Most cars can carry a bike or two if you buy the right cycle carrier, but some are better suited to the job than others. Likewise, most bike carriers on the market do a reasonable job, but regular cyclists will want to seek out one of the best bike racks.
The Best Cars for Bike Racks 2024
- Types of Bike Rack Explained
- Other Considerations When Choosing a Bike Rack
- Best for Strap-on Bike Racks, up to £5,000: Ford Focus
- Best for Strap-on Bike Racks, up to £10,000: Skoda Octavia
- Best for Strap-on Bike Racks, up to £15,000: Volkswagen Golf
- Best for Roof-mounted Bike Carriers, up to £5,000: Peugeot 2008
- Best for Roof-mounted Bike Carriers, up to £10,000: Nissan Qashqai
- Best for Roof-mounted Bike Carriers, up to £20,000: Volvo V60
- Best for Tow-ball-mounted Bike Racks, up to £10,000: Suzuki Vitara
- Best for Tow-ball-mounted Bike Racks, up to £15,000: Kia Sorento
- Best for Tow-ball-mounted Bike Racks, up to £20,000: Volkswagen Touareg
Types of Bike Rack Explained
If you want to carry a bike on your car, the simplest solution is a rear-mounted rack that fits to your car's boot or hatchback, although you'll need to be careful that your number plate and lights are still visible. There's no such problem with a roof-mounted rack, but it will worsen fuel economy, and you’ll also need to factor in the cost of a roof rack or roof rail cross bars, unless you have them already.
If you have a car with a tow ball, then a bike rack that mounts to the tow ball may be your best option, although they’re usually expensive and mean that the tow ball isn't free for anything else (towing a caravan, for example). These are sometimes known as hitch-mount bike racks, or hitch racks.
Those are the main types of racks, but there are some left-field versions. For example, Seasucker bike racks use suction cups rather than straps or ratchet straps, and can be used with cars that struggle to accept conventional racks. To fit a bike to a Seasucker rack, the front wheel is removed and can be carried inside the car or fitted to a separate mount. The rack clamps to the fork. Most Seasucker racks are designed to work with bike frames with quick-release wheel axles, although adapters are available for thru-axle frames.
Mounting the front wheel separately may seem like a faff, but this method of attaching the bike via its fork can be better for it. Clamps that grip the bike’s frame by the top tube or the down tube can damage it if they’re over-tightened. Lightweight carbon road bikes, in particular, need to be handled with care.
Other Considerations When Choosing a Bike Rack
As well as finding the right type of rack for your bike and car, it’s worth considering how many cyclists may join you for a ride. A single bike carrier will be cheaper than one that can accommodate multiple bikes, but a more expensive rack with the capacity for three or four will allow a few friends to tag along.
It’s also worth thinking about security. A simple cable lock provides some protection and can deter opportunist thieves. Roof racks and roof-mounted bike carriers can be locked to the car, as can tow-ball-mounted racks. However, it's best to keep your car in sight rather than leave it unattended with expensive bikes hanging from it.
Think about where you’ll buy the rack, and remember that a specialist shop should be able to give expert advice. Recommendations from other cyclists go a long way.
Read on to discover our favourite cars for travelling with different types of bike rack, along with some advice to help choose the best one for you and your car.
Rear-mounted Strap-on Bike Racks
Pros
Good for cars without roof bars
Value for money
Will usually take two or three bikes
Cons
Cannot lift the tailgate once the rack has been fitted and loaded with bikes
Could attract police attention if you don't fit a lighting board and an extra number plate
Possible to damage car paintwork if not used very carefully
Examples
Halfords Advanced 3
Saris Bones 2
Yakima HalfBack
Best Car for Strap-on Bike Racks, up to £5,000: Ford Focus (2011-2018)
Really high-mileage examples of the third-generation Ford Focus can be found for around £2,000, and a £5,000 budget will buy you a high-spec car with sensible mileage. Take your pick from the fuel-sipping diesels and lively Ecoboost petrols, depending on your pocket, preference and how many miles you cover.
