The Best Cargo Box For Subaru Outback Of 2024

Sarah Combs By, Sarah Combs
Updated
Best cargo box for subaru outback
Best cargo box for subaru outback

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box

The SportRack Vista XL is the perfect cargo organizer for anyone with a small SUV or compact car. This cargo box features a tough, UV-resistant ABS material, tool-free mounting hardware, and internal cargo capacity. The quick-release system makes it easy to install and remove. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box

The Thule Force XT roof-mounted cargo box is a versatile roof-mounted cargo box. This wide range of vehicles offers maximum space efficiency, easy access and full trunk access. The Force XT's durable ABS construction enables it to withstand the rigors of daily use. Read Review

3. Best Reliable: MIDABAO Car Cargo Roof Bag

This soft car top carrier is made of top quality PVC material with a durable, waterproof design to suit your busy life. The carrying handle ensures easy mounting and storage, while ensuring the items always remain safe and secure. Read Review

4. Best Capacity: Goplus Cargo Box

The Goplus Cargo Box is suitable for cars, reduces drag and has less noise. With its large capacity and comfort, you can increase vehicle cargo space and more pleasure. This robust and reliable design is made with high-quality material to ensure easy installation. Read Review

5. Best Style: SportRack SR7016 Horizon Cargo Box

With its rugged ABS material, you'll be able to rely on this cargo box for years of use. It's easy to install or remove, so you'll always have a reliable storage option with you whether you're heading to the gym, moving or just commuting to work. Read Review

If you own a Subaru Outback and love to take road trips, you probably also own an armload of stuff. And if your current trunk isn’t quite capable of holding it all, the idea of paying for custom installation just doesn’t make sense. Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem: get a cargo box.

The cargo box is basically a storage compartment that is mounted on the rear of your car and can be fixed by simply bolting it onto the inside of the trunk lid. This means that once you purchase one, you won’t need to pay any money for installation—that is unless you want to keep things nice and clean. But even if you don’t want to install one yourself, most car manufacturers now offer an aftermarket version that is fairly easy to install so long as you have some basic hand tools at your disposal.

In this article, we will focus on finding out which are the best Subaru outback cargo box options available today as well as giving you tips on how to choose the right one depending on your needs and preferences.

After 14 hours of research on customer feedback & product specifications, We've come up that the best cargo box for subaru outback is SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box. The easy access, easy installation, and removal, tool-free mounting hardware makes this cargo box an easy tool to have in your car. If you desire extra features not included in this model, you might look into another one: Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box. It could better suit your needs.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box
Our Score:
9.7
SportRack
  • Max Weight Capacity: 100 pounds (45 kg)
  • Includes key and lock to secure contents in the box, and the box to your rack
TOP Choice #2 Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box
Our Score:
9.5
Thule
  • Quick-mount system "clicks" when roof box is secure and properly mounted
  • Designed to fit a wide range a vehciles with maximum space efficiency
TOP Choice #3 MIDABAO Car Cargo Roof Bag
Our Score:
9.4
MIDABAO
  • Soft Car Top Carrier - There is no ”Best Soft Car Top Carrier”. Instead, the best one is the one that satisfies your specific needs.However, we provides the best all-around value and is likely to satisfy more consumers. We provides larger capacity ( 20 Cubic ), top PVC material, convenient design and more security.
  • 6 Tough Straps - More Security- Alongside carrying capacity, stability is arguably the most important factor in a car top carrier. We Provide 6pc wide straps & 2pc 3M straps. To some extent, the more straps used to fasten the carrier to the roof the better.
4 Goplus Cargo Box
Our Score:
9.2
Goplus

High Quality Material---The roof box is manufactured from sturdy ABS and PC material for long-lasting use, able to protect your valuables from exposure to the elements and can load 165 lbs capacity, suitable for round, square, factory and most aerodynamic bars.

Perfect for Road Trip---Take the cargo box to the park, the beach, the sports field, or any place you need to store. Works on all vehicles with rack, suitable for cars, vans, SUVs, etc. Sleek aerodynamic design to reduce drag and has less noise.

Robust & Security Design---The roof cargo box is designed to withstand heavy use in different types of weather conditions. The metal lid stiffeners at the bottom makes the roof box more stable and safer. With the double-lock design for protecting your valuables. 【Note】This product is suitable for vehicles with rack (the width of the luggage rack is adjusted to between 16.1 inches and 24.8 inches, and the width of the roof crossbar is less than 3.1 inches).

Easy to Install---The Goplus roof box equipped with 4 quick connect anchors for easy install and super latch security ensures your lid secure to its base, and your gear is safe. Dual-sided opening for easy access on either side of your vehicle to increased efficiency and convenience.

14 Cubic Feet of Cargo Space---With the large capacity, the roof cargo box can help you securely carry 14 cubic feet worth of essentials, can increase vehicle cargo space without impeding on passenger comfort, more capacity, more pleasure!

