Are you looking for the best roof rack for Prius? You’re in the right place.
A good roof rack is an essential piece of equipment for anyone who wants to transport items in their car. There are a variety of racks on the market, each with its advantages and disadvantages.
This post will look at some of the best roof racks on the market and help you decide which one is right for you.
We’ll consider factors such as price, durability, and ease of installation to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Let’s get into it!
Our Recommendations
Check out this quick list of our favorites if you’re in a hurry, or keep scrolling to read our reviews.
- Thule Wingbar Evo – Best Premium Crossbar For Standard Prius, Prius V, And Prius Prime
- Thule SquareBar Evo 135 – Best Classic Crossbar For Standard Prius, Prius V, And Prius Prime
- YAKIMA JetStream Bar Aerodynamic Crossbars – Best Crossbar For Prius C
- YAKIMA CoreBar Aerodynamic Crossbars – Best Value For Prius C
- INNO IN-SUT Complete Rack – Best Roof Rack For Prius Hybrid
- HandiRack Universal Inflatable Roof Rack Bars – Best Inflatable Roof Rack
What To Consider When Selecting A Toyota Prius Roof Rack
Before you buy a new roof rack for your Prius, here are some important things you should know.
Toyota Prius Version
Toyota Prius sold in North America comes in different models: the standard Prius, Prius C, Prius V, Prius Prime, and Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The Prius C is a smaller version than the previous Prius hatchback.
When choosing the right roof rack for your car, you must measure the rooftop width of a car because each model can be different. So, a crossbar for Prius V might not be able to fit Prius C.
Crossbar Style
There are two most common crossbars: the aerodynamic wing bar and the traditional type square bar. Both are great for carrying your stuff on the rooftop, but they are different regarding wind noise.
The aerodynamic crossbar is designed with an elliptical or sharpened trailing edge that can reduce vortex shedding noise.
As the name suggests, the square bar doesn’t have an aerodynamic design to cut the airflow.
Choose the aerodynamic wing bar if you’re looking for crossbars with minimal wind noise and drag. But, this type of crossbars is generally expensive.
Materials
Most of the roof racks sold in the market are made of either aluminum or alloy steel. Both are durable and can withstand loads up to a maximum of 220 lbs.
Typically, the aluminum material is more lightweight but is also the most expensive.
How We Evaluated These Roof Racks
When evaluating roof racks for Toyota Prius, I consulted manufacturer websites for details about each roof rack’s type, load capacity, size, and materials. In addition, I also considered reviews from thousands of users on Amazon.
Best Roof Racks For Prius Review
What are the best roof racks for the Toyota Prius? We take a look at 6 of the best models on the market.
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Thule Wingbar Evo – Best Premium Crossbar For Standard Prius, Prius V, And Prius Prime
Specifications:
- Type: Aerodynamic wing bar
- Size: 53”
- Maximum Load: 220 lbs
- Dimension: 53.15 x 3.15 x 1.15 inches
This aerodynamic crossbar from Thule is a suitable fit for both Toyota Prius standard model and Prius V. If you’re very concerned about wind noise and drag, this is the product for you!
It comes with Thule’s WindDiffuser technology to break the airflow for minimal wind noises and Trailedge design to reduce the vortex shedding noise around the rooftop for better gas mileage.
This crossbar is very easy and fast to assemble. It works great with Thule Evo Clamp Foot Pack. However, we found the assembly instructions from Thule very poor, but the installation is pretty straightforward. You will figure it out very quickly.
The Thule Wingbar Evo is made of aluminum material for lightweight but strong enough. It can handle a maximum load of up to 220 lbs.
This roof rack is compatible with the Prius model, a normal roof, and a glass roof.
Click here to find out more about this product.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Effectively reduce the wind noise and drag
- Excellent overall quality
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- Expensive
- Installation can be tricky at first
Thule SquareBar Evo 135 – Best Classic Crossbar For Standard Prius, Prius V, And Prius Prime
Specifications:
- Type: Square bar
- Size: 53”
- Maximum Load: 220 lbs
- Dimension: 53.15 x 1.97 x 0.2 inches
If you don’t care about the aerodynamic design of the crossbar but are looking for a high-quality and cheaper option, this Thule SquareBar Evo 135 is perfect!
This 53 inches long square bar is compatible with both standard Toyota Prius And Prius V models. It is easy to install and fits well with Thule Evo Clamp. However, it doesn’t equip with the T-Track for attaching the cargo box directly.
It is made of durable steel material with a plastic coating for better grip for a rooftop cargo box. Being made of steel material makes this crossbar a bit heavy.
One obvious issue with this crossbar is the whistling noise driving down the road. That’s the flaw of the square bar, but there are better ways to stop the wind noise (read it here).
Learn more about this roof rack on Amazon.
Pros
- Solid material
- Good value for money
- Easy to install
Cons
- Create a lot of wind noise and drag
- The steel material can get rusty over time
YAKIMA JetStream Bar Aerodynamic Crossbars – Best Crossbar For Prius C
Specifications:
- Type: Wing bar
- Size: 50”
- Maximum Load: 165 lbs
- Dimension: 52.5 x 3.25 x 1 inches
This is the perfect choice if you’re looking for the best roof rack for your Prius C. This aerodynamic wing bar-type roof rack has the JetFlow teardrop shape that helps minimize wind noise and improve gas mileage.
