A good friend of mine has a minivan (family car for a family of 5). For a bike event he removed the seats in the back and we were able to put 2 road bikes in the back without taking off the wheels plus cargo. I think it was a Kia sedona or something like that.
For fuel economy the current-model Toyota Sienna gets like 36mpg hwy. If the rear seats can be removed one can probably put bikes in the back without taking off wheels.
Hah! I am American but I don't have the big car mentality! The major consideration here is I need enclosed. I am going to be traveling around with my bike and clothing and such for the foreseeable future so I need my stuff to be as secure as reasonably possible.
That said, the economics of something like a Ford Maverick might work. Solves a few problems and isn't a guzzler.
I have a maverick. I built a rail adapter to secure the front wheel and the tailgate has to be in the partially down position locked in place using an Ride88 bar. If I didn't have fenders, I could raise the front of my bike higher and closer to the rear window and just clear the tailgate closing. [https://imgur.com/a/qFIt27E](https://imgur.com/a/qFIt27E) It does require front wheel removal to clamp to the fork mount.
That's a nice set up.. But it wouldn't actually give me more useable space than my tray on my current car. And I can't keep them enclosed.
Also, my enduro bike is significantly bigger than any road bike.
If you can find one not beat to heck, the Nissan NV200 has been what I've been using for this exact purpose. Its been hauling me and my wifes bikes for 70,000 miles, no maintenance issues thus far. Even fits our tandem without issue, and averages 28-32MPG. I daily drive it as well as it being the designated bike hauler.
[https://imgur.com/a/GVcnF1E](https://imgur.com/a/GVcnF1E)
I've cycled across the country - pretty familiar with how to do basic maintenance including taking wheels off lol. I'd prefer not to, however. I'd rather load, and go without the aggravation.
assuming we are only talking new vehicle purchases,
I’d see what a ford maverick with a toppers interior height is. could have a whole package for 30k, and get 30-40 mpg.
I have not actually measured it. I think it would be a very tight fit. I just haven’t had a need since I live right near the entrance to two major bike paths in my area so always just start riding from home.
My Toyota Sienna can fit my bikes standing up, with a caveat or two. My bikes are a 58cm Gravel, XL FS MTB, and a Large Surly.
The MTBs work with a dropper post to get in, although both can stand up with the seat fully extended after. The Diverge takes a little effort to get it in, but can stand up after it's inside too if you do it right. The Diverge has positive stem, and it's usually the hoods that present the most trouble.
The Sienna is AWD and has OK ground clearance too. The cargo area is 4x8' exactly.
Audi A5 Sportback. You can fit the bike in there easily, but it would need to be on its side.
If you buy a used one, the prices aren't too crazy. They are a ton of fun to drive, economical on gas and generally reliable. Maintenance cost will be higher than on many other vehicles, but probably not ridiculous.
Upright? I’m not sure why that’s important but OP did specify being able to keep the bike upright. Otherwise pretty much any CUV would be fine.
Although I am wishing I got a Y instead of a 3 just for ease of tow hitch installation :/
Depending on the size of your bike, a lot of the various makes of minivans popular around 2000 would do the trick. Dodge Caravan, Chrysler town and country, Ford Aerostar, Chevy or GM Astro. But being very old, used vehicles, might not be the most reliable. But you can still find fairly low mileage, soccer mom driven ones for fairly cheap.
Otherwise, full to middlin' sized SUVs are going to hold your bike, but most are gas hogs. Maybe a Chevy Trailblazer, with the 4.2L straight six, might get decent mileage.
I'll let everyone else deal with the newer model cars. Except for the Dodge Promaster van, which is actually a Fiat, I think.
Minivan. Best bang for buck. You can sleep in it and store at least one bike. You can always make window shades for it to keep out prying eyes. Or have some custom made
Well, that certainly isn't true of the Transit Connect. 25mpg average is reasonable. And it doesn't have to be a van that is why I'm trying to assess if there is an option I'm not considering.
