Family Road Trip - Best Roof Box For Audi A4 Avant Review

Best Roof Box For Audi A4 Avant Review

Love it? Share it!

If you own an Audi A4 Avant and are about to look for the best roof box for Audi A4 Avant, we strongly recommend getting yourself a Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier.

One of the best things about owning an Audi A4 Avant is the amount of space you have to work with. That being said, there are still some things you can’t fit inside the vehicle, which is where a roof box comes in handy.

When choosing a roof box for your Audi A4 Avant, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, you’ll need to decide what size you need. Roof boxes come in various sizes, so choosing one that will fit everything you need to store is important.

Second, you’ll want to think about how you’ll access the box’s contents. Some boxes come with a built-in key lock, while others have a separate key fob that attaches to the box.

Lastly, you’ll want to consider the material you want your roof box to be made from. Roof boxes are typically made from plastic or metal, each with advantages and disadvantages.

Ultimately, the best roof box for your Audi A4 Avant will be one that meets all of your needs and offers a great balance of features.

This review will examine five of the best roof boxes for Audi A4 Avant owners. We’ll be looking at their features, sizes, and materials, so you can decide which one is right for you.

5 Best Roof Box For Audi A4 Avant 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. 

As Amazon Associates, we earn a commission from qualifying purchases made on this page.

Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier – Best Cargo Box For Audi A4 Avant

  • 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 A4 Avant 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

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 A4 Avant 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.

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 holds weight 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 A4 Avant. 

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 A4 Avant rear hatch is not an issue.

It comes with three different color options. If your Audi A4 Avant 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. 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 closed 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. 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:

FAQ

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the cargo box for Audi A4 Avant.

Will the Thule Motion XT 16 Cu. Ft. Cargo Box Fit a 2021 Audi A4 Avant?

Yes. The Thule website says the Thule Motion XT Large cargo box will fit a 2021 Audi A4 Avant factory rack.

How much weight can I put on the roof of my Audi A4 Avant?

The AudiQ5 has a total weight limit of 165 pounds, and that weight combination includes the weight of the rack system and a cargo box.

Which cargo box is the best for hauling skis and snowboards?

If you need to transport ONLY skis and snowboards, the best choice would be Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box Alpine version. It can accommodate 4-6 pairs of skis or 3-4 snowboards. The maximum ski length it can hold is 210 cm.

Our Verdict: The Best Roof Box For Audi A4 Avant

The Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier is the perfect roof box for Audi A4 Avant owners. It is easy to install, fits securely on the car roof, and provides plenty of storage space for all your cargo needs.

The Motion XT is also aerodynamically designed to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. So if you are in the market for a new Roof Cargo box, we highly recommend checking out the Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier. 

You won’t be disappointed!

Happy traveling!

download your free road trip checklist click here button

© Family Road Trip 2026

Similar Posts

  • Smart Family Road Trip Food Planning

    Love it? Share it!

    Love it? Share it!One of the most forgotten things to plan ahead of time is the road trip food prep ideas. We’re often too busy planning the schedule, looking for sights to see, or making sure we have everything packed. Between the excitement of setting out on the road and the chaos of making sure we have everything before we do head out, snacks and meals are the one thing that’s often missed. These road trip food prep tips…

  • How Much Weight Can A 2013 Honda Pilot Tow?

    Love it? Share it!

    Love it? Share it!What is the towing capacity of a 2013 Honda Pilot? The 2013 Honda Pilot received a massive design review and upgrade after its 2012 model. The 2013 Honda Pilot returned with a bang! With the model, you get more refined styling, improved fuel efficiency, upgraded features, and aesthetics. Oh, and did we mention that you get to haul even more loads with this SUV? The 2013 Honda Pilot returns with more fuel efficiency. This means that…

  • Do Roof Racks Damage Your Car?

    Love it? Share it!

    Love it? Share it!Do roof racks damage your car? Of course, it is possible that a roof rack can cause damage to your car. This is usually the result of a badly installed roof rack, rather than the product itself being faulty. The most common problem is the roof rack not being tightened properly. This will lead to sagging and can increase the likelihood of accidents. This can also occur if you are lifting heavy items using your vehicle….

  • 15+ Fun Things To Do In Las Vegas With Kids in 2026

    Love it? Share it!

    Love it? Share it!Las Vegas is notoriously known for its casinos and extravagant shows and is not typically thought of as a family vacation spot because it may not be considered “kid-friendly.” Despite this reputation, we’re here to explain that there are actually a number of great kid-friendly experiences that your little ones will love! From outdoor activities to indoor amusement parks and museums, you will find that Vegas is not just gambling, but there are actually a number…

  • What is the Towing Capacity of the Honda Odyssey?

    Love it? Share it!

    Love it? Share it!Welcome to the world of the Honda Odyssey – a popular, family-friendly minivan with all the right features. perfect as an everyday vehicle and a champion of family road trips. As a minivan, this vehicle has all it needs to carry a lot of items, including towing! So what exactly is the Honda Odysseys weight capacity, and how much can it carry? Before we fully understand the load capacity of the Honda Odyssey, it is important…

  • What Is The Towing Capacity of a Honda Element?

    Love it? Share it!

    Love it? Share it!How much weight can a Honda Element tow? The Honda Element was one of the earliest SUVs to utilize straight-line designs. While this may have affected its aerodynamics, surprisingly, the vehicle performs well on the road. The Honda Element is well-equipped to perform several functions that you would expect from an SUV. This compact crossover vehicle has enough robustness and power to haul all types of small trailers. Due to its design and ergonomics, the Honda…