Thule Sonic Large Review

This sleek, classy looking, high-quality roof box is easy to use and quiet on the roads. We think it is great value for your money, though the size we tested won't transport most skis.

Performance Comparison

Construction Quality

Thule has a reputation for making quality products, and the Sonic is no exception. We like that the lid is very stiff, making it easy to open and close. We also like the little details Thule has included with this box, like the pull cord to close the box and the flange around the lock cylinder that makes it easier to turn the key. One of our testers thought that the Sonic seemed a little flimsy because it is rather light (40 lbs), but it has seemed to stand up to our testing without any problems.

Appearance

The Sonic is one of the best looking boxes in this review, and its sleek, shiny finish looks classy. The finish seems more durable than the also stylish Yakima Skybox 16 Carbonite, as we have not noticed any scuffs or marks on it from moving it around. The shape of the Thule Sonic looks very aerodynamic, and we think it suits smaller vehicles like our testers' Toyota Matrix and Subaru Legacy wagons.

Ease of Use

The Thule Sonic is incredibly easy to use. Like all the rest of the models we tested, the Sonic opens on both sides for convenience. Because of its small size and light weight (40 pounds), it is easier to get up onto roofs than some of the other heavier boxes such as the 47 pound Yakima Skybox Pro. Along with the Rhino Racks Master Fit 550's mounting system, the Thule Sonic is the easiest to mount, with a clamp and dial system. It literally took us less than 5 minutes to attach the Sonic to our vehicles, because its “AcuTight Mounting Hardware” is pre-assembled — just pop it on your roof, line up the clamps, tighten the dials inside the box, and you're ready to go! Having a stiff lid is a real bonus for making the Sonic easy to open and close. Additionally, the pull cord makes closing a full box much easier for people shorter in stature. This detail is also found in the Yakima Skybox. The flange around the lock cylinder makes turning the key to lock your box that much easier as well.

Aerodynamics

The Thule Sonic is one of the more aerodynamic models we tested. We didn't notice any noise unless we went over 70MPH. Thule uses a wind tunnel to check the aerodynamics of their products. The Sonic is one of the lightest boxes we tested, so it may be slightly better on your gas mileage because of it.

Security

Like all the other boxes we tested, the Sonic has three latching points for its locking system, and does not allow you to take the key out of the lock until all the latches have been securely engaged. We think that because the lid is so stiff, it could be more difficult to break into this box.

Best Application

The Sonic is a excellent all around cargo box. Take it camping or on a long road trip, or just use it to move around a lot of your gear. If you have kids, you could use it to move their skis around — but probably not yours, the Sonic size Large will only fit skis up to 155cm in length.

Value

The Thule Sonic wins our Best Buy award because we think it presents the best value in this review. $549 is a screaming deal for a product that has Thule's reputation for quality, and performed well in our testing.

Conclusion