Thule Motion 3 XL Roof Box Review
The Thule Motion 3 XL ($1,150) is the box to get if you want a high-capacity cargo carrier with a sleek, automotive-quality finish. Its glossy paint and sculpted shape give it one of the most premium looks in the category, but it’s also highly functional with ample storage, an intuitive sliding SlideLock system, and a thoughtfully executed feature set. The main drawback is the price: you’re paying a noticeable premium for that glossy finish. But if you want a roof box that looks as polished as it performs, the Motion 3 XL is an easy one to recommend.
Gear Capacity
Ease of Access
Durability & Quality
Installation
Features
Sustainability
Capacity
18 cu. ft.
Dimensions
84.7 x 35 x 17 in.
Access
Dual side
Opening height
14 in.
Max ski length
200 cm
Weight
55 lb. 14 oz.
Other Capacities
14, 16, 21 cu. ft.
Pros
Cons
Thule Motion 3 XL
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Roof Boxes.
I tested the XL version of Thule’s Motion 3, which sits between the 16-cubic-foot L and the 21-cubic-foot XXL in the lineup. The box is also offered in aero-style “Low” variants in XL (14 cu. ft.) and XXL (18 cu. ft.) sizes. Of the available options, the standard XL strikes a practical balance: it’s large enough for hauling camping gear or typical luggage for a family or group of around four travelers without looking overly large or cumbersome on most vehicles. For reference, the photos in this review show the box mounted on a Jeep Grand Cherokee L, where its proportions felt well matched.
Inside, the Thule Motion 3 XL offers a cavernous amount of storage space. The floor is mostly flat but dips slightly at the front, middle, and very back of the box. That front dip is particularly well executed—it helps maximize interior volume while maintaining the Motion’s aerodynamic profile and is a great spot for compressible items like sleeping bags or soft-sided duffels. One small nitpick is that the mounting hardware that connects the box to your vehicle’s crossbars does intrude slightly into the interior. The clamps and integrated twist dials rise a few inches above the floor at each corner, which occasionally required a bit of rearranging when fitting larger items like rolling luggage side-by-side.
Skiers will also appreciate the Motion 3 XL’s generous length. The box accommodates skis up to 200 centimeters, and in testing, I was able to fit three pairs of adult skis (177–182 cm) along with two pairs of kids’ skis and poles without issue. Thule lists a total capacity of five to seven skis, which is realistic if that’s all you’re carrying. I recommend using the included straps—threaded through the six metal loops built into the base of the box—to secure skis and prevent movement during travel. If you need even more length, particularly for Nordic skis over 200 centimeters, the Motion 3 XXL Low increases maximum ski capacity to 215 centimeters. For most setups, though, the XL leaves little to complain about.
The Motion 3 earns high marks here thanks to its dual-side access and very wide opening, which make it easy to reach gear no matter where it’s packed inside. Both sides of the box use Thule’s SlideLock system, which is currently our favorite locking mechanism on the market. To open the box, simply turn the key and pinch the lever to slide it to release the latch. Unlike the stiffer handle-style latches found on Yakima’s SkyBox and CBX models—which require a firm push to disengage—the Motion’s mechanism is consistently smooth and can easily be operated one-handed, often with just two fingers.
Once opened, the Motion 3 provides a generous amount of clearance for loading bulky items. I measured the opening at about 14 inches tall along the full length of the box when accessing it from the side. That’s just slightly smaller than the 14.5-inch opening on Thule’s own Force 3, but still a couple of inches taller than the Yakima SkyBox NX. In practice, the difference is noticeable: the wider opening makes it easier to slide in larger items like hard-sided luggage, oversized duffels, snowboards with bindings attached, or bulky camping gear without having to angle or compress them as much.