This crossbar is made of aluminum and reinforced for excellent durability to hold a heavy load of up to 165 lbs. You can use it to carry your cargo box or kayaks with peace of mind.
It has a T-slot attachment that makes it compatible with Yakima gear mounts or any similar tower system. This Yakima crossbar quality is comparable with the Thule. As this is a premium crossbar, you are expected to pay slightly more than the square bar type.
The YAKIMA JetStream Bar has 3 different sizes, but this 50” is a limited lifetime warranty that covers a perfect fit for Toyota Prius C. This crossbar is by Yakima.
Check out this roof rack on Amazon.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Effectively reduce the wind noise and drag
- Excellent built quality
Cons
- Expensive
YAKIMA CoreBar Aerodynamic Crossbars – Best Value For Prius C
Specifications:
- Type: Wing bar
- Size: 50”
- Maximum Load: 165 lbs
- Dimension: 50.75 x 2.75 x 1.13 inches
If you don’t want to pay the premium price of the YAKIMA JetStream Bar for your car, this crossbar is the best alternative. This 50” crossbar from YAKIMA is ideal for Toyota Prius C.
It shares the same JetFlow teardrop shape for less wind noise, but this one is made of sturdy alloy steel material. There’s no flex and rattle when your car is on the move. It is slightly heavy than the aluminum type, about 1 lb.
This crossbar doesn’t equip with the T-slot attachment, but it’s included with a CoreBar SL Adapter that works seamlessly with Yakima mounts and other universal mounts.
This YAKIMA CoreBar crossbar is quite popular among the Prius C owners for good reasons. It has great quality, durability, and value for money.
Learn more about this product on Amazon.
Pros
- Aerodynamic design
- Strong and sturdy
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Doesn’t equip with T-slot
- It takes slightly longer to install
INNO IN-SUT Complete Rack – Best Roof Rack For Prius Hybrid
Specifications:
- Type: Square bar
- Size: 50”
- Maximum Load: 165 lbs
- Dimension: 61.3 x 12.5 x 9.1 inches
This is a complete set of roof rack systems from INNO specifically for the Toyota Prius Hybrid. It comes with a 50” load bar, stays, and hook set in a package, so you don’t have to buy them separately.
The crossbars are made of steel material with a durable black plastic coating. It can withstand the load to a maximum of 165 lbs.
The installation is quite easy. You have to attach the clips around the door frame. No drilling is required, but it might take time to assemble them. For security features, this set comes with locks.
Please take note that this INNO IN-SUT Complete Rack system does not fit with a glass roof. If anything goes wrong, this roof rack comes with a limited lifetime warranty from INNO.
If you want to discover whether this roof rack set fits your Prius Non-hybrid model, click here to learn more!
Pros
- Come in a complete set
- It’s easy to set up
- Sturdy material
Cons
- It does not fit with a glass roof
- It might not be suitable for other Prius models
HandiRack Universal Inflatable Roof Rack Bars – Best Inflatable Roof Rack
Specifications:
- Type: Inflatable Roof Rack
- Size: 57”
- Maximum Load: 175 lbs
- Dimension: 14.6 x 7.4 x 5.7 inches
This product is perfect if you’re searching for an inexpensive way to transport your kayaks, surfboards, snowboards, skis, and other gear without spending much money on a roof rack system.
This is not a traditional metal crossbar, so you can’t use it for a cargo box. However, it works great with rooftop cargo bags for extra storage for bags and camping gear.
This portable HandiRack is a universal size, perfect for all Toyota Prius models. It is very simple to attach and remove. You must secure the straps to each door frame to use it and then inflate it with the pump (included).
Ensure your car rooftop is clean before attaching it because the trapped grid underneath the roof rack can scratch your car paint.
If you are skeptical about its durability, worry not. The HandiRack is made of durable non-abrasive 400D nylon that is durable as the tires on your car.
The HandiRack Universal Inflatable roof rack is a cost-effective, portable, and cheap option for hauling your stuff.
Check the price of this product on Amazon.
Pros
- Thoughtful design
- Very convenience
- Cheap roof rack option
- Very easy to install
Cons
- It cannot be used for a hard-shell cargo box
- Do not hold sturdy when loaded
Helpful Video: How To Install A Roof Rack On Toyota Prius
Here’s a quick 14-minute video showing you how to install your Thule Evo Clamp WingBar on top of a Toyota Prius. Don’t worry. You can follow the exact steps for other roof rack models of your own.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some answers to questions related to Toyota Prius roof racks.
How Much Weight Can A Prius Roof Carry?
Can You Put A Roof Rack On A Prius Prime?
You should look for the roof rack with a clip-in feature to attack the crossbar. For example, the Thule Wingbar Evo.
Do Roof Racks Affect Gas Mileage?
Does The Roof Rack Damage The Car?
Does The Toyota Prius Come With A Roof Rack?
Will Any Of The Roof Racks Fit My Car?
Whereas other Prius versions have a similar rooftop size. Please read our review above if unsure which one is right for you. We’ve got you covered!
Wrap Up
So, what is the best roof rack for Prius? The answer to that question depends on your car model. The Thule Wingbar Evo is the crossbar designed specifically for the standard Prius and the Prius V and Prime.
The YAKIMA JetStream Bar Aerodynamic Crossbars are your best option if you have a Prius C. Finally, the INNO IN-SUT Complete Rack is our top pick if you have the Prius Hybrid version.
Happy traveling!
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