Yakima CBX XXL Cargo Box

The Yakima CBX XXL is a premium roof-top cargo box with 21.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity and the ability to carry skis up to 215cm in length. Its upscale design and appealing aesthetics are thanks in part to an all-new automotive reflective finish, which ensures it looks good on any vehicle, no matter how fancy it may be.

The integrated easy-grab lid handle makes it easy to open and close the lid and provides an at-a-glance confirmation that it’s locked and your gear is secure inside.

The CBX uses an easy-to-operate mounting system which is designed to fit onto Yakima, Thule and most other factory-installed crossbar systems. The CBX uses a removable torque knob which tightens the arms that grip onto the crossbars. Once it is secure you can remove the knob and store it off to the side and out of the way. Unlike other cargo boxes which have fixed knobs for each attachment point, the removable knob on the CBX Cargo Box means that it creates a smooth, flat interior for more versatile storage options.

The CBX XXL’s larger size doesn’t mean it is limited to just larger vehicles thanks to the cargo box’s longer track system which adjusts the positioning of the mounting hardware, allowing you to fit it your vehicle without having to worry about the box coming into contact your vehicle’s rear hatch which would limit access to your vehicle.

You can easily load and unload the CBX from either side since it has dual hinges that allow the lid to be opened from either side.

If the CBX XXL Cargo Box is simply too much volume for what your needs are, Yakima also offers a CBX Large version with 16 Cubic feet of storage space.

• 21.5 cubic feet of cargo space
• Rugged angular design and reflective finish stand out from the crowd
• Intuitive, easy-to-grab lid handle locks gear inside the box and secures the box to the vehicle
• Removable torque-limiting knob ensures a safe and secure installation
• Market-leading internal usable space with an unobstructed, flattened floor provides more room for gear
• Optimized hatch clearance for better vehicle fit
• Universal mounting hardware fits all Yakima StreamLine™ crossbars, factory, or aerodynamic crossbars
• Internal lid stiffeners enhance durability and ensure easy opening and closing
• Dual-sided opening for convenient access from either side of the vehicle
• Hauls gear for up to 5 campers; fits snowboards and skis up to 215cm
• Integrated interior tie-down points for secure gear storage
• SKS locks included for added security
• Black chrome badging
• Made in the USA

My previous Cargo box was Thule’s Boxter 611, which I had mounted on my Subaru Crosstrek. Since this is not a large vehicle, the added space of a roof-top cargo box is welcome on road trips to manage all the needed camping and adventure gear, since our 80lb dog takes up the entire hatchback. I have since decided to upgrade to Yakima’s CBX XXL Cargo Box, given its large volume (you can never have enough storage space), and I much prefer its more modern angular design. To improve overall fuel economy, I put the cargo box on my vehicle in winter to use as a ski box and then, come spring, generally remove it while not needed in between road trips and adventures. For this reason, installation and removal have to be quick and simple. With the CBX XXL, Yakima has made it super efficient thanks to their universal mounting hardware that clamps down hard on the roof rack’s cross bars. I also like that the torque-limiting knob is removable and stored out of the way so I get significantly more flat interior space.

The dual-sided opening is convenient for loading and unloading, the CBX XXL given how large its interior volume is. Gear can migrate around and get swallowed up inside the CBX XXL, so I use this feature all the time. I also like that the built-in handle ensures that you close the box securely and shows you that it is locked with a simple glance.

While the CBX XXL may be on the expensive side, it does provide much more cargo space for your dollar. It’s also hard to argue with how good it looks with its gloss black finish and angular design lines. It’s built solid, hence the weight, and I know that it’ll take some abuse and last for several years of rugged use. So, yes—the Yakima CBX XXL Cargo Box is worth the money, given all that it has to offer and how it fits my lifestyle and needs so well.