Best Roof Rack for Kia Soul – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

While your car was primarily designed to transport passengers across long or short distances, it can do much more. When you need to carry essential items like camping equipment, bikes, or luggage with you on a journey, your vehicle can offer some assistance. With the best roof rack for Kia Soul, you can conveniently take what you need with you.

This post explores the best options available, the benefits of a roof rack, and the factors that should guide your purchase decision.

What is a Roof Rack?

A roof rack is a sturdy frame mounted on the roof of a car, used for carrying large objects that don't easily fit inside the vehicle. It provides a space-saving solution to transporting people and personal items to various places without a trailer or carriage. Now, let's look at the five best roof racks for your Kia Soul.

1. Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Cross Bar

Rhino-Rack Vortex Bar (Silver 42") - VA106S Aerodynamic Roof Rack Cross Bars
  • AERODYNAMIC & SLEEK - This Low-Profile Elliptical Shaped Crossbar...
  • ADD LEGS & FIT KIT - Rhino-Rack Legs and Fit Kits are Sold...
  • MAXIMIZE ROOF SPACE - Full-Length Bars Extend Past Roof Rack Legs...
  • EASY ATTACHMENTS - The Top Channel in Each Bar Lets You Add...
  • KEEP IT CLEAN - The Rubberized Vortex Strips in Top Channel is...

Starting today's reviews is the Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Cross Bar, the best Kia Soul roof rack you can buy. It features a low profile and can be black or silver to match your vehicle's aesthetics as much as possible. With some additional purchases of the Rhino-Rack Legs and Fit Kits, you can make a full roof rack system for carrying roof cargo.

The bars can extend to full length to provide more room for carriers and other roof rack accessories. They are designed to be lightweight yet durable, thanks to the anodized aluminum material. Whether you want a roof rack for commercial or personal use, this model is an ideal selection.

The top channel has vortex strips made from rubber to decrease the drag the vehicle experiences when carrying cargo boxes or kayaks. They also cushion the cargo and prevent the unwanted impact that can cause damage to your property during transport.

This roof rack comes in different lengths to ensure it can work with various vehicles, including the Kia Soul. It's built to withstand the harshest conditions, whether from the weather or the environment, for maximum longevity.

Pros

  • Heavy-duty build
  • Minimal wind noise
  • Easy to mount
  • Durable

Cons

  • Additional costs for accessories

2. Thule Roof Rack System

Thule 7501B AeroBlade Edge Raised Rail (1-Bar), Black, Small
  • Smoothly arched bars that fit close to the roof
  • WindDiffuser technology disturbs airflow to reduce noise and drag...
  • TrailEdge design reduces aerodynamic drag by allowing clean air...
  • BoxBeam internal structure creates an exceptionally strong load...
  • Included AcuTight Tensioning Tool indicates when the rack is...

Next up is the Thule AeroBlade Edge, a low-profile rack system with an aerodynamic structure that can easily transport any load. It has a high carrying capacity and comes preassembled to make the installation process smooth and convenient, especially for cars with raised rails.

You can say goodbye to drag and wind noise thanks to the WindDiffuser Technology in this Kia Soul roof rack. Since there'll be less air resistance, you won't need maximum power to move your cargo bags from place to place, allowing you to save on fuel. Plus, you won't hear as much noise as you normally would when transporting luggage.

The design of the bar is arched to complement the shape of your roof, which adds an aesthetic effect. These load bars are unfortunately sold one-by-one, which doubles the price if you want to take two. You can rest assured of the strength of these rooftop racks even though they have a lightweight structure.

Pros

  • High carrying capacity
  • Easy installation
  • Aerodynamic design
  • Sturdy

Cons

  • Each bar is sold separately

3. Yakima JayHook Rooftop Mounted Kayak Rack

Yakima - JayHook Rooftop Mounted Kayak Rack for Vehicles, Carries 1 Kayak
  • Carry 1 kayak: Fits any type of kayak and efficiently carries it...
  • Fits most crossbars: Universal mounting hardware fits most roof...
  • Includes straps: Includes all the necessary hardware and straps...
  • Padded protection: J-shaped cradle keeps your kayak secure and...
  • Easy install: Tool-free installation in about 10 minutes; Refer...

