This review focuses on the best roof racks for the Jeep Cherokee.
Our reviews consider the build quality, load capacity, and of course how secure the fitment is for each roof rack. We are also huge proponents of real world testing to get a better idea of how well a roof rack actually performs.
Brightlines make our favorite crossbars for the Jeep Cherokee. They are constructed from aluminum and have plenty of load capacity for more than just the essentials. These crossbars are also specifically designed for the Jeep Cherokee, so fitment won’t be an issue.
We have been testing and reviewing vehicle accessories for the past 10 years, so none of the latest roof racks, good or bad, get past us without a thorough assessment. If you want the most informed opinion on which roof rack to buy, you came to the right place.
Without further ado, let’s get into the best roof racks for the Jeep Cherokee.
BRIGHTLINES Crossbars Roof Racks
Best Overall
Brightlines’ cross bar roof rack is a sturdy hunk o’ metal, providing an aluminum build, firm fitment, and high load capacity that can take all of your cargo without breaking a sweat. Add to that the aerodynamic styling, and you have the perfect Jeep Cherokee roof rack.
Jumping right into it, we have the aluminum construction, which keeps the whole rack lightweight and rigid. It is significantly lighter than the alloy steel construction we see in other racks, helping with mounting the rack.
The aluminum surface is also a lot more resistant to rust and corrosion. We regularly parked our Jeep Cherokee out in the rain and the rack did not show any signs of rusting. This is especially impressive when you consider we live in an area with salty sea air!
Despite the lightweight design and looks, this is still a pretty sturdy roof rack. We measured the actual crossbar at ¾”. The hook on style mounting is perfectly secure and discourages the rack from moving around or wobbling at speed.
Speaking of installation, it is a fully bolt on setup. That means you don’t need to cut up, drill into, or make any other major modification to your Jeep Cherokee’s body work.
Besides the mounting hardware, all of which is provided in the box, you also get a set of easy to follow instructions. And we loved the fact that the front crossbar is actually a little bit longer than the one in rear, to match the Jeep Cherokee’s shape.
It doesn’t take that long to install either. If it takes you more than 20 minutes to have the rack fully set up and ready for action, you’re doing something wrong.
Load capacity is rated for just over 150 lbs. That is in line with other racks of this size and price point, if not a bit higher! You won’t have any issues carrying large items like sports equipment, camping gear, and large suitcases with this roof rack.
The styling is also very aerodynamic. The whole rack hugs the roof of your Jeep Cherokee, so wind resistance is a non-issue. We did not experience any drag or have to put up with any wind noise inside the Jeep. Mileage is only nominally worse than normal.
Pros
- Quick and easy install
- No major modification of bodywork necessary
- Aerodynamic styling
- No wind noise or rattling sounds
- Aluminum build
- Rated to hold 150 lbs
- Drag is minimized at speed
- All of the necessary mounting hardware is provided in the box
- Comes with a 1 year warranty
Cons
- Mileage is a little bit worse than when the rack was not installed
CargoLoc Aluminum Roof Top Cross Bar
Best Budget
CargoLoc’s aluminum cross bars are for the Jeep Cherokee owner who’d rather get multiple high quality roof racks for a hundred dollars, rather than spending hundreds of dollars just to get one high quality roof rack.
CargoLoc’s roof rack for the Jeep Cherokee is the best bang for your buck. Aluminium is the material of choice for most of the rack, but you will see some plastic bits on the cross bars. This is to make the crossbars adjustable and pretty much par for course with other racks in this category.
The rack uses heavy duty clamps to bolt on to the roof of your Jeep Cherokee. These clamps are sturdy and don’t let the rack or your cargo move around in transit. The rubber inner lining protects the paintwork, while also giving the rack a better grip.
You will notice that it is a streamlined design that is more aerodynamic. We did not face any excessive drag or wind resistance, and the rack does not produce any annoying wind noise or rattling sounds when you’re out on the highway.
The compact styling means you get more space for storing and transporting cargo. There is plenty of room for loading up irregularly shaped items, sports equipment, camping gear, and whatever else you may need to carry.
The standout feature of this rack is the cool add-ons you get. Firstly, you get a cargo net that is great for keeping smaller items in the roof rack secure.
Included 5mm thick bungee cords let you tie your cargo down and keep it from moving around. Usually, tie-down straps or cords are the first thing we buy for new roof racks, so it was a pleasant surprise to see them included in the box.
The load capacity is a bit of a mixed bag. While the official rating is around 150 lbs, we only really recommend carrying around 135 lbs, especially for longer journeys. Still, that’s plenty for a rack of this size and at this price.
Lastly, the limited lifetime warranty and the anti-theft locks are also a couple other features of this ‘budget’ rack that made us do a double take!
Pros
- Universal compatibility
- More snug fit with the Jeep Cherokee
- Aluminum used for most of the construction
- Load capacity of around 150 lbs
- Most affordable roof rack for the Jeep Cherokee
- Wider proportions
- Can hold larger, irregularly shaped cargo
- Can be locked for better stability
- Anti-theft key lock design
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- A bit of plastic here and there for adjustability
MaxxHaul Cargo Roof Rack
Overall Best
Maxxhaul’s rooftop cargo basket is the definitive roof rack for your Jeep Cherokee. It has an all metal build, high load capacity, and a perfectly secure place to store your precious cargo.
Like other high quality roof racks, this one uses tubed alloy steel for the entire build. It is also covered in a thick surface coating that keeps it free of rust, corrosion, and even some minor scratches. If you like to take your Jeep Cherokee off road, you’ll like how durable this rack is.
The alloy steel is not as heavy as you might expect. This makes it a lot easier to get mounted on your Jeep Cherokee and live with it day to day. At the same time, the rack is sturdy enough to hold all of your luggage securely.
To put it in a number, the load capacity is rated for around 150 lbs. That is plenty for the average family road trip luggage, camping gear, or even sports equipment. We tested a lot of different suitcases and other cargo with this rack and it did not disappoint at all.
Installing this rack is as easy as 1,2,3! U-bolts are used here, making the process a lot simpler and more convenient. The U-bolts have special rubber caps that allow them to stay more secure and tamper-proof.
Overall, the rack does not move around or wobble at speed. It is exceptionally stable and keeps your cargo secure. This is thanks to the universal fit which basically fits any vehicle, and makes for an even more bespoke fit on the Jeep Cherokee.
Lastly, we can report that the aerodynamic shape is good for more than just looking cool on the Jeep Cherokee. In fact, it reduces wind resistance at speed, minimizes drag, and keeps your Jeep’s fuel mileage in check.
Really, the one and only complaint we have with the Maxxhaul is the rather large, borderline obnoxious branding on the front of the rack. It may be a minor annoyance, but one that we shouldn’t have to put up with at this price point.
Pros
- Tubed alloy steel design
- U-bolts for a more secure and firm fit
- Comes in two different sizes
- Easy to set up and install
- Powder coating resists rust and corrosion
- Load capacity is rated for around 150 lbs
- Very snug and tight fit
- Comes fully assembled
- Comes with all of the mounting equipment in the box
Cons
- Branding on the front is kinda tacky
