Head-to-head · Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Thule Motion 3 XL vs Yakima RocketBox Pro 14

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 clear margin (4.7 vs 4.3). 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.

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 →

Ranked #5 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Yakima RocketBox Pro 14

4.3

$599

The RocketBox Pro 14 is the budget all-rounder: 14 cubic feet, DualSide opening, tool-free clamps, and the lowest weight here, for hundreds less than the big boxes. It is the smallest in this lineup and uses an older shell, but for two or three travelers who want a quiet, easy box without overspending, it is the value champion.

Strengths

— Lowest price here while keeping premium features like DualSide opening
— 14 cu ft covers the gear needs of two to three people for a trip
— Quiet at speed with users reporting only about 1 mpg fuel penalty

Watch-outs

— 14 cu ft is the smallest capacity here, tight for a family of four
— Older shell design lacks the stiff multi-rib lids of the NX boxes
— Tall but narrow shape limits how wide individual items can be

$599 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

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.

Yakima RocketBox Pro 14

The budget pick here at 14 cu ft, holding far less than the 18 cu ft Thule Motion 3 XL, Yakima SkyBox NX XL, and Thule Force 3 XL, though it is taller and roomier than the low-profile INNO Wedge 660. It keeps premium features like DualSide opening while undercutting all of them on price and weight.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Thule Motion 3 XL	Yakima RocketBox Pro 14
Capacity	18 cu ft (~500 L)	14 cu ft (~396 L)
External Dimensions	84.7 x 35 x 17 in	74 x 33 x 16 in
Internal Dimensions	80 x 29 x 15 in	—
Weight	51 lb	40 lb
Mount Type	PowerClick quick-mount	Universal clamp (StreamLine compatible)
Max Load	165 lb	—
Opening	DualSide	DualSide
Ski Capacity	5-7 pairs	—
Crossbar Spread	—	24-40 in
Locks	—	SKS included
Capacity (people)	—	2-3 travelers

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