The best car roof racks of 2022
With a car roof rack, a million new opportunities for outdoor activities and travel open up. There are several different types of these functional devices, in our review we will talk about the best of them and give advice on choosing

In fact, the roof rack is a large pocket where you can put the overall things that will be needed on the road. Any car seems to be moving into another class with the advent of additional luggage space. But choosing the right “add-on” is sometimes no less difficult than choosing the car itself.

We have selected models based on user reviews and important parameters that the best car roof rack should meet. Based on such characteristics as capacity, build quality, mounting method, weight, safety and dimensions. Our rating includes all types of roof racks on the market in 2022. 

Ranking of the top 16 best inexpensive roof racks according to KP

What to do if you want to go on a trip in a small car that is familiar and convenient in the city, but there is practically no space in it for a huge number of things for the whole family? Do not change the same car for this! The answer has long been thought up and regularly incorporated into the design of many cars – the possibility of installing a luggage system on the roof.

Universal car roof racks

Station wagons are designed for medium-sized cars. They have almost identical dimensions, differ only in the method and place of installation. The most popular are the following models:

1. Yakima Kia Ceed

Model for cars with standard seats, consists of two crossbars, suitable not only for the Kia brand, but also for other cars such as a sedan. Made from lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum alloy, it is highly durable and reliable.

Advantages and disadvantages

easy to clean, does not make noise, does not scratch the body, has good aerodynamics
the crossbars are easily scratched, quickly lose their appearance, are not resistant to mechanical stress
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2. Future Lovers

Aerodynamic arches with a built-in lock and special rubber pads – the load does not slip. Very easy to install and come with a manufacturer’s warranty.

Advantages and disadvantages

light, strong, provide protection against theft, the load does not vibrate when driving
easy to rust
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3. Peruzzo Pure Instict

It is a bike rack on the roof of a car of a simple design. The point fastener makes the model universal, as it allows you to fix bicycles of different sizes and is installed anywhere in the frame thanks to a special lever.

Advantages and disadvantages

equipped with a lock, has a high load capacity, easy to install, locks when driving
spare parts for the model are practically not supplied

4. Lux D-Lux 1

A complete set for the roof, consisting of arches and supports. Mounting is done behind the doorway. Withstands up to 80 kg load, has a standard length of 120 cm.

Advantages and disadvantages

durable, equipped with pads to protect the body from scratches, suitable for most cars, high corrosion resistance
no lock, low level aerodynamics
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Car roof rack on roof rails

We have collected the 5 best car roof racks in 2022, which are mounted on rails, have high wear resistance and load capacity and wide functionality.

1. Inter Lada Largus

The trunk is designed for all models similar to Largus. Steel arcs have a plastic braid and rubber inserts at the ends. Withstands loads up to 50 kg, designed for bicycles and various types of cargo.

Advantages and disadvantages

light, good aerodynamics, long service life
installation complexity – fastening with nuts, plastic braid melts in the sun, cracks in the cold and becomes unusable
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2. Atlant Citroen Berlingo

Classic design consisting of crossbars and adapters. Mounted in the regular places of the car, designed for a load of 80 kg. Made from aluminum profile. The arcs are 126 cm long.

Advantages and disadvantages

supports are high, easy to assemble, equipped with a lock, noiseless during movement, the body is protected from scratches
Fits Citroen Berlingo only. there are no goods in the pits
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3.  Thule WingBar Edge 9595

Powerful and durable rack for a load of 75 kg. Installed on integrated rails. Will fit any make and model. Easily installed on the roof.

Advantages and disadvantages

securely fastened, suitable for a bicycle, lightweight, durable
tight locks, for installation you will need to buy accessories
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4. Eurodetail ED2-111F + ED7-125K

The design is designed for standard roof rails, so it will fit a variety of brands and models from VAZ to Volkswagen. The device is securely fastened and fixed, has a lock. The load does not slip and does not vibrate during movement due to the rubberized longitudinal lines on the supports.

Advantages and disadvantages

high-quality assembly, does not scratch the body, resistant to corrosion, universal lock
made of a narrow profile, the length of the crossbars is only 110 cm
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5. Inter Robust + Aero 120 lock

Another model from Inter for high railings. Robust, quiet design with complete mounting kit for easy installation. Able to withstand up to 100 kg of cargo.

Advantages and disadvantages

not afraid of corrosion, has a lock, long service life, aerodynamic sections
arcs are easily scratched
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Car roof boxes

Luggage boxes keep things well during transportation, as they are distinguished by a closed design. Therefore, the cargo does not require careful packaging. Our rating includes 4 models for different body types.

1. Hapro Traxer 5.6

Black or white auto box in a stylish design. Able to carry up to 80 kg of cargo. Skis 1,7 m long are placed inside, and the volume is 370 liters. Features a convenient lid that can be opened from both sides. Straps and locks included.

