Main trade-off
Thule Motion 3 XXL
It is one of the longest and widest boxes here, so hatch and roof length deserve an exact check.
Head-to-head
Thule Motion 3 XXL vs XXL Low: Low cuts three inches above the bars without shortening the ski allowance
The short answer
Choose regular XXL for tall luggage. Choose XXL Low when a three-inch reduction above the crossbars changes garage access. Both use the same long footprint and accept 215 cm skis.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
The same footprint can hold less luggage
XXL Low reduces volume by three cubic feet without shortening or narrowing the exterior footprint.
What this is based on
21 - 18 = 3 cubic feet, or 14.3% of regular XXL volume. Both are 91.3 by 36.2 inches outside.
Main trade-off
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
The long shell still needs substantial hatch clearance even though it is low.
Thule Motion 3 XXL
- Choose it for
- Your cases need more than 13 inches of internal height
- You need all 21 cubic feet for family luggage
- Main trade-off
- It is one of the longest and widest boxes here, so hatch and roof length deserve an exact check.
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Choose it for
- Your garage favors a lower installed profile
- Your long skis travel with soft bags
- Main trade-off
- The long shell still needs substantial hatch clearance even though it is low.
About this comparison
Compare Motion 3 XXL and XXL Low by internal luggage height, garage clearance, capacity and the nearly identical work of lifting either box.
Before you choose
How they fit your plans
Check the packed bag, including its wheels
If a rigid bag must stay in an orientation that is 14 inches tall, regular Motion 3 XXL is the one to investigate. Its published interior is 16 inches high, compared with 13 inches for XXL Low. That rules the Low out for that orientation before you compare total volume. Regular XXL still needs a physical fit check around the tapered lid, hinges and fastening points.
Facts behind this advice
Thule lists internal envelopes of 87 × 30 × 16 inches and 87 × 30 × 13 inches. A 14-inch item exceeds the Low's maximum stated height by 1 inch. Being under a published maximum does not prove a rectangular case fits everywhere inside the curved shell.
Long skis do not require the taller XXL
For 210cm skis and compressible bags, XXL Low retains the same documented ski-length allowance as regular XXL. Both list 215cm, and both have an 87 by 30 inch maximum internal length-and-width envelope. Choose regular XXL when the extra height solves a packing problem. If the load is mostly flat gear, the taller body gives you no extra ski-length allowance to justify it.
Facts behind this advice
210cm is 5cm under both published ski limits. This does not establish how many bound ski pairs and bags fit together. Check bindings, lid clearance, restraint points and vehicle load limits. Equal maximum dimensions are not identical usable floor-shape measurements.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Your case needs more than 13 inches and at most 16 inches of internal height
Regular XXL lists a 16-inch interior height. XXL Low lists 13 inches, before checking the opening and the case shape.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL
- Better fit
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Not suitable
Your garage favors a lower installed profile
Published height above the bars falls from 16 to 13 inches. Measure the complete vehicle and allow a clearance margin.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL
- Depends
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Better fit
You need all 21 cubic feet for family luggage
Regular XXL lists 21 cubic feet while Low lists 18. Low saves only 1.3 pounds of empty weight.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL
- Better fit
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Not suitable
Your clearance allowance above the bars is less than 13 inches
Even XXL Low lists 13 inches above the crossbars. Neither compared model satisfies a smaller allowance.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL
- Not suitable
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
The same footprint can hold less luggage
XXL Low reduces volume by three cubic feet without shortening or narrowing the exterior footprint.
How we reached this conclusion
21 - 18 = 3 cubic feet, or 14.3% of regular XXL volume. Both are 91.3 by 36.2 inches outside.
Overhead clearance improves by three inches
Published height above the bars falls from 16 to 13 inches.
How we reached this conclusion
16 - 13 = 3 inches.
Handling remains much the same
Low saves only 1.3 pounds against the 57.2-pound regular shell.
How we reached this conclusion
57.2 - 55.9 = 1.3 pounds, or 2.3% of the regular empty weight.
Choice A
Thule, Motion 3 XXL Black Glossy
Thule Motion 3 XXL
The box holds 21 cubic feet. It accepts gear up to 215 centimeters long.
- Best matched use
- Your cases need more than 13 inches of internal height
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 21 cu ft
- Exterior height: 18.1 in
- Internal height: 16 in
- Height above crossbar: 16 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
- Your garage favors a lower installed profile
Checked facts
- Cargo volume: 18 cu ft
- Exterior height: 15.2 in
- Internal height: 13 in
- Height above crossbar: 13 in
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Thule Motion 3 XXL | Thule Motion 3 XXL Low | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo volume | 21 cu ft | 18 cu ft | Compare the space needed by bags after checking their individual dimensions. |
| Exterior height | 18.1 in | 15.2 in | Overall shell height helps compare bulk but cannot establish installed garage clearance. |
| Internal height | 16 in | 13 in | The tallest suitcase or boots must fit beneath the curved lid without forcing it closed. |
| Height above crossbar | 16 in | 13 in | Add this to the measured top-of-crossbar height to screen garage openings. |
| Empty box weight | 57.2 lb | 55.9 lb | Subtract the shell and rack from the vehicle roof limit before allocating cargo. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Thule Motion 3 XXL
- Its empty weight consumes a meaningful share of a low vehicle roof rating.
If you choose Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Only 13 inches of internal height makes tall luggage a poor match.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
You need the lower of these two profiles while carrying skis up to 215 cm
Choose Thule Motion 3 XXL Low. Choose XXL Low only when its 13-inch height above the bars clears your measured limit and its 18-cubic-foot capacity is enough.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
The same footprint can hold less luggage
The Low version does not free up bar width for a second carrier. Its benefit is vertical clearance. Choose the regular lid if the car can accommodate it and your planned luggage needs height rather than just long horizontal space.
Overhead clearance improves by three inches
An 80-inch top-of-bar measurement predicts 96 inches with regular XXL and 93 inches with Low before adding a safety margin. This is a screening calculation. Measure the actual fitted car and account for sloping driveways or garage-door hardware.
Handling remains much the same
The long, wide shell still needs controlled lifting and storage. If frequent removal is the primary concern, reducing overall box size offers a larger handling benefit than changing only the lid profile.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Cargo dimensions and manufacturer load ratings cannot predict wind noise, fuel use or how a particular bag packs around mounting hardware.
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 |
|
| |
| Thule Motion 3 XXL Low |
|
|
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
Your cases need more than 13 inches of internal height
See price & reviews on AmazonThule Motion 3 XXL Low
Your garage favors a lower installed profile
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.