Hatchbacks are perfect for family trips because they allow you to carry along some cargo. If you and your family want to take your bikes on a road trip, you should first get a bike rack for hatchbacks so your bikes can be transported safely.  

Hatchback cars have a rear liftgate that opens upwards for access to cargo. Most older versions contained only 3 doors with folding seats but in the newer models, you will mostly find 5 doors including the rear liftgate. These cars have a two-box body which makes them different from the three-box bodies of sedans. 

Sedans have an isolated trunk region where you can secure your valuables while hatchbacks have more space for cargo as compared to a trunk and folding the back seats can create extra room for cargo. These differences in the structure along with a bigger rear window and longer length of hatchbacks as compared to sedans are some of the factors that should be considered while selecting a bike rack for your hatchback.

Unlike sedans, the difference in the structure of the crossover SUV models from hatchbacks is not very clear. The conventional SUVs were bigger in size and had truck-based chassis which made them expensive. But with time, the need for off-road capability decreased and manufacturers focussed more on two-wheel cars at an affordable price. This blurred the line between a hatchback and a sedan. 

So in this article, we will go through a step-by-step guide for buying the most useful bike rack for hatchbacks such as Chevrolet Spark, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Golf, Mazda3 Sport, and others. We have also shortlisted the top 5 bike racks for hatchbacks and have compared them on the basis of our rack score rating system. 

Read detailed articles for Honda Civic and Toyota Prius bike racks. 

A step-by-step guide to choosing the best bike rack for a hatchback

Bike rack type well-suited for hatchback

The first step to selecting a rack for a hatchback is to pick the right bike rack type according to the structure and build of your vehicle. Below are some commonly used rack types for hatchbacks, their benefits, and their shortcomings.

Trunk mount rack

Moving to a car bike rack without hitch requirement, trunk bike racks are the most convenient and affordable racks for most hatchbacks. We recommend them because they are easy to install and use, are usually light in weight, foldable and economical as compared to other racks. Many bike rack manufacturers have designed racks for hatchbacks adding useful features for your ease. The only problem you might face is that trunk racks would extend the length of already long hatchbacks which could make parking a bit tricky. Otherwise, they are the best option as bike racks for hatchbacks.

Hitch bike rack 

Hitch bike racks are only compatible with vehicles that have a hitch receiver. Few hatchbacks have a factory-installed hitch and for them, there is no better way to haul the bikes. These racks would allow you to open the hatch easily with their tilt or swing-away features. But if your hatchback does not have a hitch receiver, you can either go for another type or buy a hitch receiver separately. But purchasing a hitch receiver could cost you a lot of money so in that case, it is better to get a trunk rack for your vehicle.

Roof bike rack

Roof bike racks are another great way to safely carry the bikes on the roof of the hatchback. These racks do not lengthen the vehicle and save bikes from theft. But the compatibility of a roof rack with a hatchback solely depends on the presence of roof rails or crossbars on the vehicle. If your hatchback has crossbars and you want to carry 1 or 2 bikes, we recommend roof mount racks. But you will have to lift the bikes every time and your car would face wind resistance. 

Biking requirements

Once you have selected the bike rack type, think about other things you expect from a bike rack for a hatchback. How many bikes do you want to put on the rack? Do you want a locking system to secure your valuable bikes? Are you fine with the frame contact of bikes? Once you are clear about these, it will be much easier for you to pick out a bike rack for your hatchback. 

Shortlisted bike racks

Below you can find some of the best racks for your hatchback from our shortlisted trunk, hitch, and roof-mount racks. 

Top 5 best bike racks for hatchbacks

Allen Sports Deluxe

It is rare to come across a trunk mount multi-bike rack for an SUV hatchback. The Deluxe trunk bike rack from Allen Sports is one of its kind that carries up to 4 bikes on many vehicles. This rack is versatile which makes it easily fit most sedans, hatchbacks, and SUVs. It is mounted on the hatchback through the integrated straps but it also offers lateral stability through the horizontal straps which make it stand out from other trunk bike racks. This added stability ensures the smooth transport of bikes even on rough paths. Moreover, if you have to use the rack frequently over the week, you can leave it on your hatchback and still open the hatch. At around $100 it is a great rack if you own up to 4 bikes weighing a total of 140 lbs. You can also be carefree about the paint on your hatchback because Deluxe protects the vehicle thanks to its uniquely designed feet and arched top. 

Read the full review.

Saris Bones EX

The biggest challenge hatchback owners face while finding a suitable trunk bike rack, is the compatibility with spoilers. Well Saris Bones EX is the solution. The manufacturers are not wrong to claim that it is compatible with over 90% of vehicles including numerous hatchbacks. It is available in 2 and 3-bike versions we recommend that for long drives on a hatchback, you should go for the 2-bike version. The reason is, on a hatchback, the rack would be installed with its feet on a vertical surface instead of the bumper. This would put greater force on the straps and in the case of long drives, it might cause the straps to loosen. Other than that it is a great bike rack for hatchbacks, very easy to install and use, and the bike cradles are well-built. It costs more than Allen Sports Deluxe but its arms can be folded which means that leaving it on the vehicle would not affect parking. 

Allen Sports Premier

Allen Sports Premier bike rack is also available in 2, 3, and 4-bike versions just like Deluxe but has some additional features that would make it a suitable option for your hatchback. Premier has wide profile feet that evenly distribute the load and minimizes the stress on your hatchback. The feet are strong but have a soft plastic finish which protects the vehicle. Also, as compared to the non-folding extended arms of Deluxe, Premier can be fully folded into a flat structure which means you can save space on your hatchback. The best thing about premier is that you can use it for most bike types including adult as well as kids’ bikes. Moreover, the straps are long enough for a hatchback and you can use the extra length to fasten the bike wheels on the rack and the rack to the vehicle. So if your hatchback does not have spoilers, you can get this economical rack for its remarkable features. 