Whether you go for the hatchback or the estate, the previous generation Focus will be compatible with a wide range of strap-on bike carriers, although it's always best to check compatibility before you buy. It's likely to be more difficult to fit a rack to a car with a rear spoiler, such as the Focus ST hot hatch. Don't forget that you may need to add a lighting board and number plate to abide by the letter of the law with this type of bike rack. With or without a rack, the Ford Focus is a great used car. It's fun to drive, it’s a practical family car, and used examples are in plentiful supply, so you can afford to be picky and find a really good one.
Ford Focus review
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Best Car for Strap-on Bike Racks, up to £10,000: Skoda Octavia (2013-2019)
Increasing our budget to £10,000 brings newer cars into the equation. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense reliable family hatchback to accompany your strap-on bike rack, you could do a lot worse than the Skoda Octavia. It doesn't drive with the verve of a contemporary Ford Focus, and a Volkswagen Golf has more badge appeal, but as an all-rounder, the Octavia is very hard to beat.
If you're taking bikes away on a family holiday, you'll need lots of boot space, and the Octavia absolutely excels in this respect, because the five-door hatchback and the estate offer class-leading boot space. There's plenty of room for people as well as bags. Although it can't match the larger Skoda Superb estate for rear legroom, there's still enough space in the rear seats for adults to travel comfortably.
The petrol engines return good economy, but you can’t beat the diesels for the best mpg figures. The vRS performance version combines fun and practicality, although expect quite a few miles on one of those priced at less than £10,000. For more everyday models, that budget means a late model with average mileage.
Skoda Octavia review
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Best Car for Strap-on Bike Racks, up to £15,000: Volkswagen Golf (2013-2019)
Today's Volkswagen Golf mk8 is a thorough update of the mk7 rather than a ground-up new car. It doesn't represent a huge improvement over the previous model, so why not save your money and buy a used Golf mk7 instead?
Many strap-on racks from the likes of Halfords, Saris, Thule, and Yakima are compatible with the Golf, although it's important to take care to avoid damaging paintwork while securing the straps.
You can find a Golf mk7 for as little as £5,000, but with a budget of £15,000, you'll be looking at low-mileage cars in good condition. Take your pick of the lively TSI petrols and the economical TDI diesels; both should be available at this price. Although the Golf isn't as practical as a Skoda Octavia, it's slightly better to drive and a great all-rounder.
Volkswagen Golf review
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Roof-mounted Bike Racks
Pros
They keep bikes out of the way of the boot
Up to four bike carriers can fit on some cars
Less chance of damaging car paintwork than with a strap-on rack
Cons
Fuel consumption will be worse
Lifting bikes on the roof can be tricky, especially with an SUV
Car park height barriers and a moment's lapse in concentration could be an expensive combination
Examples
Halfords Roof Mount Bike Rack
Mont Blanc Roof Rush
Thule Proride 598
Best Car for Roof-mounted Bike Carriers, up to £5,000: Peugeot 2008 (2013-2018)
If you're going to use a roof-mounted bike carrier, then you don't really want a tall car. You may need steps to help lift a bicycle on to the roof of a big SUV, and heavy bikes will be difficult to handle. Electric bikes in particular will be tricky to lift onto a roof.
Ideally, you want a car that already comes with longitudinal roof bars, although you can buy horizontal racks that don't need to clamp to roof bars. Most versions of the Peugeot 2008 were fitted with roof bars from new, and high-mileage examples can be picked up for about £5,000. As a crossover, it sits a little higher from the road than a regular hatchback, but it's not so high as to make lifting bikes onto the roof a problem. It's not the sharpest car to drive, but it's roomy for a small car with good rear legroom and a lots of boot space.
Peugeot 2008 review
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Best for Roof-mounted Bike Carriers, up to £10,000: Nissan Qashqai (2013-2020)
Like the Peugeot 2008, the Nissan Qashqai is more crossover than SUV, so it's not tall enough to make lifting bikes on to the roof a strain and, also like the Peugeot 2008, many versions of the Qashqai come with roof bars. Used examples of the second-generation model can be found for £5,000 or thereabouts, but you'll get a much newer and lower mileage car with a £10,000 budget. A mid-spec diesel with around 60,000 miles should be within reach.
Whether you go for a petrol or a diesel, the Qashqai is a talented car. It's small enough to feel at home around town, but refined enough to make long motorway drives relaxing. While most Qashqais are front-wheel drive, you can buy 4x4 versions – something to bear in mind if you're planning to take mountain bikes into the back of beyond.
