The catch
Thule Motion 3 L
Tops out at 180 cm skis
Side by side
Thule Motion 3 L Titan vs Motion 3 XL Black compared: XL has more room for skis and luggage and adds no installed height
Quick verdict
Motion 3 L Titan is the one for skis up to 180 cm and a lighter, shorter box. Motion 3 XL Black is for 200 cm skis or the extra two cubic feet. The larger size does not automatically add installed height, since both list 15 inches above the crossbar.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The ski range goes up by 20 cm with the XL
XL's stated limit takes a 190 cm ski, which L rules out.
Where this comes from
200 − 180 = 20 cm, and a 190 cm ski goes past the smaller box's 180 cm limit.
The catch
Thule Motion 3 XL
7.4 lb more empty-box weight
Thule Motion 3 L
- Why pick it
- A limited roof allowance favors a box that weighs 43.6 lb
- 16 cubic feet and 180 cm skis are enough, so a shorter shell will do
- The catch
- Tops out at 180 cm skis
Thule Motion 3 XL
- Why pick it
- Skis longer than 180 cm, up to 200 cm
- Bulkier luggage gets 18 cubic feet, once the fit checks pass
- The catch
- 7.4 lb more empty-box weight
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What this page compares
Motion 3 L Titan and XL Black differ in ski length, luggage volume, roof weight and hatch clearance, though both add the same stated height above the bars.
Motion 3 L Titan is the one for skis up to 180 cm and a lighter, shorter box. Motion 3 XL Black is for 200 cm skis or the extra two cubic feet. The larger size does not automatically add installed height, since both list 15 inches above the crossbar.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Your skis come to 190 cm
That length is covered only by the XL's 200 cm maximum.
- Thule Motion 3 L
- Not suitable
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Good
By the Thule method, your hatch measurement is 52 inches
52 is above L's 51 5/16-inch threshold, though it is not above XL's 52 1/8 inches.
- Thule Motion 3 L
- Good
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Not suitable
Bars are fixed at 36 inches apart
36 inches falls inside both spread ranges, subject to profile and rack approval.
- Thule Motion 3 L
- Good
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Good
The empty box has to come in under 48 lb
The published weights come to 43.6 and 51 lb.
- Thule Motion 3 L
- Good
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Not suitable
A low garage fit must be confirmed
Each adds 15 inches above the bars, but vehicle height, rack height and safety margin have to be measured.
- Thule Motion 3 L
- Depends
- Thule Motion 3 XL
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
The ski range goes up by 20 cm with the XL
XL's stated limit takes a 190 cm ski, which L rules out.
How we worked this out
200 − 180 = 20 cm, and a 190 cm ski goes past the smaller box's 180 cm limit.
The extra space uses up 7.4 lb of roof allowance
Capacity rises by 12.5%, and the empty box is heavier.
How we worked this out
18 ÷ 16 − 1 = 12.5%, and 51 − 43.6 = 7.4 lb. Vehicle and rack limits stay unchanged.
Garage clearance cannot be shortcut by choosing L versus XL
The same 15-inch height above the bars is stated for both.
How we worked this out
For installed height, the relevant specification is 15 inches on both. Overall shell heights differ, so shell height should not stand in for height above the mounting bars.
Option A
Thule, Motion 3 L Titan Glossy
Thule Motion 3 L
Its 16 cubic feet can take gear up to 180 centimeters long.
- Best for
- A limited roof allowance favors a box that weighs 43.6 lb
Facts we checked
- Exact selected finish: Titan Glossy L 639751
- Volume and ski limit: 16 cu ft and 180 cm
- Box weight: 43.6 lb
- External length: 76.5 in
Option B
Thule, Motion 3 XL Black Glossy
Thule Motion 3 XL
Capacity is 18 cubic feet, and gear up to 200 centimeters long fits inside.
- Best for
- Skis longer than 180 cm, up to 200 cm
Facts we checked
- Exact selected finish: Black Glossy XL 639850
- Volume and ski limit: 18 cu ft and 200 cm
- Box weight: 51 lb
- External length: 84.7 in
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Thule Motion 3 L | Thule Motion 3 XL | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact selected finish | Titan Glossy L 639751 | Black Glossy XL 639850 | The finish comes with the selected offer and leaves the size comparison unchanged. |
| Volume and ski limit | 16 cu ft and 180 cm | 18 cu ft and 200 cm | Look at the longest item and the packed volume together. |
| Box weight | 43.6 lb | 51 lb | With XL, less roof allowance is left for contents. |
| External length | 76.5 in | 84.7 in | XL's body is over eight inches longer. |
| Height above crossbar | 15 in | 15 in | The roof and rack also affect installed vehicle height. |
| Crossbar spacing and hatch threshold | 21 13/16 to 36 9/16 in spread, hatch greater than 51 5/16 in | 21 13/16 to 36 9/16 in spread, hatch greater than 52 1/8 in | Follow Thule's front-bar-center to roof/hatch reference. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Thule Motion 3 L
- Volume drops by two cubic feet
With Thule Motion 3 XL
- A stricter hatch threshold and a longer body
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Skis are longer than 180 cm but no longer than 200 cm
Go with Thule Motion 3 XL. The supported size is XL.
Before cargo, your box weight allowance runs from 43.6 lb to under 51 lb
Go with Thule Motion 3 L. Provided the remaining total roof-load budget is adequate, L is the lighter option.
Thule's hatch method gives you only 52 inches
Go with Thule Motion 3 L. XL fails the stated threshold, while L passes it.
Decision guide
How to decide
Pick the size ahead of the finish
The specific offers compared here are L in Titan and XL in Black. What decides is the 180 versus 200 cm ski limit and 16 versus 18 cubic feet. Make sure a color selector does not quietly change the size on the listing.
Shell height and installed height are different
Both current pages list 15 inches above the crossbar. Whether you fit in a garage turns on the total installed vehicle height and not only the external height of the plastic box. Measure the real setup before you drive through a low opening.
Treat roof and hatch limits as separate
Hatch clearance is not proven by an approved bar spread, and a cleared hatch does not show that the roof can carry the load. Before loading, check spread, clamp profile, hatch motion and total weight one by one.
What this page can’t tell you
- We claim no advantage in fuel economy, wind noise or vehicle-wide compatibility. L and XL are not low-profile variants.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the roof cargo boxes we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Motion 3 L |
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| Thule Motion 3 XL |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Thule Motion 3 L
A limited roof allowance favors a box that weighs 43.6 lb
See price & reviews on AmazonThule Motion 3 XL
Skis longer than 180 cm, up to 200 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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