs (4 - 17 February) and North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival (10 - 26 February).
There are lots of different events to attend, from adventure camping and night trails to photography workshops.
But if ‘organised fun’ isn’t your thing, simply head to your nearest national park, at any time of the year, and enjoy ‘truly dark skies’, free from light pollution, and which ‘allow us to see far-off stars and galaxies in the same way our ancestors did, without the orange glow of street lights and neon signs’.
And if you’re travelling there in a vehicle with a panoramic roof - ie, a roof made from a large piece of transparent glass, rather than metal - you can take-in the majesty of the cosmos without ever needing to get out of your car!
A so-called ‘panoramic’ glass roof is a cut above a regular sunroof, featuring swathes of glass and a vista to the heavens. Some can open up, others are fixed in place.
There are lots of premium cars to lease that come as standard with a panoramic roof, no matter which trim level you choose.
Those cars include the Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe, Volkswagen ID. 5, Range Rover Sport, Mercedes-Benz EQE and the Tesla Model 3.
But there are also lots of other even more affordable leasing options that unlock the potential of a pano roof in certain trim levels.
Here’s our pick of EIGHT cars to consider:
Volvo C40 Recharge(Standard)
When the all-electric Volvo C40 Recharge was conceived, its panoramic glass roof was a major element of the design. The C40 Recharge is built to savour the great outdoors - even the backlit graphics on the dashboard and front door panels have been designed to pay tribute to Sweden’s mountainous Abisko National Park.
And the large fixed panoramic glass sunroof is standard on all models.
Volkswagen Tiguan (Elegance trim)
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a medium-sized SUV with plenty of interior space for you and your loved one to enjoy an in-car picnic this Valentine’s Day.
The Tiguan doesn’t come as standard with a pano roof - but you do get a ‘tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof with rear panoramic sunroof’ when you tick the mid-range ‘Elegance’ trim option. You also get the VW ‘Winter Pack’, which includes heated front seats for a more cosy experience.
Skoda Octavia (Option)
The super-practical, affordable Skoda Octavia is available as both a saloon and an estate.
And it’s the estate that gives you the option of a panoramic roof - with a huge stretch of glass that runs almost the entire length of the car.
You can add a panoramic roof to any Skoda Octavia estate lease, with prices starting at around £26 per month* extra on your monthly lease fee. Just find a deal you like and click the ‘Choose your Colour, Trim and Options‘ box to see the price break-down. .
Toyota Yaris Hybrid (Design, Excel)
The Toyota Yaris Hybrid is, in our eyes, a brilliant little car that already has a lot going for it, before you even factor-in the option of a pano roof.
The Yaris is a self-charging hybrid, which means it never needs to be plugged in, and you can expect fuel economy of almost 70 miles to the gallon.
The panoramic roof option is unlocked when you go for either the ‘Design’ or ‘Excel’ trim levels, and we’ve got lease deals that automatically include the glass roof as a bolt-on, for just a few extra quid a month on your lease.
The MINI Electric is available in three main trim levels - Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3.
All are badged ‘Cooper S’, because of how quick they are, and all get power of 184 bhp and a range of around 140 miles between charges.
And with a ‘Level 3’ MINI Electric hatchback, you get an electrically-operated panoramic glass sunroof that opens at the touch of a button.
If you’re looking for an affordable SUV that’s packed with equipment as standard, then look no further than the Suzuki Vitara.
It’s available as either a mild-hybrid or full-hybrid, the latter of which will see you returning around 53 mpg.
And in ‘SZ5’ trim, you can enjoy a double sliding panoramic sunroof so you can let the sunshine - or night-time - in.
That goes for both the SZ5 mild-hybrid and the SZ5 full hybrid.
It’s the best-selling car in the UK, the ‘most reliable’ car going, and also Select Car Leasing’s most-leased car of 2022. Yep, it’s the brilliantly-capable Nissan Qashqai.
How do you make a Qashqai lease even more enticing? You tick the ‘Tekna’ trim level and enjoy a full glass roof.
The Qashqai is available with either a frugal, 1.3 litre petrol engine, or Nissan’s clever new ‘e-POWER’ full hybrid powertrain.
Ford Puma (Option)
Great styling, mild-hybrid powertrains as standard, and the option of a sporty ‘ST’ model - there lots to love about a Ford Puma lease.
And you can make the experience even more special by adding a panoramic roof to your list of options.
The ‘power opening panorama’ glass roof is available on any trim level, and costs around £21 per month* extra on your lease fee.
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 31/01/23.
Enjoyed this? Read our latest news:
-
Suzuki teases new electric Jimny
-
Audi ‘Activesphere’ is coupe and pick-up in one
-
Porsche ‘Vision 357’ unveiled
-
‘Formidable’ new BMW M3 CS launches
- ‘Prologue’ takes Toyota C-HR to ‘higher level’
Where To Next?
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to our newsletter.
Looking for a great leasing deal? Check out our incredible range of special offers.
Read our latest reviews and find the right model for you.
Want to know more about leasing? Take a look at our comprehensive leasing guides.
Interested in everything motoring? Why not catch up on all the latest car leasing news.
