Thule Motion XT XL from Thule Group AB - 500 liters of quiet rooftop space

Reviewed: ad hoc news Classics & Longseller desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-28, 22:54. Details in the imprint.

The Thule Motion XT XL sits on the roof like a long, glossy capsule, the kind of box you notice when a family wagon pulls up at a ski lodge and the lid lifts with a soft click. Hands on the side grips feel the slightly textured plastic and the lid swings up evenly on both sides.

Size and everyday usability

The Motion XT XL is one of Thule's large rooftop cargo boxes, offering roughly 500 liters of extra space so bulky luggage, skis, or camping gear move off the back seat and into a tidy shell overhead. On typical mid-size SUVs it leaves enough room for the tailgate to open cleanly.

Thule designed the box to work with modern crossbar systems, so it sits low and doesn’t look like a tall suitcase strapped to the roof. The long floor and raised nose help skis and snowboards slide in without fighting the lid, while the rear cut-out preserves clearance when the trunk lifts.

How it mounts and opens

Underneath, the Motion XT XL uses quick-grip clamps that wrap around standard roof bars, tightening with large knobs that you feel click as they reach the correct tension. This tool-free mounting means a single person can fit the box in minutes once the bars are in place.

On the road and in the car park

From the driver's seat, the Motion XT XL adds a quiet rush of air rather than a loud roar when mounted on aerodynamic bars, a difference you feel on long motorway stretches. Wind noise tends to blend with normal road sound instead of humming loudly above the cabin.

In the car park, dual-side opening means you can stand on either side of the vehicle, lift the lid with a broad handle, and reach deep inside without leaning uncomfortably across the roof. For shorter users this makes the last duffel bag in the far corner less of a stretch.

Design choices and material feel

Visually, the Motion XT XL has a smooth, slightly tapered silhouette with subtle lines rather than a boxy profile, helping it look more like part of the car than an add-on. The glossy finish shows raindrops beading and running off in thin streams after a storm.

The plastic shell feels robust when you knock it lightly with your knuckles, not hollow or flimsy. Integrated front and rear reinforcement help the box keep its shape under load, and the floor feels stable when heavy suitcases slide in across the ribbed surface.

Safety, locking and everyday annoyances

The box uses a central locking system that only lets the key turn when every latch is fully engaged, reducing the risk of driving off with a partly closed lid. That safety check is something many owners appreciate, even if it occasionally slows a rushed departure.

There are still practical annoyances: on taller SUVs you may need a small step stool to reach the far front corner, and if you overload soft bags they can press against the lid and make closing slightly fiddly. A careful pack pays off in smoother daily use.

Who buys it and why it endures

Thule product teams, led by CEO Magnus Welander on the corporate side, have long positioned the Motion XT range as a family and outdoor-travel workhorse rather than a niche accessory. It targets drivers who regularly juggle kids, skis, strollers, and camping gear.

For those users, the XL size strikes a consistent compromise: big enough for long trips, manageable enough that you can remove it between seasons without special tools. That repeat seasonal use is one reason the box keeps showing up on European motorways years after launch.

Company context and share listing

Thule Group AB builds roof boxes alongside bike racks, roof racks, and other travel gear, with Europe and North America as key markets for the Motion XT XL. The company is listed in Stockholm, and Thule Group AB shares (ISIN SE0006422390) trade there in Swedish kronor without a widely used German Xetra listing.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.

en | SE0006422390 | THULE GROUP AB | boerse | 69648436 | bgmi