Bike racks are usually universal but not all bike racks usually fit sedans, so this list was curated mainly for sedan users. Even if you already have a bike rack in mind or you already know which category of bike rack you want, we recommend that you still at least go through the list just to make sure you are not choosing wrong.
There are vast amounts of bike racks available in the market nowadays and choosing a bike rack for your sedan can be a painful experience if the rack you buy doesn’t fit your sedan. So we reviewed a ton of bike racks to find the best bike rack for sedans. In this article, we will be listing the 10 best bike racks for sedans that we found to be the best in terms of price and fit.
You will find bike racks from the cheapest to the most premium bike racks in this list.
P.s. we advise you to always avoid buying the cheapest bike rack on the list. This is mainly because cheaper racks are not as reliable as the ones that are built better and can withstand more weight.
Bike Rack Buying Guide For Minivan: Things To Consider
Hitch Bike Racks for Sedans
- Best Overall Platform Hitch Bike Rack – Thule T2 Pro XTR
- Best Budget Platform Hitch Bike Rack – Swagman XC2 Review
- Best Overall Hanging Hitch Bike Rack – Yakima Full swing
- Best Budget Hanging Hitch Bike Rack – Allen Sports Hitch Bike Rack
Trunk Bike Racks For Sedans
- Best Overall Trunk Bike Rack – Saris Bones 2
- Best Budget Trunk Bike Rack – Allen Sports Deluxe 2
Roof Bike Racks For Sedans
- Best Overall Roof Bike Rack – Yakima Frontloader
- Best Budget Roof Bike Rack – Swagman Standard
Suction Bike Racks For Sedans
- Best Overall Suction Cup Bike Rack – SeaSucker Talon
- Best Budget Suction Cup Bike Rack – Kupper Mounts
P.s. If you are still confused about which rack to go with, consider reading the buyer’s guide section which explains what bike rack you should buy depending on your criteria and situation.
Types Of Bikes Racks For Sedan Car
There are a lot of bike racks out there for different types of vehicles. We have clustered together all types of bike racks that are compatible with sedans. It can be a honda accord, Corolla, Mazda 3, Camry, Altima, or tesla, I’ve got you covered. Before we jump into the reviews, you must know the difference between different bike racks so that you can pick the best-suited bike rack for you.
Hitch Mounted Bike Rack: Hitch Mounted Bike Racks are the most popular type of bike rack due to their ability to carry higher amounts of weights and also the higher capacity of bikes. They come in all sorts of prices and can be very expensive for certain models. They come with different features and can provide the best safety for your bike. But before you go out and buy a hitch-mounted bike for your sedan, make sure that you have a hitch installed as most sedans don’t come with a pre-installed Hitch. Also, there are different hitch sizes, and keep that in mind while purchasing a bike rack.
Strap On Trunk Mounted Bike Rack: Trunk-mounted bike racks are designed to strap onto the trunk of your car. They fit almost all types of vehicles, whether you have an SUV or a Sedan. They are on the cheaper side and lightweight at the same time. If you are looking to buy something that you can attach to your car without any additional cost and also not have to worry about reliability then strap-on trunk mounted bike racks are a good choice.
Roof Mounted Bike Rack: Roof-mounted bike racks are a good option if you already have cross bars installed on your sedans. If your sedan doesn’t come with crossbars installed then you should look into other types as well. They make sense for sedans since the height is not that much. However, they are not good for carrying multiple bikes.
Suction Cup Bike Rack: Suction Cups are the new kids on the block even though they are not that new, they are newer compared to the other categories of bike racks. Suction Cups offer a lot of versatility than any other kind of bike rack. You can mount your bikes any way you want with these suction cups, and they won’t disappoint you. At least they didn’t disappoint us throughout our rigorous testing. If you want something minimalistic and portable, then this is the right choice for you.
P.s. If you want to know in detail about the types of bike racks with their pros and cons, then check these articles: All types of car bike racks for cars with pros and cons Best bike racks for SUVs Best bike racks for Electric bikes
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4 Best Hitch Bike Racks For Sedans with Reviews
1 – Thule T2 Pro XTR Review: Best Overall Platform Hitch Bike Rack For Sedan
Top features:
Built In Wheels: Thule added wheels on the case of the T2 Pro XTR. Making it easy to transport the bike rack to different places. This makes sense as most platform hitch bike racks are quite heavy and the additional wheels are simply one of the best features of this bike rack.
