5 Best Toyota Highlander Review Rooftop Cargo Carriers
Choosing the best roof cargo carrier for Toyota Highlander can be daunting. With all of the different options on the market, it’s hard to know which one is right for you.
This blog post will review some of the best roof cargo boxes for your Toyota Highlander and help you decide which is right for your needs.
We’ve got several options covered for you, whether you’re looking for a compact option or something that can hold the maximum amount of gear.
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- If you’re in a hurry, we recommend the Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier as the best cargo box for your Toyota Highlander.
Best Roof Cargo Box for Toyota Highlander Review
If you’re in the market for a new Toyota Highlander roof cargo box but don’t know which one to purchase, look no further! Here are five of our favorites reviewed.
Best Overall: Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier
The best cargo box for Toyota Highlander is the Thule Motion XT-Large cargo. It is the perfect rooftop cargo carrier for anyone who wants to make the most of their adventures. With a capacity of 16 cubic feet, it’s roomy enough to store all your gear.
This carrier can hold up to 165 lbs of gear, making it perfect for weekend getaways or long road trips. Plus, its external dimensions are just 77 x 36 x 17 inches, so it won’t take up too much space on your roof and won’t interfere with the rear opening.
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
A dual-side opening makes it easy to get to whatever you need. Plus, at only 42 lbs, it’s easy to install and remove from your vehicle. Thanks to its PowerClick Quick-Mount System innovative design.
If you want to invest in a high-quality, durable cargo box, then the Thule Motion XT is for you. Even though it is on the more expensive side, you will find that this cargo box offers high-quality materials and construction, which ensure durability and will serve you last longer.
Learn more about this cargo box on Amazon.
Pros
- High-quality materials
- Excellent security and locking features
- Easy to install
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
- The glossy color will scratch easily
Best Quality At A Low Price: 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
Looking for an affordable and sturdy cargo box alternative to the Thule Motion? Then, you should consider the Goplus Cargo Box. This robust cargo box is made from durable ABS and PC materials and has a capacity of 14 cubic feet.
It features a dual-side opening, making it easy to access your belongings. And with a limit of 165 pounds, it can accommodate just about anything you need to transport.
It is equipped with 4 quick connect anchors for easy installation and super latch security, ensuring that your lid stays firmly in place and your belongings are safe. The four big knobs make it convenient to install, but the downside is that you have less space available for your storage.
What makes this Cargo Box unique is that it’s available in white color. If you have a Toyota Highlander and want to match your car with something clean, then come to check it out here. It can be the perfect match for your car.
Check out this cargo box on Amazon.
Pros
- Comparable design to the Thule
- Can hold heavy items
- Reasonable price
- Easy to install
Cons
- The locking mechanism seems pretty wimpy
- The top lid is quite thin
Best For Skis And Snowboards: Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box, Alpine
Specifications:
- Capacity: 11 cu ft
- Opening: Passenger-side opening
- Weight Limit: 110 lbs
- External Dimensions: 88.5 x 25.5 x 12.5 inches
- Item Weight: 30 lbs
If you’re looking for a roof cargo box to transport your skis and snowboards, the Thule Pulse Rooftop Cargo Box, Alpine, is the best option. It’s spacious and can hold up to six pairs of skis or four snowboards.
It is a low-profile cargo box that allows you to carry the maximum ski length up to 210 cm. Being long and narrow means that you might no able to keep big items like luggage.
Also, its rear side might interfere with your car‘s rear opening. Check out our article about the best position for a roof box on a car.
One of the advantages of a narrow roof box like this Thule Alpine is that you can install a bike carrier or kayaks side by side. You just have to ensure that the cargo box is positioned at the passenger side because of its opening.
The Thule Pulse Alpine cargo box is might not for everyone because it is not cheap, and hard to accommodate large items. If you’re an avid skier, this cargo box is an excellent choice.
Check out this cargo box on Amazon.
Pros
- Can hold many skis and snowboards
- The narrow design can improve the gas mileage
- It doesn’t take up a lot of space on the rooftop
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not cheap
- Not practical for big items
Best Large Box For Luggage: JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier
Specifications:
- Capacity: 18 cu ft
- Opening: Dual-side Opening
- Weight Limit: 100 lbs
- External Dimensions: 61.25 x 39 x 12 inches
- Item Weight: 35 lbs
Looking for a way to transport all your gear? Look no further than the JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier.
This spacious carrier can accommodate everything from camping gear to sporting equipment at an unbeatable price. It scores very high and is one of the best-selling cargo boxes on Amazon.
It features a large 18 cu ft capacity and opens on both sides for easy loading. Although it uses a very simple four-corner locking system, the four corner latches are strong enough to keep it waterproof and secure.
This cargo box is constructed with a hard HDPE plastic material. It is strong and durable, although not as good as the Thule cargo boxes. It can feel a bit flimsy, and there is a reason why it can hold the maximum weight of up to 100 lbs.
If you need a basic cargo box on the cheap, this one will do just fine. It has all of your needs covered without any unnecessary frills or features. This is the best option if you need a spacious cargo box for your gear.
Learn more about this cargo box on Amazon.
Pros
- Very spacious
- Cheap
- Lightweight
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Big and bulky
- It can be a bit flimsy when closing the lid
Best Value For Money: 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 perfect for anyone looking for great value on an easy-to-install cargo box. This spacious cargo box has a whopping 18 cubic feet of storage capacity, making it ideal for large families or anyone who needs to pack a lot of gear.
With a 19-inch height, you’ll be able to store your big luggage or any large items in this spacious cargo box. Made from durable ABS material that can withstand ultraviolet rays and keep the things inside safe.
It has an integrated lock system that helps keep your belongings safe and secure. The quick-release hardware mounting system makes it easy to install and take off when needed.
One of the biggest issues with SportRack Vista XL is that it opens from the rear side. Love or hate it. But, the rear-opening lid makes it easy to get to what you need without worrying about traffic.
This top-selling cargo box is perfect for larger vehicles like the Toyota Highlander, offering storage space for your gear. Plus, it’s easy to install and even easier to use – perfect for weekend getaways and family trips.
Read the latest reviews from owners at Amazon.
Pros
- Ton of storage
- Good quality for the price
- Easy to install
- Good aerodynamics despite its bulky design
Cons
- Rear opening (however, some people love it)
- A bit flimsy
FAQ
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about the cargo box for Toyota Highlander.
Will a Thule Motion XT Fit a 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Do you need crossbars for the cargo box?
How much weight can a Toyota Highlander hold on the roof?
Conclusion
After reading this article and reviewing all of the best roof cargo boxes for your Toyota Highlander, you should be able to make a more informed decision about which one will work well with what fits.
We recommend Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier as our top choice because it has a large size plus high-quality materials that can withstand wear and tear in harsh weather conditions.
If your budget doesn’t allow a more expensive cargo box, we recommend checking with SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box as the best alternative.
Happy traveling!
© Family Road Trip 2025
