15 Best Cars for Bike Racks

Transporting bikes is challenging — they have an awkward shape and tend to get dirty and muddy after use. Most cyclists prefer to use bike racks, which can be mounted on the roof or rear hatch of a car, or tow bar-mounted carriers. Some car makers offer racks and carriers as optional extras, but there are also many third-party options that are more affordable. But can any car accommodate a bike rack?

In this article, we will explore the best cars for carrying bikes for Tour De France or a family holiday, whatever you’re up to. And then, Carplus will help you finance your top pick!

1. Škoda Kodiaq

The Škoda Kodiaq offers great value for big families, seating seven at an attractive starting price. Even with all seats up, it still provides decent storage comparable to a small city car.

The flat boot floor makes packing easy, and folding all seats down creates a van-like space. The fuel economy in the diesel engine option is around 52 mpg with a seven-speed DSG transmission. Additionally, the Kodiaq can accommodate a roof-mounted bike rack capable of carrying up to three bikes, and a boot liner is available as an extra for added protection and convenience.

2. Honda Jazz

The Honda Jazz is a practical car and a fantastic all-rounder with excellent visibility and impressive fuel economy. It offers stable, predictable handling for ease of driving over engagement. Around town, car buyers will appreciate its light steering and comfortable suspension.

The initial load space is modest at 304 litres. But folding the rear seats flat reveals a 1,205-litre capacity, which is remarkable for its size. This should easily accommodate a couple of bikes. Alternatively, consider the optional two-cycle carrier, a Honda roof rack, or a rear-mounted bike carrier.

3. Volvo V60

The Volvo V60 is a stylish Swedish estate that breaks away from the boxy Volvos of the past. It’s ideal for carrying bikes on the roof, thanks to its low profile.

With a spacious 529-litre capacity and a square-shaped boot, it’s easy to utilise the V60’s storage space. Tie-down points keep your load secure, and the low floor makes it easy to load and unload heavy items. For bulkier items like mountain bikes or e-bikes, consider the optional towbar-mounted carrier.

Opt for the plug-in hybrid for fuel efficiency and low emissions — 353.1 mpg and 18g/km.

4. Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is known for its classless yet impressive style. It drives predictably and smoothly and offers enough space in the boot for a couple of suitcases or items you’d take on family trips. However, its boot space is average for the class, so additional bike carriers, like a mounted bike rack, are recommended for carrying multiple bikes.

The 1.5 TSI 150 engine in the entry-level Life trim is considered the best version. For long-distance motorway driving, diesel models and the Travel Assist package are worth considering.

5. Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback offers a high-riding counterpart to regular estate cars, with rugged protective bumpers, a spacious cabin, and four-wheel drive as standard.

The Outback comes with smooth and punchy 2.5-litre petrol engines and a quiet 2.0-litre diesel option. There’s no awkward lip to lift items over, so packing items like a child’s buggy or one of your bikes is a breeze. Ample underfloor storage is available if you don’t opt for a full-size spare tyre. For bulkier items that, for example, mountain bikers might have, consider taking advantage of the nifty roof bars.

6. Škoda Superb Estate

The Škoda Superb is an estate car with unparalleled interior space and generous adjustment options for the driver. Tall adults will have lots of legroom in the back, and the huge boot offers 1,950 litres (with the rear seats folded down), ideal for all your gear. For those who prefer to keep the interior clean, Škoda offers a roof rack and a retractable tow bar carrier as optional accessories.

The Superb offers value with quality build, affordability, and up to 76.4 mpg fuel efficiency for the Greenline diesel option.

7. Škoda Octavia Estate

The Škoda Octavia Estate offers a spacious boot and ample room for occupants, which you might not expect from its size. You also get a plush interior and a comfortable ride.

The Octavia Estate is also fantastic for long-distance travel. They are generally quiet and relaxing, with minimal wind and road noise. If you’re travelling without passengers but fully loaded, folding down the back seats is easy. This reveals a massive 1,700-litre capacity that would swallow a couple of electric bikes.

