Thule
Thule Motion 3 XL
$1149.95
Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes · head-to-head
Thule Motion 3 XL vs SportRack Vista XL
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. SportRack Vista XL is cheaper at $449.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
SportRack
SportRack Vista XL
$449.95Cheaper
Which is better: the Thule Motion 3 XL or SportRack Vista XL?
The SportRack Vista XL wins 2 of the 2 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The SportRack Vista XL is the cheaper at $449.95. The SportRack Vista XL both leads on specs and costs less — the straightforward pick.
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Thule Motion 3 XL | SportRack Vista XL |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1149.95 | $449.95 |
| Brand | Thule | SportRack |
| Released | — | — |
| Capacity cubic (ft) | 18 | 18 |
| Length (in) | 84.7 | 63 |
| Width (in) | 35 | 38 |
| Height (in) | 17 | 19 |
| Weight (lb) | 51 | 42 |
| Max load (lb) | 165 | 110 |
| Opening side | dual-side | rear |
| Mounting system | PowerClick | u-bolt |
| Shell material | — | ABS |
| Locking type | key-lock | key-lock |
| Ski length max (cm) | 200 | — |
Sources — Thule Motion 3 XL: thule.com (verified 2026-07-13). SportRack Vista XL: sportrack.com (verified 2026-07-13).
What's the difference between the Thule Motion 3 XL and SportRack Vista XL?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- Length (in): Thule Motion 3 XL 84.7 vs SportRack Vista XL 63
- Width (in): Thule Motion 3 XL 35 vs SportRack Vista XL 38
- Height (in): Thule Motion 3 XL 17 vs SportRack Vista XL 19
- Weight (lb): Thule Motion 3 XL 51 vs SportRack Vista XL 42
- Max load (lb): Thule Motion 3 XL 165 vs SportRack Vista XL 110
- Opening side: Thule Motion 3 XL dual-side vs SportRack Vista XL rear
- Mounting system: Thule Motion 3 XL PowerClick vs SportRack Vista XL u-bolt
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Thule Motion 3 XL
One whitelisted hands-on source (GearJunkie, Nov 2025) tested the 18-cu-ft Thule Motion 3 XL, rating it 8.3/10 and naming it Best High-Capacity box: it reads as lightweight for its size, is aerodynamic with a clean, sporty look, installs by one person despite the bulk, and has a solid build; the main knock is price (Value scored 7/10, the lowest of its four category scores). No per-box efficiency (mpg) or noise (dB) figure was printed for the XL, so measured is empty. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Aerodynamic profile with a clean, sporty look; Easy one-handed access with a ground-level strap to pull the lid shut, reachable even on tall SUVs; Fast one-person install and removal despite the size.
Flagged: Expensive; weakest scoring category was Value (7/10); Not the lightest model tested, at a 51-lb spec weight for the XL.
SportRack Vista XL
No sourced tester review yet.