The Motion 3 makes a strong first impression as a premium product. Even the packaging reflects this: the box arrived with noticeably more padding and protective wrap than the more utilitarian packaging used for the Force 3. Once out of the box, the glossy black paint immediately stands out and places the Motion among the sleekest roof cargo boxes on the market, alongside models like Yakima’s CBX and Inno’s Wedge. For those who care about aesthetics, the Motion 3 does an excellent job complementing a vehicle’s look.
The design pairs that glossy finish with a shape that’s both aerodynamic and distinctive. A low, sculpted nose and subtle ridges running lengthwise across the lid give the box a bit of personality without compromising its streamlined profile. Despite its large dimensions, the Thule Motion 3 XL remains impressively stable on the road with minimal wind noise. Structurally, it’s reinforced with a metal bar running across the front and additional metal strips along each side, which help the box maintain its shape and reduce movement at highway speeds.
The main tradeoff with the premium finish is that the glossy paint is more prone to showing scratches than textured alternatives. If you don’t have a protected place to store the box between uses, it can quickly pick up small imperfections. After a couple of months of testing—including removing and reinstalling the box on my vehicles at least five times—I noticed a few scratches developing on the lid. They’re only visible on close inspection and aren’t noticeable once the box is mounted on the roof, but it’s worth keeping in mind. Otherwise, build quality inspires confidence: the plastics feel sturdy, the hinges operate smoothly, and the overlapping lid creates a tight seal that has kept moisture out even during drives through heavy rain and snow.
Getting the Motion 3 XL onto your vehicle is straightforward, although at over 50 pounds and just over seven feet in length, lifting it into place is definitely a two-person job. Don’t try to be a hero and move it solo—you risk damaging a $1,000-plus roof box before it even sees the road. Once the box is situated on the crossbars, the rest of the installation process is impressively simple. The mounting hardware slides smoothly forward and backward to accommodate a wide range of crossbar spreads—Thule lists compatibility from 21 13/16 to 36 5/8 inches. In testing on vehicles with 27- and 30-inch spreads, positioning the clamps was quick and required very little adjustment.
The Thule Motion 3 XL uses the same proven mounting hardware found on Thule’s Force 3. Each clamp features an integrated tightening dial that twists until it clicks into place, making it easy to secure the box once everything is lined up. The all-in-one design is convenient since there’s no separate tool to keep track of (unlike the torque tightener used with Yakima’s SkyBox NX). That said, the clamps protrude farther into the interior than Yakima’s designs on premium models like the CBX and SkyBox NX, which slightly reduces the flatness of the cargo floor. I also found that snapping the clamps into place—and pulling the plastic tabs to remove them—requires a bit more force than expected. Still, once installed, the system is secure, easy to adjust, and generally very user-friendly.
The Motion 3’s feature set is well sorted and appropriately premium for the price. The sliding SlideLock system remains a standout, offering one of the easiest and most intuitive locking mechanisms on the market, and the mounting hardware is similarly user-friendly. Thule also integrates a few thoughtful touches into the design. Large molded handles on each side of the lid make it easier to pull the box down and guide it into place when closing. The box also includes a set of straps that can be threaded through six integrated metal loops along the base—handy for securing skis or other gear that might otherwise shift during travel. And if the box sits high on your vehicle, pull-down straps hanging from each side of the lid make it easier to close without climbing onto a step.
One small drawback is that the latching system can occasionally be a little finicky to fully engage. Even when the roof cargo box was only moderately full, I sometimes had to press down at each of the three latch points—front, middle, and rear—to get everything to lock properly. It’s not a major issue, but it was noticeable during testing. Interestingly, we experienced the same quirk on Thule’s Force 3, while Yakima’s SkyBox NX tended to be slightly less fussy when closing.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Replacement Parts
Replacement parts help extend a product’s lifespan by allowing consumers to repair damaged components—like ski goggle lenses or trekking pole clips—rather than purchasing a new one. A green check indicates a brand offers a robust selection of replacement parts, a yellow check indicates a more limited offering, and a red X indicates no replacement parts are available for this product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
I primarily tested the Thule Motion 3 XL on a Jeep Grand Cherokee L, where the vehicle’s long roofline meant there were no fitment concerns. The clamps secured easily to a range of crossbars, including Thule’s AeroBlade bars and a budget BrightLines set. To evaluate adjustability, I also mounted the box on a smaller vehicle, which is where hatch clearance becomes more important. Thule provides a helpful compatibility chart, but the basic process is straightforward: measure the distance from the center of your front crossbar to the closest contact point on your vehicle when the rear hatch is fully open.