5 SportRack SR7016 Horizon Cargo Box
Our Score:
9.0
SportRack

Easy to install or remove using the quick release attachment kit

Rugged construction made from impact resistant ABS material

Passenger side opening for access away from traffic

16 cubic foot (453 L) cargo capacity

Holds 4-6 pairs of skis (up to 178 cm) or 3-4 snowboards

Quick release attachment kit included for easy installation and removal

Dimensions: 75.5″ x 33″ x 16.25″ / 192 cm x 83.5 cm x 41.5 cm

Passenger side opening for easy access away from traffic

Fits SportRack Roof Rack Systems, square, round and most factory racks (Check Fit Guide)

Fits SportRack Rack Systems, square load bars, round load bars and most factory racks

Works with most racks: Fits Yakima round, square, factory and aerodynamic bars; Requires a crossbar spread between 24 in and 42 in; Tool-free installation with no assembly required

Accessible & easy: Internal lid stiffeners add durability and make it easy to open and close; Dual-sided opening allows you to access your gear from either side of your vehicle

Fit more friends: Add more cargo space so you can bring more friends; SkyBox 12 fits gear for up to 3 people and is roomy enough for skis and snowboards up to 215 cm

Keeps gear safe: Our SuperLatch secures the lid to the base, keeping your gear safe and sound; Includes SKS (Same Key System) Locks for extra peace of mind

Less noise, more room: The tapered, aerodynamic design with textured lid (made from up to 80% recycled material!) reduces drag, wind noise and hatch interference

7 Auto Dynasty Box Cargo Carrier
Our Score:
8.7
Auto Dynasty
  • ▶️ It is constructed of rugged, impact-resistant ABS material to ensure a long lasting life in outdoor conditions. More, it can open from the side and stay open till you close it with the strong support arm.
  • ▶️ Opens on the passenger side to 14 inches wide to store bulky items from the side and stays open till you close it, and it is very easy to install without any tool required to assembly.
8 MeeFar Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Our Score:
8.6
MeeFar
  • EASY ASSEMBLY- Easy to assemble and install on your vehicles cross bars and side rails, mounting with four universal U-bolts. you will need both side rails and cross bars to use this roof basket.
  • EXTRA LARGE SIZE & CAPACITY - Overall Dimensions 51"(L) x 36"(W) x 5"(H)

Tool-free, quick-mount system "clicks" When roof box is secure and properly mounted. Dual-side opening for easy access to all areas of the box, from either side of the vehicle

Cargo Box dimensions – 74.75" L x 24.75" W x 16.75" H | Inside dimensions – 70.5” L x 20.5” W x 14.75” H| Product weight – 32 lbs. | Max carry weight – 165 lbs.

Narrow design leaves space for other gear such as bikes, kayaks, skis, and more while providing 11 cubic feet of additional packing space

Designed to fit a wide range of vehicles (compatible with most factory and aftermarket roof racks)

Your purchase includes One Thule Force XT Rooftop X-Large Cargo Box in Black color + Thule Gopack Duffel Set (4 Pack)

MOUNTS TO CROSS BARS - the car rooftop cargo carrier is a quick and easy no-tool installation and allows you to mount to your vehicle's cross-bars (not included). Pre-drilled mounting holes for cross-bar attachment are drilled 24" on center

WATERPROOF & UV RESISTANT - proudly made in the USA, this waterproof rooftop cargo box is manufactured from durable, all weather high-density polyethylene material that includes a built-in UV stabilizer that resists cracking and fading

SECURE LOCKING SYSTEM - this car top carrier secures your luggage with a four-corner cam locking system to ensure that the lid won't blow open while you're on the road with a keyed theft-resistant lock for peace of mind at stops. Includes 2 keys

FUEL EFFICIENT DESIGN - the aerodynamic design of the roof rack cargo carrier reduces drag and wind resistance to minimize fuel economy disruption. The 18 cu ft carrier measures 57" x 38.5" x 17.75" and the 10 cu ft carrier is 46.5" x 30.5" x 17.75"

UNLOAD FROM BOTH SIDES - the patent-pending dual side-opening design allows you conveniently load and unload your travel luggage and gear from both sides of the rooftop cargo carrier so you're out of the way of traffic while you unload

What to Look For in a best cargo box for subaru outback?

Different considerations must be taken during the shopping process. Study resources are obtained in a wide variety of ways. Thus, our staff is all here to lend a helping hand, advice, and solutions to your issues.

Please take a closer examination of the features below and that would be beneficial before your purchase of best cargo box for subaru outback: 

Weight Capacity

To find out the maximum weight for your roof, you will have to consult the owner's guide. The maximum weight of a car roof is typically 75kg or 165lbs. This includes both the container and the racks/rails it's attached to. Boxes typically weigh between 30-40 pounds so you will need to leave around 120-130 lbs of cargo.

