The Best Cars for Cyclists: Top Picks for Carrying Your Bike

You could carry your bike externally using a rack, but doing so can significantly reduce fuel efficiency. According to a Consumer Reports test, carrying two bikes on an external rack reduced fuel economy by up to 28%, depending on the vehicle and rack type.

Transporting bikes inside your vehicle also protects them from the elements, reduces the likelihood of theft and saves you the expense of a bike rack.

In this guide, we'll explain what to look for when choosing a bike-friendly car, compare internal and external transportation and provide our picks for the best cars for cyclists.

What makes a car good for cyclists

For most people, the best car for transporting bikes has a large, easy-to-adjust boot space. For others, the appropriate vehicle is one that can be set up with roof bars or a hitch for quick installation of a bike rack. Here's what to look for when choosing:

Boot volume

Boot space isn't just about the total volume, though that is probably the most important metric. A high-volume boot with a removable parcel shelf is ideal. If you're comparing boot volumes across manufacturers, look out for how they're measured; some list the total space while others list the space up to the parcel shelf. Boot volumes around 1,700 litres are optimal.

Load length

The length of a boot with the seats up is important if you don't want to drop the seats, which is more secure if you're leaving the bike in the car unattended for extended periods. If you're happy to drop them, consider the total load length. By removing both wheels, you can fit a large road or mountain bike into the trunk of an estate-style car alongside other luggage, which means more than one passenger can sit in the back. Most vans can easily take bikes with both wheels on, especially if the rear seats are removable.

Boot shape and adjustability

A well-shaped boot with a large opening, a flat floor and a removable parcel shelf can give you a lot more room to work with, particularly if you have two bikes to stack or additional luggage. Removing the bottom insert (where the tools/spare tyre are stored) can give you a few centimetres of extra space.

Rear seat split

The ability to fold one rear seat while keeping the other two up gives you some extra room to play with and is helpful if you have passengers. Vans that can fold the seats fully forward, or fold each one individually, are very useful when carrying bikes internally.

Tinted windows

If you're travelling with your bike loaded in the boot with the parcel shelf removed, having a tinted rear window will make it harder to spot, reducing the risk of theft.

Load limits and roof bar/towbar compatibility

All vehicles have a maximum total weight they can support on the roof/roof bars, as well as a nose weight (downward vertical force exerted on the towball) limit. Double-check these before purchasing a vehicle if you want to transport a bike rack with multiple bikes or you own e-bikes. Heavy-duty hitch racks can weigh upwards of 25kg.

Inside vs bike rack

Transporting your bike in the car is free (if your car has the space), secure and fuel/range-efficient. However, it reduces the passenger capacity if you need to drop the seats, so it's not an option for families with more than two bikes, and it dirties the interior.

To save space and keep the vehicle clean, many cyclists, especially those with families, transport their bikes on a rack. Once the rack is installed, mounting bikes to it is usually quick. In particular, platform-style towbar racks let you pop the bike onto the tray and secure it in a few seconds.

Here are the trade-offs of using a rack:

• Security: Transporting your bike inside your car is more secure than on a rack, in terms of theft. This is particularly true if it's in the boot with the parcel shelf closed or with a tinted rear window. Security features on bike racks are only deterrents; any prepared thief could easily overcome them.
• Fuel economy/range: As mentioned, transporting your bike on a rack greatly reduces fuel economy, increasing the cost of travel. If you drive an electric vehicle, this has a big impact on your range.
• Weather exposure: Transporting your bike outside the vehicle exposes it to the elements, including rain, road spray and salt. This will slightly increase wear unless you regularly take it apart and clean it.
• Off-roading: Most bike racks aren't rated for off-road use, and if they are, they may have a drastically limited weight capacity, which restricts electric bike users who already have limited choices.
• Convenience: Leaving your rack attached while not in use also increases your fuel bill, and removing and reinstalling it each time you use it adds time to your journey.
• Roof rack risk: Height barriers and garages pose a big risk when carrying a bike on a roof rack.
• Price: Racks, especially towbar versions, often represent a large investment, from around €200 for cheaper options to over €1,000 for premium racks. Boot bike racks (and some roof racks) are cheap, but they're less secure and can be a confusing tangle of straps and hooks that take time to set up.
• Cycling holidays: Taking a bike rack on a cycling holiday isn't possible in most cases, unless you have a lightweight suction-cup roof rack, so in-car transportation is better when renting a vehicle.

In my experience working at the Giro d'Italia and taking my bike with me, each morning I removed the wheels, put them in bags, placed shims in the brake callipers and packed the bike in the car. After the stage at the next hotel, I reassembled the bike. This adds around 15 minutes each day, and it dirties the vehicle, but it gives me peace of mind when parking the car in urban areas, as I know the bike isn't visible, and it means the bike doesn't get dirty when I have to drive in rainy weather. - Jordan Grimes

Rack types explained

There are four main types of vehicle bike racks: roof, boot, towbar and pickup truck racks (truck bed rack or tailgate pad). Within the towbar category, you have hanging, platform and vertical racks.

• Roof: Roof racks can be installed on almost any car, especially those with roof rails. They usually have low weight limits, and they're only suitable for light bikes that are easy to lift overhead. The bike attaches at both wheels or at the fork and rear wheel by removing the front wheel.
• Boot: These are cheap racks that support bikes at the frame. They also have low weight limits, and bikes typically move more in transit, so they're not usually suitable for expensive bikes, especially those with carbon frames.
• Towbar: These are the most secure and sturdy. They have high weight limits, making them particularly well suited to heavier e-bikes. Platform racks are great for loading bikes quickly, while vertical towbar racks let you carry multiple bikes. The downside is they're the most expensive. They can also be heavy and cumbersome to install, and they require a towbar that supports the total weight of the bikes and rack.

Most countries have their own road traffic laws, so it's essential to correctly mount your rack, display your registration and comply with other regulations. For example, the UK requires a lighting board, and Spain requires a rearward-facing red/white striped reflective panel. This panel often has to be secured around the bikes.

TIP: Still deciding whether to travel with your own bike? See the pros and cons of renting vs bringing your own bike on a cycling holiday.