In this article, we take a deep dive into the best bike racks for the Volvo XC90.
We test and review all manner of vehicle accessories. For bike racks, we focus on the quality of construction, the carrying capacity, and how secure the bike mount is on each rack.
Our top contender for Volvo XC90 bike racks is Thule’s Camber Hitch bike rack. This hanging style bike rack features a lightweight metal build, high load capacity, and one of the most stable bike mounts money can buy.
We have been testing and reviewing vehicle accessories for over a decade, so we know our way around bike racks. If you aren’t sure which Volvo XC90 bike rack fits your requirements, leave it to us.
Keep reading for more information on the best bike racks for the Volvo XC90.
Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack
Overall Best
This Thule bike rack for the Volvo XC90 comes with an all metal design and a more firm bike mount that keeps your bicycles secure.
We liked the sturdy build of this rack. It does not bend or flex at all under load. All of the exposed surfaces are finished in a special coating that resists corrosion and keeps the rack free of rust.
Load capacity is rated at a buck fifty. That is surprisingly high for a hanging style rack. 150 lbs is enough for 4 large, adult sized road bikes. Moreover, you can even carry some heavier mountain bikes or electric bikes with confidence.
Moving on to the actual bike securing system, we have an array of ratcheting straps which hold your bikes at the frame. These straps are made of high quality rubber and are all weather proof.
They are adjustable so you can mount different shaped bike frames on the back of your Volvo XC90. We tested various bike frame sizes and all of them fit perfectly. You will need a frame adapter for some low-Y frame bikes.
It is compatible with both 1 ¼” and 2” hitch configurations. We tested the setup with a Volvo XC90 on different road conditions. Both are stable at highway speed and don’t allow the bikes to move around too much. Even bumpy roads and potholes could not faze this brawny bike rack.
We are fans of hanging style bike racks with longer carrying arms like this one. This allows for more than 7” of space between individual bikes, preventing them from interacting with one another and getting damaged.
That doesn’t mean you have to drive your Volvo XC90 with the carrying arms jutting out all the time. They can be folded down and out of the way when not in use. Furthermore, if you want to access your Volvo XC90’s cargo area, the fully loaded rack can tilt forward, allowing you to open the liftgate.
Installation is pretty straightforward, thanks to the mounting hardware which is provided in the box. We also found the accompanying ‘How-to’ video to be really useful as well.
To sum up, this is a great bike rack for the Volvo XC90 owner who wants to carry larger, heavier bikes and doesn’t want to worry about them constantly.
Pros
- All metal design
- Can carry 4 bicycles
- Flex-free build
- 150 lbs load capacity
- Sturdy tie-down straps
- Can hold many different bike frame shapes
- Can accommodate heavy e-bikes, mountain bikes
- Fits 1.25” and 2” hitch receivers
- No wobbling at speed
- Fully loaded rack can be tilted forward
Cons
- Frame adapter needed for some low-Y frame models
Thule EasyFold XT 2 Hitch Bike Rack
Premium choice
Thule’s EasyFold bike rack for the Volvo XC90 has tons of useful features. It is really well constructed and firm, while also featuring a more secure bike mount system.
This premium rack uses aluminium instead of alloy steel and other materials. Aluminium is significantly lighter and more rigid than alloy steel or even some composite materials. It does not flex or strain under heavier loads.
As with any Thule product, the carrying capacity of this bike rack turns heads. While 130 lbs may not seem like much, you have to remember that this is a two bike rack. That is a ‘per bike’ capacity of just over 65 lbs. So carrying mountain bikes, electric bikes, and the heaviest of heavy road bikes is a cinch.
It is compatible with both 1 ¼” and 2” hitch receivers. Whichever one you use, it will be a firm and steady connection, with no extra space in the hitch receiver.
Both the front and rear wheels of your bikes are held firmly in trays that are wide enough to hold most any size of tire. The bikes are further stabilised using sturdy ratcheting straps.
After that, the bike frames are secured by an adjustable clamp that is lined in soft material to avoid scratching the paintwork.
We tried every different shape of bike frame known to man, and they all fit perfectly in this rack. The torque limiting knobs offer a more convenient way of getting a perfect fit each time.
Platform style racks tend to be larger in size. However, this one can be folded up when it isn’t carrying any bikes, making it a lot easier to transport and store.
The whole rack can also be tilted forward, even when fully loaded up with bikes to allow for easier liftgate access. We are also fans of the handy, or rather ‘footy’ foot pedal on the bottom of the rack which controls the tilting mechanism.
You get a bike ramp that makes it easier to mount your bikes on the rack. This is also one of the most secure bike racks around. It comes with a locking mechanism for both the hitch and the bikes so that neither is tampered with or stolen.
Additionally, there are wheels on the bottom that are convenient for transporting the rack.