The Yakima JayHook Roof Rack is the third-best roof rack for Kia Soul, thanks to its sturdy and reliable design. It's built to carry different kayaks and is made of durable material to ensure you get years of use. Even if the terrain is unleveled or has winding river roads, this rack can carry your load safely without breaking or bending.

You shouldn't worry about whether this rooftop rack system will fit your Kia Soul since it's designed with universal mounting hardware to ensure compatibility. The purchase includes heavy-duty straps and hardware that you can use to tie down your gear for transport. This means that you won't need to buy them again, helping you cut costs.

Loading and unloading your luggage is easy, courtesy of the J-shaped cradle, which offers padded protection to prevent damage at specific points. Additionally, it'll take about 10 minutes to install this kayak rack in your vehicle, which is another reason it's among the best roof racks for Kai Soul.

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Sturdy performance
  • Minimal shifting
  • Ties included

Cons

  • High price

4. Amazon Basics Heavy-Duty Cross Rail Roof Rack

The fourth pick is the Amazon Basics cross rail roof rack, a great option for your Kia Soul because of its 56-inch width allowing you to carry large items like kayaks. Your car will need preinstalled roof rails with a half-inch gap or larger to use this rack on your 2019 Kia Soul.

The aerodynamic build of this unit can eliminate wind sound and vibrations even as you drive at high speeds to give you a noise-free experience. So, if you are looking for a quiet solution for transporting a cargo box or luggage, this cross rail rack is the best choice.

The aluminum used in the construction of the rack ensures it can withstand a weight of 165 pounds while not adding too much weight to your car. Plus, this material can resist corrosion from the elements or harsh environments, making it a perfect choice for you.

Additionally, this rack can offer some level of security since it comes with an integrated locking system that prevents anyone without a key from detaching it from the vehicle.

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • High load capacity
  • In-built lock system
  • Durable construction

Cons

  • Requires pre-installed roof rails

5. Yakima JetStream Bar Aerodynamic Crossbars

Yakima - JetStream Bar, Aerodynamic Bar for Roof Rack Systems, Black, 50"
  • Aerodynamic crossbar: The high-performance JetFlow teardrop shape...
  • Reinforced design: Features JetTruss internal support engineering...
  • Easy to install: The T-slot rubber infill makes it easy to mount...
  • Compatibility: Works with Yakima StreamLine Towers, T-Slot...
  • We’ve got your back guarantee: Covered by our Limited Lifetime...

We can't fail to mention the Yakima JetStream Bar when considering the best roof rack for sport-style cars like the Kia Soul. It's designed to decrease drag and deliver a powerful, quiet, and efficient performance. The aluminum makes it a sleek, lightweight, and strong option for moving cargo boxes from place to place.

It features a reinforced form that offers a high weight capacity of 75 kgs across the two bars. This makes it a great option for maximizing the space above your vehicle to transport various loads. You can easily install this unit thanks to the T-slot rubber infill, allowing air to move freely to give you a fuel-efficient experience.

If you also want style in addition to functionality, you'll be glad to know that the high gloss polymer end caps offer a hint of elegance to your 2019 Kia Soul. The limited lifetime warranty also makes the deal better.

Pros

  • Quick installation
  • Lightweight
  • Rigid construction
  • Ideal carrying capacity
  • Less drag

Cons

  • No adapter for bike racks

What's the Difference Between Roof Racks and Roof Rails?

When it comes to transporting kayaks, bikes, or other loads that won't fit in your car, roof rails and roof racks are the ideal solutions. These two items are mostly the same but differ in that each is mounted to the vehicle in a specific direction.