Hitch Switch Lever: Another great feature the T2 Pro XTR has is its easy tilt feature. We don’t know what kind of engineering marvel Thule did and we are yet to see another bike rack with such a clear placement and easy-to-use tilt feature. There are a total of 3 tilting positions on this bike rack. And yes it can tilt with the bikes on the rack, for easy access to the trunk.
Ratchet Attachment System: Even Though this is not a Thule exclusive feature, Thule did a far better job than others at making them sturdy and rigid. We tested the T2 Pro XTR against the Yakima Dr.Tray and the Kuat Sherpa 2.0, but Thule gave us a tad bit more confidence when it came to the Ratchet arms.
Lock System: This isn’t an uncommon feature but they provided separate locks for each bike on the racks. The locks are well integrated and concealed, for both the bikes that it can carry and also for the bike rack itself.
Review And Analysis:
The T2 Pro XTR is an excellent bike rack with a few neat tricks up its sleeve that makes it very easy to use. There are only a few alternatives out there that can compete with the T2 Pro XTR. The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is one of the few bike racks that we found can stand up to the T2 Pro.
The wheel on the T2 Pro was such a simple and amazing feature, we hope that more Hitch Bike Racks will implement this feature in the future. Besides, you can make it a 4 bike rack by adding a separate add-on (will cost you a good amount of money). Anyone looking for the absolute best platform hitch bike rack you should consider getting the Thule T2 Pro XTR without any questions asked.
Why We Like It
- Impressive built quality
- Very minimalistic design
- Impressive security and protection for the bikes
- Wheels at the base of the rack for ease of carrying it around.
- The bike rack doesn’t come in contact with the frame of the bike
Keep Note
- High Price tag
- Size of the rack
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2 – Swagman XC2 Review: Best Budget Platform Hitch Bike Rack
Top features:
Versatile Hitch Size: A versatile 1.25” – 2” hitch receiver offers you to attach the rack to different vehicles. Moreover, an inbuilt anti-wobble hitch device adds more to the safety of your bikes.
Ratchet Arms: Some of the top features that caught our attention are- the upright ratchet arms sets with any size of bikes, the foldable center arms offer access to the trunk, and also consume less storage space.
Review And Analysis:
The metal steel body looks attractive and it’s very sturdy. It can simultaneously transport two of your bikes of 35 lbs weight. The solid-built rack ensures full safety for your bikes. It secures both the bike’s frame and tires so that the bike is strongly joined with the rack.
Overall, this is a good portable bike rack but unfortunately, you have to add in wheel straps to secure the bike with the racks. Other than that, the bike rack is pretty good for short trips and when you need to carry a bike or two urgently.
Why We Like It
- Highly durable, sturdy, and strong.
- Looks attractive and well designed.
- Offers to transport 2 bikes.
- Demands less space when not in use
Keep Note
- While mounted with bikes, the rack may block the view of the rear mirror for sedans.
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3 – YAKIMA FullSwing Review : Best overall Hanging Platform Bike Rack
Even though we prefer platform type hitch bike racks for their superior stability, when it comes to numbers they are not really a good choice. That is where the Yakima Fullswing comes in, being able to carry four bikes at once; making it the best 4 bike hitch rack for Sedans. Yakima seems to have focused too much on the build with its all metal construction giving it a carrying capacity of 160 pounds which is totally insane.
Top features:
Fullswing Feature: Being Yakima’s top product they had to make sure they don’t fall back in terms of features. The Fullswing feature of this bike rack rack is totally insane. It’s the only bike rack in our list that swings away for full access to the trunk.
Foldable Arms: The long arms not only move sideways but also fold down, so that you can store it safely or if you are lazy like me just leave it in your car and fold down the arms and you are good to go.
Impressive Security: Aside from that you also get full-fledged protection and security for your bikes, there are zip straps with padded arms to protect the bike’s frames, and also a lock system is present for better security.
Review And Analysis:
Even though we prefer platform-type hitch bike racks for their superior stability when it comes to numbers they are not really a good choice. The Yakima Full swing can carry up to four bikes at once; making it the best 4 bike hitch rack for Sedans Yakima went all out with this bike rack making it a complete monster in terms of build quality.
Although the build quality is great, what’s not great is its weight. This is a very heavy bike rack, so if you are having difficulties maybe you will need a helping hand or maybe a couple of helping hands for someone like me. If you are looking for a premium bike rack that can carry multiple bikes, you should consider the FullSwing over the Thule T2 Pro.
Why We Like It
- Full access to the trunk, due to its swingable arms
- Ample protection and safety for the bikes
- It can transport up to 4 bikes
- Anti-theft mechanism
- Premium Build Quality
Keep Note
- Hard to handle due to the heaviness.