Nissan Qashqai review
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Best for Roof-mounted Bike Carriers, up to £20,000: Volvo V60 (2018-2023)
If you can push the budget to £20,000, then it's well worth considering a Volvo V60. This elegant and understated estate car is a great alternative to German executives such as the Audi A4 Avant and the BMW 3 Series Touring. It's not as sharp to drive as the BMW, but it rides comfortably and makes a supremely comfortable long-distance express.
The V60 is also a fine choice if you want to carry bikes on the roof. It's quite low slung, so lifting them up shouldn't be a strain unless you have a really heavy e-bike or a full-suspension mountain bike. If you need space for all your gear, the V60 has you covered, because there's a lot more boot space than you would find in rivals from Audi, BMW, or Mercedes. Diesel models are our pick for economy, but like other car makers, Volvo has seen buyers increasingly favouring petrol and electric cars. Whatever V60 engine you choose, it will easily cope with the weight of the bikes on the roof and a car full of people and luggage.
Volvo V60 review
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Tow-ball-mounted Bike Racks
Pros
Secure, because they can be locked to the car
Tilting designs allow access to the boot
Out of the wind, so fuel economy doesn't suffer much
Cons
No good for cars without tow balls
Usually expensive
A rack mounted directly to the ball prevents the car from towing
Examples
Atera Strada Sport M2
Halfords 4-Bike Towbar Mounted Bike Rack
Thule VeloCompact 927 3-Bike Towbar Mounted Bike Rack
Best for Tow-ball-mounted Bike Racks, up to £10,000: Suzuki Vitara (2015-)
The Suzuki Vitara doesn't get the recognition it deserves. It's a handsome small SUV that’s both practical and affordable. Fit one with a tow ball, and it’ll be ready to lug bikes from place to place using a towbar-mounted bike rack.
With a budget of £10,000, you'll likely be looking at a Vitara from 2015 or 2016 with either the 1.6-litre petrol or 1.6-litre diesel engine. The 1.4 Boosterjet petrol will be a little more expensive, but if you can stretch a bit further, it's the best of the Vitara's engine line up. Inside, the standard of finish is a bit workmanlike and the infotainment system isn't especially sophisticated, but the cabin is quite roomy for a small SUV.
You get lots of kit for your cash with a Suzuki, especially with the high-spec SZ5. There's also the option of four-wheel drive, which is definitely worth considering if you like to take your gravel bike or mountain bike to out of the way places. with the right tyres fitted, it’s up to some gentle off-road work.
Suzuki Vitara review
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Best for Tow-ball-mounted Bike Racks, up to £15,000: Kia Sorento (2015-2019)
The Kia Sorento is a very popular tow car, so don't be surprised if any used example you find has a tow ball fitted already. You can pick up an early example of the third-generation Sorento for around £13,000, so a budget of £15,000 will be enough to buy a high-spec car in good condition. Load up with people, bags and bikes and you won't put any strain on the brawny 2.2-litre diesel. This engine is strong enough to happily tow big caravans, so it's not going to struggle with some cyclists, their luggage and a few bikes.
It's a roomy and practical car, with space for seven inside. If the back seats aren't needed, they can be folded into the floor to make a five-seater with loads of boot space. Plus, as with any Kia, the Sorento has a seven-year warranty, which is great news for used car buyers.
Kia Sorento review
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Best for Tow-ball-mounted Bike Racks, up to £25,000: Volkswagen Touareg (2010-2017)
Used car buyers have good reason to be grateful for the brand snobbery of others. As a rule, upmarket SUV owners expect their car to have a prestige badge to go with the price tag. Next to the likes of Audi and Mercedes, Volkswagen doesn't quite cut it for many folk, so the VW Touareg loses value more quickly than most luxury SUVs.
That's great news if you want a used high-quality five-seat SUV at a keen price. You can pick up a previous-generation Touareg for £8,000 or so. A budget of £25,000 buys a 2017 car with a high specification, and they’re extremely reliable cars. To drive, the Touareg can stand comparison with rivals from BMW and Land Rover, and there’s plenty of room for five people in the cabin.
The Touareg's tow ball has a high weight limit of 140kg, so even if you load up with several heavy e-bikes you won't be troubling the Touareg's limits.
Volkswagen Touareg review
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