Which rooftop cargo accessories work best for the Subaru Ascent?

Question

Hey everyone! I recently picked up a Subaru Ascent for our family road trips, but with the third row up, that rear trunk space disappears fast! I’m looking to add some extra storage up top before our summer camping trip. I’m curious if you guys prefer the Thule Motion series or if the Yakima SkyBox fits better on the factory crossbars without blocking the liftgate. Also, is there much wind noise with a basket versus a hard-shell box? We’re a family of six, so every inch of space counts. Does anyone have a specific setup they swear by for the Ascent that doesn't tank the MPG too much?

nqkmydmvsr · Accepted Answer

I went through this last year. I looked at the high-end Motion series but opted for the Thule Force XT L Rooftop Cargo Box to save cash without sacrificing specs. Its 16 cubic feet capacity fits the Ascent factory bars perfectly. iirc, my highway MPG only dropped about 2 mpg at 70mph. plus the AeroNose design really keeps wind noise down compared to a basket. tbh its the best value setup ive found.

elwqpoyvnh · Answer

Sooo, with 6 people you reallyyy need extra room, and rooftop boxes are way better than baskets cuz they keep gear dry and stop that annoying wind noise! I love the Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite Cargo Box because it fits the Ascent factory bars perfectly and doesn't block the hatch at all!! Seriously, it’s been fantastic for our family for 3 years now. gl

htuxfwujrh · Answer

Similar situation here - literally just dealt with this for our summer trip! With 6 people in the Ascent, it's basically impossible to fit anything else inside once that third row is up. I actually started with a metal cargo basket because I liked the "rugged" look, but honestly? The wind noise was insane. It sounded like a jet engine over 60mph and totally tanked our gas mileage more than I expected. I eventually switched to a sleek hard-shell box (the one I have now) and it was a total game changer: - Aerodynamics matter: My current setup is way quieter than the basket ever was, which helps on long hauls.
- Hatch clearance: I found that sliding the mounting points as far forward as possible on the factory bars is the only way to keep the liftgate from bumping it.
- MPG hit: I typicaly lose about 2mpg, which isnt too bad for the extra room. It definately took some fiddling to get the positioning right, but I'm sooo glad I made the switch before our big drive! Hope that helps a bit.