8. SEAT Ateca

The SEAT Ateca, a small SUV, offers a lot of space and driving enjoyment at a competitive price. You get a 510-litre boot and 60:40-split folding seats, so it’s easy to transport bike frames. Meanwhile, the low load lip simplifies loading and unloading. Those who prefer not to store bikes inside can buy an optional bike holder for the roof and a protective boot liner.

Choose diesel for long trips or towing, or go for the powerful 2.0 TSI 190 petrol engine with four-wheel drive and quick acceleration.

9. Land Rover Discovery

The Land Rover Discovery is a premium family SUV with seven seats and impressive off-road capability. With all seven seats up, it offers a 258-litre load area, which is what you’d get with a small hatch. It expands to 1,137 litres without the third row and a massive 2,406 litres with all the rear seats folded. This is suitable for carrying up to four bikes. Land Rover also offers tow-bar-mounted carriers capable of carrying heavy bikes (40-50 kg) or roof-mounted carriers with separate roof rails and cross rails.

10. Ford Focus

The Ford Focus has a sleek exterior and, in newer models, a significant tech update inside. It offers sharp dynamics, a comfortable ride, quietness on the road, and a spacious interior. There are 375 litres in the boot, which is average for the class, but it expands to 1,350 litres. The latest update removed the annoying lip that appeared when folding the seats. However, a subwoofer in certain X trims reduces capacity. The Focus is compatible with a bike carrier, although you should confirm compatibility before purchase, especially if you’re into mountain biking.

11. Audi A6 Allroad

The Audi A6 Allroad features rugged black wheel-arch protectors and silver bumper and sill trims inspired by off-roaders. Buyers can choose between Sport or Vorsprung trim, with three 3.0-litre V6 engine options available: a petrol and two diesel variants. The 565-litre boot can accommodate eight carry-on suitcases under the tonneau cover, leaving room for soft bags. This should tell you that it can carry bikes, too. And while boot space isn’t enormous, the loading area has a square shape, which makes it easy to pack.

12. Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai is a major contender in the family SUV class. Consider opting for the more powerful version, which provides decent performance without affecting fuel economy that much. The Qashqai features a modest 503 litres in the boot (479 litres with the Bose stereo-equipped version). But you can make up for it by using roof racks. The rear seats fold down in a traditional 60/40 split, and the floor has a wipe-clean surface on one side, perfect for muddy items after a mountain bike ride.

13. Peugeot 2008

The Peugeot 2008 is a great all-rounder on the road. Its steering is light in town but provides more confidence at faster speeds. It’s equipped with a limited-slip differential for the front wheels to offer better traction on slippery surfaces. With the rear seats up, luggage space is average for the class. However, the 1,467 litres with the seats folded surpasses many competitors. As a crossover, the 2008 sits higher above the road than hatchbacks but is still manageable for having bikes on the roof.

14. Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento is the ideal choice for those who really need a seven-seat SUV. The car also offers easy access to the third row, perfect for regular use. The middle row slides and reclines with a 60/40 split for added flexibility. However, with all seven seats in place, the boot space is limited. The diesel option is recommended for covering long distances, with fuel consumption of around 40 mpg on the motorway. This engine can also handle loads of people, bags, and two bikes, including towing large caravans.

15. Mercedes E Class Estate

The Mercedes E Class Estate is comfortable, well-equipped, easy to manage, and a top choice in the luxury estate car segment. Buyers get one of the biggest and most practical boots that Mercedes has. With a handy load liner, it can swallow a lot of outdoorsy cargo. Consider adding a roof-mounted bike carrier to maximise the capacity. The E220d is recommended for its balanced performance. But if you want more power, the six-cylinder E450d is a great pick.

Conclusion

Most cars can handle a bike rack to some extent, but these 15 models just excel at making bicycle transportation effortless. Not that you know our top picks, head over to Carplus tool for the next step in financing and driving your perfect car.