Read the full review.

Saris Solo

Do you own one bike and do not want to spend extra money on a multi-bike rack for hatchback? If so, you should get the Saris Solo trunk bike rack. It is compatible with most hatchbacks and can be installed by using ratchet straps. For a hatchback, we recommend that you mount it in the middle. In this way, the rack would be in a position where the rear window ends. But still, there’s a chance it will hinder the use of rear window wipers. So you will have to compromise on that, otherwise at $70 this rack offers all the essential features to hold a bike on the rear of a hatchback. The best thing about it is the 2lbs small body that can be easily stored in the hatch and since it is so compact, you can also leave it on the hatchback because it will not be a problem while parking. You can carry any bike on Saris Solo that weighs under 35 lbs. 

Read the full review.

Thule Gateway Pro

Thule bike racks have an edge over other racks because of the high brand value. So it will not be fair to miss out on Gateway Pro for transporting bikes. This premium quality rack offers 2 and 3-bike capacity and is a reliable bike rack for hatchbacks. What makes it compatible with a hatchback is the patented FitDial which is the reason for its versatility. Also, it has 6 straps for installation which ensures the right fit on the hatchback. Unlike the strap-installed racks mentioned above, there is a lesser chance of strap loosening on a hatchback because the load is widely distributed. The 3-bike versions costs around $330 which is expensive as compared to the racks mentioned above but, this price also includes the locks for securing the bikes on the rack and rack on your hatchback. Thus we believe that Gateway Pro has a high value for money and is totally worth the price.

Read the full review.

Bike rack for a hatchback that lets you open the trunk

Thule Outway Platform Trunk mount rack 

Trunk bike racks do not allow you to open the hatch or trunk of the vehicle with bikes installed. But there are a few that, when installed, do not hinder the opening of the hatch (but of course without bikes). One such rack is the Thule Outway Platform. This platform bike rack for the hatchback is also a trunk mount but when not operated, you can fold up the platform and open the hatch upwards without a problem. The Outway platform is only available for 2 bikes with a total weight of 66 lbs. This rack also works great for expensive carbon frames because as compared to the racks mentioned above, there is no frame contact. You may find it more expensive than the aforementioned racks but the license plate visibility, no frame contact, and access to the trunk make it worth the price. 

Read the full review.

Best hitch bike rack for a hatchback

Kuat Racks Sherpa 2.0

One of the best 1 1 4 hitch bike racks, Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is rated as the best hitch bike rack. Like other hitch racks, its compatibility with hatchbacks depends on the availability of a 2″ hitch receiver. So if your hatchback has the required hitch receiver, you should go for Sherpa 2.0 to enjoy the useful features such as tilt away from the hatch and no frame contact. The rack holds two bikes each weighing up to 40 pounds and you can choose from three different colors, which is advantageous from an aesthetic perspective. It is very easy to install and remove and may be folded when not in use. If you’re searching for a bike rack with a built-in bike lock, it will also work. Although this bike rack for hatchbacks costs about $630, it is well worth the money.

Read about hitch bike racks for 4 bikes. 

Comparison Article: Best bike rack for SUVs

Best roof mount rack for hatchback vehicle

Thule TopRide

Thule TopRide is a fork-mount roof bike rack that can be used with both quick-release and thru-axle bikes. This bike rack for hatchback has high compatibility with various bikes. But it would only be useful if your hatchback has roof rails or crossbars. A benefit of using TopRide is that it will not lengthen the car, unlike hitch and trunk bike racks, allowing you to drive and park with ease. Also, unlike most roof racks, you can load the bike with ease thanks to the light and sound indicator. TopRide would cost you around $300 for only one bike but it will keep your bike safe and secure. But of course, since it is a roof mount rack you will have to pick up the bike and the engine might also face wind resistance while driving at high speed. 

Other roof bike racks for a hatchback.

Frequently asked questions about bike racks for hatchbacks

How to put a bike on an Allen bike rack for a hatchback?

Allen bike rack has a patented tie-down system for carrying bikes. You have to pick up your bike, place it on the bike cradles, and fasten the integrated straps to tie them down. You can also run the long straps around the wheels to minimize any movement or wobbling of bikes while driving.

What is the best bike rack for hatchback SUVs?

Allen Sports Deluxe is a great bike rack for hatchback SUVs. This rack would let you hold multiple bikes, has an anti-sway system, easy installation, and comes at an affordable price. 

What is the best bike rack for a hatchback?

The best rack depends on the user’s demands. If you want to carry 2 bikes on the hatch, Saris Bones EX could work great but if you want to install the rack on a hitch, then Kuat Sherpa would be the best bike rack for hatchback. 

What type of bike rack for a 2014 Chevy Spark hatchback?

Trunk mount bike racks are the best suited for the 2014 Chevy Spark hatchback. For 1 bike, you can go for Saris Solo, for two bikes Thule Outway platform would be suitable while for multiple bikes, we recommend Saris Bones EX or Allen Sports Premier.

What is the best bike rack for a Mazda 3 hatchback?

For Mazda 3 hatchback, you can get trunk bike racks such as Thule Gateway Pro, Allen Sports Deluxe, and Saris Bones EX and haul your bikes safely. 

Bike rack for Honda Civic hatchback?

Honda Civic hatchback can carry bikes through a trunk mount bike rack. You may consider Saris Bones EX, Allen Sports Deluxe, or Thule Outway according to your biking requirements.