- High Price
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4 – Allen Sports 4 Bike Hitch Racks :Best Budget Hanging Hitch Bike Rack For Sedan
Top features:
Folding Arms: You are not going to be carrying your bike all the time, so two long arms can cause a lot of hassles while parking. For that reason, its arms can be folded down. It takes up way less space and you don’t have to worry about taking it off every time you are not carrying the bike. Just fold the arms and you are golden.
Tiltable Mast: If you are lazy like me this will be very handy for you. Since it’s a Hitch Bike Rack it comes in the way of accessing the trunk, so the Tiltable Mast allows you to tilt the bike rack up to 45 degrees so that you can use the trunk of the Sedans. P.S. Don’t do this when the rack is full of bikes, it can damage the bikes or the rack itself.
Review And Analysis:
The Allen Sports 4 Bike rack is a much more wallet friendly hitch bike rack than the other two, but in turn, it is missing a lot of the features like an integrated lock system and the build quality is also not on par with the other two bike racks that we mentioned above. But that’s okay because the Allen Sports 4 focuses more on budget friendly features like giving you the option to fold its arms when you are not using it or being able to tilt the mask downwards when not in use.
While testing we did miss some of the features found on the high end bike racks but the amount of money you are saving on this bike rack can be put to better use and also if you are worried about security, just get some additional locks from amazon. So if you are on a budget and you want something that is going to be worth every penny.
Why We Like It
- Budget-Friendly
- Can transport up to 4 bikes
- Folding arms offer compact storage
- Tiltable mast allows access to the trunk when bikes are not loaded
Keep Note
- Relatively light construction.
- No integrated locking mechanism.
- Bikes may swing if you don’t tie them up properly.
2 Best Trunk Bike Racks For Sedans with Reviews
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5 – Saris Bones Car Trunk Bike Rack Series Review : Best Overall Trunk Type Bike Rack For Sedans
Top features:
Folding Arms: Not using the bike rack? No problem, Saris has got you covered. When you are not using the bike rack, you can simply fold down the arms and go off. This is a great feature, as it saves you from taking off the bike rack every time you are not using the bike rack.
Anti Sway Straps : Avoid the bikes from wobbling while they are loaded on the rack, Saris includes Anti-Sway Straps that attach onto the seat tube of your bike so that your bike is locked both horizontally and vertically.
Arc Design : The Arc design of the bike rack is not just for looks but also serves as a functional tool for making more gaps between the bikes. This is a neat little trick Saris uses that most other manufacturers don’t and it does make mounting the bikes onto the rack a bit easier.
Review And Analysis:
The Saris Bones is a very versatile bike rack that can fit a lot of cars. This is one of the best features of having a Trunk Type bike rack. They are almost universal and fit most vehicles, be it your Minivan, an SUV, or even a sedan.
Even though it’s pricier than the Allen Sports Trunk bike rack, the price difference is worth the extra money, in my opinion, and if you can stretch your budget, this is the bike rack to get. The build quality, even though it’s made of plastic, is a lot better than the Allen sports deluxe.
Why We Like It
- Straps are coated with vinyl so that you don’t scratch your car.
- A unique design adds to the look of your vehicle
- The arc design offers more room to set each bike.
Keep Note
- Not the best feeling while changing and adjusting the bike.
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6 – Allen Deluxe Trunk Rack Review : Best Budget Trunk Bike Rack for Sedans
Top features:
Mounting Versatility: Being a trunk type bike rack by its nature you can mount it to different types of vehicles. With this bike rack, you are not just limited to your minivan. You can mount this to almost all kinds of vehicles.
Lightweight: The Allen Sports trunk type bike rack is a barebones trunk type bike rack and only writes about eight pounds, so carrying it around is a piece of cake.
Easy Assembly: Unlike other bike racks this one comes pre-assembled, so you are good to go after unboxing the bike rack.
Review And Analysis:
The Allen Sports Trunk Bike Rack is one of the cheapest bike racks we could find. We do have some complaints about this bike rack, like how the bikes shake or move while taking turns, but this product was made to carry cheap bikes. I was comfortable carrying my daughter’s old bike because I knew that even if it got a scratch it doesn’t really matter. But for you, if scratches do matter, you should avoid this bike rack and look for something better.
Why We Like It
- Easy to set up.
- Very reasonably priced.
- Straps are coated in vinyl, so that they don’t scratch your car.
- Side straps cancel lateral movement and perfectly set the rack in place
Keep Note
- Lacks security.
- The bikes wobble when turning.
