Thule · Updated July 2026
Thule Motion 3 XL: price & specs
The Thule Motion 3 XL costs $1149.95, the most expensive rooftop cargo boxes (median $849.99). It earns a Silver Deskmark — 25/100 pay-blind standing, #4 of 7 in class.
Verified Jul 13, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below
- Best for 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.
- Skip if Expensive; weakest scoring category was Value (7/10) is a dealbreaker.
Thule Motion 3 XL. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.
Source: thule.com verified ✓ corroborated verify in ledger
Is the Thule Motion 3 XL a good buy?
At $1150, the Thule Motion 3 XL is the most expensive of the 7 rooftop cargo boxes we track, where the median is $849.99. On the spec sheet, its capacity cubic of 18 ft is the highest of the 7, its max load of 165 lb is the highest of the 4, and its length of 84.7 in is above the median of the 7.
Evidence of Record
Our dataNo independent lab has measured this product yet. 1 outlet has it on record by mention only, with no hands-on measurements published to weigh its claims against — a gap in the evidence, not a verdict on the product.
Review consensus · sourced & dated
What reviewers say about the 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.
Tested by GearJunkie
Consistently 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
- Solid build quality
Commonly flagged
- Expensive; weakest scoring category was Value (7/10)
- Not the lightest model tested, at a 51-lb spec weight for the XL
Where reviewers disagree Only one source survived verification, so there is no cross-source agreement or disagreement to report. GearJunkie printed no per-box measured number (mpg or dB) for the XL despite describing an efficiency-testing methodology.
The sources (1)
The Thule Motion 3 XL ($999) offers a lightweight, easy-to-install, and aerodynamic rooftop box that also sports a clean, sporty look.
The handle provides easy one-handed access for fast loading and unloading, which is easy to reach from the ground, even on taller SUVs.
Expensive
Specifications
| Price (US) | $1149.95 US MSRP $1,149.95 (Black Glossy, SKU 639850), listed verbatim as "$1,149.95" on the official Thule US store product page for the Thule Motion 3 XL. |
|---|---|
| Brand | Thule |
| Released | — |
| Capacity cubic (ft) | 18 |
| Length (in) | 84.7 |
| Width (in) | 35 |
| Height (in) | 17 |
| Weight (lb) | 51 |
| Max load (lb) | 165 |
| Opening side | dual-side |
| Mounting system | PowerClick |
| Shell material | — |
| Locking type | key-lock |
| Ski length max (cm) | 200 |
Source: thule.com (verified 2026-07-13) · corroborated by rackattack.com. The official Thule US store product page (SKU 639850, "Thule Motion 3 XL") lists this exact model with a Technical specifications block stating verbatim: Volume 18 cu ft, External dimensions (LxWxH) 84.7 x 35 x 17 in, Load capacity 165 lb, Weight 51 lb, Max length of skis 200 cm, Mounting system PowerClick, Locking system SlideLock with One Key System compatible locks included, and dual-side opening; its price is shown verbatim as $1,149.95 (Black Glossy). The Rack Attack 2026 Motion 3 review corroborates the XL as the 18-cubic-foot size and confirms the SlideLock keyed locking and PowerClick mounting systems. Model identity confirmed: the page title, size selector (XL selected among L / XL / XL Low / XXL / XXL Low) and SKU 639850 identify this as the standard Motion 3 XL, distinct from the XL Low, L, XXL, and XXL Low variants.
Is the Thule Motion 3 XL worth it vs cheaper rooftop cargo boxes?
Thule Motion 3 XL against its closest cheaper and pricier rooftop cargo boxes on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 7 ranked →
| Product | Price | Capacity cubic (ft) | Length (in) | Width (in) | Height (in) | Weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Motion 3 XL this | $1149.95 | 18 | 84.7 | 35 | 17 | 51 |
| Thule Force 3 XL | $929.95 | 18 | 84.8 | 34.1 | 16.9 | 49 |
Frequently asked questions
What do reviewers say about the 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. 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; Solid build quality. Flagged: Expensive; weakest scoring category was Value (7/10); Not the lightest model tested, at a 51-lb spec weight for the XL. (From 1 tester review, 1 lab-tested.)
How much does the Thule Motion 3 XL cost?
The Thule Motion 3 XL has a US price of $1149.95 (US MSRP $1,149.95 (Black Glossy, SKU 639850), listed verbatim as "$1,149.95" on the official Thule US store product page for the Thule Motion 3 XL.), as of 2026-07-13.
How does the Thule Motion 3 XL compare on price?
At $1150, the Thule Motion 3 XL is the most expensive of the 7 rooftop cargo boxes we track, where the median is $849.99.
What are the Thule Motion 3 XL's key specs?
Thule Motion 3 XL (Thule): capacityCubicFt 18, lengthIn 84.7, widthIn 35, heightIn 17, weightLbs 51. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-07-13.
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