Given the size of the automobile industry and market, it’s not surprising that there are virtually countless options for cargo boxes to go with them. Knowing which brand is right for you can be challenging.
Thule has been doing the most business in this area for a long time, but we are constantly hearing about the newer brand INNO—so which is better? Well, here’s what I think:
While both are high-quality products and will do you well, if you’re looking for a premium option, Thule is the best choice. INNO is not poor quality by any means, though—they offer sleek, high-quality designs without the premium price tag.
The only definitive answer in the INNO vs. Thule cargo box debate is that it depends on your needs. Both have substantial advantages over the other, meaning neither is considered inadequate or unworthy. Therefore, let’s break this down in more detail and give you the best chance of making an informed decision.
Is INNO a good brand or is Thule better? The Face-off
It’s never easy to say whether one brand is better than another with much certainty. Both companies offer premium products at reasonable prices on the face of it. The differences can seem subtle, so let’s look at a few essential metrics to help you decide on a cargo box.
Company overview
If you’ve researched your cargo box options already, you have probably heard of Thule. Thule is one of the oldest players in the industry and has provided high-quality, premium products to its customers for almost eight decades. They can undoubtedly boast the most significant market share of any company selling such products.
By comparison, then, is INNO a good brand? Well, in short, yes. They may not be as old or well-established as Thule, but they have had a fairly meteoric rise since their more recent starting years. Their name tells you everything they strive for in a nutshell: INNOvation.
They first appeared on the market back in 2003, beginning in the U.S. and since expanding to Europe. So, although they’re a newer company, it’s still far from young.
Product Range
One of the first things you’ll need to think about in your decision-making process is the range of available options. Both companies have proven track records, but this won’t be much good if their cargo boxes don’t suit you. Both have a wide range of products, though Thule’s is bigger:
Product Range Name | Loading Capacity (Litres) |
Thule Vector | 360L – 430 L |
Thule Motion XT | 300L – 610 L |
Thule Force XT | 300L - 500L |
Thule Ranger | 260L – 280L |
Each of these names relates to a line of cargo boxes varying in size. Most lines have two to five options within them. INNO’s range is not quite as extensive, though still considerable:
Product Range Name | Loading Capacity (Litres) |
Wedge | 300L-400L |
Shadow | 280-400L |
Roofbox | 300L-420L |
Ridge Trunk | 220L |
INNO has the same number of ranges offering different solutions for different needs but does not boast as many individual products. So, if you need a wider choice, Thule is probably the way to go.
Product Quality
Now, we’ve looked at both companies and their product ranges. The next thing on your mind is probably the actual quality of the products themselves: This is obviously very important in the INNO vs. Thule cargo box debate.
Most would say that you cannot go wrong with Thule. There is certainly a reason they have achieved and maintained the highest market share in this industry over the years. Their product is quality and premium, and the best on the market for a reasonable price.
That said, INNO is not interested in a subpar product. Again, the fundamental question, is INNO a good brand? Though it can be harder to gauge, purely because Thule is a much bigger company with a high volume of reviews, I can see most INNO customers are pleased with their purchases.
Availability
If you think you might have decided by now, what we’ll need to turn to now is how easily you can buy these products. Thule, again, are the leaders in this category—as a benefit of their age, they’ve achieved much greater reach:
Purchasing Options for Thule | Purchasing Options for INNO |
Online retailers | Online retailers (Self and third-party sellers) |
Many third-party retail sellers online/offline (Global) | Online marketplaces (Amazon) |
Online marketplaces (Amazon) |
Both companies have global reach, though Thule may be easier to get hold of depending on where you are.
Pros and Cons of INNO and Thule
With all of these details out of the way, let’s look at a breakdown of each option’s most essential pros and cons. This bitesize look should help you make your final decision.
INNO cargo boxes
Pros | Cons |
More affordable, budget option | Less widely available than Thule |
Wide range of products | Cannot boast the reputation or market share of Thule |
Sleek, stylish designs | The lower range of cargo box volumes |
Thule cargo boxes
Pros | Cons |
Highest quality, premium crates on the market | Much higher cost, often double the cost of an equivalent INNO box |
Massive range of choices to fit any needs, from the smallest to the largest box | |
Available anywhere in the world, whether online or in-store |
Conclusion
At the end of the day, you have a great choice in both of these companies. The final decision will depend on exactly what you’re looking for. Thule will be the way to go if you need the premium quality, the best product on the market, and you need a good range of options. As I said, you cannot go wrong with these industry giants. But if you are operating on a more limited budget, INNO is clearly also committed to the same quality of service and product without the hefty price tag.