In this article, we’ll be taking a look at our top picks for the best roof racks for the Toyota Corolla.
We tested dozens of different roof racks for the Toyota Corolla and shortlisted the top performers. We consider factors like the construction, carrying capacity, and even the look of these racks on your Corolla.
As such, Stay There’s sturdy roof rack gets our highest recommendation. It combines a solid build with plenty of space for cargo and a higher load capacity.
We believe that there is no substitute for real world testing, which is why we always recommend vehicle accessories we are really confident in. And after a decade of testing different accessories, we can help you make the best choice for your car.
Keep reading for more information on the best roof racks for the Toyota Corolla.
Stay There Universal Roof Rack
Overall Best
These are one of our absolute favourite roof rack cross bars, owing to their simple yet heavy duty construction, impressive load capacity, and perfect fit.
The build of these crossbars leaves little to be desired. High quality aluminium dominates the design, making this one of the lightest crossbars on the market. Aluminium is more rigid than steel and keeps your luggage more secure.
The aluminium cross bars also resist corrosion and rusting, a problem that has always plagued steel roof racks. They also look a little cooler, fitting right in with the lines of a Corolla.
But this roof rack is more than just a pretty face. It is seriously heavy duty and can hold a whopping 200 lbs. That is one of the highest load capacities we have seen in any roof rack and allows you to hold heavier items such as snowboards, skis, roof boxes, 640 copies of Shrek on Blu-Ray. You know, the essential stuff.
That load capacity is even more impressive when you factor in the lightweight cross bars themselves. They are just a hair over 8 lbs, so you won’t have any issues mounting them on your Toyota Corolla. In fact, installation is dead simple. It does not involve any drilling and shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to do at home.
As for the design, these cross bars are beautifully shaped and formed to glide through the air. That means you won’t have to put up with any drag or wind resistance. It also cuts down excess wind noise and keeps your car’s mileage in check.
And if you’re worried about wannabe Daniel Ocean types making away with your shiny new cross bars, Stay There’s cross bars are lockable. The locking mechanism also provides more structural rigidity. Rubber strips on the contact points keep your car’s paintwork looking pristine, and also eliminate any clunky noises at speed.
Finally, we are huge fans of the adjustable fit of these cross bars. It doesn’t matter what model year Toyota Corolla you have, these cross bars can be adjusted to fit them all. In fact, it will fit most cars, SUVs, hatchbacks.
Pros
- Aluminium construction
- Only weighs about 8 lbs
- Over 200 lbs load capacity
- No rusting or corrosion
- Easy installation
- Aerodynamic design
- No wind noise
- No excess drag
- Lockable design
- Rubber inserts for scratchless fitment
- Adjustable fit
- Fits almost all Corolla models
Cons
- Only one colour available
Amazon Cross Rail Roof Rack
Best Budget
For a really budget friendly cross bar, Amazon has you covered. This affordable cross bar has a durable build, decent load capacity, and gets the job done in a pinch.
Amazon made this roof rack cross bar more affordable by opting for high quality plastic over the aluminium cross bar. That may seem like a downgrade, but when you consider that this is still a durable and effective build, and factor in the price, it becomes a lot more appealing.
The plastic is also going to hold up better over time. It reduces the chances of rusting or corrosion and makes for a lighter cross bar overall. One possible concern is that the plastic may sustain deeper scratches and tarnish with excessive use.
Amazon claims a load capacity of around 165 lbs. That would put this cross bar in line with other more premium options. However, our testing found that it can be loaded to around 150 lbs before you start to notice bending. That’s still plenty for stuff like suitcases, surfboards, and other luggage.
The shape takes inspiration from more expensive roof racks and ends up with a low profile design that is more efficient at cutting through the air. We have neither wind noise nor any excess drag to report. Fuel mileage was similarly unaffected.
Amazon takes yet another leaf out of other manufacturer’s books and puts rubber inserts on the cross bar clamps. This protects your paintwork and also gives you a sturdier fit. Taking corners at high speed, we did not notice any creaking or shifting of the cross bars.
Installation was a bit complicated at first, but we referred to the videos available online and quickly sorted it out. That said, we did not find the instructions included in the box particularly easy to follow.
All other mounting hardware was thankfully also included in the package. We also liked the lockable design which kept our cargo secure.
All said and done, Amazon’s roof rack is a solid option for anyone looking to get their hands on an affordable cross bar. It isn’t the most heavy duty build out there, but it works well enough. The best feature is still the low price that provides so much value for money.
Pros
- Aluminium build with plastic exterior
- 150 lbs load capacity
- Low profile design
- Rubber inserts protect car paintwork
- No creaking or wind noise
- Sturdy fit
- Lockable design keeps cargo safe
- All mounting hardware provided
- Most affordable option
Cons
- Installation process is not the most intuitive
Backrack Truck Bed Headache Rack
Premium Choice
This roof rack from Jinsanity features a great balance of build quality, performance, and design. We also liked the fact that this roof rack is universally compatible.
Build quality seems to be the focus of this adjustable roof rack. High grade aluminium is used for most of the build. It is lightweight and compact, so you can store more of your stuff on the roof. Rusting and corrosion are a non-issue. The whole build is finished in a cool matte silver, which looks stellar and fits right in with any car.
Load capacity is high, but that is hardly a surprise. 150 lbs means you can store a bunch of stuff without breaking a sweat. The real useful feature is how much space you get thanks to the compact design of these crossbars. And we found that if you do some creative packaging, you can easily fit more than 160 lbs on this roof rack.
Installation was a piece of cake. We did not need more than a couple minutes to get the bars ready to rock. Rubber clamps hold the bars in place tightly so your cargo is nice and secure. It also saves your car’s paint from scratches, dings, etc. All of the necessary hardware is provided with the cross bars and instructions are easy to follow.
Driving around with the roof rack fully loaded, we did not hear any wind noise, or experience any excess drag. Fuel mileage was only slightly lower than normal, but nothing too crazy.
These cross bars are one of the best fully adjustable ones we have seen. The adjustable design allows them to fit more snugly and ensures that you don’t get any shifting in luggage when at speed.
You can also lock these roof racks with a key, so you don’t have to worry about any of your luggage getting stolen. We also tested these cross bars with various different accessories like roof boxes and they work perfectly.
Pros
- High grade aluminium build
- More rigid than other options
- Upto 160 lbs load capacity (if evenly distributed)
- Matte silver finish looks more appealing
- Easiest installation
- Rubber clamp inserts
- No scratches to paintwork
- Sturdy fit
- Adjustable design
- Lockable for extra security
- Works well with other accessories
Cons
- Fuel mileage is slightly lower than normal