Pros
- Fully aluminium construction
- Smaller size than most other platform racks
- Perfect for mountain bikes, electric bikes, etc
- 130 lbs carrying capacity
- Holds 2 bikes
- Foot pedal allows for easier tilting of rack
- Liftgate access is easier
- Lockable hitch and bike racks
- Integrated bike ramp for loading
Cons
- Only holds two bikes
Bicycle Carrier Racks for Volvo XC90
Worthy Consideration
If you liked the Thule bike rack, but baulk at the price, Ikuram has you covered. Their 2-bike rack for the Volvo XC90 delivers a durable build and a pretty high load capacity, all at a budget friendly price.
With this rack, you get a high-quality alloy steel build. It is robust and we were stress tested the heck out of it. It stood up to all of our abuse like a champ, and did not so much as make a peep under heavy load.
The entire build is treated with a special powder coating that mitigates rust and corrosion. It also hides any minor scratches on your bike rack.
This is another hanging style bike rack that opts for ratcheting straps to secure your bikes. The straps themselves are fully adjustable and offer a tight, almost bespoke fit for different shapes and sizes of bicycle. They have a soft inner lining to prevent them from scratching or scuffing the paintwork of your bikes.
Ikuram has fatigue tested these straps so they are rated to last longer than your average tie downs. They are UV resistant and do not crack or loosen over time.
Load capacity is reasonably high, especially for a hanging style bike rack. It can hold a little over 90 lbs in total. That’s plenty for two large, adult sized road bikes, or maybe one heavier bike or mountain bike.
Out on the road, Ikuram’s bike rack for the Volvo XC90 surprised us with how firm and stable it is. The hitch comes with a stabiliser that removes any slack between it and the receiver. The result is a perfectly stable bike rack that does not wobble or shake around.
It may be a budget rack, but it still has some cool features. The carrying arms are foldable for when you aren’t carrying any bikes.The fully loaded rack can be tilted to allow for easier lift gate access.
Installing this rack was also an absolute cakewalk. You get all of the necessary mounting hardware in the box and no extra tools are needed to get the job done.
All said and done, it shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.
Pros
- Alloy steel build
- Black powder coated surface
- Resists corrosion and rusting
- Holds up to 90 lbs of weight
- Each bike is held using tie down straps
- Soft inner lining protects bike from scratches
- UV resistant rubber straps for better durability
- Adjustable design can hold most frame sizes
- Tilts down for easier liftgate access
Carrying arms can be folded
Does not make any noises in the road
Cons
- Only carries two bikes
Hitch Mounted Rack 2-Bike Platform Style Carrier
KAC’s K2 is another awesome platform style bike rack for the Volvo XC90. It offers a sturdy, hitch mounted fit, and higher load capacity for heavier e-bikes and mountain bikes.
The headline feature with this rack is its durable construction. The alloy steel used here is of a higher grade than other racks. This gives it better rigidity and load capacity.
A special surface coating keeps it free of rust and corrosion. This rack also performed better than every other when it came to our demanding stress tests.
Speaking of load capacity, this Volvo XC90 bike rack sports a heavy duty, 120 lbs carrying capacity. That is on the higher end of the spectrum and allows you to mount larger mountain bikes and electric bikes on the back of your Volvo XC90.
The 2” hitch comes with a locking pin for added security and stability on the road. It is exceptionally steady and we did not notice it wobbling or shifting in transit. This is thanks to the patented stabiliser which eliminates any slack between the rack and receiver.
The bike cradles are designed to be wider than most other racks. In fact, we were able to carry our 5” fat tire bikes on this Volvo XC90 bike rack with ease.
As for actually securing the bikes, the cradles are outfitted with heavy duty wheel straps to keep both front and rear wheels in check.
Your bikes are held at the frame by ratcheting hooks on the main mast. These hooks are fully adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of bike shapes and sizes.
In fact, there are a couple of convenient knobs that you can use to adjust the hooks. They are also padded in soft material, providing a tighter fit and scratch-free mounting.
What sets this rack apart from the pack is the abundance of features it brings with it. It can be taken down to a single bike rack when you don’t need to carry two bikes on your Volvo XC90.
It can fold up and become even more compact when it isn’t carrying any bikes, all at the touch of a button. Even fully loaded up, the rack will tilt forward so that you can open the liftgate and access your cargo. Safety reflectors on the back make it more visible for other drivers.
Pros
- Alloy steel construction
120 lbs load capacity - Best for electric bikes and mountain bikes
- Wide wheel cradles
- Can hold fat tire bikes
- Adjustable straps hold both wheels in place
- Straps are lined in soft material to avoid scratching the wheels
- Padded hooks on main mast hold bike frames
- Hooks can be adjusted using knobs
- 2” hitch with stabiliser is perfectly stable at speed
Holds 2 bikes
Cons
- A bit on the pricey side
Ultra Compact Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
If you only need to carry one bike on your Volvo XC90, then the budget-friendly ‘Ultra Compact’ trunk mounted bike rack from Allen Sports might be worth considering.
This trunk mounted bike rack for the Volvo XC90 takes the word ‘compact’ a bit too seriously. It is built entirely of alloy steel and can hold two large, adult sized road bikes securely. A black powder coat to prevent it from rusting or corroding overtime is carried over from pricier options.
