Our Hands-On Review of the SportRack Vista XL Cargo Box

After three weeks of testing the SportRack Vista XL Rear Opening Cargo Box on various road trips, we’re ready to share our findings. This black cargo carrier impressed us with its rear-opening design, which proved incredibly convenient when parked in tight spaces. We found the 18 cubic feet of storage capacity more than adequate for our camping gear and luggage for a family of four.

The ABS construction feels sturdy and weatherproof – our contents remained completely dry despite driving through some heavy rainfall. Installation was straightforward, taking us about 20 minutes to secure it to our crossbars.

While not the most aerodynamic box on the market, we didn’t notice significant noise or fuel economy impacts during highway driving. The locking mechanism worked smoothly and provided peace of mind when leaving our vehicle in public areas.