The Vector is Thule's platinum offering within its line of rooftop cargo boxes, coming in at nearly twice the cost of the next-best Motion 3. Photo courtesy of Thule.com
Rooftop cargo boxes are one of those things you didn't realize how much you would appreciate until you have one. In this article we break down the Thule Motion 3 vs Thule Vector cargo boxes, including their similarities, differences and, finally, our recommendation.
Background
My first rooftop cargo box was an old Yakima Rocketbox that sat atop my 1998 Ford Explorer. From cross-country road trips to weekend adventures in the Colorado Rockies with my college buddies, that box transformed my adequately spacious SUV into a mansion on wheels.
Nearly 30 years later, my hobbies have evolved and my vehicles have changed - but what has remained constant is the need (OK, maybe desire) for additional space to store all our gear and toys. Fortunately cargo boxes have evolved, too. Thule, the Swedish car rack and accessories juggernaut, currently has four unique models of cargo boxes. For this review we’re going to focus on the two top-end versions - the Thule Motion 3 and the Thule Vector.
If you’re debating between the Motion 3 and the Force XT, check out our comparison of these two models at https://outdoorcrunch.com/thule-motion-vs-force/.
Summary
There's a lot to like about both the Motion 3 and the Vector. Let's quickly run through their similarities before focusing on what sets them apart. The Motion 3 and Vector both offer:
- Black exterior finishes. The Motion 3's exterior is more glossy, while the black metallic of the Vector gives it a bit more of a matte look. Note that the Motion 3 also is available in gray.
- Thule's PowerClick quick-mount systems for quickly and securely attaching the boxes to your roof rack
- Thule's SlideLock closing, opening and locking system (the best Thule offers - more info below)
- Dual-sided opening
- Aerodynamic shape to minimize wind drag and noise
Key differences between the Motion 3 and Vector
Note the white color of the Vector's interior lid, which when coupled with the standard LED interior light is intended to make seeing the gear inside your cargo box easier, especially at night.
- Size: The Vector comes in just two sizes - Medium and Alpine - and both share a 13 cubic foot capacity. The Alpine model is about 8 inches longer than the Medium and 1.5 inches shorter in height. The Motion 3, on the other hand, comes in five different sizes. See the chart below for capacities.
- The Vector comes standard with felt lining in the bottom of the box, meant to keep your gear better protected.
- The Vector comes standard with an interior LED light to illuminate the interior of your box while you're loading or unloading its contents.
- The interior of the upper box lid is white on the Vector. Like with the LED light, the white coloring helps with visibility inside the box, especially in the dark.
- The Vector comes standard with a box lid cover to help prevent scratches and dust/dirt build-up when your cargo box is in storage.
- The Vector has a reinforced lid, which Thule says makes for a smoother experience when opening and closing the box.
Side-by-side comparison of the Motion 3 and Vector
 thule motion 3 |  thule vector | |
|---|---|---|
Sizes | Large, XL, XL Low, XXL, XXL Low | Medium, Alpine |
Volume | L: 16 cu ft | Medium: 13 cu ft |
Ski (pairs)/snowboard capacity | L, XL, XXL, XXL Low: 5-7 skis; 3-5 boards XL Low: 4-6 skis; 3-5 boards | Medium: 3-5 skis; 3-4 boards Alpine: 4-6 skis; 3-5 boards |
Colors | Black Glossy, Titan (Gray) Glossy | Black Metallic |
Mounting system | PowerClick quick-mount | PowerClick quick-mount |
Lock/security | SlideLock system | SlideLock system |
Standard accessories | N/A | Interior LED light; felt-lined tray; white lid interior; storage lid cover |
Available accessories | Interior box light; protective box liner; storage cover; Thule Multi-lift storage system; GoPack duffel bag set | Thule Multi-lift storage system; GoPack duffel bag set |
Dual-sided opening | Yes | Yes |
Cost |
Comparing the sizes and capacities of the Thule Motion, Vector, Force & Pulse cargo boxes
As you can see in the comparison chart from Thule above, there's no shortage of options when it comes to shapes and sizes of cargo boxes. Choose a box that will fit both your vehicle (while allowing the rear hatch to open with the box installed) as well as meet your gear-hauling needs.