Even for a trunk mounted bike rack, this one is pretty minimalist. It is ideal for the Volvo XC90 owner who wants to be able to chuck their bike rack in the trunk when it isn’t being used.
Or you can store it in a backpack. No, seriously. It is so small that Allen Sports gives you a high quality nylon bag to store it and when it isn’t being used.
But does it actually offer any utility? Well, it’s rated to hold 70 lbs of bike, which is more than enough for two large adult sized road bikes. However, if you want to carry larger electric bikes or mountain bikes, the ‘Ultra Compact’ falls short.
Stability is surprisingly high for highway use. The impressive part is that it doesn’t rattle or shake like some trunk mounted bike racks do when they’re fully loaded up.
This is probably thanks to the three rubber padded feet that sit on the back of your Volvo XC90. There are also three adjustable security straps that hold the rack on all sides.
It keeps your bikes in please using a ratcheting strap tiedown system. The straps have a soft inner lining to avoid scratching your bike frames. Furthermore, the carrying arms are the same width apart as regular bike racks so longer wheelbase bicycles will fit without a problem.
There is ample space between individual bikes so that they don’t interact with one another on the road. The main spine is padded so that the innermost bike has a soft place to rest on.
If you do end up getting this bike rack for your Volvo XC90, we recommend getting some bungee cords to tie down the handlebars so that they don’t bang against the rear glass of your car.
Pros
- Alloy steel construction
- Most compact design of any trunk mounted rack
- Safety straps keep rack very stable
- Budget friendly
- Easy to install
- Holds 2 bike
- Straps secure bike frames
- Does not rattle or wobble
- Carrying arms are wide enough for long wheelbase
- Padded feet protect car’s paintwork
Cons
- Can’t carry e-bikes or mountain bikes
What are the different types of Volvo XC90 bike racks?
When it comes to carrying bikes on your Volvo XC90 for longer journeys, you have a couple different options to choose from. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks.
Allow us to help you figure out which type of rack you should get for your Volvo XC90, based on your particular requirements for a bike rack. We discuss platform style racks, hanging style racks, and trunk mounted racks.
Load capacity and carrying capacity
If you want to carry larger, heavier road bikes, or even heftier electric bikes and mountain bikes on your Volvo XC90, we recommend getting a hitch mounted bike rack. These come in either a hanging or platform style and both work really well with the Volvo XC90.
Both platform style racks and hanging style racks offer high load capacities. At the high end, you can expect to find racks that can hold 150 lbs, if not more.
The difference is usually in the number of bikes you can carry, i.e carrying capacity. Even if they have similar load capacities, hanging style bike racks often hold more bikes than platform style racks. This means platform style bike racks hold fewer bikes, but heavier bikes.
So if you want to carry only 1-2 bikes but each is a heavy e-bike or mountain bike, opt for a sturdy platform style rack. But if you want to carry 3-5 lighter road bikes, a hanging style rack might be more your speed.
Trunk mounted racks lag behind in terms of both load capacity and carrying capacity.
Stability
If a firm and wobble free bike rack for the Volvo XC90 is what you want, hitch mounted racks take the lead yet again. Both hanging style bike racks and platform styles are pretty sturdy and firm, with platform racks having a slight advantage.
Trunk mounted racks are also pretty steady, especially with the modern designs that we have recommended above. But the fact remains: hitch mounts are just more robust.
Bike security
For the Volvo XC90 owner who wants to drive cross country without worrying about their bikes detaching from the rack while they’re doing 70 on the highway, platform racks can’t be beat.
Platform racks have dedicated cradles for the wheels of your bikes. Moreover, they use ratcheting straps to secure the wheels in place, and larger hooks or clamps for holding the frames. This combination is rock solid and does not let your bikes move around at all.
Both hanging style racks and trunk mounted racks usually only hold the bike at its frame. This is still a firm and secure mount, but pales in comparison to platform racks.
Size
Different people have different priorities when it comes to transporting their bikes. If you hate the thought of adding a bulky rack to your Volvo XC90, we can relate. There’s just something about having a rack that is compact and lightweight.
This is where trunk mounted racks take the spotlight and redeem themselves. While hanging and platform style bike racks are doing grade school gymnastics with their folding carrying arms and detachable cradles, trunk mounted racks are performing world class contortionist routines and literally fitting into your backpack.
For the minimalist Volvo XC90 owner, trunk mounted racks are the go-to.
Cargo access
It may come as a shock to some of you, but trunk mounted racks often prevent you from opening the liftgate or trunk of your car. Now, some of them have specific designs that allow for rear cargo access, but most rely on the fact that they are so easy to take off.
Meanwhile, any hitch mounted rack worth its salt comes with a tilting mechanism that lets the fully loaded rack move down and out of the way, allowing you to grab something from the trunk.
So in a bit of an upset, trunk mounted racks lose to hitch mounted racks in the one category they should have dominated!
And with that, we think we’ve given you a pretty detailed look into the world of Volvo XC90 bike racks. Which one you choose depends entirely on your use case and priorities. So click the provided links to get the most updated pricing on these racks and definitely let us know how you liked your new Volvo XC90 bike rack in the comments below.
