Best Audi Q5 Roof Cargo Box For Styling And Practicality
If you own an Audi Q5 and are about to buy a new Audi Q5 Roof Cargo box, we strongly recommend getting yourself a Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box.
The Audi Q5 is a stylish and versatile SUV, but it doesn’t always have enough space for all your gear. If you travel with kids (and dogs!), the 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats might be too small to carry large items like suitcases or skis – unless they are folded down.
A roof cargo box can be expensive, and it takes time to find the right one because there are many options.
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To save you time and help you make an informed purchase, we have researched and put together the top 4 cargo boxes that will fit well with Audi Q5 based on customer reviews, pricing, pros, and cons.
4 Best Cargo Boxes For Audi Q5 Reviewed
Look no further if you’re in the market for a new cargo box but don’t know which one to purchase! Here are four of our favorites reviewed.
Best Cargo Box Overall: Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box, Large
The Thule Pulse Cargo box has been on the market since 2012 and is one of the most popular cargo boxes. It fits well with SUVs like Audi Q5 and looks sleek in black matte color.
This 16 cubic foot storage can accommodate several pairs of skis or snowboards up to 181 cm long. The amount of storage allows you to keep some like camping gear or small bags.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 16 cu ft
- Opening: Passenger-side opening
- Weight Limit: 110 lbs
- External Dimensions: 76 x 33 x 16.5 inches
- Item Weight: 36 lbs
However, storing items like hard travel cases for golf clubs could be more challenging because of their depth. The passenger-side opening access keeps you away from the ongoing traffic.
Installing the box is easy by tightening four easy-grip clamps to crossbars. The Thule Pulse is compatible with the Thule Rack system and with most any rack configuration.
Rest assured that when the cargo box is set up correctly on the crossbars, it won’t interfere with the fully opened rear hatch or the rear antenna.
The Thule Pulse cargo box is durable but not the most sturdy cargo box compared to the Motion XT. Its lack of reinforced steel design underneath the box makes it only capable of holding up to 110 pounds of loads.
Pros:
- Cheaper than the Thule Motion XT
- Durable ABS plastic construction
- Easy to install
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Only hold the weights up to 110 pounds
- Too narrow to hold some big items
Best Premium Cargo Box: Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Specifications:
- Capacity: 16 cu ft
- Opening: Dual-side Opening
- Weight Limit: 165 lbs
- External Dimensions: 77 x 36 x 17 inches
- Item Weight: 42 lbs
If you’re looking for an upgrade from your previous cargo box or want to invest in a high-quality one, the Thule Motion XT Large is the best. It has better finishing and locking system than all cargo boxes on our list.
Its internal dimension measures 69 inches long by 31.5 inches wide and 15 inches tall. It provides 16 cubic feet of additional storage volume for hauling your traveling gears and accommodating up to seven pairs of skis (maximum 175 cm long).
The cargo box has excellent build quality. It is made from durable ABS plastic construction that withstands all weather and impacts. The glossy finish makes the overall look of the Audi Q5 stands out. It’s available in two colors: black glossy and titan glossy.
One of the great features is the locking system. It features the SlideLock design (well, Thule Force also has it) that automatically locks the lid to keep your belongings secure and safe.
The Thule Motion XT is compatible with most crossbars and easy to install. It uses the PowerClick mounting clamps that, when you tighten it enough, will “click” to indicate that the cargo box fits the crossbars.
The cargo box has a cut-in rear design that ensures no interference with the rear hatch when fully open. It has a limited lifetime warranty from Thule for your peace of mind.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Thicker material construction
- Aerodynamic design
- Lifetime Warranty by Thule
Cons:
- Easily get scratch
- Pricey
Best Alternative To Thule: Goplus Cargo Box
Specifications:
- Capacity: 14 cu ft
- Opening: Dual-side Opening
- Weight Limit: 165 lbs
- External Dimensions: 63 x 31 x 15 inches
- Item Weight: 25 lbs
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to Thule cargo boxes, the Goplus box is an excellent option for your Audi Q5. At almost half of what it costs to get Motion XT, this product has all the features that customers love. The only trade-off would be the storage capacity.
This medium-sized cargo box has a storage volume of 14 cubic feet to store all your camping gear and other stuff. With its length measuring 63 inches long, some of the long items like skis and snowboards might not be able to store inside – except for your kid’s boards. It’s open from either side for convenience.
The cargo box is well-made and sturdy. The metal lid stiffeners have been installed at the bottom so that the cargo box can withstand up to 165 pounds. The box is lightweight, weighing 25 pounds, improving the gas mileage.
The Goplus cargo box is easy to install by clamping the four quick connect anchors to the crossbars. Moreover, being a shorter cargo box means interference with the Audi Q5 rear hatch is not an issue.
It comes with three different color options. If your Audi Q5 is white, the white cargo box option would be better for your car.
Pros:
- Aerodynamic and sleek design
- Lightweight
- Quality plastic material
- Can hold heavy items
Cons:
- The big mounting clamps eat some space inside
- Small storage
Best Budget Option: SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box
Specifications:
- Capacity: 18 cu ft
- Opening: Rear Opening
- Weight Limit: 100 lbs
- External Dimensions: 62.5 x 39 x 19 inches
- Item Weight: 42 lbs
The SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box is an excellent option for tight budgets. It’s not only affordable but also very spacious. With volume storage of 18 cubic feet, it offers enough room to store your belongings for the trips.
The cargo box looks a bit bulky and wide, and it’s not bad because it can easily accommodate large suitcases, golf clubs, and additional bags. Some owners reported that there were noticeable noises, but they were manageable.
This cargo box’s overall design and construction are good but not the best. It is made from durable ABS plastic material, but the lid opening and closing feel flimsy because it’s bulky. The maximum weight that this cargo box can handle is 100 pounds.
One of the highlights is that it is a rear-loading cargo box. Loading and unloading might be uneasy tasks for some people. And however, rear-loading design has some merits.
If you forgot to lock your cargo box, the chances of accidentally opening it are slim to none because the wind will keep the box close when you hit the highway.
The bottom line: if you don’t mind the drawbacks of this cargo box, this SportRack Vista isn’t a bad choice.
Pros:
- Spacious
- Lightweight
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Looks bulky
- Rear-loading
Related articles about cargo boxes for Audi:
FAQs on Audi Q5 Cargo Boxes
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the cargo box for Audi Q5.
Will the Thule Motion XT 16 Cu. Ft. Cargo Box Fit a 2021 Audi Q5?
How much weight can I put on the roof of my Audi Q5?
Which cargo box is the best for hauling skis and snowboards?
Our Verdict: Best Audi Q5 Cargo Box
If you want a roof cargo box for the Audi Q5, we recommend getting yourself a Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box. This roof cargo box is designed specifically for your car model, so it installs easily on top of the vehicle with less hassle.
It is durable, reasonably priced, and has a limited lifetime warranty.
© Family Road Trip 2024
