Main trade-off
Thule Motion 3 XL
It stands two inches higher above the crossbars.
Head-to-head
Thule Motion 3 XL vs Motion 3 XXL Low: XXL Low fits longer skis two inches lower, both hold eighteen cubic feet
The short answer
Choose Motion 3 XL when 200 cm skis fit and you value a lighter box, more internal height and an easier hatch-clearance requirement. Choose XXL Low for skis up to 215 cm or two inches less height above the crossbars. Both hold 18 cubic feet, so the longer low box changes the shape rather than adding volume.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The lower profile can recover two inches at the garage
On the same approved rack and vehicle, the published heights above the bars differ by two inches. That can matter near a doorway limit. Measure the complete installed height and leave a safety margin. The Low name by itself does not establish that the car will clear.
What this is based on
15 - 13 = 2 inches less above the crossbars. Both boxes have the same 18 cu ft nominal volume.
Main trade-off
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
It is 4.9 lb heavier and needs more hatch clearance.
Thule Motion 3 XL
- Choose it for
- Keep more internal height for taller packed items
- Reduce box weight and the required front-bar-to-hatch distance
- Main trade-off
- It stands two inches higher above the crossbars.
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Choose it for
- Carry skis longer than 200 cm and no longer than 215 cm
- Reduce published height above the crossbars by two inches
- Main trade-off
- It is 4.9 lb heavier and needs more hatch clearance.
About this comparison
Thule Motion 3 XL vs XXL Low for long skis and garage clearance. Compare equal cargo volume, roof-load costs, internal height and exact hatch-fit checks.
Choose Motion 3 XL when 200 cm skis fit and you value a lighter box, more internal height and an easier hatch-clearance requirement. Choose XXL Low for skis up to 215 cm or two inches less height above the crossbars. Both hold 18 cubic feet, so the longer low box changes the shape rather than adding volume.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
My longest skis are 210 cm
Only XXL Low meets the published ski length. Rack, hatch and load checks still apply.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Not suitable
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Depends
My Thule front-clearance measurement is 54 inches
XL clears the stated threshold. XXL Low needs greater than 54 13/16 inches.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Depends
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Not suitable
I need more than 18 cu ft of published cargo volume
Both are rated at 18 cu ft despite the different size names.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Not suitable
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Not suitable
My fixed crossbar center spacing is 38 inches
Both stop at 36 9/16 inches. Do not move bars outside the vehicle-approved positions.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Not suitable
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Not suitable
A rigid case must stay upright and is 14 inches tall
XL lists 15 inches internal height, subject to the tapered shape. XXL Low lists 13 inches.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Depends
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Not suitable
I want dual-side opening and tool-free mounts
Both use dual-side access and PowerClick mounting.
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Good
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Good
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The lower profile can recover two inches at the garage
On the same approved rack and vehicle, the published heights above the bars differ by two inches. That can matter near a doorway limit. Measure the complete installed height and leave a safety margin. The Low name by itself does not establish that the car will clear.
How we reached this conclusion
15 - 13 = 2 inches less above the crossbars. Both boxes have the same 18 cu ft nominal volume.
A low box consumes more of a light roof allowance
With a hypothetical 165 lb vehicle limit and a 15 lb rack, XL leaves 99 lb for cargo and XXL Low leaves 94.1 lb. The low box costs 4.9 lb of that allowance. Use the lowest applicable vehicle, rack and box limit.
How we reached this conclusion
XL: 165 - 15 - 51 = 99 lb. XXL Low: 165 - 15 - 55.9 = 94.1 lb. Both boxes list a separate 165 lb cargo maximum, which cannot override the vehicle limit.
Long skis may solve one fit problem and create another
A 210 cm ski exceeds XL's limit but fits within XXL Low's stated ski length. The low box then needs the larger hatch clearance. A measured 54-inch front clearance satisfies the XL threshold used here but falls short of XXL Low's requirement.
How we reached this conclusion
210 > 200 and 210 ≤ 215 cm. For the same Thule measurement method, 54 > 52.125 inches but 54 < 54.8125 inches.
Choice A
Thule, Motion 3 XL Black Glossy
Thule Motion 3 XL
The box holds 18 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 200 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- Keep more internal height for taller packed items
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 18 cu ft
- Maximum ski length: 200 cm
- Height above crossbar: 15 in
- Internal length, width and height: 80 × 29 × 15 in
Choice B
Thule, Motion 3 XXL Low Black Glossy
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
The box holds 18 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 215 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- Carry skis longer than 200 cm and no longer than 215 cm
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 18 cu ft
- Maximum ski length: 215 cm
- Height above crossbar: 13 in
- Internal length, width and height: 87 × 30 × 13 in
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Thule Motion 3 XL | Thule Motion 3 XXL Low | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo volume | 18 cu ft | 18 cu ft | XXL Low does not add nominal volume over regular XL. |
| Maximum ski length | 200 cm | 215 cm | Measure the longest ski rather than relying on the size name. |
| Height above crossbar | 15 in | 13 in | Installed vehicle height still includes the vehicle and rack. |
| Internal length, width and height | 80 × 29 × 15 in | 87 × 30 × 13 in | Low trades internal height for a longer, wider cavity. |
| Empty box weight | 51 lb | 55.9 lb | The heavier box leaves less vehicle roof-load allowance for cargo. |
| Crossbar center spacing | 21 13/16 to 36 9/16 in | 21 13/16 to 36 9/16 in | The size change does not widen the permitted spread range. |
| Conservative hatch clearance used here | Greater than 52 1/8 in | Greater than 54 13/16 in | Measure front-bar center to the roof/hatch junction with Thule's method. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Thule Motion 3 XL
- Its maximum ski length is 200 cm.
If you choose Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- The lower 13-inch interior can rule out upright bulky cases.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
The longest skis are over 200 cm and no longer than 215 cm
Choose Thule Motion 3 XXL Low. Only XXL Low meets that length rating, pending vehicle fit.
A rigid item needs over 13 and no more than 15 inches of upright internal height
Choose Thule Motion 3 XL. Regular XL has the taller published interior, with shape clearance still to check.
The fixed crossbar spread exceeds 36 9/16 inches
Choose neither. Both are outside the published spread range.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Treat the XXL Low name as a shape choice
The standard XL and XXL Low have equal nominal volume. The lower cavity can suit long skis and soft bags, while the taller regular XL may be more practical for an upright suitcase. Measure the actual packed items and remember that the lid tapers away from the largest internal dimensions.
Run the hatch and garage checks separately
A lower box can help overhead clearance while its longer shape makes rear-hatch clearance harder. Use Thule's specified reference points for the hatch and measure ground-to-top height for the garage. A pass on either measurement does not imply a pass on the other.
Subtract empty hardware before packing
Roof-load limits include the rack, empty box and contents. The low box is 4.9 lb heavier here. Use your vehicle's dynamic roof limit and the rack instructions, then respect the box's own cargo limit. Extra cubic space would never permit extra weight beyond the lowest applicable limit.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No vehicle or garage is declared universally compatible. Interior dimensions are maximum published dimensions and do not guarantee a rigid item fits the tapered lid.
- No fuel-economy or wind-noise advantage is inferred from the lower shape.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current roof cargo boxes comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Motion 3 XL |
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| Thule Motion 3 XXL Low |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
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Thule Motion 3 XL
Keep more internal height for taller packed items
See price & reviews on AmazonThule Motion 3 XXL Low
Carry skis longer than 200 cm and no longer than 215 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.