Automotive · Head-to-head
Thule Motion 3 XL vs Yakima SkyBox NX 16
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Thule Motion 3 XL is the most complete box here: huge, aerodynamic, and the easiest to mount, which is why it takes the top spot. The Yakima SkyBox NX 16 delivers most of the same dual-side convenience and security for meaningfully less, making it the value pick for most buyers.
Thule Motion 3 XL
Buy itThe do-it-all flagship: huge, aerodynamic, dual-side opening, and the slickest mount on the roof.
- 18 cu ft with dual-side opening you can work one-handed
- PowerClick mount with a torque indicator that clicks when the box is properly mounted
- Aerodynamic profile built to keep highway wind noise down
- SlideLock system automatically locks the lid and indicates when the box is closed securely
- Flagship pricing
- At roughly 85 inches it can block the rear hatch on smaller SUVs, so measure first
Yakima SkyBox NX 16
Buy itThe smart-money pick: dual-side opening and metal locking handles for meaningfully less than the flagship.
- 16 cu ft with dual-sided opening for access from either side
- Full metal opening handle locks gear inside and the box to the roof
- Universal hardware fits Yakima StreamLine, factory, and aftermarket aero crossbars
- Flat-bottom interior makes the usable space easy to pack
- Shorter than the top pick, at 16 cu ft versus 18
- 16 cu ft is generous but a step below the XL boxes
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Thule Motion 3 XL Our pick | Yakima SkyBox NX 16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Families and road-trippers who want maximum space, low noise, and the easiest install, and don't mind paying for it. | Most buyers who want premium features and dual-side opening without stretching to flagship money. |
| Price tier | $$$$ · flagship | $$$ · premium |
| Capacity | 18 cu ft | 16 cu ft |
| Opening | Dual-side | Dual-side |
| Mounting & clamp | PowerClick torque-click mount | Universal (StreamLine, factory & aero bars) |
| Security lock | SlideLock, confirms when closed | SKS locks + full metal handle |
| Aerodynamics & noise | Aerodynamic profile | Sleek shape |
| Length (rear-hatch clearance) | ~85 in (long, measure first) | ~76 in (moderate) |
| Material | Black glossy finish | Nano-texture shell |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Thule Motion 3 XL if
families and road-trippers who want maximum space, low noise, and the easiest install, and don't mind paying for it.
Know before buying: flagship pricing.
Pick the Yakima SkyBox NX 16 if
most buyers who want premium features and dual-side opening without stretching to flagship money.
Know before buying: shorter than the top pick, at 16 cu ft versus 18.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Thule Motion 3 XL - The do-it-all flagship: huge, aerodynamic, dual-side opening, and the slickest mount on the roof. Choose the Yakima SkyBox NX 16 instead if most buyers who want premium features and dual-side opening without stretching to flagship money.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Rooftop Cargo Boxes: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).