Best Volvo XC90 Bike Rack

The Volvo XC90 is one of the most stylish family SUV among luxury SUVs.
It is sleek, fashionable, and more spacious than any luxury SUVs in its class.

However, if you are a biking family, you know that a bike rack is very much needed. Thus, a car bike rack is a necessary accessory to your Volvo XC90.

The perfect car bike rack is one that matches your vehicle type, the number of bikes you need to carry, the types of bikes you have, the style of rack you want, and the frequency you intend to use it, etc.

More than that, it is one that is capable of transporting your bike safely during expeditions and long trips. Now, you may be wondering where to find the perfect car bike rack for your Volvo XC90.

Fortunately, we understand just how daunting it is to find the perfect bike rack that works for your bike, your Volvo XC90, and your budget, which is why we’re here to help.

We have invested countless hours researching and scouring the Internet to bring you this review of the best bike racks available for your Volvo XC90.

Best Overall Roof Bike Racks

Roof bike racks are usually less expensive than hitch bike racks, simple to install, and securely holds your bikes without impeding access to vehicle doors. They are great options for couples looking to haul their bikes along daily.

But this type of bike rack system is not without its quirks. Since they go on top of your Volvo XC90, it requires lifting your bikes overhead when loading and unloading. It is also important to note that your ride height is significantly higher when bikes are loaded on your Volvo XC90.

In our opinion, roof bike racks may not be the best choice for families looking to carry multiple bikes, but it can be handy as an add-on as your family grows. Suppose you are looking for your first bike rack capable of carrying multiple bikes at a time.

In that case, you should consider a trunk or hitch bike rack as these systems can accommodate multiple bikes without lifting the bikes overhead when loading and unloading your bikes.

In case you are still looking for a roof bike rack, we have compiled a few great options, ranging from least expensive yet still does the job well to higher-end models with all the bells and whistles.

Economy Roof Mount Bike Rack

Swagman UPRIGHT

The Swagman UPRIGHT is an impressively inexpensive wheel mount roof rack. Besides the low price tag, the first thing you notice about this model is the simple, minimalistic, sleek design. Installation is relatively easy, and it can be mounted to almost any crossbar style, using a U-bolt style clamp. 

The UPRIGHT allows you to carry your bike without removing the wheels. The bike will sit in the rail and is held in place with an arm that clamps around the bike downtube and tie-down straps to secure the wheels in place.

Although we love how secure it holds the bike, the tie-down straps are not attached to the rack, which can easily be lost if you forget to tie them back on or store them in a safe place.

It also comes with a locking feature, so you will have peace of mind knowing your bike is secured to the rack while on the road or parked.

If you are looking to carry your bike on the roof of your Volvo XC90 without removing the wheels and without breaking the bank, then the Swagman UPRIGHT is an excellent rack for you.

Value Roof Mount Bike Rack

CyclingDeal Alloy 2-Bike Roof Rack

The CyclingDeal Alloy 2-Bike is a high-quality, 2-bike roof rack system made with lightweight aluminum capable of withstanding rust and corrosion. It has wide wheel trays to accommodate any bike tire size.

A three-point attachment system gives a secure hold of the bikes. The adjustable support arm with a height-adjustable and rotating frame clamp allows you to mount any bike frames.

Rubber padded straps secure the front and rear bike wheels, preventing scuffs on the wheels while giving a secure hold. This lightweight rack weighs just 11.5 lbs, and the support arms fold down when not in use. 

Considering the staggeringly low price of the CyclingDeal Alloy 2-Bike, it didn’t surprise us that it is not perfect. The rack does not have a locking mechanism to secure your bikes and your rack to the vehicle.

When the support arm is folded down, there is no securing mechanism to keep it in place. A possible workaround would be to use hook and loop straps to secure the support arm to the wheel trays.

Premium Roof Mount Bike Rack

Thule UpRide

The Thule Upride is an impressive roof rack that does not require the removal of the front wheel. Similar to most wheel-mount roof racks, the UpRide holds bike in the same manner as most tray style hitch racks, which only makes contact with the wheels and tires of a bike – thus protecting your expensive ride from potential damage. 

