What is the best roof box for Kia Telluride trips?

Question

Hey everyone! We’re planning a cross-country road trip in our Kia Telluride and quickly realizing that even with the third row down, we’re going to need extra space for all our gear. I’m specifically looking for a roof box that fits well with the Telluride’s factory crossbars without interfering with the rear hatch opening or blocking the sunroof view too much. I've been looking at the Thule Motion XT and some Yakima models, but I’m worried about wind noise and how they might affect my MPG on long highway stretches. Does anyone have experience with a specific size or brand that looks great and functions perfectly on a Telluride? What's the best balance between storage capacity and aerodynamics for this SUV?

qqtpetqpde · Accepted Answer

In my experience, you're definitely looking at the right brands! For the Kia Telluride, I highly recommend the Thule Motion XT XL 18 Cubic Foot Rooftop Cargo Box. I've used this exact model on several long hauls, and the tapered rear design is perfect for ensuring it doesn't hit the rear hatch when it's fully open.

Regarding your MPG concerns, over the years I've noticed a drop of about 2-3 miles per gallon at highway speeds, which is pretty standard for any bulky box. But, the Thule is seriously quiet compared to others! If you want something even more aerodynamic to save on gas, check out the Yakima SkyBox Lo Carbonite 15 Cubic Foot Cargo Box. It's lower profile, so it won't block your sunroof view as much, though you'll lose a little bit of vertical storage space for taller gear.

FWIW, the Motion XT XL is the sweet spot for a family of four. It fits the factory crossbars like a glove and actually looks like it belongs on the Telluride. Hope this helps!

gdydzftolz · Answer

Honestly, you might want to consider the Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite Cargo Box. I've found it's a bit more conservative on the height, which helps keep the center of gravity low—crucial for a heavy SUV like the Telluride. Just make sure to double-check your factory crossbar weight limits; I've seen folks overload them, which is a huge safety risk. Also, be careful with the Yakima GrandTour 16 Cargo Box if you're worried about MPG; it's sleek, but any box will hit your fuel economy by 2-5 mpg. Hope this helps!

yhxvwlryjl · Answer

I went through this last year when prepping for our Florida run. I was super paranoid about safety and weight limits on the factory bars, so I actually compared the Inno Shadow 16 Cargo Box against the Thule Force XT L Rooftop Cargo Box. Honestly, the Inno felt way more secure because of its stiffer base, and I didn't notice any terrifying wind buffeting at 75mph. I'm really satisfied with how it didn't tank my MPG as much as I feared!