The 5 Best Bike Racks For A Subaru Crosstrek, Outback, Forester, Or Ascent

Many Subaru owners lead active lifestyles and go mountain biking or riding on the beach on the weekends. What is the best bike rack for your Subaru Crosstrek, Outback, Forester, or Ascent? Consumer Reports rates the best, and here are their recommendations.

Consumer Reports researched the market, spoke to bike-store owners and riders, and gleaned information from major retailers and industry analysts. CR then purchased several models to evaluate and says they have a clear winner.

Consumer Reports Editors Choice

Küat NV 2.0 and NV 2.0 Add-On Platform Hitch Rack
Price: $849 for NV 2.0, plus $598 for NV 2.0 extension
Bike Capacity: 2 to 4 bikes
Where to buy: Amazon, REI
What CR liked: Well-built, super-secure, and easy to load.
What they don't like: Expensive and heavy, the four-bike version sticks out far from the vehicle and is awkward to tilt out of the way.

Ideal for heavy bikes

Thule EasyFold XT Platform Hitch Rack
Price: $884
Bike Capacity: 2
Where to buy: Amazon, REI, Thule
What CR liked: The included ramp makes it easier to load heavy e-bikes.
What they don't like: Requires precision to keep the bike on the short, narrow ramp.

Ideal for E-Bikes

Thule EasyFold XT Platform Hitch Rack
Price: $884
Bike capacity: 2
Where to buy: Amazon, Campmor, REI, Thule
Weight limit: 130 lb., or 65 lb. max per bike
Rack weight: 43 lb.
Assembly time: Under 30 minutes, easy assembly
People required to install: 1

Low-Priced Platform

Bell Right Up 350 Platform Hitch Rack
Price: $160
Bike capacity: 3
Where to buy: Amazon, Walmart
Weight limit: 105 lb. total, 35 lb. max per bike
Rack weight: 25 lb.
Assembly time: 45 minutes. The rack came completely disassembled, with many parts, but the instructions were detailed, and the rack was easy to put together.
People required to install: 1

For Recreational Families

Yakima FullSwing Hanging Hitch Rack
Price: $649
Bike capacity: 4
Where to buy: Amazon, REI, Yakima
Weight limit: 150 lb. max; 40 lb. max per bike
Rack weight: 55 lb.
Assembly time: 30-60 minutes. This rack was a bit more challenging to assemble than most due to the picture-only directions and its weight. Two people are best to assemble.
People required to install: 2

Lightweight and Priced Right

Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Hanging Hitch Rack
Price: $106
Bike capacity: 4
Where to buy: Allen Sports, Amazon, Target, Walmart
Weight limit: 140 lb.
Rack weight: 20 lb.
Assembly time: Under 30 minutes, easy assembly
People required to install: 1

Our take

We think the best way to transport your bike is a hitch-mounted bike carrier instead of a roof-mounted bike rack. A roof-mounted bike rack can be challenging to load and unload, affecting aerodynamics and increasing fuel consumption.

If you haven't purchased a bike rack for your Subaru Crosstrek, Outback, Forester, or Ascent, Consumer Reports says there is a clear winner. Check out which bike carrier is best for you.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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