Bike Rack for Prius Reviews – Top 7 (2021)

Purchasing the correct bike rack for your next cycling adventure could be the difference between a pleasurable or maddening experience. A bike rack that fits your car and transports your bikes safely and securely is ideal. A good bike rack will save you time and frustration by preventing frequent stops to adjust ratcheting straps or tie downs. It will be a trusted friend to secure a valued possession.

In an effort to help all fellow Toyota Prius owners, I spent hours researching and compiling a list of the 7 Best Prius Bike Racks. Despite the many great options, my research indicates that the best overall Prius bike rack is the Saris Bones 3 Bike Rack with an arc-based design and one-touch adjustability.


Comparison Table of Top 3

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS  

Saris Bones 3 Bike Rack
  • Features: Arc-based design; Injection molded arms; and retractable straps with one-touch adjustability
  • Benefits: A strong rack that fits over spoilers and is easy to adjust
Check Latest Price

Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier
  • Features: Patented Fit Dial adjustment with 6 securing straps; anti-sway cradle
  • Benefits: Snuggly fits vehicles and holds bikes securely on vehicles
Check Latest Price

Swagman XC2 Hitch Mount Bike Rack
  • Features: Compatible with 1 ¼ “ or 2” receiver hitch; anti-wobble hitch device
  • Benefits: Versatile and strong bike rack. It offers hatchback access without removal of the rack
Check Latest Price


Prius Bike Rack Reviews

1. Saris Bones 3-Bike Rack – Best Overall

The Saris Bones 3-Bike Rack is a strong and lightweight trunk-mounted rack. The injection-molded steel arms and legs are the strongest on the market. They are built with 100% recyclable, non-rusting material. The arc-based design allows the rack to fit over most spoilers and the ratcheting anti-sway straps secures and stabilizes bikes. Its design allows you to carry 3 bikes at 35 lbs each.

FEATURES: Steel construction; weighs 11 lbs; carries 3 bikes (35 lbs per bike); one-touch adjustable straps; rubber feet to protect paint; ratcheting anti-sway straps; arc-based design

Pros

  • Strong: injection-molded steel arms
  • Lightweight: it is easy to mount at 11 lbs
  • Versatile: the arc-based design and retractable one-touch adjustable straps provide ease of fit

Cons

  • Trunk access: the trunk mount design prevents trunk access while the rack is securely attached to the rear of the vehicle
  • Price: you do pay for the quality of this bike rack


2. Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier – Best Trunk Mount

The Thule Passage 2-Bike Trunk Mount Carrier is a dual-bar, 2-bike rack that offers a customized fit at a reasonable price. The narrow cradle arms offer the capability to carry a wide range of different bike sizes. It uses a patented Fit Dial adjustment system and straps to securely attach the rack and bike to the vehicle. The Passage holds 2 bikes at 35 lbs each and includes anti-sway to prevent bike to bike contact.

FEATURES: Soft rubber cradles; patented Fit Dial system; narrow cradle arms; dual support arms that fold down when not in use; cushioned anti-sway cradles; 6 attachment straps

Pros

  • Fit: the patented Fit Dial system offers a perfect fit for the Prius
  • Secure: a six strap system secures the rack to the vehicle while soft rubber cradles protect and secure the bike frames
  • Compact: the dual arms fold down when not in use

Cons

  • Blemishes: being a trunk mount and the additional weight of the rack plus bikes pressing on the car’s exterior may leave small indentations
  • Price: there are less-expensive trunk mounts if you want to sacrifice quality


3. Swagman XC2 Hitch Mount Bike Rack – Best Hitch Mount

The Swagman XC2 Hitch Mount Bike Rack is a sturdy 2-Bike rack that fits 1 ¼” and 2” receiver hitches. This rack easily accommodates various bike frame sizes with its wheel mount design and upright ratchet arms. It allows for easy trunk access with its folding arms. The XC2 securely holds bikes in place with padded hooks to prevent scratching of the bike’s frame.

FEATURES: Upright ratchet arms; built-in anti-wobble hitch device; rack folds into compact mode for ease of storage; wheel mount design; 3 point system secures bikes; fits 1 ¼” and 2” receiver hitch; padded hooks

Pros

  • Secure: secures bikes at 3 different points plus a wheel mount design
  • Functional: folding arms for trunk access and a compact mode for easy storage
  • Stable: the rack doesn’t move around in the hitch with the built-in anti-wobble device

Cons

  • Weight: it weighs in at close to 30 lbs due to its sturdy steel frame


4. Yakima DoubleDown 4-Bike Rack – Best for the Family

The Yakima DoubleDown 4-Bike Rack is a family gem. It is a hitch-mounted rack fitting 1 ¼” and 2” receiver hitches that holds up to 4 bikes. It keeps the family’s bikes secure and prevents bumping with its SwitchBlade anti-sway cradles. The DoubleDown tilts out of the way to allow trunk access plus the support bars fold down and out of the way with a touch of a button.

