Best Cargo Box For Audi Q3 That Fits Your Lifestyle
If you own an Audi Q3 and are in the market for the best cargo box, we strongly recommend getting yourself a Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier.
Audi Q3 is a very versatile and capable vehicle. It certainly punches above its weight when it comes to comfort and style in the compact SUV market.
However, like all smaller SUVs, once you’re packing for a family road trip, you’ll soon discover space is at a premium. The Audi Q3 does come with a rather generous 23.7 cubic feet of storage space in the trunk, but you may need to expand your carrying capacity with a cargo box.
A cargo box can help to solve your capacity issues by providing additional storage space. However, with so many different cargo boxes on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is the best specifically for the small and stylish Audi Q3.
This article will help you make the decision easier by providing an overview of the best cargo box for Audi Q3 and the pros and cons of each option.
- You may also be interested in the pros and cons of a cargo bag vs cargo box – which is the best additional cargo solution for your car?
5 Best Cargo Box For Audi Q3 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 for the Audi Q3.
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Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier – Best Cargo Box For Audi Q3
- 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 Q3 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. In addition, 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
Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box – Runner Up
- 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
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 midsize SUVs like Audi Q3 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. In addition, the amount of storage allows you to keep some like camping gear or small bags.
However, storing items like hard travel cases for golf clubs could be more challenging because of their depth. In addition, 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
Goplus Cargo Box – Best Alternative To Thule
- 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 one of the excellent options for your Audi Q3.
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. So 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. In addition, 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 Q3 rear hatch is not an issue.
It comes with three different color options. If your Audi Q3 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
SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box – Best Budget Option
- 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. Of course, 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
YAKIMA RocketBox Pro Cargo Box – Best For A Small Storage
- Capacity: 11 cu ft
- Opening: Dual-Side Opening
- Weight Limit: Gears up to 2 campers
- Dimensions: 89.5 x 25 x 16 inches
- Item Weight: 46.8 lbs
The YAKIMA RocketBox Pro is one of the narrowest cargo boxes alongside Thule Sidekick but has a slightly larger volume storage of 11 cubic feet. So if you’re into biking or kayaking, it will leave some spaces on the roof rack for your bikes or kayaks.
It is one of the longest cargo boxes that can easily accommodate longer loads like skis. However, you must watch out when positioning it on the roof rack without interfering with the rear hatch.
The box is made from 80 percent recycled ABS injection-molded plastic, lowering the overall cost and saving the planet. Although not as premium as the Thule cargo boxes, the YAKIMA RocketBox Pro’s overall design is sturdy and solid.
One of the issues that many owners complain about is the poor-quality hinges not sturdy enough to keep the lid open. Sometimes one of them occasionally would fall off the ends.
The Yakima is a well-known brand, and for this entry-level model, it is a good alternative for additional storage for road trips or everyday use. It opens on both sides and allows for easy loading and unloading.
Pros:
- The narrow design doesn’t interfere with the rear hatch
- Long enough to accommodate small luggage
- Made from 80 percent recycled materials
- Good value for the price
Cons:
- Poorly made hinges that may fall off eventually
- Not as premium feeling as other brands
Related articles:
FAQs on Audi Q3 Cargo Boxes
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the cargo box for Audi Q3.
Will the Thule Motion XT 16 Cu. Ft. Cargo Box Fit a 2022 Audi Q3?
How much weight can I put on the roof of my Audi Q3?
Which cargo box is the best for hauling skis and snowboards?
Our Verdict: The Best Cargo Box for Audi Q3
There are many reasons why the Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier is the best cargo box for Audi Q3 owners.
First of all, it is designed to fit perfectly on the roof of your Audi Q3. It has an aerodynamic design that looks good and reduces drag and noise while driving.
It is made from high-quality materials designed to withstand the elements and keep your belongings safe and dry. Also, it is easy to use and comes with all the necessary hardware and instructions.
Finally, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty, so you can be sure that it will serve you well for many years.
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