Thule Motion XT L Review by Expert (2023)

There are a huge amount of different rooftop cargo boxes available on the market. There are also so many things to consider; you might be confused while finding the perfect one for you. Thule cargo boxes are always here if you are looking for something with the best quality, and it has also proven to be a very famous brand that many people enjoy.

Today we are going to talk about the Thule Motion XT L and what it has to offer you. This unit comes with many great features like a rooftop cargo box and proves itself as a really appealing choice. It’s always a great idea to take the time to get to know more about the thing before making a purchase.

Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier, Black
  • Roof-mounted cargo box provides 16 cubic feet of additional packing space
  • Designed for optimal space efficiency, aerodynamics, and vehicle fit
  • Quick-mount system "clicks" when roof box is secure and properly mounted
  • Dual-side opening for quick access from either side of the car
  • Easy to open and close with grip-friendly handles and supporting lid-lifters
  • Full trunk access and no roof box contact
  • Lid automatically locks in place and indicates a secure closure (One Key System compatible)
  • Fits 5-7 pairs of skis / 3-5 snowboards
  • External dimensions: 77 x 36 x 17 inches; Internal dimensions: 69 x 31.5 x 15 inches
  • Load capacity: 165 lbs; Product Weight: 42 lbs

In this article, you are going to find a review and guide to help you understand if this roof cargo box has the ability to satisfy your needs. So keep reading to know all of the individual information that you might need about this cargo box.

Thule Motion XT L Review:

Very Spacious

Thule Motion XT L

The Thule Motion XT L is very large, and you will be able to carry a lot of cargo at a time. A lot of people turned to use this cargo box to help them in carrying sports gear. It is advertised that it is able to carry up to eight pairs of skis at a time. It can also accommodate up to six snowboards, but it actually depends on the size of the snowboards.

It is produced to take up to 110 lbs. of weight. This should ensure it is a very attractive choice for anyone looking for a cargo box to go on a camping trip or a road trip. You will be able to carry a lot of stuff with this rooftop cargo box.

It is a great cargo box for carrying sports gear, and it could even work great for carrying camping gear. If you need a cargo box that can accommodate a great number of items, then you’ll be pleased with what the Thule Motion XT L is offering here.

Works Great for Almost Every Types of Vehicles

Thule Motion XT L 1

You will be very happy to know that this cargo box is a great fit with various kinds of vehicles. It has been produced so that it can work great with modern SUVs, wagons, and vans.

This rooftop cargo box is very easy to install, and you will be able to start using it right away.

It is created to get installed quickly to most factory-installed roof racks as well as many aftermarket roof racks.

They produced this cargo box to be easy to install for simply about anyone. The installation process doesn’t even require to use of any complicated tools. It also comes with the “Quick-Grip” mounting system. The installation process is going to be very easy. And you will be able to get this cargo box installed on your vehicle within just a few minutes.

If you have to purchase a roof rack or load bar for your car before you install it on top of your car, then you should know that it has magnificent compatibility.

It is compatible with almost all Thule load bars and Yakima crossbars; moreover, you can also install it with most factory-installed and aftermarket roof racks.

If you are going to buy a roof rack or load bar, then take the time to check that it is really compatible with this cargo box before you make any purchase.

It will ensure that you have an uncomplicated time arranging things to work, and you’ll be able to start carrying items in no time.

Incredibly Simple to Open and Close

Thule Motion XT L 2

If you have ever checked out some other cargo boxes, then you will realize that it is easy to understand that this cargo box is among the most straightforward to open and close.

Some cargo boxes are a little bit complicated, and they will make you feel that it’s really hard to get your material in and out. But you will not face that kind of problem with this product.

You will be able to open and close this rooftop cargo box with just one hand when you need to.

This is possible because of the strong lid stiffeners and struts. It feels almost effortless to open this roof cargo box up, and it will be around the best choices available on the market for many people.

If you love to make everything as simple on yourself as possible, then this will help you the most. It offers to get in and out of the cargo box quickly so that you can load and unload things from it very easily.

Very Secure

Thule Motion XT L 3

You will also like that this roof cargo box comes with an ergonomically shaped lock knob.

This thing will keep all of your items safe inside the cargo box so that you will not have to face any trouble while driving on the road.

The locking mechanism is also going to keep your items safe from getting snatched if you ever stand at a hotel or motel for the nighttime. It comes with a simple design, but yet it is very useful.

You will also feel very secure and stable while you will drive down the road with the cargo box installed on top of your car. This cargo box will maintain outstanding stability even at higher speeds. 

So if you have installed this cargo box accurately, it is going to provide you with a secure storage option. And it will also last for a long time. It is a great product to buy when you are going on a long road trip or camping trip.

Aerodynamic Design

Thule Motion XT L 4

The Thule Motion XT L has been created to be as aerodynamic as possible. You will be able to experience a significantly calmer driving experience when you use this cargo box.

It decreases wind sound very well, and that helps you to drive without facing any problem.

If you are planning for a long road trip, we recommend you go for an aerodynamic roof cargo box rather than the one that makes so much noise while driving.

The cargo box really comes with a sleek look that cannot be denied. It is going to look very appealing on top of your car, and it fits very well on many types of vehicles. 

This cargo box can be a great investment in terms of both the practical perspective and the aesthetic one. You will get sufficient fuel economy when driving with this cargo box installed, and it will obviously look great on your vehicle.

The Pros:

There are a lot of certain matters to consider when checking out the Thule Motion XT L. It is a reliable, secure, and stable cargo box. It also comes with a lot of storage space to hold a lot of cargo. Moreover, it also comes with an aerodynamic design that helps you to get a good fuel economy and reduce the noise of the wind.

If you have been looking for a very good quality rooftop cargo box, then this one will really be the value for money. It comes with a lot of beneficial features and is amazingly easy to use. Moreover, the installation process for this cargo box is also simpler than many other roof cargo boxes that are available on the market.

You will be able to easily use this cargo box to its full performance as long as you go on tours frequently enough to verify the price.

The Cons:

The only bad thing about the Thule Motion XT L is its price. It is much expensive than comparable roof cargo boxes. If you ever compare this model to the other cargo boxes from Thule, you will clearly notice that this is one of the costliest products that they have.

But whatever, it is not overly expensive. This cargo box is still priced affordably enough for an average person. But we are leaving it all up to you to decide whether or not this cargo box is worth the price. 

For many people, this cargo box has proven to be a reliable option. So we recommend you take the time to check out all of the information we have given above to recognize whether or not it’s going to be a good choice for you. That’s all, and this cargo box is really on our recommendation list.

Final Thought

Thule has been making very good-quality rooftop cargo boxes. The Thule Motion XT L is one of their creation. It might look a bit more expensive than some other cargo boxes available on the market, but this is truly a product that comes with premium build quality. If the features offered by this Thule cargo box are pleasing to you and you have enough budget to spend, this will be the best choice for you.

It is a cargo box that can withstand the time analysis, so don’t feel doubtful to choose it if you want to buy a high-quality rooftop cargo box.

-our editorial board has reviewed this article and has been approved for publication according to our editorial policy.

Last Update : 2024-06-27

A passionate writer with a wanderer’s heart. For the past 9 years, I’ve been weaving words that ignite the spirit of exploration and discovery. Join me on a journey through my words as we uncover the world’s hidden gems and share the thrill of the open road.

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