FEATURES: Tilt out of the way when not in use; TriggerFinger technology; compatible with both 1 ¼ ” and 2″ hitch receivers; SwitchBlade anti-sway cradle; durable powder coat finish

Pros

  • Ease of Use: the FingerTrigger folds the rack’s bars with one touch of a button plus the entire rack tilts out of the way for trunk access
  • Utility: it can meet the needs of any situation with a 4 bike capacity and 1 ¼” or 2” receiver hitch capability
  • Sturdy: provides a durable powder coat finish and SwitchBlade anti-sway cradle

Cons

  • Design: the hanging frame design holds any size bike with a standard frame, slanted frames require a TubeTop adapter


5. Saris Freedom Trailer Hitch Bike Rack – Best for the Weekend Warrior

The Saris Freedom Trailer Hitch Bike Rack can handle all of your adventures. It is offered in a 2 and 4 bike version and adjusts to fit all bike sizes. The Freedom will hold bikes weighing up to 60 lbs each. It can be securely mounted to the Prius with a 1 ¼ “ or 2” hitch receiver. If a bike’s wheelbase exceeds 48” it can be easily configured to fit a larger wheelbase by adding a long wheelbase bar. Fat tire rider? No problem, the Freedom by Saris can accommodate wider tires by adding a wheel holder. Check out more of the best Saris bike racks reviews.

FEATURES: holds 2 to 4 bikes at 60 lbs each; ratcheting straps; fits 1 ¼” and 2″ receiver hitches; Cuscino tie-downs; adjusts up to 48” wheel base

Pros

  • Capacity: the rack adjusts to fit all bike frame sizes, up to 60 lbs each
  • Adaptability: its wheelbase is adjustable up to 48” plus it fits 1 ¼ “ and 2” receiver hitches
  • Secure: the ratcheting straps and wheel mount system keep bike secure

Cons

  • Weight: the 4-Bike version weighs in at a hefty 53 lbs due to its sturdy nature


6. Tyger Auto Deluxe 1-Bike Trunk Mount Bicycle Carrier Rack – Best on a Budget

The Tyger Auto Deluxe 1-Bike Trunk Mount Bicycle Carrier Rack is durable, lightweight and affordable. It boasts E-Coating ratchet buckles and soft cradles to protect and secure bikes. The padded lower frame prevents the bikes from scratching the vehicle. It is shipped 100% assembled, installs in minutes and weighs 8.6 lbs.

FEATURES: Padded lower frame; E-Coating ratcheting buckles; individual soft cradles; weighs 8.6 lbs.

Pros

  • Lightweight: it is easy to carry at 6.8 lbs
  • Easy to Install: comes 100% assembled and takes just minutes to fasten to vehicle
  • Durable: it offers rust-resistant E-Coating on the ratchet buckles

Cons

  • Sturdiness: the springs in the metal clips on the quick release mounting straps appear susceptible to fatigue under heavy weight


7. Allen Sports Premier 2-Bike Trunk Bike Rack – Best for Ease of Use

The Allen Sports Premier 2 Bike Trunk Bike Rack is stable, lightweight and easy to install. It sets up in less than a minute due to its patented design. The rack offers two side straps that provide good stability on the car. It also comes with a patented tie-down system that protects and secures the bikes. It boasts narrow arms to fit a wide range of bikes. All of this and it comes with a lifetime warranty.

FEATURES: features

Pros

  • Ease of Use: the patented quick set-up frame snaps into place right out of the box and can be installed in less than a minute
  • Functional: the rubber cradle straps and narrow carry arms secure a wide range of bike sizes
  • Sturdy: the two quick secure straps and wide profile, dual compound feet provide a solid connection to the rear of the vehicle

Cons

  • Blemishes: being a trunk mount and the additional weight of the rack plus bikes pressing on the car’s exterior may leave small indentations


What is the Best Prius Bike Rack – Final Thoughts

There are plenty of good, reliable bike racks for the Prius. Before purchasing a bike rack you should answer a few questions: How often will you use the rack? Are you going to leave it on your vehicle or remove it and reinstall it as needed? How many bikes are you going to be carrying? How much do I want to spend? The primary purpose is to find a bike rack that will fit your lifestyle.

You may also like: Best Bike Racks for SUVs

Bike racks are the best way to safely and securely transport bikes. It is important to find one that fits your car, prevents the bikes from banging around and protects your vehicle from scratches. A good bike rack does not require continual attention to ratcheting straps and tie-downs. With this in mind, I spent hours researching and compiling this list of the 7 Best Prius Bike Racks. Despite the many great options, my research indicates that the best overall bike rack for the Prius is the Saris Bones 3 Bike Rack with its steel structure, arc-based design, ratcheting anti-sway straps and one-touch adjustability. See our recent guides on the best bike rack for minivan review, best trunk bike rack reviews, and the best truck bed bike rack reviews.

IMAGE PRODUCT DETAILS  

Saris Bones 3 Bike Rack
  • Features: Arc-based design; Injection molded arms; and retractable straps with one-touch adjustability
  • Benefits: A strong rack that fits over spoilers and is easy to adjust
Check Latest Price

Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier
  • Features: Patented Fit Dial adjustment with 6 securing straps; anti-sway cradle
  • Benefits: Snuggly fits vehicles and holds bikes securely on vehicles
Check Latest Price

Swagman XC2 Hitch Mount Bike Rack
  • Features: Compatible with 1 ¼ “ or 2” receiver hitch; anti-wobble hitch device
  • Benefits: Versatile and strong bike rack. It offers hatchback access without removal of the rack
Check Latest Price

You may also like: How to Lock a Bike to a Car Bike Rack


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Austin Mills

Austin Mills in an outdoor enthusiast. He's been featured on some of the top outdoor & fitness blogs sharing his expertise in order to help others. In his free time, he likes spending time with his dogs enjoying the outdoors.