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The right roof rack for a Jeep Grand Cherokee depends almost entirely on which Grand Cherokee you have. The 2011–2021 WK2 uses low flush side rails, and they come in two versions: with a chrome or metal strip along the top (the E-Group rails, which take a direct-mount foot) or without one (which usually means a clamp-style foot). The 2022-on WL and the three-row Grand Cherokee L use a different rail, so bars made for one generation generally will not fit the other. Check your model year, and the rail type on your own roof, before you compare anything else. The ten options below cover OEM bars, full tower-and-crossbar systems from Thule, Yakima and Rhino-Rack, an overland platform, and budget bolt-on crossbars.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mopar Roof Rack Cross Bars (82216036AC) | $300–$350 | Amazon |
| 2 | Thule WingBar Evo with Evo Flush Rail Feet | $600–$800 complete | Amazon |
| 3 | Yakima StreamLine Crossbars with SkyLine Towers and Landing Pad 18 | $550–$700 complete | Amazon |
| 4 | Rhino-Rack RX200 2-Bar Roof Rack | $600–$680 configured | Amazon |
| 5 | Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack Kit (KRJG012T) | $1,600–$1,800 | Amazon |
| 6 | Malone AirFlow2 Raised-Rail Roof Rack | $240–$270 | Amazon · eBay |
| 7 | SeaSucker Monkey Bars 48-inch (Mopar 68663290AA) | $470–$500 | Amazon |
| 8 | Autekcomma Heavy Duty Roof Rack Crossbars (Grand Cherokee L / WL) | $110–$120 | Amazon · eBay |
| 9 | Snailfly Upgraded Crossbars (Grand Cherokee L / WL) | $100–$115 | Amazon · eBay |
| 10 | VEVOR Roof Rack Cross Bars (Grand Cherokee 2011–2021 / 2014–2023, grooved rails) | $50–$100 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
Mopar Roof Rack Cross Bars (82216036AC)
The factory option for the current Grand Cherokee. These black bars are made for the 2022-on WL, both the two-row model and the three-row Grand Cherokee L, and clip into the factory rail points with a stock look. Mopar’s listings say plainly that they do not fit the 2011–2022 two-row WK2, and because 2022 straddles both generations, a VIN check with the dealer is worth doing before you order.
- OEM fit for 2022-on Grand Cherokee WL and Grand Cherokee L
- Supersedes part numbers 82216036AA and 82216036AB
- Low-profile black finish that matches the factory rails
- Compatible with Mopar roof carriers and accessories
- Guaranteed fitment when bought against your VIN
- Factory look with no adapters
- Older AA/AB part numbers can turn up cheaper used
- Does not fit the WK2
- Often back-ordered at dealers
- Costs about three times as much as aftermarket bars of the same shape
Thule WingBar Evo with Evo Flush Rail Feet
The quiet, aerodynamic choice for a WK2 with E-Group flush rails, the ones with a metal strip on top. The Evo Flush Rail foot clamps to the rail itself, and the wing-profile WingBar Evo bar is among the quietest crossbars at highway speed. Thule’s fit guide picks the vehicle-specific fit kit, and you need it, because the foot alone will not mount.
- Wing-profile aluminium crossbars
- Evo Flush Rail foot pack plus a Grand Cherokee fit kit
- T-track on top for accessory mounting
- Lockable feet (lock cylinders sold separately on some packs)
- Very low wind noise
- Works with Thule’s full range of bike, kayak and cargo-box mounts
- Feet can move to another car with a new fit kit
- Three separate parts to buy and match
- Rails without the metal strip need a different (clamp-on) foot
- Expensive once it is complete
Yakima StreamLine Crossbars with SkyLine Towers and Landing Pad 18
Yakima’s tower system for the 2011–2021 WK2’s flush rails. The Landing Pad 18 kit carries four custom pads that bolt to the factory mounting points, SkyLine towers sit on those, and StreamLine bars complete it. Because it uses the factory points rather than clamping the rail, it is a very secure fit.
- Landing Pad 18 kit made for the 2011–2021 Grand Cherokee
- Mounts to factory points on the flush rails
- SkyLine towers with StreamLine aero or square bars
- Same-key lock cores available
- Rock-solid mount on the factory points
- Good range of Yakima accessories
- Towers transfer to other vehicles with a different pad kit
- Specific to the WK2 generation
- SkyLine towers alone run about $275 a set
- Several components to order correctly
Rhino-Rack RX200 2-Bar Roof Rack
Rhino-Rack’s two-bar system for vehicles with factory flush or raised rails, built from a base kit, a leg kit and Sportz crossbars. It is a sturdy middle path between the Thule and Yakima systems, with a strong accessory range for overland gear. Retailer fit tools list it for a wide spread of Grand Cherokee years, but confirm your exact year in Rhino-Rack’s own fit guide.
- Base kit, leg kit and Sportz crossbars
- For factory flush or raised rails
- Compatible with Rhino-Rack’s carrier range
- Configured per vehicle
- Robust build for heavier gear
- Large accessory ecosystem
- One configured package
- Retailer fit claims for newer years need confirming
- Square-ish Sportz bars are louder than aero bars
- Priced like a premium system
Front Runner Slimline II Roof Rack Kit (KRJG012T)
The overland pick for a WK2: a full flat platform with a wind deflector and two foot rails, installed on the existing factory mounting points. It turns the roof into a mounting surface for recovery boards, jerry-can holders and a rooftop tent’s base. Respect the roof load. One retailer’s listing for the earlier version of this kit warns that the Grand Cherokee’s roof is weak and caps the load at 150 lb (68 kg), and Front Runner advises a maximum of about 80 mph with it fitted.
