Best Roof Racks for 2017–2026 Tesla Model 3: 5 Fixed-Point Picks, Highland vs 2017–2023

WheelX earns the top Amazon spot because its listing does what most don't: it runs from 2017 to 2026, so it covers the Highland as well as the original car. The towers lock, which matters on bars that come off with the right tool in a few minutes, and the bars bolt into the fixed points under the roof trim with no drilling. The listed rating is 176 lb. Read that as the bars' strength, not permission to load more than the 150 lb Tesla gives its own rack. Tesla's manual says to use 'only roof rack systems that have been approved by Tesla'. We could not confirm whether Tesla approves these bars, so ask Tesla before you order.

Because one listing spans both bodies, message the seller with your build date or model year and ask which towers or fit pieces ship. Tesstudio and TESEVO both sell separate Highland parts, which tells you the two roofs are not identical. Expect about $150–$220, well under half of Tesla's $400 rack. You give up Tesla's published 495 lb static load limit and Tesla's own statement that its rack is compatible with all Model 3 vehicles, but you get locks and a listing that names your car whichever body you have. Check fit and highway noise inside the return window before adding a box.

This set is sold on its aero profile. The bars are shaped to cut drag and wind noise, the two costs of any roof rack on an EV. The listing gives a 220 lb bar rating and names the 2017–2024 Model 3. A higher bar rating adds margin against flex, but plan around the 150 lb Tesla gives its own rack, and that includes the bars and any box. On a car where range is the currency, a smaller, smoother bar is the trade this set offers.

The year range is the question. Wikipedia says North American orders for the Highland opened in January 2024, so a title ending at 2024 could mean the older body or both. Ask the seller directly whether it ships Highland towers and have your build date ready. Tesstudio splits its racks at 2023.11 builds, which is a good reference point. The title mentions no lock, so if your car parks outside, the WheelX set is the safer choice. At about $130–$190, this is the cheapest aero-profile option we found with a stated rating. Check fit, noise and any contact with the trim inside the return window.

For an original Model 3, a listing that stops at 2023 is an advantage, not a limitation. This AUXPACBO lockable rack is sold only for the 2017–2023 car, so there is no question about which towers you get. That matches the way Tesstudio and TESEVO split their racks at the 2023.10 build. The towers lock, the bars are aluminum, and the set bolts into the fixed points under the roof trim without drilling.

It doesn't fit a Highland, so if you bought a 2024 or later car, skip it. AUXPACBO doesn't publish a weight or noise figure, so read the listing for the stated load rating and plan around the 150 lb Tesla gives its own rack either way. Expect about $150–$220. If you're selling a pre-Highland Model 3 soon, keep the rack in mind: it won't move to a newer Model 3, so it may make more sense to sell it with the car. Before ordering, compare the tower photos on the listing with the mounting points under your roof trim, and check the return terms in case anything doesn't line up. Also confirm the bar's T-slot size if you already own T-bolt carriers.

IKON Motorsports sells body kits and bolt-on parts through its own store as well as Amazon, and this is its fixed-point crossbar for the Model 3. The Amazon title names the 2017–2023 Model 3 and describes an OE-style bar in black aluminum and ABS. IKON's own product page lists it at $144.99, describes the material as aluminum plus ABS, and says the box contains one pair of crossbars with mounting hardware. The appeal is looks: an OE-style bar sits lower and cleaner than the tall towers on some budget sets, which suits a car bought for its clean lines.

The fine print needs attention. IKON's product page says it fits 2017–2026, but the Amazon title stops at 2023, and the two bodies take different parts from makers that publish fitment. Treat it as a pre-Highland rack unless the seller confirms otherwise for your build date. IKON publishes no load rating and no lock, so plan around the 150 lb Tesla gives its own rack and store the bars inside if the car parks on the street. IKON also says installation instructions are not included and recommends professional installation, and that painting or modifying the part voids its warranty. Its 30-day return window is the time to check fit against your roof's mounting points and listen for wind noise at highway speed.

If you need bars a few times a year for skis or a kayak, this AUPACBO set is the cheapest Model 3-specific option on this page. The listing names the 2017–2025 Model 3 and mounts to the fixed points under the roof trim, like every other rack here. It costs about $140–$200, roughly half of Tesla's rack. For occasional use, most owners care more about price than locks, and you can store the bars in the trunk between trips.

The trade-offs are the ones you'd expect at this price. The title doesn't mention locks or a load rating, and the 2017–2025 range overlaps the Highland without naming it. Ask the seller which body the towers are for before ordering, and check that the bars have a T-slot if you plan to use T-bolt carriers. Plan around the 150 lb Tesla gives its own rack. If you park outside or leave the bars on for weeks, spend the extra on the lockable WheelX or AUXPACBO sets. Whatever you choose, re-check the tower bolts after the first highway drive, since budget sets rarely include torque-limiting tools.