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Head-to-head · Best Roof Cargo Boxes

Thule Motion 3 XL vs Yakima SkyBox NX 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 (4.7 vs 4.6). 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.

Thule Motion 3 XL
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes
Thule Motion 3 XL
$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 AmazonFull review →
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
Ranked #2 in Best Roof Cargo Boxes
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
$849as of Jun 8

The SkyBox NX XL is the value pick at the top of the size chart: 18 cubic feet of genuinely usable space thanks to a flat floor, a taller nose for small bags, and a stiff three-rib lid, all for less than Thule's comparable box. It is heavy and a touch noisier with a sunroof open, but it is the best all-rounder for the money.

Strengths
  • — 18 cu ft of usable space, undercutting the comparable Thule boxes on price
  • — Flat, flush interior floor lets large items slide in without snagging straps or ski edges
  • — Taller nose stores duffels and totes up front where space is usually wasted
Watch-outs
  • — Reviewers noted more wind noise with a sunroof open than some rivals
  • — At 53 lb it is the heaviest box here to lift onto the roof
  • — Mount is good but lacks the torque indicator of Thule's PowerClick
$849 · Buy at yakima.comFull 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 SkyBox NX XL

Matches the Thule Motion 3 XL and Thule Force 3 XL at 18 cu ft while costing less than the Motion, making it the best-value large box. Its flat floor is roomier in practice than the boxes it competes with, and it dwarfs the budget Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 and the low-profile INNO Wedge 660.

Specs side-by-side

SpecThule Motion 3 XLYakima SkyBox NX XL
Capacity18 cu ft (~500 L)18 cu ft (~510 L)
External Dimensions84.7 x 35 x 17 in84 x 36 x 16.5 in
Internal Dimensions80 x 29 x 15 in—
Weight51 lb53 lb
Mount TypePowerClick quick-mountUniversal crossbar (StreamLine compatible)
Max Load165 lb—
OpeningDualSideDualSide
Ski Capacity5-7 pairs—
Crossbar Spread—24-40 in
Shell—Three-rib lid, made in USA
Locks—SKS included
← See the full ranking of best roof cargo boxes