2 Best Roof Bike Racks For Sedans with Reviews
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7 – Yakima FrontLoader Rack Review : Best Roof-Mounted Bike Rack For Sedans
Top features:
Wheel On Mount: One of the better features of this bike rack is that you can mount your bike on it, without the removal of the front wheel. Most Roof Bike racks require the removal of the front wheel so that you can lock the fork
Lightweight: The Allen Sports trunk type bike rack is a barebones trunk type bike rack and only writes about eight pounds, so carrying it around is a piece of cake.
Easy Assembly: Unlike other bike racks this one comes pre-assembled, so you are good to go after unboxing the bike rack. Yakima always delivers the quality that we are paying for and there is no exception. Even though the Frontloader is on the pricier side, the majority of it is made from metals. Like all other roof racks, it will sit in between your Suv’s crossbars.
Review And Analysis:
If you want to install your bike rack and then don’t want to worry about taking your bike rack off now and then, roof-mounted bike racks are the way to go. What makes this special is the quality and the reliability of the brand. Installing the bikes on top of your SUV is a bit hard to do alone without anything to stand upon. This can be a problem if you are riding alone and there isn’t anyone or anything that you can take help from. While testing, I managed to handle the loading and unloading of the bike, but It was not a super breezy process like the other types of bike racks.
Why We Like It
- Installation is easy
- Fits with any crossbars easily
- Doesn’t come in the way of parking
Keep Note
- Keep an eye out for height-restricted places.
- It can be tough to install bikes on top without support
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8 – Swagman Standard Review : Best Budget Roof Bike Rack For Sedans
This is a cheaper version of the FrontLoader, so we didn’t expect too much from the beginning. That being said, the Swagman Standard is made of Aluminum, making it very light and easy to install.
Top features:
Wheel On Mount: The Swagman has an incredible tilt system that can be accessed from the rear of the rack, but the show-stopper is the arm that articulates out and away from the back doors, bringing both the bikes and the rack out of the range of the doors.
Who is it for: The Swagman Standard is a great product that delivers values within budgets, but you don’t get the excellent build quality that Yakima can assure you. Overall this is a great roof rack for those who are looking for a roof rack within budget.
Personal take: You get the exact features that you are paying for. Once you figure out the installation process, we are sure that you will enjoy this top contender for the best roof rack.
Why We Like It
- It can fit any kind of crossbar
- Quick-release and tie-down straps for the bride
- Assembly without any tool.
Keep Note
- Unclear assembly instructions.
2 Best Suction Bike Racks For Sedans with Reviews
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9 – Seasucker Talon Review : Best Overall Suction Cup Bike Rack For Sedan
Sea Sucker is the new kid on the block with a new fancy idea. They are not the first company to make suction cup bike racks, but they are the first company to make them very well. Their bike racks are robust and can carry almost 45 pounds which is just mind-blowing for suction cups.
Top features:
Versatility: The best feature of using a suction cup bike rack is the versatility it offers you in terms of mounting position like no other bike rack. Need to mount your bike on a curved shaped roof, Seasucker is the perfect candidate for that.
Ease Of Use: Setting up the Seasucker is very easy, all you need to do is pump the suction cups until you create a good seal, and then you are ready to mount your bike.
Review and analysis:
It takes a good amount of courage to leap something like a traditional bike rack to a suction bike rack. It was a big leap in faith, and the Sea Sucker didn’t disappoint. If you are looking for a minimal bike rack, suction cups are a very good option. On top of that, this is universal, so it will fit any kind of vehicle you may have.
Why We Like It
- Very Versatile
- Super Easy Installation.
- Assembly without any tool.
Keep Note
- Price
- Have to take off the front wheels for installation.
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10 – Kupper Mounts Review: : Best Budget Suction Cup Mounts For Sedans
The Kupper mounts are partially made from plastic, and they only weigh 4 pounds. This makes them the most portable bike rack on our whole list. These are identical to Seacucker, the only difference being that Kupper mounts use a bigger suction cup for the front wheel instead of 3 regular-sized mounts.
Top features:
Quick Setup: The Kupper Mounts use only 2 cups instead of 4 found on the Seasucker talon, so setting up the Kupper mount takes only a moment.
Portability: This is the most portable bike rack on our whole list at only four pounds with 2 tiny suction pumps that come in a nice hard case box.
Review And Analysis:
The Kupper mounts also offer you a ton of versatility. Still, in addition to versatility, they are much more portable than the Sea Sucker. If you are looking for a very portable bike rack for a single bike, then the upper mounts are a great choice. It even comes in a hard shell carrying case, making it easier to pack them and head out. The Kupper Mounts are a great choice to experience this new innovative bike rack sector without breaking the bank.
