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.

The short answer

Thule Motion 3 XL comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.7). The gap is mostly about Road-trip and ski families who want the most polished, easiest-to-use large box and will pay a premium for it. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Thule Force 3 XL

4.6

$929.95as of Jun 7

The Force 3 XL is Thule's value workhorse: the same 18 cubic feet and PowerClick mount as the pricier Motion, wrapped in a rugged AeroSkin shell built to last for years and stay dry in foul weather. The trade-off is a boxier, slightly noisier shape and plainer looks. For durability per dollar, it is the smart Thule.

Strengths

— 18 cu ft fits four pairs of skis and poles or bulky camping gear for a family of four
— Tough AeroSkin shell shrugs off years of weather and daily use
— PowerClick mount with torque indicator and SlideLock auto-locking lid, like the Motion

Watch-outs

— Boxier, less aerodynamic shape than the Motion can add wind noise
— 165 lb load and 18 cu ft match rivals, so it wins on value not capacity
— Long 84.8-inch body crowds shorter roofs and can block a hatch

$929.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Thule Motion 3 XL

4.7

$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 long, but reviewers across the board 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
— 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
— At 84.7 inches long it can crowd a roof and block a rear hatch on shorter vehicles
— Heavier than budget boxes at 51 lb to lift onto the roof

$1,099.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full 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

Spec	Thule Force 3 XL	Thule Motion 3 XL
Capacity	18 cu ft (~500 L)	18 cu ft (~500 L)
External Dimensions	84.8 x 34.1 x 16.9 in	84.7 x 35 x 17 in
Internal Dimensions	81.5 x 29.5 x 14.7 in	80 x 29 x 15 in
Weight	49 lb	51 lb
Mount Type	PowerClick quick-mount	PowerClick quick-mount
Max Load	165 lb	165 lb
Shell	AeroSkin	—
Opening	DualSide	DualSide
Ski Capacity	—	5-7 pairs

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