Subaru Ascent is notorious for its small cargo load of less than 18 cubic feet. To give a clearer idea of how small that is, the average sedan car has 14 cubic feet of space.
For an SUV, you should expect at least 30 cubic feet of space if not more. Of course, you can fold those seats and enjoy a much larger cargo space. But if you have many passengers, you’ll need those seats.
The solution to this problem is getting a roof-mounted cargo box. This is why we bring you this buying guide so you can find the best cargo box for Subaru Ascent.
What Should You Look For in a Cargo Box
There are three main points to look for when buying a cargo box.
Weight Limit and Load Capacity
The point of getting a cargo box is upgrading your Subaru’s ability to carry more items.
If the capacity of your cargo box is low, there’s no point in investing in it for such a little upgrade.
The cargo box that you need should have a minimum of 18 cubic feet capacity and 100 pounds of weight limit to be worth buying.
Price
Price is always a major factor when buying something. You should weigh what you need against what you’re willing to pay for.
Luckily, a cargo box isn’t a product that has too many aspects to consider. Simply see if it meets your desired load limit and if it can fit your Subaru Ascent.
Accessibility
Most cargo boxes are designed to be opened from the sides or the back. This might not be a major contributing factor to your decision.
Yet, cargo boxes that open from the back are often safer than those that open from the side. They prevent you from having to be next to your Subaru and subject yourself to incoming traffic.
This is easy to fix by parking in a safe place and approaching your cargo box however you see fit. It’s just a matter of convenience to some people.
Our Top Cargo Boxes Selection
Here’s our recommended selection if you want the best cargo box for Subaru Ascent.
1. JEGS Rooftop Cargo Carrier
JEGS Cargo Box is ideal for your Subaru Ascent if you don’t want to pay too much but still get a reliable product. You get an 18-cubic feet waterproof cargo box that can hold up to 110 pounds.
You have the option to buy the side opening JEGS cargo box or drop in an extra to get the rear opening box of the same specs.
It provides a four-corner lock system to keep it closed and secure regardless of the conditions.
Product Specs
Manufacturer: JEGS
Weight Limit: 110 pounds
Opening: Both rear open and side open is available for purchase
Capacity: 18 cubic feet
Dimensions: 61.25 x 39 x 12 inches
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to install and lock in place
- Waterproof so you won’t worry on rainy days
Cons
- Questionable durability because of the thin plastic
2. SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box
You can get the SportRack Vista Cargo Box. It offers the same capacity as the JEGS cargo box but a weight load of 100 pounds. That’s 10 pounds less.
Additionally, the SportRack Vista box doesn’t have the high water resistance that the JEGS has. Then why would you pay for a cargo box that holds less weight and lets in more water than the JEGS cargo box?
The answer is the construction quality. The SportRack Vista box is made from a UV-resistant high quality ABS material. This ensures more impact and fracture resistance than the JEGS box.
Additionally, the thin plastic of JEGS can make the box sag and touch the rooftop of the car under heavy load and hot weather. That’s a problem you won’t experience with the SportRack Vista box.
Product Specs
Manufacturer: SportRack
Weight Limit: 100 pounds
Opening: Rear opening
Capacity: 18 cubic feet
Dimensions: 62.5 x 19 x 39 inches
Pros
- Superior quality ABS material with high impact and fracture resistance.
- Easily accessed rear opening
- Tool-free mounting and installation
Cons
- Limited weight limit of only 100 pounds
3. Thule Force XT Rooftop Cargo Box
The Thule Force XT Cargo Box is the most expensive item on our list. That’s almost double the price of the SportRack Vista.
The high price isn’t for nothing. Thule Force box offers a 22-cubic feet space that can hold up to 165 pounds of weight.
It’s also the longest box on our list with over 90 inches. This box can hold 5 – 7 pairs of skis up to 215 cm long.
The mounting may not be tool-free, but all the required tools come with your purchase. The mounting “clicks” when it’s done securely. You will be 100% sure that your cargo box is securely attached to your Subaru Ascent.
The one downside it has is probably its high price. It costs more than the JEGS and the SportRack cargo boxes combined.
Product Specs
Manufacturer: Thule
Weight Limit: 165 pounds
Opening: Dual-side
Capacity: 22 cubic feet
Dimensions: 90.5 x 35.5 x 18.5 inches
Pros
- Large capacity and weight limit (the biggest on our list)
- Longest cargo box on our list which can fit up to 5 snowboards
- Designed to fit a wide range of vehicles so it won’t be limited to a Subaru Ascent
Cons
- The most expensive item on our list
Final Words
Those were our top three cargo boxes for Subaru Ascent. The JEGS cargo box offers good storage space at a low price but with some durability issues.
The SportsRack box overcomes the durability issues of the JEGS box but has less weight limit. If you’d like the best of both worlds, amp up your price a little bit and go for the Thule Force.