Just about every new SUV can be had with a roof rack, but very few of these racks actually come with cross rails. This is the case for our 2008 Buick Enclave. And since we were in need of a way to properly secure cargo on the roof, we had to buy cross rails from the dealer.
Wanna guess how much they were? You're the next contestant on The Price is Right.
They were $204.08, with tax.
I asked our testing director, who has worked for a couple of automakers before, why they don't come standard. He speculated that installed cross rails create wind noise, and noise is bad for test drives and customer satisfaction. So automakers leave them off and get the added bonus of offering them as pricey dealer-sourced accessories.
Installing the rails was straightforward, though the bolts have Torx security-style heads -- better hope you don't lose the included wrench.
As for the pictured cooler and suitcase, they were accessories for a fuel economy test we performed earlier this week. The Enclave was one of three vehicles we used to test a variety of situations such as driving style, aerodynamics and tire pressure. (We're working on an improved and expanded version of our original We Test the Tips article.)
We haven't run the final calculations yet but I'll do an Enclave post once the story is published. Oh, and in terms of wind noise, I couldn't detect a difference with the rails on. The Enclave is impressively quiet.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor @ 10,950 miles
SubyTrojan says:
11:30 AM, 01/31/08
Dan is completely right about dealerships loving to sell accessories such as cross rails, especially at the time of sale.
For the buyer - He or she is able to finance the price of the accessory(-ies) and if needed, its/their installation.
For the sales department - Increased bottom line
For the parts department - An accessory sale never hurts...and...manufacturers often have accessory "competitions" or bonuses available to parts departments that sell many of them
For the service department - The sales department usually issues a purchase order (PO) for the installation of the accessory on the vehicle. The PO usually covers the "internal" price of the part and labor.
7driver says:
11:54 AM, 01/31/08
To add to Suby's points (I'm speculating a bit here):
It allows the automaker to simplify manufacturing a bit saving them money and increase production.
The buyer who isn't going to use it doesn't pay for something he doesn't need.
I guess if there's a loser in this deal, it's the guy who does need/want the cross-rails as he/she probably pays a bit more for it than if it came from the factory.
texases says:
12:28 PM, 01/31/08
I go the other way - I'd much rather not have any roof rack at all, I've never used the ones I've had, and I like the look better without them. So, I'd prefer not to also pay for the cross bars (I think the 'rails' are the things on the side).
stovt001 says:
12:38 PM, 01/31/08
+1 to both Suby and 7driver.
billt9 says:
01:19 PM, 01/31/08
Crossrails are uglier than the straight front-back runners. They are.
jsc4321 says:
02:12 PM, 01/31/08
it's odd that you can't detect wind noise as i can with the BMW X3. granted i had the sunshades open from the panoramic sunroom. it was so loud i just had to close it and even then i can still hear a little bit of wind noise. and get this...i have a hearing problem that requires me to wear hearing aids. so imagine how loud it is for someone with normal hearing. so i guess it's correct to assume that the dealer wants a quiet test drive for the consumer
gharry says:
07:44 PM, 01/31/08
I actually like the look of the racks, but perhaps not on a vehicle that is already sizable. It's also odd how the biggest vehicles need extra storage on the roof, too. I never seem to need to strap something on the trunk of my sedan, even when traveling.
I can't speculate on motives, although I would put my money on SubyTrojan's explanation.
actualsize says:
11:03 AM, 02/ 1/08
It should be noted that the instructions for installing the Enclave's cross rails clearly state that they should be spaced at least "14 inches apart" to reduce the chance of wind noise. I put them about 16 to 18 inches apart, so perhaps that's why Brent heard nothing. It's either that or his Henry Rollins CDs.
Other carmakers install stoppers to limit the forward travel of the crossrails so they always stay behind the sunroof. VW Touraeg cross rails nest together in a tight aerodynamic airfoil shape and are placed at the extreme rearward position at the factory.
All of these are strategies to reduce wind noise, as wind noise is one of the questions on the JD Power intital quality survey that creates a lot of difficulties for automakers.
rasldasl says:
09:40 PM, 02/ 1/08
My Pacifica had cross rails provided by the factory but not standard. They were part of a cargo package that, if I recall, also included a cargo net and bumper scuff guard. I normally kept them stowed to the rear, nested together, Touareg-style. I don't recall any wind noise from them.