Recommended Roof Rack for 2017 Volkswagen Passat 4-Door with Bare Roof

Question:

I am looking for a roof rack for a 2017 VW Passat. Which rack is the easiest to install/remove and is the most well made in your opinion.

asked by: Bill M

Expert Reply:

We have roof racks confirmed to fit the 2017 Volkswagen Passat 4-door with bare roof from many brands including Thule, Yakima and Rhino-Rack. These fall into different price ranges and offer varying weight capacities. The options also include different bar shapes, some of which provide quieter performance than others, as well as color options. You can see them all on the linked page.

Many customers prefer a black roof rack since this often provides more of an OEM-like appearance. Some racks have bars that extend out past the leg components while others have bars that terminate in the foot, like the Rhino-Rack ROC 25 Vortex Aero bar rack, part # RR72MR. This particular system offers the quietest aerodynamic type of bar which terminates in the feet for a really clean, sleek appearance. It also has the highest available weight rating, 165-lbs. For overall appearance, quality and value I would choose this if it were my car.

There will not be a huge difference in the installation/removal process for these racks since they all use a similar type of clamp attachment. If you do find yourself removing the rack seasonally then always take care to avoid over-torqueing the fasteners.

expert reply by: Adam R