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Head-to-head · Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Thule Force 3 XL vs Thule Motion 3 XL

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Thule Force 3 XL and Thule Motion 3 XL score essentially the same (4.4 vs 4.4). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Thule Force 3 XL
Ranked #4 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes
Thule Force 3 XL
1 source$929.95as of Oct 11

Thule's value workhorse gives you the same 18 cubic feet and PowerClick mount as the pricier Motion, wrapped in a rugged AeroSkin shell built to last for years and keep gear dry in foul weather. The Force 3 XL pays for that with a boxier, slightly noisier shape and plainer looks. On durability per dollar, it is the smart Thule.

Strengths
  • — 18 cu ft fits bulky camping gear for a family of four
  • — Tough AeroSkin shell shrugs off years of weather and daily use
  • — Stays fully dry inside through snowstorms and mountain-pass driving
Watch-outs
  • — 165 lb load and 18 cu ft match rivals, so it wins on value not capacity
  • — Finish is durable but plainer than the premium Motion line
$929.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Thule Motion 3 XL
Ranked #2 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes
Thule Motion 3 XL
2 sources$1,099.95as of Jun 7

The Motion 3 XL is the do-everything premium box: 18 cubic feet, a torque-limited PowerClick mount that confirms a secure install, and the slickest one-hand operation in the category. It is expensive and it is long. Reviewers across the board still rank it at or near the top for build quality and usability.

Strengths
  • — 18 cu ft (about 500 L) swallows gear for ski trips and camping without being overly tall
  • — PowerClick mount has a torque indicator that clicks audibly when securely attached
  • — Better Trail found the wide single-hand handle and DualSide opening make loading from either side easy
Watch-outs
  • — List price near $1,150 is among the highest in the category
  • — Premium price buys polish more than raw volume the SkyBox NX XL matches for less
$1,099.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Thule Force 3 XL

Shares the Thule Motion 3 XL's 18 cu ft and PowerClick mount for less money, trading the Motion's aerodynamic shell for a tougher, boxier one. It costs about $80 more than the Yakima SkyBox NX XL but matches its volume, and it is far larger than the budget Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 and the low-profile INNO Wedge 660.

Thule Motion 3 XL

The premium benchmark, edging out the Yakima SkyBox NX XL on build quality and mount refinement though the SkyBox matches its 18 cu ft for less money. It is pricier and slightly larger than the Thule Force 3 XL, far roomier than the budget Yakima RocketBox Pro 14, and much taller than the low-profile INNO Wedge 660.

Specs side-by-side

SpecThule Force 3 XLThule Motion 3 XL
Capacity18 cu ft (~500 L)18 cu ft (~500 L)
External Dimensions84.8 x 34.1 x 16.9 in84.7 x 35 x 17 in
Internal Dimensions81.5 x 29.5 x 14.7 in80 x 29 x 15 in
Weight49 lb51 lb
Mount TypePowerClick quick-mountPowerClick quick-mount
Max Load165 lb165 lb
ShellAeroSkin—
OpeningDualSideDualSide
MaterialPlasticPlastic
Ski Capacity—5-7 pairs
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