In general, we tend to err on the side of larger. After all, you can't make your cargo box any bigger once you've bought it, but you can always find a few extra things to fill up the larger size you purchased to begin with. Besides, a bump in size helps future-proof your changing life -- growing family, new hobbies ... you get it.
One note about Thule's current offerings: the Motion 3 series' "Low" sizes, the Vector, and the Thule Pulse Alpine are intentionally lower-profile than other size options and are primarily intended for snowsports use (i.e., skis and snowboards and other long, low-profile gear).
Thule's SlideLock system
The Vector and the Motion 3 feature Thule's SlideLock all-in-one security and opening/closing system. SlideLock, which isn't available on Thule's lower-end cargo boxes, is the superior system, both in ease of use as well as security.
Opening your Motion 3 or Vector is as simple as turning the key and pulling back on the SlideLock button.
Close the lid and the SlideLock automatically pops closed, freeing the key and indicating that your box is secure.
Simply insert and turn the key, use your thumb to pull the SlideLock, and the box lid pops free from its latches. It's incredibly easy and intuitive, and you can do it all with one hand, which is sometimes all you have to spare when accessing your roof-top cargo box. One of other favorite features of SlideLock is that you can't remove the key from the lock until the box lid is securely latched - ensuring that your cargo box and its contents are secured before you hop back into your vehicle and continue your adventure.
Thule's PowerClick quick mounting system
Remember that Rocketbox I mentioned at the beginning? Back in the good ol' days of cargo boxes, T-bolts and wing nuts and arched plastic plates were standard fare for securing your box to your vehicle's crossbars. Thanks to innovations like Thule's PowerClick quick-mount system, installing, removing and re-installing the latest generation of roof boxes is a straightforward and frustration-free affair.
Both the Vector and the Motion 3 feature Thule's PowerClick mounting system. Once the box is in place atop your vehicle's crossbars, simply twist all four PowerClick knobs until the corresponding claws are tightly wrapped around the bars, which you'll know has been achieved when the knobs make a loud "click." Hence, PowerClick. Easy, breezy.
About those accessories ...
The core features of the Vector and the Motion 3 are pretty darn similar. It's the added "extras" that set the Vector apart, particularly in terms of price. That said, Thule sells a standalone LED light kit, a box liner, and a box storage cover you can use on your Motion 3. And I suppose if you really wanted, you could paint the interior lid of your Motion 3 white. So that leaves the Vector's reinforced lid as the only significant difference that you can't easily add to a Motion 3. But as owners of the Motion, we've yet to find fault with the sturdiness of the lid or its ease of opening and closing. Your mileage may vary.
Is the Vector worth it?
At nearly $2,000 in either the Medium or Alpine sizes, Thule's Vector cargo box is essentially twice as expensive as the Motion 3. Sure, you get some nice features for the extra cash, but we don't think the felt-lined tray, interior LED light, white inside upper, storage bag, or reinforced lid are must-haves.
That said, if you like having the best of everything and price isn't a serious consideration, by all means get the Vector. It's a fantastic, high-quality box that will last you years of heavy use. Plus, it's lower profile will look great atop your presumably high-end vehicle. Both sizes are available today with free shipping from Thule's Amazon store.
For most of you, the Thule Motion 3 checks all the most important boxes while saving you a significant amount of money over the Vector. The Motion 3 line comes in a plethora of sizes, two colors, and offers the same PowerClick mounting system and SlideLock opening, closing and locking system used in the Vector. We think the Motion 3 hits the sweet spot in Thule's roof-top cargo box lineup - enough upgrades over the Force XT to justify the added expense and none of the unnecessary extras of the high-priced Vector. Purchase the Motion 3 from REI.com by clicking here.
Read our comparison of the Motion 3 and the Force XT cargo boxes here: https://outdoorcrunch.com/thule-motion-vs-force/.