- Slimline II tray, wind deflector and 2 foot rails
- Fits the 2011–2021 Grand Cherokee WK2
- Uses factory mounting points
- Huge range of Front Runner mounts
- The most versatile mounting surface here
- Low profile for a platform
- Long warranty on the foot rails at most sellers
- By far the most expensive option
- Adds weight to an already modest roof limit
- More wind noise than a pair of aero bars
Malone AirFlow2 Raised-Rail Roof Rack
If your Grand Cherokee has raised side rails, with a gap underneath that you can wrap your hand around, the Malone AirFlow2 is the simplest well-made answer. The towers clamp around raised rails without vehicle-specific adapters, and the set includes two double-walled aluminium aero bars. It does not fit flush rails, so check your roof first.
- Two double-walled aluminium aero crossbars
- Four towers that clamp to raised factory rails
- No vehicle-specific fit kit needed
- Integrated locks
- Far cheaper than the big-brand systems
- Easy, tool-light installation
- Aero bars keep noise down
- Raised rails only, so it will not fit most WK2 flush rails
- Smaller accessory range than Thule or Yakima
SeaSucker Monkey Bars 48-inch (Mopar 68663290AA)
A different approach: vacuum-cup crossbars that need no rails at all. Jeep dealers sell them under a Mopar part number for the 2022 Grand Cherokee, and they are rated for use with Mopar roof-top carriers. They come off in seconds when you are not using them, which keeps wind noise and fuel economy unaffected the rest of the time.
- 48-inch bars on vacuum-cup mounts
- Sold by Jeep dealers as Mopar 68663290AA
- No rails or drilling required
- Quick on, quick off
- Works regardless of rail type
- Removes completely between trips
- Dealer-backed part
- Vacuum cups need checking on long drives
- Expensive for a pair of bars
- Not for heavy or tall loads
Autekcomma Heavy Duty Roof Rack Crossbars (Grand Cherokee L / WL)
A budget bolt-on alternative to the Mopar bars for the 2021-on Grand Cherokee L and the 2022-on WL. Aluminium bars that lock to the factory rails, with a listed 300 lb load capacity. Treat that as the bars’ rating, not permission to load the roof that heavily: your owner’s manual sets the real limit.
- Fits 2021-on Grand Cherokee L and 2022-on Grand Cherokee WL
- Aluminium construction
- 300 lb listed bar capacity
- Lockable mounts
- About a third of the Mopar price
- Vehicle-specific fit for the current generation
- Straightforward install
- Not for the WK2
- Bar rating exceeds what the roof itself allows
- Fit and finish below OEM
Snailfly Upgraded Crossbars (Grand Cherokee L / WL)
Another value set for the current generation, listed for the 2021-on Grand Cherokee L three-row and the 2022-on two-row Grand Cherokee, with a 209 lb listed capacity. It is similar in price and approach to the Autekcomma bars. Stock comes and goes, so compare whichever of the two is available.
- Fits 2021-on Grand Cherokee L and 2022-on two-row Grand Cherokee
- Aluminium crossbars with locks
- 209 lb listed capacity
- Vehicle-specific clamps
- Low price
- Specific to the current Grand Cherokee
- Fine for bikes, skis and a cargo box
- Availability is patchy
- Not for the WK2
- Generic-brand support
VEVOR Roof Rack Cross Bars (Grand Cherokee 2011–2021 / 2014–2023, grooved rails)
The cheapest way onto the roof of an older Grand Cherokee. These lockable aluminium bars are listed for Grand Cherokees with grooved side rails and a 200 lb bar capacity. VEVOR lists rail spacing of about 40 inches at the front and 39.5 inches at the rear, so measure your own rails before ordering. That measurement is what decides whether they fit.
- Listed for 2011–2021 and 2014–2023 Grand Cherokee with grooved side rails
- Lockable heavy-duty aluminium bars
- 200 lb listed capacity
- Rail spacing about 40 in front, 39.5 in rear
- Lowest price in this list
- Fine for occasional bike or ski trips
- Locks included
- Fit depends on your exact rail spacing
- Louder and heavier than branded aero bars
- No accessory ecosystem of its own
Buying tips
- Know your generation. The 2011–2021 WK2 and the 2022-on WL (including the three-row Grand Cherokee L) use different rails, and almost no bar fits both. 2022 is the trap year, because both generations were sold, so check your VIN.
- Look at the top of your rails. On a WK2, a chrome or metal strip along the top means E-Group rails, which take a direct flush-rail foot. Without it you will usually need a clamp-style foot instead.
- The roof sets the limit, not the bars. Crossbars are often rated at 200–300 lb, but the vehicle’s dynamic roof load is lower. One rack maker’s listing for the WK2 caps it at 150 lb (68 kg). Check the owner’s manual and count the rack’s own weight against it.
- Aero bars are worth it for daily driving. Wing-profile bars such as the Thule WingBar Evo and Yakima StreamLine make much less wind noise than square bars, which matters if the rack stays on all year.
- Buy one system and stick with it. Bike, kayak and cargo-box mounts are designed around a brand’s bar profile, so pick the ecosystem you want accessories from before choosing the bars.
- Measure garage clearance. A platform or a loaded cargo box can add a foot or more to the height. Measure before the first trip through a parking garage.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.