The catch
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
Roof and hatch fit become demanding with a 91.3-inch shell
Side by side
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low vs Yakima SkyBox NX 18 compared: Thule fits longer skis at a lower height, while Yakima shortens the shell for the same volume
Quick verdict
For skis above 195 cm and up to 215 cm, Motion 3 XXL Low is the choice, provided its long body and hatch requirement fit. SkyBox NX 18 is the choice for a shorter, lighter 18 cubic foot box or wider fixed bar spacing. Thule's 13-inch height above the bars only helps once you have measured your installed vehicle height.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The strongest reason to choose the Low is long skis
A 205 cm ski is inside Thule's limit and past Yakima's.
Where this comes from
205 is under 215 and over 195 cm. 18 cubic feet of nominal volume is still on both boxes.
The catch
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
Skis over 195 cm do not fit
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Why pick it
- Skis longer than 195 cm, up to 215 cm
- You can use the documented 13-inch height above crossbars
- The catch
- Roof and hatch fit become demanding with a 91.3-inch shell
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Why pick it
- Your fixed bar spacing falls above 36 9/16 and up to 40 inches
- A shorter shell and a lighter empty box
- The catch
- Skis over 195 cm do not fit
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What this page compares
Two 18 cu ft boxes, weighed on 215 versus 195 cm skis, roof length, crossbar spread and hatch clearance. Check the low-profile claim against your own setup.
For skis above 195 cm and up to 215 cm, Motion 3 XXL Low is the choice, provided its long body and hatch requirement fit. SkyBox NX 18 is the choice for a shorter, lighter 18 cubic foot box or wider fixed bar spacing. Thule's 13-inch height above the bars only helps once you have measured your installed vehicle height.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
The skis come in at 205 cm
They are covered only by the 215 cm ski limit.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Not suitable
The approved crossbar spread is fixed at 39 inches
Thule stops at 36 9/16, while Yakima allows up to 40 inches.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Good
You need 18 cubic feet for shorter gear
That volume is on both. Shape and weight still need checking.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Good
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Good
A box shell has to stay under 88 inches long
Yakima is 84 and Thule is 91.3 inches long.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Not suitable
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Good
You need proof that the loaded vehicle fits in a garage
Take measurements of the actual roof and bars plus the installed box height. Overall shell height and height above bars are different metrics.
- Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- Depends
- Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
The strongest reason to choose the Low is long skis
A 205 cm ski is inside Thule's limit and past Yakima's.
How we worked this out
205 is under 215 and over 195 cm. 18 cubic feet of nominal volume is still on both boxes.
Yakima gets the edge from a wide fixed spread
Yakima's range includes a 39-inch spread, and Thule's does not.
How we worked this out
39 is over 36.5625 and under 40 inches. Rack approval and clamp profile are still separate requirements.
Low is the longer shell as well
Thule is 7.3 inches longer and 2.9 lb heavier.
How we worked this out
Length: 91.3 − 84 = 7.3 inches. Weight: 55.9 − 53 = 2.9 lb. Its 13-inch above-bar figure says nothing about Yakima's installed height.
Option A
Thule, Motion 3 XXL Low Black Glossy
Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
It holds 18 cubic feet and accepts gear as long as 215 centimeters.
- Best for
- Skis longer than 195 cm, up to 215 cm
Facts we checked
- Volume for cargo: 18 cu ft
- Longest ski length: 215 cm
- Body length: 91.3 in
- Empty weight: 55.9 lb
Option B
Yakima, SkyBox NX 18 XL
Yakima SkyBox NX XL
You can fit gear up to 195 centimeters long in its 18 cubic feet.
- Best for
- Your fixed bar spacing falls above 36 9/16 and up to 40 inches
Facts we checked
- Volume for cargo: 18 cu ft
- Longest ski length: 195 cm
- Body length: 84 in
- Empty weight: 53 lb
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Thule Motion 3 XXL Low | Yakima SkyBox NX XL | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cargo volume | 18 cu ft | 18 cu ft | The same volume is laid out differently. |
| Maximum ski length | 215 cm | 195 cm | This comparison can be settled by long Nordic skis. |
| Body length | 91.3 in | 84 in | A longer compatible roof layout is needed for Thule. |
| Empty weight | 55.9 lb | 53 lb | Roof-load calculations have to include both weights. |
| Crossbar spread | 21 13/16 to 36 9/16 in | 24 to 40 in | The maximum spread supported by Yakima is wider. |
| Hatch threshold and reference | Greater than 54 13/16 in to roof/hatch junction | 50 in minimum to edge of open hatch | Apply each brand's own method, and avoid comparing these numbers directly. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Thule Motion 3 XXL Low
- More weight for the same 18 cu ft volume
With Yakima SkyBox NX XL
- An above-bar clearance figure is not what the 16.5-inch overall shell height gives
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Skis run past 195 cm yet stay within 215 cm
Go with Thule Motion 3 XXL Low. The stated ski length is supported only by Motion XXL Low.
Bar spacing is fixed at 39 inches
Go with Yakima SkyBox NX XL. That spread is supported only by SkyBox NX 18.
There is no room on the roof for a 91.3-inch shell
Go with Yakima SkyBox NX XL. Although Yakima is shorter, it must still pass its own hatch and rack checks.
Decision guide
How to decide
Let ski length narrow the field
Motion XXL Low spreads its volume along a long, low shell, which makes it relevant for long skis while still giving 18 cubic feet. SkyBox NX 18 is shorter and tops out at 195 cm skis, so equal volume does not mean equal cargo compatibility.
Look at wide fixed racks before profile
Yakima's spread range goes up to 40 inches, whereas Thule ends at 36 9/16. On a vehicle with a 39-inch fixed spread, that gap decides the matter even if the Thule profile looks attractive.
Take hatch and garage measurements apart
Thule's current page sets a slightly stricter hatch requirement than its chart, so this page uses the stricter figure. For the garage you need the total installed height, and Yakima's shell height must not stand in for an above-bar measurement it has not published.
What this page can’t tell you
- No garage, vehicle or rack is declared universally compatible. The two hatch numbers, like the two kinds of height measurement, cannot be swapped for one another.
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 XXL Low |
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| Yakima SkyBox NX 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 XXL Low
Skis longer than 195 cm, up to 215 cm
See price & reviews on AmazonYakima SkyBox NX XL
Your fixed bar spacing falls above 36 9/16 and up to 40 inches
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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