The Thule Motion XT XXL - extra space for long-haul family trips

The Thule Motion XT XXL sits on the car roof like a glossy black whale, lid gliding open with a muted thud as your hand brushes across its cool, slightly grained plastic surface. This roof box is one of Thule Group’s big-capacity options for families who simply run out of trunk space.

Big roof box, clear use case

Thule Group positions the Motion XT series as its more streamlined, easy-to-use range of roof boxes, and the XXL variant is among the largest in the line-up, with a volume around 629 liters according to the manufacturer’s product data. The series is designed for everyday cars rather than commercial vans, and the XXL size is aimed at larger vehicles and long-distance trips.

On the official Thule product page for the Motion XT range, the XXL model is presented as a cargo box focused on both capacity and aerodynamics, with a maximum load capacity of 75 kilograms and exterior dimensions of roughly 215 centimeters in length, 91.5 centimeters in width and 44 centimeters in height. These figures are intended to balance sheer space with a shape that does not look awkward on modern station wagons or SUVs.

Design touches you actually feel

When product manager Johan Lindström demonstrates the box at a Thule showroom, he tends to start with the handle and lid rather than the liters. The Motion XT XXL uses Thule’s SlideLock system, where the locking mechanism is separate from the lid’s closing function and gives a clear click when it is properly shut. That tactile feedback is helpful on a rainy petrol station forecourt when you are not sure whether the luggage is really secure.

Mounting and daily usability

The Motion XT XXL uses Thule’s PowerClick quick-mount system, which allows the box to be attached to standard roof bars using internal clamps tightened by a single knob, with an integrated torque indicator that clicks when the box is correctly secured. That means the user does not have to judge by feel alone whether the clamps are tight enough.

The box opens from both sides, making it easier for one person to load and unload, especially on wider cars where climbing onto the sill is awkward. Inside, several anchor points and straps help keep luggage from sliding forward under braking. On test drives by automotive magazines, drivers note that the box adds some wind noise at motorway speeds but less than older, boxier models thanks to its tapering front and rear sections.

Material and build quality

Thule manufactures the Motion XT XXL with an ABS plastic shell that is UV-resistant and designed to withstand typical car-wash water jets and winter road grime. The lid has a reinforced structure so it does not flex excessively when opened, and the hinges are designed for repeated daily use without needing adjustment.

Chief Executive Officer Magnus Welander has frequently highlighted in Thule’s reports that durability is a central part of the brand’s promise, citing internal testing with cycles of opening, closing and vibration to simulate years of use. While these tests are not specific to the Motion XT XXL alone, the box is part of the same cargo box family that undergoes this regimen.

Capacity in practice

On paper, 629 liters can be hard to visualize. In practice, users typically fit several large soft bags, ski boots, helmets and smaller items into the Motion XT XXL, keeping the car’s main trunk for heavier or more fragile cargo. Thule’s own marketing materials show combinations of skis up to around 215 centimeters in length, which corresponds closely to the interior length of the box.

Reviewers from specialist outdoor and automotive sites have reported loading four to six pairs of skis plus additional gear without hitting the lid, though the exact number depends on binding height and bag thickness. For summer use, the same footprint handles tents, camping chairs and compact strollers, shifting clutter from the cabin to the roof.

Pricing and market position

Thule lists the Motion XT XXL with a price point that usually sits among the higher ranges of consumer roof boxes, reflecting the large capacity and the brand’s positioning. In European retail, the price commonly appears around the mid-triple-digit euro range, varying slightly between markets and promotions. In North America, specialist retailers list the box in a comparable segment in local currency, aligning it with other premium-sized rooftop cargo carriers.

Competitors include big-format roof boxes from brands such as Yakima and Kamei, but Thule’s combination of dual-side opening, SlideLock, and PowerClick mounting is often cited as a differentiator by reviewers. However, the company does not market the Motion XT XXL as fit for every car; load limits and roof bar spacing must be checked carefully in the buyer’s manual.

Availability and buying routes

The Motion XT XXL is widely available through Thule’s own dealer network, outdoor specialty stores and car accessory chains in Europe and North America. The official Thule website maintains a dealer locator to help end customers find local stock and fitting services. Some retailers also offer installation support for first-time roof box users.

Online, the product can be ordered through major e-commerce platforms and branded shops that carry Thule’s cargo range. Stocks can fluctuate around peak travel seasons and school holidays, when demand for extra luggage space rises sharply. Fleet operators and car rental companies sometimes add the Motion XT series to their accessory catalogues, though the XXL size is primarily targeted at private family use.

Context for Thule Group AB stock

For Thule Group, the Motion XT XXL forms part of a broader portfolio of roof racks, bike carriers and cargo boxes that together make up a key revenue stream in its outdoor and transportation segment. CEO Magnus Welander regularly points to cargo carriers as a way the company monetizes growing interest in active lifestyles and car travel, particularly in Europe and North America.

On Xetra and other trading venues where Thule Group AB stock is listed via Swedish depository receipts, investors watch the performance of these established product lines as indicators of demand resilience in discretionary consumer spending.