Cargo covers are fairly simple devices that slide over your SUV’s rear luggage compartment to offer visual and UV protection to your belongings. They protect against thieves knowing what you have in there, the sun baking those cans of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls, and all manner of school macaroni projects. But not all of them are built to equal equivalence, and some are just plain bad. They are important, though, and that’s why we’re going to show you some of our favorites and set you up with a quick buying guide for finding one!
Best Overall
E-Cowlboy Trunk Cargo Cover for Toyota 4Runner
Best Value
Tyger Auto Black Retractable Honda CRV Cargo Cover
Honorable Mention
Mazda Genuine Retractable Cargo Cover CX-5
Best Cargo Covers Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall
E-Cowlboy Trunk Cargo Cover for Toyota 4Runner
Check Latest Price
Best Value
Tyger Auto Black Retractable Honda CRV Cargo Cover
Check Latest Price
Best Premium
Mazda Genuine Retractable Cargo Cover CX-5
Check Latest PriceBest for Jeeps
GPCA Wrangler JK Cargo Cover Pro
Check Latest Price
Honorable Mention
Ikon Motorsports Cargo Cover 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Check Latest Price
How We Selected The Products
Not all cargo covers are the same, and a lot of what’s available is something of a disappointment. That’s why we took the time to look at as many options as we could to see which stood out from the pack. Quality materials and fitment were our primary concerns as a cargo cover needs to cover things up and stand up to unexpected abuse from time to time.
Our product selections, rankings, and awards for this story are based on research. While we haven’t conducted real-world testing on all of these products yet, we’ve looked at consumer testimonials and data, tutorials, and general discussions on social media and in forums. We also consider price and specification in the context of the segment. And, of course, we rely on our institutional knowledge of the automotive landscape to weed out weak products.
Buying Guide/What to Look For
Whenever you dive into a general product search that turns up a bunch of application-specific parts, a top-picks list like this can quickly be turned on its head and can easily miss the mark. We get that our picks aren’t an option for all people, which is why we wanted to include a buying guide to help you find the right cargo cover for your ride.
Do You Need a Cargo Cover?
After getting a little frustrated by not finding what you need right away, you may ask yourself if you really need a cargo cover. No, you don’t need a cargo cover in every situation, but you should consider one as a cargo cover adds a little sense of security. They might not be a massive barrier, but they do at least cover your valuables. If thieves can’t see what you’ve hidden under there, they likely won’t take the risk of breaking into your car to find out.
Let’s not forget that cars come with cargo covers from the factory. If your old one is damaged or destroyed, it’s worth replacing. For one, it helps you maintain pride in your vehicle when everything is in working order. Also, keeping up with the maintenance of seemingly insignificant parts can help protect resale value.
On that note, how good is the cargo cover your SUV came with? Some manufacturers use flimsy materials that simply don’t hold up. Swapping to an aftermarket product may provide substantial gains in quality and reliability.
- They boost the security of your car.
- They maintain the quality of factory options on select applications.
- They can be a step up for subpar OE components.
Key Features
It can seem like there is a lot to figure out when shopping for cargo covers. That’s not the case, though. As long as you know what you’re looking for, they’re easy to nail down. How do you know what you need? By keeping these key details in mind.
Application Compatibility
The most important detail is compatibility. There are some universal options available, but even they have a specific platform in mind.
We say stick with something application-specific as opposed to universal covers because they offer the best fit and finish. Something universal might not provide as much coverage as you need it to, making it virtually useless in many cases.
Quality Materials
There isn’t much to a cargo cover, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be cheaply made. After all, it is covering up your valuables, and investing in a good one means it will last a long time.
It’s hard to say what materials should be used because we’re talking about multiple types of categories. Our advice is to do your homework and read into product descriptions and find what materials are used. Then check out what users are saying to see how well the cargo cover you’re considering holds up.
Ease of Installation
While most of our options are easy to install, there are those that are a little more complicated to mount. That’s something you want to read into as it factors into your experience with the unit. There will be times when you want to remove the cargo cover and going through a complex process is unnecessary. You can usually count on it popping on in seconds, but you should read into the details so that you aren’t caught by surprise.
Expert Tips
Don’t go anywhere yet. We’ve got a few quick tips for you to get the most out of your cargo cover.
Use Your Cargo Cover
It’s easy to skip the cargo cover from time to time. However, a cargo cover isn’t used because things will go wrong, but because they can go wrong. There’s no telling what will happen when. Therefore, it’s worth taking a few seconds to set up your cover to keep things from getting out of hand.
Clean It Regularly
Cargo covers can seem almost disposable, considering they are a barrier that takes abuse instead of your cargo. Still, they are worth keeping up with, and a quick clean-up every so often can prevent debris from tearing through soft materials and jamming up moving parts.
You Can Remove It
Not using your cargo cover? Put it away. Retractable covers can be left in place, but anything else should be put in storage when not in use. Doing so protects it from unnecessary abuse to ensure it lasts as long as your vehicle does.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers!
Q. Is a cargo cover worth it?
Absolutely. You might not have a need for a cargo cover on a daily basis, but you’ll still get something from it. It’s a small investment that can keep costly cargo from being damaged or stolen. It’s worth keeping your belongings safe.
Q. How do cargo covers install?
That depends on the application, but for the most part, they simply clip into place. However, some might require the use of specialty hardware. Even so, those covers don’t need more than a few simple hand tools, and you can pop them on within a few minutes.
Q. How do I clean a cargo cover?
This is also dependent on the situation. With a simple cloth cover, you might be able to clean it up with a multi-purpose cleaner. If it features vinyl or leather, you will want to use dedicated cleaners to get the best results and to protect your cover.