On my Volkswagen Golf Alltrack, that measurement is 54 inches. The Motion 3 XL requires a minimum clearance of 52 ⅛ inches, which meant the box fit with a small margin to spare. I was able to adjust it forward on the bars and avoid contact with the hatch, although it’s worth noting that the XL looks quite large on a compact wagon like the Alltrack. A smaller option like the 16-cubic-foot Motion 3 L would be a more proportional visual match, but if you need the additional cargo space, the XL should still fit on most vehicles without issue.
Thule Force 3 XL ($930): Drop the Gloss and Save Cash
The latest Force 3 mirrors the Motion in many ways while costing more than $200 less. Both share the same mounting hardware, sliding SlideLock system, interior capacity—including the 200-centimeter max ski length—and a very similar overall shape. The Motion is a bit sleeker and more refined visually, but the interior layouts are essentially identical. In practice, day-to-day usability between the two is very similar, so what you’re really paying for with the Motion is its glossy paint finish and slightly more aerodynamic styling. If the premium look matters to you, the Motion has the edge—but if not, the Force 3 delivers nearly the same experience for significantly less money. To learn more, check out our Force 3 XL review.
Yakima CBX XXL ($1,149): Fighting for the Top Spot
Yakima’s CBX is the brand’s premium roof box and clearly targets the Motion 3. The closest comparison is the CBX XXL, which costs about the same as the Motion 3 XL but offers larger specs, including a longer maximum ski length (215 cm) and higher overall capacity (21.5 cu. ft.). Both boxes feature upscale painted finishes and high-end builds, although the CBX’s metal handle requires noticeably more force to pop open than the Motion’s smoother SlideLock system. On the plus side, Yakima’s lower-profile mounting hardware creates a slightly flatter interior floor that can make loading larger items easier. Still, the lack of an 18-cubic-foot option in the CBX lineup is a notable drawback, as that mid-size capacity often strikes the most practical balance for many vehicles and trips.
With an aerodynamic shape and a glossy paint job, the sleek Thule Motion 3 is a premium roof box through and through. Its cost is hard to swallow, but the polished design is quite functional, with user-friendly features and generous interior space for ski, camp, and travel gear.
Gear Capacity
Ease of Access
Durability & Quality
Installation
Features
Sustainability
An impressive roof box that barely missed out on our top overall spot, the Force 3 features an easy-to-use sliding latch system and a wide opening for easy access to your gear. Its drawbacks include a high price and a bulky mounting system, which slightly pinches interior space.
Gear Capacity
Ease of Access
Durability & Quality
Installation
Features
Sustainability
A true all-rounder, the SkyBox NX XL hits the mark with its quality, durable construction, versatile capacity, and ease of use. It can be hard to call such an expensive product a good value, but the SkyBox is just that, undercutting the price of its main competition.
Gear Capacity
Ease of Access
Durability & Quality
Installation
Features
Sustainability
Is the Motion 3 XL for You?
The Thule Motion 3 XL is a great match for buyers who want a large, refined roof box and care about how it looks on their vehicle as much as how it performs. Its spacious interior easily handles family travel gear, bulky camping equipment, or multiple pairs of skis up to 200 centimeters, while the wide opening and smooth SlideLock system make loading and unloading particularly easy. The tradeoff is price: much of what makes the Motion stand out is its premium finish and polished design rather than a major functional advantage over more affordable options. But if you want a high-capacity box that pairs strong usability with one of the most upscale looks in the category, the Motion 3 XL is a very appealing choice.
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