Car reviews
10 Best Cars for Cyclists
Autopapyrus
A bicycle is great transportation for anyone who loves an active lifestyle. Even on a long road trip, a two-wheeled companion comes in handy: it's the best way to explore new surroundings, ride in the mountains, and set new personal records. The only hurdle may be figuring out how to carry the bike. Here is a quick look at modern imported models that are especially well suited to carrying a bike over any distance inside their roomy cargo areas.
1. Skoda Superb Combi
The Skoda Superb Combi was first shown to the public in 2015 in Frankfurt. That is when the company presented its new model, based on the liftback platform. The new generation stands out for its huge cargo area, which the manufacturer enlarged by 27 liters compared with its predecessor. Travelers can now count on 660 liters (23.3 cu ft) of luggage space with the rear seats up, and 1,950 liters (68.9 cu ft) with the rear seatbacks folded down. That is impressive capacity, even compared with an SUV.
This is a car you can, and really should, take on trips with the whole family or a group of friends. It is well equipped and easy to drive. Best of all, it has a 660-liter (23.3 cu ft) cargo area with a special dirt-repellent coating. There is also a roof rack that can comfortably hold up to four bicycles, and three more bikes can be secured at the rear with a special carrier.
This practical car has a 625-liter (22.1 cu ft) cargo area. A bike loads without any trouble, helped by the lack of a lip at the rear opening. The Honda also has a hidden underfloor compartment for a cyclist's gear. Roof rails come standard, but bike mounts have to be bought separately. With the rear seatbacks folded, even kids' bikes will fit in the cargo area.
The Opel Corsa won't disappoint cycling fans. It offers a bike carrier built into the rear bumper (the FlexFix system) that slides out when needed and tucks away when it isn't. The same useful option is available on the Opel Adam, but the Corsa is rightly considered the more economical and practical of the two. The 1,120-liter (39.6 cu ft) cargo area can also swallow a couple more bikes. In short, the Opel Corsa is a good choice for a keen cyclist who doesn't like to spend more than necessary.
This solid SUV will appeal not only to fans of serious vehicles but to cyclists as well. It has a large cabin and an impressive 981-liter (34.6 cu ft) cargo area. That is more than enough to carry a pair of bikes with all their accessories without any trouble. You can also choose the engine that suits you best, whether a 2.0-liter diesel or a turbodiesel of the same displacement.
The Ford S-Max is a Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV). It is designed to carry passengers as well as anything they want to bring along. The rear seats fold easily, opening up 965 liters (34.1 cu ft) of space, and that figure grows to 2,020 liters (71.3 cu ft) because the middle row folds as well. A couple of bikes will load easily, and Ford also offers cycling customers special crossbars that let you carry four bikes inside the car. Additional bike mounts can also be installed on the roof of this Ford.
Cyclists who don't mind tackling rough terrain will likely appreciate the Renault Duster. The all-wheel-drive version has a 475-liter (16.8 cu ft) cargo area that expands to 1,600 liters (56.5 cu ft) when you fold the seats. Special inserts flatten the sloping cargo floor. For cyclists there are also roof rails and an optional rack for two bikes (though this requires modifying the exhaust pipe).
The Skoda Yeti crossover enjoys well-deserved popularity thanks to its attractive design and a roomy cabin with a distinctive interior, all at a relatively low price. The rear seats can be removed to give a cargo area of 1,760 liters (62.2 cu ft); the standard cargo volume with the seats in place is 500 liters (17.7 cu ft). Bikes can also be carried conveniently on the roof using the roof rails. The Yeti may offer less space than some rivals, but its good off-road ability and powerful diesel engine make it very attractive, including for cyclists.
Like the Opel Corsa, the compact Opel Mokka offers the FlexFix option. It is very handy if you often need to transport bikes, and with a special extender you can carry three bikes at once. On board is the powerful OnStar connectivity system, and the cabin seats five including the driver. With the seatbacks folded, the cargo area measures 360 liters (12.7 cu ft), but it comes with a well-designed organizer for a traveler's gear.
10. Honda Jazz
The Honda Jazz, available with automatic emergency braking, may not look especially flashy, but cycling fans can carry their favorite two-wheeler in it with ease. Cargo volume tops out at 354 liters (12.5 cu ft), but thanks to the Honda's unique Magic Seat design, tall items such as bicycles are easy to transport. Roof rails with bike mounts are also available as an optional extra.
