Top Best Cargo Box For Suv: In-depth Buying Guides Included

Katie Finn By, Katie Finn
Updated
SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box
Image credit: Amazon.com

Our Top Picks

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

SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box. This is the perfect way to pack your gear for a weekend camping or a road trip, and provide easy storage for those items you don't want to leave behind. Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, Sport

Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, Sport is a versatile roof-mounted cargo box for everyday use with an ergonomic quick and tool-free PowerClick mounting system that "clicks" when the roof box is secure and properly mounted. It features a lockable lid, high-tensile aluminum construction and Thule's patented anti-sway strap to ensure your load stays put. Read Review

3. Best Versatile: JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier

JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier is designed to offer easy and convenient loading and unloading from either side of the car. The four corner locking system and front latch offers ultimate car rooftop protection and security. Weather-tight seal provides ultimate safety for your luggage. Read Review

4. Best Convenient: Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box, Medium

Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box is the best way to organize your gear. The lightweight, portable design allows for easy loading onto your vehicle and quick transport to the slopes. Featuring a rugged, durable design that keeps contents safe, this cargo box can fit three or four snowboards and will easily hold up to five. Read Review

Cargo boxes are becoming more common as people realize that they offer a lot of fun and practical features. The main thing to keep in mind is that the size of your car will determine the size of the box you can fit on your vehicle. There are smaller boxes that can be mounted on small cars, while there are larger ones that require a larger vehicle.

One thing is for sure though: SUVs have more space than sedans do, so if you have room and aren’t concerned with the trunk space, then an SUV might be the best choice for you. Here we take a look at some of the best cargo boxes for SUV.

We think SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box is the best of the best among the top models. If you were dissatisfied with the preceding item, you have the option of selecting Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box, Sport as an alternative. You may relax knowing that its quality is also good per what we researched.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box
Our Score:
9.8
SportRack
  • Tool-free mounting hardware for easy installation and removal
  • 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, Sport
Our Score:
9.6
Thule
  • Dual-side opening for easy access to all areas of the box, from either side of the vehicle
  • Load capacity: 165 lbs; Product Weight: 32 lbs
TOP Choice #3 JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Our Score:
9.4
JEGS
  • NO TOOLS REQUIRED, EASY ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION. All mounting hardware and simple instructions are included to get you safely on the road quickly
  • WATERPROOF STORAGE FOR YOUR LUGGAGE with a four corner locking system, front latch, and weather-tight seal for ultimate car rooftop protection and security
  • Central Locking system provides maximum safety
  • Load capacity: 110 lbs; Product weight: 34 lbs
5 Sailnovo Car Roof Bag Cargo Carrier
Our Score:
9.1
Sailnovo
  • 【BAG LUGGAGE CARRIER - TRAVEL NOW】A MUST FOR YOUR CAR.This soft cartop carrier is perfect design for happier camping, travel, move. Designed to fit all car rooftops, it can increase your vehicle's cargo space without impending on passenger comfort, making it ideal for families on-the-go, adventure seekers or anyone who needs extra space while traveling.
  • 【Easy to Install】:rooftop cargo carrier fits for any car, truck, or SUV. It can be quickly and easily installed to roof rack in minutes whether your vehicle has a rack installed or not. Folds compact for easy storage.
  • 【Large Capacity & Foldable: 】The overall size of the rooftop cargo carrier is 130cm x 100cm x 45cm, Folded size: 38cm x 25cm x 12cm, carry 20 cubic feet of essentials. The soft material makes it foldable and packed in a bag, then you can put it in the car.
  • 【Travel】Our foldable roof box is for your family outing, road trips, weekend adventures, luggage transport or vacation travel this summer! If you have any problems with thevehicle cargo carriers, please feel free to contact us!
  • 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.
  • 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.
8 Auto Dynasty Box Cargo Carrier
Our Score:
8.7
Auto Dynasty
  • ▶️ Overall Dimensions: 53" L x 34" W x 15" H | Capacity: 11 Cubic Feet and up to 110 LBS
  • ▶️ The package comes with [1] 53 inches length storage box, [2] security lock key, and [4] heavy duty tool free installation mounting brackets.
  • Included rugged storage cover keeps cargo box clean and scratch-free when not in use
  • A sleek, aerodynamic cargo box with premium features that compliments the styling of modern vehicles
10 Goplus Rooftop Cargo Box
Our Score:
8.0
Goplus
  • 🚙【All Weather Rooftop Cargo Box】 Made of heavy-duty PP material, the rooftop hard shell cargo carrier is waterproof, dustproof, windproof and sunproof. As a result, this roof top cargo box can serve you in all seasons, accompanying years to come. Furthermore, the smooth surface makes this vehicle hard-shell carriers easy to clean with a cloth.
  • 🚙【Sturdy Construction】The excellent workmanship ensures safe driving under different conditions, and makes cargo box supports to 121LBS. Even on uneven road, this car rooftop cargo box can leave stable performance. More, with sturdy metal support arms, the rooftop hard shell cargo box can stay open until you need to close it.

What To Know About The best cargo box for suv Before Purchasing It

There are numerous factors to consider buying a product. In the section below, we will give you some key points to pay attention to prior to buying a best cargo box for suv. Of course, It’s indispensable for buyers to do some research before making a purchase so that they won’t end up with something that can’t meet their expectations.

In this post, with our useful and available tips for shopping, we will make it easier for you to select and make the best decisions when tending to own the best cargo box for suv. Here is your area! Give it your attention and make it your assistant.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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%

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.

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.

Conclusion

Hopefully, our sharing above will take you much closer with your best cargo box for suv. The model we suggested for you is equipped with all things you may need. Nevertheless, suppose you have a fancy for another one, we highly recommend Starling's Cargo Box for SUV. To conclude, we wish you a pleasant shopping time. And if there is any problem related to this article that you wonder about, please contact us soon for timely answers. It's our pleasure to serve you!


1 ratings

About Katie Finn

Katie Finn

Katie Finn is a freelance writer who loves to explore the world and go camping. She's also an editor for CampfireHQ, where she enjoys writing about wildlife and camping tips. She also has a passion for reading and learning new things, which she often incorporates into her writing.

Read Katie's full bio