The Subaru Impreza is an amazing car with many wonderful features. There’s the top-notch motor, great mileage, and roomy interior. However, it does struggle slightly when it comes to storing hefty gear.
While the trunk is roomy, it still can’t accommodate large items like bikes. So, if you’re planning a family trip, you may ask, ‘What is the best bike rack for Subaru Impreza?’
Let’s look at some of the features of these racks and a few popular options.
Bike Rack Features
Before you purchase a bike rack, consider these features.
Security
One of the most important aspects of a bike rack is security. There’s nothing worse than having your bike falling out of place as you’re driving. For this reason, you have to look at the rack’s strapping mechanism.
Usually, bike racks come with a series of straps and locks to secure everything in place. However, depending on the rack you choose, the number and quality of straps will change.
You should keep this in mind when shopping for a new rack. In addition, if you plan on mounting large bikes with modifications, you’ll need sturdy straps to secure them in place.
Cost
Another crucial part of making any purchase is the cost. Luckily, bike racks come at all price points to meet all budgets.
On the more affordable end, you have trunk mount racks. These cover the entire back side of your car.
Roof mounts are a little more expensive than the trunk variety. Yet, they can handle more load capacity.
Finally, hitch mounts are the most expensive type of rack. This is because they feature excellent weight distribution and easy access to the trunk and rack.
Depending on how much you’re willing to spend, your choice of bike rack will change.
Top 4 Best Bike Racks for Subaru Impreza
There are many options when it comes to bike racks for a Subaru Impreza. To help you narrow it down, here’s a list of our top racks.
1. Thule Gateway Pro Bike Carrier
- Type: Trunk rack
- Length: 23.5 in.
- Width: 18 in.
- Height: 33 in.
- Weight: 13.7 lb.
- Bike capacity: 2 bikes
- Weight capacity: 70 lb.
- Folding: Yes
The Thule Gateway Pro is one of the most popular bike racks on the market. This lightweight contraption comes with many great features.
First off, it boasts a secure fit with anti-sway cradles. These come with several straps, and you can always order more.
This reduces the chance of your bike scratching your car significantly. Then, when the rack isn’t in use, simply tuck away the straps.
Both the assembly and mounting process are a piece of cake. You can start using the rack within minutes of receiving it.
The Gateway Pro also folds into a flat surface, making storage much more manageable.
Pros
- Easy to assemble and mount
- Comes with many straps for added security
- Has anti-sway cradles to avoid leaving scuff marks on your car
Cons
- Blocks access to the trunk
2. Tyger Auto Deluxe 4-Bike Carrier
- Type: Hitch rack
- Length: 61 in.
- Width: 9 in.
- Height: 21 in.
- Weight: 27.8 lb.
- Bike capacity: 4 bikes
- Weight capacity: 132 lb.
- Folding: No
If you have a large family, the Tyger Auto Deluxe is the way to go. It can hold up to four bikes at a time, with a maximum capacity of 132 lb. That’s significantly higher than all the other options on our list.
This means that the rack can carry all types of bikes, including motorized ones. Still, that’s not all.
Even though it’s large, the design of the rack is pretty minimal. It maximizes the use of space so you can carry more while maintaining a sleek look.
The Tyger Deluxe attaches using a hitch mount. It’s designed to distribute the weight of the rack over the chassis of the car.
Pros
- Can carry up to four bikes
- High load capacity so you can carry any type of bike
- Sleek design that can withstand a lot of weight
Cons
- Can be quite pricey
3. Saris Bones EX Bike Rack Carrier
- Type: Trunk rack
- Length: 19.79 in.
- Width: 8.75 in.
- Height: 22.31 in.
- Weight: 11 lb.
- Bike capacity: 2 bikes
- Weight capacity: 35 lb.
- Folding: No
If you don’t plan on using the bike rack often, the Saris Bones EX could be the choice for you. This rack is incredibly lightweight, with a few basic assembly steps, which makes removing and mounting quick and easy.
On top of that, the EX is compatible with almost all cars. So, it should be simple to mount on any vehicle in the family.
Besides that, it’s also the most environmentally friendly option on our list. The main body of the rack consists solely of recyclable materials.
However, it does have a low weight capacity, which means you can’t use it with all bike types.
Pros
- Lightweight for easy removal and mounting
- Straight forward assembly
- Compatible with many cars
Cons
- Low weight capacity means it can only carry small bikes
4. Thule Fork Mount
- Type: Roof rack
- Length: 55 in.
- Width: 5.6 in.
- Height: 5.25 in.
- Weight: 6.8 lb.
- Bike capacity: 1 bike
- Weight capacity: 35 lb.
- Folding: No
If you only need to carry around one bike, then the Thule Fork is an excellent option. This is by far the lightest rack on our list.
Not only that, but since it mounts on the roof, it doesn’t affect your trunk access. The Fork also has a locking skewer that helps secure your bike.
In addition, because of the simple design, the mounting process only takes a couple of minutes. Then, you simply attach each end of the rack to your roof bars.
However, its size means it can only handle one small bike at a time.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to move around
- Doesn’t obstruct trunk access
- Comes with a locking skewer for security
Cons
- Can only carry one bike at a time
Wrapping Up
What is the best bike rack for Subaru Impreza? The answer to the question depends on functionality and how much you’re willing to spend.
For a secure and affordable option, you can opt for the Thule Getaway Pro. However, if you want to splurge on the bike rack, go with the Tyger Auto Deluxe.