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Buying a bike rack to fit on top of your car may seem simple enough, but in the past decade, the market for them has exploded. With more options than ever, it can be hard to sort through the noise and find the ones that make the most sense for both your car and your needs.
Luckily, Consumer Reports put them to the test. It asked car testers and cycling experts to evaluate multiple models, considering everything from whether they could accommodate heavy e-bikes to which kept the bikes most secure and in good condition.
CR only considered rear-of-car racks, meaning ones that are primarily hitch-mounted behind your trunk — and not roof racks.
Continue reading to see CR’s favorites and why its experts chose them.
1 / 5
Screenshot: kuat.com
Consumer Reports said the Küat NV 2.0 was its top overall pick. Assembly can be done alone in less than hour, the rack weighs 58 pounds, and it can carry two bikes. “This high-end, well-made, and thoughtfully engineered platform hitch rack impressed the heck out of us,” CR said. Its testers liked that you could tip the rack downward to still get to the trunk with bikes hitched to the back. But it doesn’t come cheap. It runs almost $900 for the two-bike version, and if you want to add-one a two-bike extension, it will cost you another $600.
2 / 5
Screenshot: thule.com
Another pricey pick, Thule’s Easy Fold XT2 Hitch Bike Rack costs just north of $1,000, but CR said it’s the ideal option for heavy bikes, especially e-bikes. CR liked that the model has a ramp to help you load and unload your bike, which is helpful for older or smaller riders. It's also easy to assembly, requiring just one person and taking less than 30 minutes.
3 / 5
Screenshot: target.com
If you’re looking for a more affordable option, CR recommends the Bell Right Up, which starts at $223. It’s light at 25 pounds, takes about 45 minutes for one person to install, and can hold multiple bikes. Still, CR had some caveats. “The Right Up 350 feels rickety and a bit cheaply made, and bikes shake disconcertingly back and forth over any bumps in the road,” it warned.
4 / 5
Screenshot: Amazon.com
Recreational families should consider the Yakima FullSwing, CR said. It can hold four bikes and takes under an hour to assemble, although putting it together can be tricky. The Yakima is simple to load and unload, but you do have to lift the bikes somewhat high, especially if you’re driving a tall SUV. Also, it doesn't come cheap at around $700.
5 / 5
Screenshot: Walmart.com
The cheapest option on CR’s list, you can get the Allen Sports 4Bike Deluxe Hitch Rack (542RR) for just $123. Its easy assembly takes under 30 minutes and the rack itself is light at just 20 pounds. “We like that the rack can handily tilt down and out of the way so you can access your vehicle’s cargo area, and the straps that secure the bikes to the rack are easy to use,” CR said. But it's a hanging rack and a little difficult to load. Plus, sometimes the bikes will rub against each other and the rack if you don't add padding.
