Main trade-off
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
A 91.3-inch shell makes roof and hatch fit demanding
Head-to-head
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low vs Yakima SkyBox NX 18: Thule fits longer skis lower, Yakima shortens the shell for the same volume
The short answer
Choose Motion 3 XXL Low for skis above 195 cm and up to 215 cm, provided its long body and hatch requirement fit. Choose SkyBox NX 18 for a shorter, lighter 18 cubic foot box or wider fixed bar spacing. Thule's 13-inch height above the bars is useful only after measuring your installed vehicle height.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Long skis are the strongest reason to choose the Low
A 205 cm ski is within Thule's limit and beyond Yakima's.
What this is based on
205 is below 215 and above 195 cm. Both boxes still have 18 cubic feet of nominal volume.
Main trade-off
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
Cannot accommodate skis over 195 cm
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Choose it for
- Carry skis longer than 195 cm and up to 215 cm
- Use the documented 13-inch height above crossbars
- Main trade-off
- A 91.3-inch shell makes roof and hatch fit demanding
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Choose it for
- Use fixed bar spacing above 36 9/16 and up to 40 inches
- Keep the shell shorter and the empty box lighter
- Main trade-off
- Cannot accommodate skis over 195 cm
About this comparison
Compare two 18 cu ft boxes for 215 versus 195 cm skis, roof length, crossbar spread and hatch clearance. Check the low-profile claim against your setup.
Choose Motion 3 XXL Low for skis above 195 cm and up to 215 cm, provided its long body and hatch requirement fit. Choose SkyBox NX 18 for a shorter, lighter 18 cubic foot box or wider fixed bar spacing. Thule's 13-inch height above the bars is useful only after measuring your installed vehicle height.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Skis are 205 cm long
Only the 215 cm ski limit covers them.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Not suitable
Approved fixed crossbar spread is 39 inches
Yakima allows up to 40 inches and Thule stops at 36 9/16.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Good
You require 18 cubic feet for shorter gear
Both have that volume. Shape and weight still need checking.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Good
A box shell must stay below 88 inches long
Thule is 91.3 inches long and Yakima is 84.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Good
You need proof the loaded vehicle fits a garage
Measure the actual roof and bars plus installed box height. Overall shell height and height above bars are different metrics.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Depends
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Depends
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Long skis are the strongest reason to choose the Low
A 205 cm ski is within Thule's limit and beyond Yakima's.
How we reached this conclusion
205 is below 215 and above 195 cm. Both boxes still have 18 cubic feet of nominal volume.
A wide fixed spread can favor Yakima
A 39-inch spread is outside Thule's range and inside Yakima's.
How we reached this conclusion
39 exceeds 36.5625 and is below 40 inches. Rack approval and clamp profile remain separate requirements.
The low shell is also the longer shell
Thule adds 7.3 inches of length and 2.9 lb of weight.
How we reached this conclusion
91.3 − 84 = 7.3 inches and 55.9 − 53 = 2.9 lb. Its 13-inch above-bar figure does not establish Yakima's installed height.
Choice A
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 195 cm and up to 215 cm
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 18 cu ft
- Maximum ski length: 215 cm
- Body length: 91.3 in
- Empty weight: 55.9 lb
Choice B
Yakima, SkyBox NX 18 XL
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
The box holds 18 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 195 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- Use fixed bar spacing above 36 9/16 and up to 40 inches
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 18 cu ft
- Maximum ski length: 195 cm
- Body length: 84 in
- Empty weight: 53 lb
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Thule Motion 3 XXL Low | Yakima SkyBox NX XL | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo volume | 18 cu ft | 18 cu ft | Equal volume is distributed differently. |
| Maximum ski length | 215 cm | 195 cm | Long Nordic skis can settle this comparison. |
| Body length | 91.3 in | 84 in | Thule needs a longer compatible roof layout. |
| Empty weight | 55.9 lb | 53 lb | Both weights must be included in roof-load calculations. |
| Crossbar spread | 21 13/16 to 36 9/16 in | 24 to 40 in | Yakima supports a wider maximum spread. |
| Hatch threshold and reference | Greater than 54 13/16 in to roof/hatch junction | 50 in minimum to edge of open hatch | Use each brand's own method and do not compare these numbers directly. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Heavier despite the same 18 cu ft volume
If you choose Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- The 16.5-inch overall shell height is not an above-bar clearance figure
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Skis exceed 195 cm but stay within 215 cm
Choose Thule Motion 3 XXL Low. Only Motion XXL Low supports the stated ski length.
Fixed bar spacing is 39 inches
Choose Yakima SkyBox NX XL. Only SkyBox NX 18 supports that spread.
The roof cannot accommodate a 91.3-inch shell
Choose Yakima SkyBox NX XL. Yakima is shorter, but must still pass its own hatch and rack checks.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Use ski length to narrow the choice
Motion XXL Low distributes its volume through a long low shell. That makes it relevant for long skis while keeping 18 cubic feet. SkyBox NX 18 is shorter and stops at 195 cm skis, so equal volume does not mean equal cargo compatibility.
Check wide fixed racks before considering profile
Yakima's spread range reaches 40 inches. Thule stops at 36 9/16. A vehicle with a 39-inch fixed spread makes that difference decisive even if the Thule profile looks attractive.
Measure the hatch and garage separately
Thule's current page gives a slightly stricter hatch requirement than its chart, so the stricter figure is used here. Garage clearance needs total installed height. Yakima's shell height must not be substituted for an unpublished above-bar measurement.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No garage, vehicle or rack is declared universally compatible. The two hatch numbers and two kinds of height measurement are not directly interchangeable.
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 XXL Low |
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| Yakima SkyBox NX XL |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
Carry skis longer than 195 cm and up to 215 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonYakima SkyBox NX XL
Use fixed bar spacing above 36 9/16 and up to 40 inches
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.