Advantages and disadvantages

durable construction made of impact-resistant plastic, fits snugly to the body, is not afraid of frost, has ventilation holes
not highly aerodynamic
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2. Sotra Other 460

Sturdy ABS plastic construction with glossy finish. It performs its function well – it protects the cargo and has an attractive appearance. Boxing has a volume of 460 liters, high resistance to ultraviolet radiation, and tightness. Things will be reliably protected from rain and road dust.

Advantages and disadvantages

branded fastening system, equipped with additional straps for fixing, the lid opens from two sides, it is easy to install on the roof
the lid does not open completely (to a small height), the service life is limited
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3.  Saturn 650

Inexpensive car box made of matte plastic. The cover of the structure is not only opened from two sides, but also removed. Attaches to railings with brackets. The volume of the box is 220 liters.

Advantages and disadvantages

equipped with a carabiner and a cable for fastening, high reliability, low landing
short straps, plastic cracks in the heat
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4.  Terra Drive 480

Model with a double bottom, a strong and tight cover. The most capacious design, made of thick plastic. It has a hinged opening mechanism, equipped with dense rubber inserts. 

Advantages and disadvantages

looks stylish, does not slip, the load is well distributed, has reliable stops
only for cargo up to 185 cm long
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Car roof racks

Roof racks have a lot of advantages. They do not restrict the driver’s view, are easy to use and allow you to bring the bikes clean.

1. Thule FreeRide 532

Inexpensive simple model for mounting one bike. Adapters are required for installation. Fixing is done with a belt that holds the frame and rear wheel.

Advantages and disadvantages

light only 350 gr, easy installation, stylish design, safe
not suitable for carbon frames
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2. Lux Professional 846240

Bicycle fixer of production, designed for transport up to 25 kg. Differs in existence of two locks and several ways of fastening. You can even transport an electric moped.

Advantages and disadvantages

versatility, structural strength, safety
latch sometimes fails
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3. Thule ProRide 598

Model for women’s bikes and extreme mountain bikes. This transport has a non-standard design and other parameters that do not fit into the usual size range. The trunk is equipped with a fuse and is designed for 20 kg of weight.

Advantages and disadvantages

softness, but strong fixation, quick assembly, easy disassembly, versatility
low load capacity, fastens only frames 8×10 cm
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How to choose a car roof rack

The capacity of any roof rack is limited by its weakest link – weight restrictions. That is, you first need to decide what kind of cargo you plan to transport on your car. 

In addition, any element of the luggage system must also be safe, that is, be certified. Also, the trunk itself must be properly secured. This will avoid the loss of cargo, and will not make you the culprit of the accident.  

And finally, we must not forget about aerodynamics – an ill-conceived design, even at city speeds, can make a lot of noise and interfere with driving.

Here are the first things to think about when choosing the type of trunk:

1. Transported cargo. So, for example, luggage boxes are not suitable for transporting sports equipment, such as a bicycle, and if you want to transport things and keep them from rain and dirt, then most likely a roof rack for your purposes will not work.

2. Pay attention to fastening method. It can be a reinforced regular mount, a smooth roof, gutters, magnets, roof rails, belts or a T-profile – depending on what is right for your car.

3. If you are looking for an auto box, look at it measurements and your needs for transporting long loads. The average height of the boxes is 20-30 cm. The crossbars for the boxes are most often not included in the kit.

Popular questions and answers

Picking up and mounting a roof rack is not difficult. This useful accessory will simplify your vacation or moving. Our readers often ask questions about the operation of an additional “superstructure” on the roof. KP expert Sergey Dyachenko, owner of a car service and auto parts store, answered them:

Do I need to register a car roof rack?

– You will have to go through registration if your car’s registration certificate does not provide for a roof rack. You buy a factory model and carry the documents to the traffic police.

Which roof racks can get you a ticket?

– You can get a fine for home-made structures or incorrectly installed ones. Certified factory roof racks have already passed all checks and registrations, so they are safe to use and do not violate the law. If the trunk is not provided by the car manufacturer at all, then there will also be a fine for its installation. 500 rubles – the first fixation of a violation, the structure will be asked to be removed. If you ignore the instruction, next time you will lose the opportunity to operate the car.

How to properly install a car roof rack?

– Follow the system manufacturer’s instructions, each type of trunk is installed with certain features. Connect all parts firmly.

Does a car roof rack affect gas mileage?

– Yes, it does. An empty structure increases consumption by 2-5%. If there is a load on the roof, then an increase in gasoline consumption by 15% is possible. For example, autobox will “eat” so much. Oversized cargo or several bicycles will add 30%.

How to properly load the car roof rack?

– If there is an autobox on the roof, load its middle with the heaviest things, do not overload the edges. When it comes to universal structures, look at the placement of the load relative to the roof itself. Proper load positioning will help you drive safely. More weight should be in the middle of the car. Do not forget about reliable fasteners – belts and clamps.

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