Why We Like It
- Highly Portable
- Super Easy Installation.
- Assembly without any tool.
Keep Note
- Not Installing the Suction Cups properly can be hazardous
- Have to take off the front wheels for installation.
Best Bike Rack Buying Guide For Sedans
So far, we have discussed different bike racks that are best for your Honda Pilot. Now let’s talk about a few crucial questions you MUST answer while choosing the bike rack for your car.
Decide Hitch or Hitchless
This is the first and most common this to keep in mind while choosing a bike rack. Just keep in mind that, if you are getting a budget bike rack, don’t push it to the maximum. That means, if your rack has 4 bike capacity, try to fit 3 at max. Also, if the rack is rated for 45 lbs, pair it up with a comparatively lighter bike, or go for a higher weight rated rack.
Identify the features
Different bike racks come with different features. Two useful features are tiltable mast, and swing away racks; they allow you to use the back of your car without removing the rack or the bikes. Just like that, there are quite a few features that come with bike racks, explore and make a list of what you might prioritize.
Consider the tire size
When it comes to platform bike racks, you have to keep the tire size in mind. If you have fat tire bikes or e-bikes with comparatively bigger tires, then you will need to choose something that has a bigger tire holder or adjustable tire holder.
Specific tool for Kids’ bikes, women’s bikes, and curved top bars
Some bike racks offer an adjustable base to fit bikes of different dimensions, that way you can fit kid’s bikes as well. Also, when it comes to hanging bike racks, you can’t hang them if your top bar ain’t straight. You’ll have to use a bike frame adapter to do that; any curved top bar or women’s bike would need it.
Heavy rack vs lightweight portable rack
This is the first question you should ask yourself. If you are going to carry multiple heavy bikes it’s definitely better to go with something that can withstand a lot of lead. On the other hand, if you are going to be carrying a single light bike you can get by with a light weight portable bike rack.
Consider the usage frequency
A bike rack is considered a long-term investment. Surely you want a rack to serve you for at least a couple of years. That will only happen if the bike rack is durable enough to survive the inevitable overuse. So if you think that you are going to use it fairly often then get something with a good build quality. Or if you are going to use it rarely then go for a budget rack to save some money.
Fix the budget
This is something that is totally up to you but we do recommend that you steer clear of the cheapest bike racks that you can find. We have reviewed ten of the best bike racks for Sedans in our article that covers almost all ranges of prices from budget to the most premium ones.
Think about security
Depending on where you ride and how expensive or loved your bike is, you might want to reconsider your security options. Now, some bike racks don’t come with integrated locks and some do. You can use external locks to secure your bike as well, but having a high quality internal lock is great. Keep an eye out for choosing the right bike rack with a proper security system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you put a bike rack on a sedan?
No bike racks have very less chances of damaging your cars if they are handled properly and the straps are used in the proper positions.
Do bike racks damage your car?
In our opinion, Hitch bike racks are the best in terms of strength, capabilities and also functionalities. The Hitch bike racks offer superior bike carrying capacity than most other bike racks but they also cost a lot more than other cheaper bike racks.
Can you open the trunk with the bike rack on?
It mostly depends on the type of bike rack you are using. If you are using something premium that comes with the functionality of letting you open the trunk with the bike rack on the sedan and for some others, you will simply have to take off the bike rack to access your trunk.
Why are bike racks so expensive?
Well like all other consumer products bike racks can be cheap or they can also be expensive and good products with lots of features will always cost more than cheaper products with lesser features, so in short bike racks are not very expensive but getting a good one can set you back a few hundred dollars.
What is the most secure bike rack?
The higher end bike racks such as Thule T2 Pro XTR offer the best security for you to carry your prized possession with you and not have to worry about it being stolen.
Final Words
Getting a bike rack for your sedan can be a big hassle. Spending money on the wrong bike rack is not the road you want to go down. Returning and then getting a new one can set you back on both time and money. So we took this opportunity to gather all the great bike racks available that will fit almost all sedans.
If you went through this list then by now you have a good idea of what bike rack you should consider buying or if you are still confused then you can go through our buying guide which explains which bike rack you should buy according to your needs.
As for our suggestion, we would say that if your car already has a hitch installed then getting a hitch bike rack would be the best option as they are superior to the other types of bike racks in almost all ways, but if you don’t want to deal with installing a hitch then getting a Trunk/no hitch bike rack is the better way to go.