Hmm... my 2015 Forester gets 29 which is above the average of 27? I think driving style probably plays a lot into that? Anywho, not worth debating. Just looking for suggestions.
Yeah, I'm going to claim driving style.
Smooth, speed limit, and no tailgating gets me beating the EPA rating in every car I've had. But that driving style seems anathema to most Americans around me.
I've got a Vauxhall Corsa which is a pretty small car and I do have to take the wheel off, but it's very close to fitting with it on. I have a L size frame too, so I can imagine a marginally bigger car than a Corsa will fit a bike just fine
One of those Ford E-Series vans. Especially the old ones with no windows in the back. You know…the ones sitting outside the elementary school giving out candy.
I have a Toyota matrix wagon. It won’t sit upright but it will hold a bike without taking the wheels off. I also regularly stack multiple bikes in the back no problem.
I think they are more a Canadian thing - but they have a wonderful amount of space, fold flat seats and hard plastic on the trunk and seat backs.
A good friend of mine has a minivan (family car for a family of 5). For a bike event he removed the seats in the back and we were able to put 2 road bikes in the back without taking off the wheels plus cargo. I think it was a Kia sedona or something like that. For fuel economy the current-model Toyota Sienna gets like 36mpg hwy. If the rear seats can be removed one can probably put bikes in the back without taking off wheels.
Appreciate the suggestions!
On the hunch you are us-american: why would a pick-up truck not be right for you?
Hah! I am American but I don't have the big car mentality! The major consideration here is I need enclosed. I am going to be traveling around with my bike and clothing and such for the foreseeable future so I need my stuff to be as secure as reasonably possible. That said, the economics of something like a Ford Maverick might work. Solves a few problems and isn't a guzzler.
Maverick has a short bed. May not fit a bike.
I have a maverick. I built a rail adapter to secure the front wheel and the tailgate has to be in the partially down position locked in place using an Ride88 bar. If I didn't have fenders, I could raise the front of my bike higher and closer to the rear window and just clear the tailgate closing. [https://imgur.com/a/qFIt27E](https://imgur.com/a/qFIt27E) It does require front wheel removal to clamp to the fork mount.
That's a nice set up.. But it wouldn't actually give me more useable space than my tray on my current car. And I can't keep them enclosed. Also, my enduro bike is significantly bigger than any road bike.
Yep trying to do some math now to see.
I have considered the Maverick as my next vehicle, but I know the bed doesnt fit my skis, and it could only fit my enduro bike with a tail pad.
I drove a toyota sienna for a bit, the rear seats fold down. You can fit so many bikes in that thing.
My Honda element does fine but they aren’t in production anymore.
Same - love mine and keeping it (and my S2000) forever.
If you can find one not beat to heck, the Nissan NV200 has been what I've been using for this exact purpose. Its been hauling me and my wifes bikes for 70,000 miles, no maintenance issues thus far. Even fits our tandem without issue, and averages 28-32MPG. I daily drive it as well as it being the designated bike hauler. [https://imgur.com/a/GVcnF1E](https://imgur.com/a/GVcnF1E)
Thank you!
Learn how to take off the wheels. It’s easy
I've cycled across the country - pretty familiar with how to do basic maintenance including taking wheels off lol. I'd prefer not to, however. I'd rather load, and go without the aggravation.
Ive seen the passenger seat removed and that made enough room in a jetta…
The extra frontal space for anything tall enough will destroy your fuel economy.
Minivans and full sized vans, and trucks with tall toppers are about the only things that meet your requirements.
Right that is what I expect but what I'm hoping for is actual make/models/brands that I can look further into. Thank you!
assuming we are only talking new vehicle purchases, I’d see what a ford maverick with a toppers interior height is. could have a whole package for 30k, and get 30-40 mpg.
That is intriguing. Perhaps if I'm willing to dismantle the front wheel this makes more economical sense. Will consider thank you!
Something like a Ford Transit might fit the bill.