1. Skoda Superb Combi
The Skoda Superb Combi was first shown to the public in 2015 in Frankfurt. That is when the company presented its new model, based on the liftback platform. The new generation stands out for its huge cargo area, which the manufacturer enlarged by 27 liters compared with its predecessor. Travelers can now count on 660 liters (23.3 cu ft) of luggage space with the rear seats up, and 1,950 liters (68.9 cu ft) with the rear seatbacks folded down. That is impressive capacity, even compared with an SUV.
2. Mercedes E-Class Estate
This is a car you can, and really should, take on trips with the whole family or a group of friends. It is well equipped and easy to drive. Best of all, it has a 660-liter (23.3 cu ft) cargo area with a special dirt-repellent coating. There is also a roof rack that can comfortably hold up to four bicycles, and three more bikes can be secured at the rear with a special carrier.
3. Honda Civic Tourer
This practical car has a 625-liter (22.1 cu ft) cargo area. A bike loads without any trouble, helped by the lack of a lip at the rear opening. The Honda also has a hidden underfloor compartment for a cyclist's gear. Roof rails come standard, but bike mounts have to be bought separately. With the rear seatbacks folded, even kids' bikes will fit in the cargo area.
4. Opel Corsa
The Opel Corsa won't disappoint cycling fans. It offers a bike carrier built into the rear bumper (the FlexFix system) that slides out when needed and tucks away when it isn't. The same useful option is available on the Opel Adam, but the Corsa is rightly considered the more economical and practical of the two. The 1,120-liter (39.6 cu ft) cargo area can also swallow a couple more bikes. In short, the Opel Corsa is a good choice for a keen cyclist who doesn't like to spend more than necessary.
5. Land Rover Discovery Sport
This solid SUV will appeal not only to fans of serious vehicles but to cyclists as well. It has a large cabin and an impressive 981-liter (34.6 cu ft) cargo area. That is more than enough to carry a pair of bikes with all their accessories without any trouble. You can also choose the engine that suits you best, whether a 2.0-liter diesel or a turbodiesel of the same displacement.
6. Ford S-Max
The Ford S-Max is a Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV). It is designed to carry passengers as well as anything they want to bring along. The rear seats fold easily, opening up 965 liters (34.1 cu ft) of space, and that figure grows to 2,020 liters (71.3 cu ft) because the middle row folds as well. A couple of bikes will load easily, and Ford also offers cycling customers special crossbars that let you carry four bikes inside the car. Additional bike mounts can also be installed on the roof of this Ford.
7. Renault Duster
Cyclists who don't mind tackling rough terrain will likely appreciate the Renault Duster. The all-wheel-drive version has a 475-liter (16.8 cu ft) cargo area that expands to 1,600 liters (56.5 cu ft) when you fold the seats. Special inserts flatten the sloping cargo floor. For cyclists there are also roof rails and an optional rack for two bikes (though this requires modifying the exhaust pipe).
8. Skoda Yeti
The Skoda Yeti crossover enjoys well-deserved popularity thanks to its attractive design and a roomy cabin with a distinctive interior, all at a relatively low price. The rear seats can be removed to give a cargo area of 1,760 liters (62.2 cu ft); the standard cargo volume with the seats in place is 500 liters (17.7 cu ft). Bikes can also be carried conveniently on the roof using the roof rails. The Yeti may offer less space than some rivals, but its good off-road ability and powerful diesel engine make it very attractive, including for cyclists.
9. Opel Mokka X
Like the Opel Corsa, the compact Opel Mokka offers the FlexFix option. It is very handy if you often need to transport bikes, and with a special extender you can carry three bikes at once. On board is the powerful OnStar connectivity system, and the cabin seats five including the driver. With the seatbacks folded, the cargo area measures 360 liters (12.7 cu ft), but it comes with a well-designed organizer for a traveler's gear.
10. Honda Jazz
The Honda Jazz, available with automatic emergency braking, may not look especially flashy, but cycling fans can carry their favorite two-wheeler in it with ease. Cargo volume tops out at 354 liters (12.5 cu ft), but thanks to the Honda's unique Magic Seat design, tall items such as bicycles are easy to transport. Roof rails with bike mounts are also available as an optional extra.
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