Best cars for chucking a bike in?

[mrbikerboy73]

I'll be looking to change my car in the new year so I'm thinking about a car that you can chuck a bike in the back of easily. I've got roof bars and carriers but I don't want to faff about with them for just one bike. Oh, and it needs to be reasonably economical as I travel 200 miles a week for work. Any thoughts? Cheers...

 

[vickster]

Skoda Fabia Estate or Octavia if need bigger. I have the former, very practical and comfortable. I have the VRS DSG variant, so quick but surprisingly economical. They have stopped making the VRS so would need second hand

Mine is 4 years old, only done around 16k miles, costs me under £500 a year to insure (thanks to postcode and a couple of claims), main dealer service around £300, £145 VED I think

No need to remove front wheel on a 54cm roadbike or equivalent flatbar with seats down

 

[Drago]

Big cars aren't economical. Even if you find one with not much appetite for the juice you'll find tax, insurance, and maintenance all make up for it.

I'd be inclined something like a Peugeot Boxer. It has the sex appeal of Eric Pickles but it's car, and only a fool cares about what the neighbours think. They're spacious, cheap to buy, well equipped, reasonably cheap to maintain, and because they're derived from commercial vehicles they're pretty tough.

More traditional estates will do the job, but the smaller cabins and lower roof height make them more awkward if you're chucking the bike in regularly.

 

[DCLane]

Oddly enough my wife's Honda Jazz takes a bike easily with the seats down or vertically with one seat down.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Peugeot 5008.

 

[clockworksimon]

I have a new Citroen c4 Picasso (5 seat) which easily fits two bikes in the boot with wheels removed and boot shelf cover still in place. The skoda octavia estate was also on my short list as its boot is huge. However the Citroen is bigger inside for passengers and more cool according to my daughter.

 

[PaulSB]

Peugeot 3008.

Sadly after 6 years with a 3008 my employer has provided me with a Nissan Qashqai. Haven't tried the bike yet but looks a bit narrow

 

[gavroche]

"chucking" the bike in sounds a bit harsh, I put my in delicately so as not to damage it. I have a Renault Captur. I just put back seats down and the bike goes in without taking front wheel off.

 

[Triple3]

Small van, kangoo etc. Commercial vehicke tax is a downer but practicality is unsurpassed. I love vans

 

[Dayvo]

Depends if you have family needs.

I have a 2005 VW Caddy and can comfortably get three bikes inside.

 

[Globalti]

Big cars aren't economical. Even if you find one with not much appetite for the juice you'll find tax, insurance, and maintenance all make up for it.

I'd be inclined something like a Peugeot Boxer. It has the sex appeal of Eric Pickles but it's car, and only a fool cares about what the neighbours think. They're spacious, cheap to buy, well equipped, reasonably cheap to maintain, and because they're derived from commercial vehicles they're pretty tough.

More traditional estates will do the job, but the smaller cabins and lower roof height make them more awkward if you're chucking the bike in regularly.

I disagree. We regularly slip two bikes fully assembled into the back of my Passat estate, the top one lying on a blanket and we've had 2 adults + 2 kids and 4 bikes in the car. If I try I can get well over 60 mpg. The Passat estate is rightfully popular as it's a spacious, comfortable and long-legged mile-eater.

Non-commercial derivatives of commercial vans have horribly stiff suspension, which isn't great if you suffer back pain.

 

[Cycleops]

I'd have thought any hatchback would do the job, or van type vehicle.

How about turning it around and ask what are the best bikes for chucking in a car?

 

[mr_cellophane]

My 2011 Focus was great. I could fit a bike in the back with the front wheel off. It was a 1.6 diesel and did 70+ mpg, so very economical for my 95 miles per day commute.

 

[Globalti]

In the end, a determined cyclist will find a way of fitting almost any bike safely inside almost any car, which is still infinitely preferable to having it on the outside of the car displayed like a trophy for everyone to see, getting wet, salty in winter and possibly damaged or stolen.

Years ago I went and bought roof bars for a bike and on the first tryout I was so alarmed at the way the bike wobbled around that I stuck it inside my hatchback and sold the roof bars. I still occasionally see people driving around in empty cars with bikes on the outside, which just seems bonkers to me.

 

[mr_cellophane]

I still occasionally see people driving around in empty cars with bikes on the outside, which just seems bonkers to me.

Self drive cars ?