Recommended Cost-Effective Roof Rack for a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and a 2012 Nissan Maxima

Published 06/14/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Custom DK Fit Kit for 4 Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Roof Rack Legs - Naked Roof

(3340)

$80.07

Inno Square Crossbars - Steel - Black - 50" Long - Qty 2

(1170)

$129.20

Custom Fit Kit for Inno XS200, XS250, and INSU-K5 Roof Rack Feet

$114.59

Inno Feet for Square Crossbars - Naked Roofs - Black - Qty 4

(271)

$210.40

Rhino-Rack 2500 Series Legs for Vortex Aero Crossbars - Naked Roofs or Fixed Mounting Points - Qty 4

(8964)

$187.99

Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 46" Long - Qty 2

(2753)

$191.98

Rhino-Rack Vortex Aero Crossbars - Aluminum - Black - 49" Long - Qty 2

(2753)

$191.33

Question:

The INNO is a more custom fit for my malibu. We I would for sure get. However, my girlfriend wants to be able to use the rack on her car as well. The sportsrack SR1002 fits her car as well according to the fit guide chart. Would the Sportsrack be better for our situation or would the INNO rack fit her car as well? She has a 2012 Nissan Maxima

asked by: Michael

Expert Reply:

The SportRack # SR1002 is a Semi-Custom roof rack. It will fit your 2009 Chevrolet Malibu and will work if you are looking for the most cost-effective option out there.

If you plan on using the roof rack frequently though I highly recommend going with a custom roof rack for your Malibu. A custom rack is one that uses a fit kit specially designed and tested to fit your roof properly. The most cost-effective option we have in this category is the Inno rack which consists of the Square Crossbars # INB127, the Feet # INSUT, and the Fit Kit # INK572.

The SportRack is good to use for occasional roof rack use but if you are going to use it frequently I recommend the Inno instead. I have attached a review video of the Inno on a 2018 Malibu for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jon G

Michael

6/14/2018

Jon G.

6/14/2018

I do have another solution for you but Inno doesn't have a roof rack system for your 2012 Nissan Maxima. The next step up for a cost-effective roof rack for your Malibu is a Rhino-Rack system which includes the 49" Aero Bar Crossbars # RRVA126B-2, the 2500 Series Legs # RRRLKVA, and the Fit Kit # DK183. Rhino-Rack has the same kind of setup for the Maxima except that it uses 46" Bars # RRVA118B-2 and the Fit Kit # DK171 instead. I recommend getting the whole kit for the Malibu and then use everything (including the 49" bars) on the Maxima except for the fit kit since those are vehicle specific. If you went this route here is what you would need to order: 49" Aero Bar Crossbars - # RRVA126B-2 2500 Series Legs - # RRRLKVA Fit Kit - # DK183 (Malibu) Fit Kit - # DK171 (Maxima) The SportRack would be a little easier to swap back and forth but if you are going to be using a rack as much as it sounds like you are I recommend the Rhino-Rack. I have attached additional videos of the Rhino-Rack system on a Maxima and a Malibu for you both to check out.