The Force 3 XL is Thule's value workhorse: the same 18 cubic feet and PowerClick mount as the pricier Motion, wrapped in a rugged AeroSkin shell built to last for years and stay dry in foul weather. The trade-off is a boxier, slightly noisier shape and plainer looks. For durability per dollar, it is the smart Thule.
Full review
Real-World Performance
The Force 3 XL is pitched as the rugged value option in Thule's lineup, and testers back that up. Outdoor Prolink's reviewer, who rated it 4.8 out of 5, reported that "with an impressive 18 cubic feet of storage in the XL version, we had no trouble fitting all four pairs of skis and poles." GearJunkie called the "spacious and functional design" capable of hauling "a huge quantity of bulky gear," and REI buyers average 4.5 out of 5 across their reviews.
Weatherproofing is a recurring theme: reviewers drove it through Pacific Northwest snowstorms over multiple mountain passes and found the interior stayed fully dry. The PowerClick mount and SlideLock auto-locking lid carry over from the more expensive Motion line, so security and ease of attachment are first-rate.
The practical upshot is that the Force 3 XL behaves almost identically to the flagship Motion in everyday use, you clamp it on with the same torque-confirming click, open it from either side, and load the same volume, while spending less and getting a tougher, scratch-resistant shell. Reviewers describe it as the box that does everything a family needs without asking them to pay for styling, which is exactly the role a value flagship should fill.
Build Quality and Design
The Force 3 XL uses Thule's tough AeroSkin surface, a textured shell engineered to handle years of daily use and resist visible wear. Outdoor Prolink noted it is "easy to imagine this product lasting for many years," pointing to Thule boxes still in service after decades. The same PowerClick torque-indicating mount and DualSide opening as the Motion mean you give up styling, not function, by choosing the Force.
Better Trail, rating it 4.6 out of 5, called it "the all-rounder in Thule's roof box lineup, combining modern design with excellent everyday usability," and praised its "intuitive operation, build quality, and overall versatility as a do-it-all cargo box." The textured AeroSkin finish is also more forgiving of scratches and grime than the Motion's gloss shell, a practical advantage for a box that lives outdoors and gets loaded with gritty gear.
Capacity and Fit
At 18 cubic feet with external dimensions of 84.8 by 34.1 by 16.9 inches, the Force 3 XL carries the same volume as the Motion 3 XL and SkyBox NX XL and holds gear for a family of four. It accepts skis and boards up to 195 cm and is rated to 165 pounds. The long body means you should measure clearance over the windshield and rear hatch before mounting on a smaller vehicle.
The interior is tall enough for bulky duffels and bins, so like the Motion it works as a true general-purpose box rather than a ski-only specialist. DualSide opening lets you load from whichever side of the vehicle you parked on, and the PowerClick mount fits Thule, factory, and most aftermarket crossbars. For a family that needs maximum flexibility from one box, the Force covers the same ground as the pricier Motion.
Where It Falls Short
The Force trades the Motion's aerodynamic, forward-leaning nose for a boxier profile, which can mean slightly more wind noise and drag at highway speed. Because its volume and load rating match its rivals, it wins on price and toughness rather than outright capability. The finish, while durable, is plainer than the premium Motion. And the 84.8-inch length limits which small cars it suits.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Force 3 XL is the value Thule next to the premium Motion 3 XL: same mount and volume, tougher shell, lower price, less polish. It costs about $80 more than the Yakima SkyBox NX XL while matching its 18 cubic feet, though the Yakima's flat floor packs more efficiently. Both dwarf the budget RocketBox Pro 14 and the low-profile INNO Wedge 660.
Who It's Best For
Choose the Force 3 XL if you want Thule's secure, torque-confirming mount and bombproof weatherproofing in a large box, and you would rather not pay for the Motion's styling. It is the durability-per-dollar pick. Step up to the Motion 3 XL for the slicker shape, sideways to the SkyBox NX XL for a roomier floor at a lower price, or down to the RocketBox Pro 14 and INNO Wedge 660 for smaller needs.
Value at This Price
The Force 3 XL is the value way into the Thule ecosystem. At roughly $930 it sits about $80 above the Yakima SkyBox NX XL and well below the Motion 3 XL, yet it shares the Motion's exact PowerClick mount and SlideLock system. Better Trail's 4.6-out-of-5 score and Outdoor Prolink's 4.8 both reflect a box that delivers flagship hardware and proven weatherproofing without the flagship price. The value question between it and the SkyBox NX XL comes down to brand and floor shape: the Thule mount is more foolproof, the Yakima floor packs more efficiently and costs a little less. Either is a strong buy; the Force is the pick if Thule's mount matters to you.
Strengths
- +18 cu ft fits four pairs of skis and poles or bulky camping gear for a family of four
- +Tough AeroSkin shell shrugs off years of weather and daily use
- +PowerClick mount with torque indicator and SlideLock auto-locking lid, like the Motion
- +Stays fully dry inside through snowstorms and mountain-pass driving in testing
- +Costs less than the Motion 3 XL while sharing Thule's mounting hardware
Watch-outs
- −Boxier, less aerodynamic shape than the Motion can add wind noise
- −165 lb load and 18 cu ft match rivals, so it wins on value not capacity
- −Long 84.8-inch body crowds shorter roofs and can block a hatch
- −Finish is durable but plainer than the premium Motion line
How it compares
Shares the Thule Motion 3 XL's 18 cu ft and PowerClick mount for less money, trading the Motion's aerodynamic shell for a tougher, boxier one. It costs about $80 more than the Yakima SkyBox NX XL but matches its volume, and it is far larger than the budget Yakima RocketBox Pro 14 and the low-profile INNO Wedge 660.
Who this is for
At a glance: Buyers who want Thule's secure mount and proven weatherproof durability in a large box without paying for the Motion's premium styling.
Why you’d buy the Thule Force 3 XL
- 18 cu ft fits four pairs of skis and poles or bulky camping gear for a family of four.
- Tough AeroSkin shell shrugs off years of weather and daily use.
- PowerClick mount with torque indicator and SlideLock auto-locking lid, like the Motion.
Why you’d skip it
- Boxier, less aerodynamic shape than the Motion can add wind noise.
- 165 lb load and 18 cu ft match rivals, so it wins on value not capacity.
- Long 84.8-inch body crowds shorter roofs and can block a hatch.
Rating sources
“The spacious and functional design can haul a huge quantity of bulky gear and still handle off-road adventures.”
“The Thule Force 3 XL ($930) is the all-rounder in Thule's roof box lineup, combining modern design with excellent everyday usability.”
“With an impressive 18 cubic feet of storage in the XL version, we had no trouble fitting all four pairs of skis and poles.”
Our 4.6 score is the average of these published ratings. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
