Thule
Thule Motion 3 XL
$1149.95
Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes · head-to-head
Thule Motion 3 XL vs Yakima SkyBox NX 18
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Yakima SkyBox NX 18 is cheaper at $848.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
Yakima
Yakima SkyBox NX 18
$848.95Cheaper
Which is better: the Thule Motion 3 XL or Yakima SkyBox NX 18?
The Thule Motion 3 XL wins 1 of the 1 specs we compare head to head; the other wins 0. The Yakima SkyBox NX 18 is the cheaper at $848.95. Get the Thule Motion 3 XL for the stronger spec sheet, the Yakima SkyBox NX 18 to spend less.
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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 | Yakima SkyBox NX 18 |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $1149.95 | $848.95 |
| Brand | Thule | Yakima |
| Released | — | — |
| Capacity cubic (ft) | 18 | 18 |
| Length (in) | 84.7 | 84 |
| Width (in) | 35 | 36 |
| Height (in) | 17 | 16.5 |
| Weight (lb) | 51 | 53 |
| Max load (lb) | 165 | — |
| Opening side | dual-side | dual-side |
| Mounting system | PowerClick | — |
| Shell material | — | — |
| Locking type | key-lock | key-lock |
| Ski length max (cm) | 200 | 195 |
Sources — Thule Motion 3 XL: thule.com (verified 2026-07-13). Yakima SkyBox NX 18: yakima.com (verified 2026-07-13).
What's the difference between the Thule Motion 3 XL and Yakima SkyBox NX 18?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 11). Matching specs are omitted.
- Length (in): Thule Motion 3 XL 84.7 vs Yakima SkyBox NX 18 84
- Width (in): Thule Motion 3 XL 35 vs Yakima SkyBox NX 18 36
- Height (in): Thule Motion 3 XL 17 vs Yakima SkyBox NX 18 16.5
- Weight (lb): Thule Motion 3 XL 51 vs Yakima SkyBox NX 18 53
- Ski length max (cm): Thule Motion 3 XL 200 vs Yakima SkyBox NX 18 195
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.
Yakima SkyBox NX 18
No sourced tester review yet.