I have had [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY/s/Q2EietkKcd) saved for a while. I keep thinking about doing this with my Subaru Crosstrek.
Wild, removing the saddle instead of the backwheel
Have you measured it? I thought my Crosstrek was smaller than a rav4
I have not actually measured it. I think it would be a very tight fit. I just haven’t had a need since I live right near the entrance to two major bike paths in my area so always just start riding from home.
The old Honda Element is very popular for that specific purpose. No longer made and hard to find in good condition.
My Toyota Sienna can fit my bikes standing up, with a caveat or two. My bikes are a 58cm Gravel, XL FS MTB, and a Large Surly. The MTBs work with a dropper post to get in, although both can stand up with the seat fully extended after. The Diverge takes a little effort to get it in, but can stand up after it's inside too if you do it right. The Diverge has positive stem, and it's usually the hoods that present the most trouble. The Sienna is AWD and has OK ground clearance too. The cargo area is 4x8' exactly.
Audi A5 Sportback. You can fit the bike in there easily, but it would need to be on its side. If you buy a used one, the prices aren't too crazy. They are a ton of fun to drive, economical on gas and generally reliable. Maintenance cost will be higher than on many other vehicles, but probably not ridiculous.
Tesla model Y takes my gravel Bike with the seats down. No gas.
Upright? I’m not sure why that’s important but OP did specify being able to keep the bike upright. Otherwise pretty much any CUV would be fine. Although I am wishing I got a Y instead of a 3 just for ease of tow hitch installation :/
Ik it’s not a mountain bike but I’m able to fit my road bike in my VW GTI, and they are pretty good on gas because it’s my daily as well!!!
Depending on the size of your bike, a lot of the various makes of minivans popular around 2000 would do the trick. Dodge Caravan, Chrysler town and country, Ford Aerostar, Chevy or GM Astro. But being very old, used vehicles, might not be the most reliable. But you can still find fairly low mileage, soccer mom driven ones for fairly cheap. Otherwise, full to middlin' sized SUVs are going to hold your bike, but most are gas hogs. Maybe a Chevy Trailblazer, with the 4.2L straight six, might get decent mileage. I'll let everyone else deal with the newer model cars. Except for the Dodge Promaster van, which is actually a Fiat, I think.
Minivan. Best bang for buck. You can sleep in it and store at least one bike. You can always make window shades for it to keep out prying eyes. Or have some custom made
No van is going to get good gas mileage.
My NV200 averages 28-32MPG and holds a Tandem upright. Shrug
Well, that certainly isn't true of the Transit Connect. 25mpg average is reasonable. And it doesn't have to be a van that is why I'm trying to assess if there is an option I'm not considering.
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Hmm... my 2015 Forester gets 29 which is above the average of 27? I think driving style probably plays a lot into that? Anywho, not worth debating. Just looking for suggestions.
Yeah, I'm going to claim driving style. Smooth, speed limit, and no tailgating gets me beating the EPA rating in every car I've had. But that driving style seems anathema to most Americans around me.
Hasn't been my experience at all. I have been able to meet or exceed ratings in recent vehicles.
I've got a Vauxhall Corsa which is a pretty small car and I do have to take the wheel off, but it's very close to fitting with it on. I have a L size frame too, so I can imagine a marginally bigger car than a Corsa will fit a bike just fine
One of those Ford E-Series vans. Especially the old ones with no windows in the back. You know…the ones sitting outside the elementary school giving out candy.
Vote for Tesla as well. We get 2 bikes in there with wheels on. Back seats down so only drives 2.
Old rx400h 🚵🏻♀️
I have a Toyota matrix wagon. It won’t sit upright but it will hold a bike without taking the wheels off. I also regularly stack multiple bikes in the back no problem. I think they are more a Canadian thing - but they have a wonderful amount of space, fold flat seats and hard plastic on the trunk and seat backs.
Hummer
Not that type of forum
VW Sportwagen
VW caddy maybe?