The primary function of roof rails is to provide a place to mount items rather than acting as carriers. On the other hand, roof racks are ideal carriers for bulky loads that you don't want to haul with your Kia Soul.

What are the Benefits of Using Roof Racks?

1. Transporting Large Items

Your Kia Soul isn't just great for taking you from one place to another; it can also help you transport your belongings or various necessities. Since large objects like kayaks and camping gear might not fit inside the car, you'll have to use the roof area to carry them along.

So, there's no reason to leave any essentials behind, no matter how big they are, since you can easily take them with you if you get the best roof rack for Kia Soul.

2. Larger In-Car Space

Carrying luggage in the car could require you to adjust the seats to accommodate the items. This can leave you feeling uncomfortable since you won't have enough room to stretch your legs or for air to circulate without restriction. Fortunately, roof racks allow you to increase the space inside the vehicle since you can carry some of the items on top of the car rather than inside.

Additionally, Kia Soul roof racks can also help you create room for more people in your car. If you had placed your gear on the back seat, you can put them on the racks and accommodate one or two more passengers.

3. Better Air Circulation

Carrying items in the car can affect the quality of the air you breathe. Items like tents, camping gear, and equipment can have a characteristic smell that can make it unbearable to travel with them in the car. Fortunately, you don't have to endure any odor when you have a rooftop rack on your vehicle because you can place them outside where the smell won't bother anyone.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Roof Rack for Kia Soul

1. Ease of Installation

The first thing you should consider when selecting a rack for your car is the process of installing it. Some roof racks are harder to mount and set up than others, depending on factors like the hardware required and necessary accessories.

Choosing a roof rack that you can easily install will help you save time and energy. The models that feature a complicated process might require you to hire professional help to install them, leading to additional costs.

2. Brands

Like other products, roof racks are made by a variety of manufacturers. Some brands have decades of experience producing car-related accessories like roof racks, cross bars, and cargo baskets which makes them a reliable option.

The best brands for Kia Soul carrier equipment include Rhino Rack, Thule, Yakima, and Rola. Such brands offer a lifetime warranty, additional accessories, and great customer support to ensure you can benefit as much as possible from their products. The only downside to high-end brands is that they cost more than standard products.

3. Load Capacity

You'll also want to consider the amount of weight the carrier can handle. If you are shipping a kayak that is heavier than 100lbs, you shouldn't take a rack with a lower weight limit since it'll probably bend or break under the load.

So, you'll want to determine the weight of the items you want to carry and measure it against the amount of work the bars can handle. You should go with a roof rack that can accommodate your objects without cracking or getting flimsy to ensure the safety of your property as you drive.

4. Materials

Roof racks are made from metal or plastic. The plastic ones are lightweight and can be strong enough to hold a bike or other small items that require transport. Unfortunately, plastic is not a durable or sturdy option since it can get cooked in the heat of the sun or break when under immense weight.

The reliable choice for carrying bulky items is metal roof racks that can withstand weight without the risk of breaking or bending. Unfortunately, while stainless steel is a resilient option, it's too heavy, which is why we recommend you go with an aluminum rack.

5. Size

The size of the roof racks should complement the items you want to carry. You can't choose a small-sized rack if you want to carry a bulky item like a kayak since it won't provide a stable base of support to transport it. You are better off with a larger roof rack than a smaller one since it's okay to load small items on a large rack.

Nevertheless, if you don't plan to carry anything bulky, you can go with a small roof rack that meets your needs appropriately.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best roof rack for Kia Soul?

The Rhino Rack Vortex Aero Cross Bar is the best roof rack for Kia Soul on the market.

2. Can you put a kayak on a Kia Soul?

Yes, you can put a kayak on a Kia Soul. However, you'll need to mount an appropriate rack on the roof to ensure it won't harm your car.

3. Do roof racks damage your car?

The mounting hardware for roof racks is designed to fit your car without causing any damage.