Size

When deciding what items to store on your roof, you should consider the size and shape of the container.
Beyond the size, you should also consider whether the volume in cubic feet of space is adequate for your requirements. There are sizes that range from 8 to 22 feet. You can likely find the right size box for you. You should avoid purchasing something too large for your car.

Aerodynamics

You should consider the aerodynamic design. The most aerodynamic design will generally be the most expensive and have a lower capacity to hold certain shapes.er boxes, on the other hand, are less concerned about aerodynamics and will offer more freedom when it comes to the size and shape of items you can transport.

Price

"Rooftop carriers can be very expensive. The price of a rooftop carrier is unlikely to play a major role in your buying decision, unless you are Bill Gates or Warren Buffett.
Storage capacity is generally more expensive. You will also pay more for extra features and a well-known brand.
You can expect to pay $300-$400+ for a good quality carrier made by reputable manufacturers. Unfortunately, if you require something more, then the cost will go up."

Ease Of Use

You might only use the box once a year, so you should consider how simple or difficult it will be to attach and take down. There are many attachment methods available from different manufacturers, so some may be quicker and easier than others.

Access

Ideal worlds would see us load our belongings and not have to go back until we get to our forest hideaway. You will likely need access to your stuff along the route so ensure you choose a carrier that is easy to use.
Others only permit access from one side, while some others allow you to open from both sides. Some will only allow you to access the back, so you must be aware of traffic and not stop at the curb.

Fuel Economy

A roof storage system will have an adverse effect on fuel economy. Even though you don't have any cargo, the extra weight of your box and the mountings can affect how much gas you get. Although aerodynamic designs may reduce the impact, you'll still get a decrease in miles per gallon.

Looks

This is probably not the most crucial criteria. If you are looking for a sporty and sleek car, adding any type of roof box to your vehicle will make it look less elegant. You can minimize any negative effects by sticking with more aerodynamic designs.

Security

Your items' value will determine the level of security that you need. You should not dismiss theft from the roof box or even the entire package.

FAQs

Will A Cargo Box Affect My Fuel Consumption?

You will experience an increase in fuel consumption. It's very minimal. Fuel economy begins to decline when you drive at highway speeds. Fuel economy can drop by 6-10%

How Much Gear Can I Load?

Three things will determine this:
- Carry capacity of your fitted roof rack
- How the cross bars and roof style are attached to your vehicle
- Size of your rooftop carrier

What Is The Best Position For A Roof Box?

This is the ideal position for the roof box to be centrally located when you look from the front. The weight should be evenly distributed. To avoid roof boxes that extend too far from your windshield, you should set it so that your hatch can be reached.

I Have A Full-length Box And It Seems To Overhang The Bars A Long Way. Is This OK?

Yes. The boxes have a design that allows approximately 1/3 to hang out behind the rear bars. One third of the roof bars supports the third and the third rests on the front bar.

Do I Need Anything Else Apart From Roof Bars And A Roof Box?

No. Every roof box that we sell comes with a pair of standard and box fittings, along with a set straps for keeping luggage in place. Because the boxes are secured to roof bars by the fixings inside, they can not be lifted from their bars once locked.

Will Roof Racks Scratch My Car?

A rack that is properly attached to a clean roof will not cause damage or scratch to your car. To remove road grime and dirt buildup, we recommend you regularly take your roof rack off of your vehicle.

Do I Need A Roof Rack?

Yes. To mount the rooftop cargo boxes, you will need to have a properly fitted roof rack. All boxes can fit on most roof rack cross bars, and the mounting system is universal. To find the best roof rack for your vehicle, check out our Roof Rack Buyers Guide.

How To Storage A Car Roof Box?

You have several options when it comes to where you store your roof box. You can either keep the roof box in your garage or place it in your backyard with the raincover on. If your vehicle is large enough, you could even store it inside of your car.

What Is A Good Size Roof Box?

The best size of roof boxes is the one that suits your specific needs. If you have a small car, it's not worth buying a 22-L roof box. If you are looking to transport skis, you will need to consider the dimensions of your skis when buying a roof cargo container.

Can You Drive With An Empty Roof Box?

Yes. However, you should not use your roof box for a prolonged period of time. It could have a negative impact on your fuel consumption and create extra noise.

When the latest info related to best cargo box for subaru outback comes available, we will update it as soon as possible. Please check our websites frequently for the most up-to-date research data.

Our team is able to support you with many problems, even the out of best cargo box for subaru outback. If you require support with your issues, please do not hesitate to contact us.


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About Sarah Combs

Sarah Combs
Sarah Combs is a visual editor who loves to travel and hike. She enjoys taking photographs of her journeys, which help her to remember the beautiful places she's been to. Sarah is grateful for the opportunities that she has had to see the world and looks forward to continuing to explore new places in the future. Sarah is the editor of CampfireHQ since 2021 and has written on a variety of topics, from camping, and hiking to other outdoor guides.

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