The Upride has two arms that counteract each other in securing the front wheel to the rack. A telescoping hook grabs the front of the front wheel and a ratcheting wheel cage that secures the back of the front wheel.

With the hook holding the front wheel and the wheel cage-raised and ratchet against the tire, it creates a counteracting force on the wheel to ensure your bike does not shift during transport. 

The UpRide has a rear-wheel cradle that slides along the wheel tray to accommodate different bike lengths. It comes with a ratcheting strap for the rear wheel that secures diagonally across to create more surface contact with the rim, which improves stability over the standard cradle straps. 

As with all roof-mount racks, the UpRide is not meant to be taken on and off frequently. But if you want to take it off during winter to avoid exposure to snow, then the UpRide is definitely for you.

The installation and removal process of this rack is relatively easy and tool-free. It takes about five minutes to install or remove by connecting or disconnecting three clamping points by hand.

Since the arms and cradles folds down, the Thule UpRide is relatively compact and does not take up much space in the garage.

As with all roof-mount racks, the design’s main downside is the higher loading height, making it difficult, especially for shorter riders with an SUV. If you’re used to working with roof-mounted racks, then you may not find the loading and unloading process to be such a big deal. 

Best Overall Hitch Bike Racks

A hitch bike rack is attached to the rear of your vehicle using the trailer hitch receiver, which your car will need have to be compatible. This type of rack are usually the most expensive but they are simple to install and allows you to easily load and unload your bikes with moderate lifting. It also gives you the flexibility to carry more bikes (up to 5) and the ability to tilt down or swing away from the vehicle so you can access your rear door or tailgate.

In our opinion, hitch bike racks are by far the best choice for families looking to carry multiple bikes without lifting the bikes overhead when loading and unloading your bikes. However when buying, make sure you check your hitch size to ensure the bike rack tow bar is compatible – it’s usually 2 inch or 1 ¼ inch.

There are two styles of hitch bike racks – Hanging style bike racks and Platform/tray style bike racks.

Hanging-style bike racks use a mast with arms to support and straps to secure the bike’s frame. This type of bike rack is compact and lightweight.

Some models have the ability to tilt forward and away from the vehicle to allow easy access to your vehicle’s rear cargo area and the arms fold down for storage when not in use.

Some models can haul multiple bikes at a time but may require a cross bar for Y-Frame, dual suspension, and cruiser bikes.

Platform/tray style bike racks have a tray or platform that the bike wheels are anchored to and pivoting upright arms with padded ratchet hooks to secure the bikes by the wheel or frame.

This style of hitch bike rack is heavier but they offer the most protection for keeping your bikes in pristine condition as it makes little to no unpadded contact with the bike frame.

Similar to the hanging hitch racks, some platform hitch racks will tilt forward or sway away from the vehicle allowing you access to the rear cargo area.

This option is also by far the most versatile because it allows you to carry multiple bikes at a time (some models have add-on accessories to increase capacity) and have a higher per bike maximum weight capacity – this is a plus if you have e-bikes.

One thing to consider when buying a platform/tray style hitch rack is the width of the wheelbase, especially if you have fat bike tires.

If you are looking for a hitch bike rack for your Volvo XC90, then you’re in luck as there are many more options (brands and models) to choose from. We have compiled a few great options, ranging from economical yet still capable of doing its job to premium higher-end models with all the bells and whistles. 

Economy Hitch Bike Rack

Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks

We understand that lower-cost hitch racks can still be pretty expensive, but we recently discovered a hitch-mount rack that we feel is an excellent value: the Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Rack.

It costs significantly less than the highest-priced 4-bike hitch racks, yet it provides very similar features and performance. Like most great hitch-mount bike racks in the market, the Allen Sports Deluxe is very well-built and is done so with a basic design that is easy to use.

The Allen Sports Deluxe appears very well made with a sturdy metal receiver arm with a built-in mechanism that allows the user to single-handedly tilt away if you need access to the inside of your vehicle.

We were also impressed by the easy fold arm design, which allows the carry arms on the rack to be dropped out of the way when the rack is not in use. It also comes with durable, UV-resistant rubber cradle straps to quickly secure your bike onto the soft cradle bed to fully protect your bikes during transport.

