16/03/2026 11:50 pm
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
0
So I finally pulled the trigger on a 2023 RRS PHEV and I am absolutely buzzing to get it out on the road! My family and I are planning this massive ski trip to the French Alps in about three weeks so I'm rushing to get everything sorted. I definitely need some extra storage space because between the kids gear and the charging cables taking up room in the boot things are getting tight.
Ive been looking online and I keep seeing the Thule WingBar Edge mentioned as the gold standard but then I read some forum posts saying you have to be super careful with the panoramic roof on the hybrid models. Something about the weight distribution? Then there's the official Land Rover rails which cost a fortune and honestly look a bit clunky compared to the sleek look of the car. I also checked out the Yakima setups but I cant tell if they fit the flush rails properly on the newer models without scratching the paint.
Has anyone here actually fitted a large cargo box on their PHEV Sport? I have about 1500 bucks to spend on the bars and the box together. Does having the glass roof mean I need to stick to a lower weight limit or is there a specific kit that wont interfere with the sunroof opening? I really dont want to hear that glass crack the first time we hit a bump on the motorway... help a guy out?
3 Answers
11
16/03/2026 11:50 pm
Honestly, you gotta be careful with that glass roof. I had the same worries with my PHEV last year. The weight limit is usually lower than the standard models—check your manual but its often around 75kg for the total load including the rack itself. I went with the Thule WingBar Edge Black Roof Rack for Flush Rails because it stays clear of the glass if you position it right. Here is what I found works best:
- Stick to the Thule Motion XT XL 18 Cubic Feet Cargo Box because it handles the weight distribution well without being too heavy itself.
- Disable the sunroof auto-open in the car settings so you dont accidentally hit it while the bars are on.
- Use a torque wrench to ensure you arent over-tightening the clamps on those flush rails. It fits your budget and looks decent without being too bulky. Just keep an eye on the total weight of the gear inside.
11
17/03/2026 12:55 am
^ This. Also, remember that the 75kg dynamic load rating for the PHEV includes the weight of the hardware itself. I was pretty satisfied with how my setup handled the weight distribution without hitting that $1500 cap. I spent a lot of time looking at the technical specs because that glass roof is sensitive.
- Rhino-Rack Vortex StealthBar Black 2 Bar Roof Rack: These are low profile and cost way less than the OEM rails.
- Thule Force XT L 450L Rooftop Cargo Box Black AeroSkin: The texture is great because it doesnt show every single scratch from ski poles or road debris. My total spend was around $1050 and I havent had any complaints. You just have to be disciplined and lock out the sunroof tilt function in the settings so you dont accidentally hit the box. Works well for my gear and keeps the center of gravity low enough that the handling doesnt get too mushy on the mountain roads.
3
17/03/2026 12:25 am
Just a heads up, you really gotta watch the clearance with that glass roof... I would suggest looking at the Yakima JetStream Crossbars Black 50 inch paired with Yakima SightLine Towers for Flush Rails. Its way more budget-friendly than the Land Rover gear. For storage, the Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite Cargo Box is a total workhorse for skis. Just dont overload it since the PHEV glass roof limit is pretty strict.