It also employs a locking knob to allow the rack to be tightened into the receiver hitch with a wobble-free installation, and the rack can be locked in place for added security.

Although we don’t think this particular rack is terrible, we just want you to keep in mind that bikes mount close together with all hanging-style bike racks, which means you will have to manipulate the pedals and handle bars, etc. and expect some bike hitting and scratching each other.

You will need extra straps and/or bungee cords to secure the spinning wheels and handlebars turning from side to side, in order to prevent everything from hitting each other while driving. If you are interested, here is an article on Keeping Bikes From Hitting Each Other On the Bike Rack.

Value Hitch Bike Rack

Hollywood Racks Destination

We highly recommend the Hollywood Racks Destination for anyone looking for an inexpensive (< $500) platform hitch mount rack. Its design is quite basic, but this lightweight hitch rack securely carries up to 4 bikes and is very easy to install and use.

Although weighing only 42 pounds, this rack has a lot to offer. First, each bike sits in a movable wheel tray to make loading and unloading each bike a breeze and includes padded ratchet frame holders to protect your bike from wobbles or shakes even on the toughest roads.

The adjustable ratchet straps that slide vertically along the center post and rotating attachment cradle are designed to secure every bike frame shape and size.

It also comes with a locking threaded hitch pin that keeps the rack from swaying during transit and the rack can be folded up against the car when not in use for safer driving and storage convenience.

The best part is this rack accomodates most kids bikes, ladies frames, hybrids, road and even mountain bikes without having to purchase a cross-bar adaptor.

Our testers felt that Hollywood Racks really put in a lot of thoughts into balancing the bike spacing to keep the Destination rack compact and functional, the frame straps rotate to match the down tube and stay at the same angle between uses.

The design is simple which helps keep the weight down so you can get it on and off easily but feels rock solid. The only downside is that this rack does not swing or tilt away to allow full access to the rear of the vehicle while the bikes are loaded on the rack.

If you are looking for a rock solid platform hitch rack but hesitate to spend over $500 on it, then Hollywood Racks Destination is definitely your rack to get.

Premium Hitch Bike Rack

Kuat NV 2.0 Platform Bike Rack

The Kuat NV 2.0 is Kuat’s top-end hitch rack with a full suite of premium features that stand out among the competition. The NV 2.0 comes with all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a premium option, including an intuitive and functional tilt lever, hand-tight cam system, a hitch lock, integrated locks for each bike, and a work stand to take care of those last-minute trailside repairs.

Like most platform-style hitch racks, the NV 2.0 holds the bike by the wheels, so it eliminates frame design variations or axle standards from the equation. The NV 2.0 can carry two bikes, but you can also purchase the additional two-bike extension for a total capacity of four bikes (there is also a one-bike extension available). The one- and two-bike extension is only available for the 2-inch hitch receivers.

As far as wheel sizes go, the NV 2.0 can carry regular road and mountain bikes with tires up to 4.8-inch and accommodate 20- to 29-inch wheels, although those with 20- to 24-inch bikes will need to purchase a separate wheel adapter.

For those with Phat Bikes, Kuat sells a Phat Bike Kit, which includes a strap extender for the rear wheel strap and a Velcro strap for the front to fit tires as large as 5-inches. Kuat claims a 60-pound per bike weight limit for the NV 2.0, and the two-bike extension can support an additional 40 pounds per bike, which means that it should be able to handle just about any bikes on the market.

Checking in at 52 pounds, the NV 2.0 is definitely not featherweight, but it’s noticeably well made, sturdy, feature-rich, and capable of hauling heavy bikes. Kuat uses premium materials throughout with mostly metal construction and finishes with a sleek, glossy metallic powder coating that is hard to scratch and maintains a like-new appearance even with extended use.

In case you do run into any issues (even lost keys to your rack), Kuat offers LifeTime No Worries Warranty on all their racks, so you have one less thing to worry about.

Overall, the Kuat NV 2.0 really standout in the platform hitch rack market for its beautiful, sleek looks, high build quality, and a full suite of premium features.