There are actually quite a few ways people mount bikes to their vehicles. The most popular are a tension fit, hitch rack, roof-mounted rack, and even suction cup racks.
A hitch rack is probably best for families or those who frequently go biking with more than 2 bikes. They’re incredibly sturdy just by the base being bolted onto your vehicle’s frame. The drawback is that they require prior installation of a hitch.
A roof-mounted rack is excellent for saving space on your trunk that the more popular styles occupy. If you don’t like the idea of having a bike sticking out from the back, a roof rack is probably great for you. They do tend to be a bit expensive, though, and if you commute to places with low overpasses, you’ll have to be extra vigilant.
The most recent design in bike racks involves pressurized suction cups. These aren’t your regular stick-on window-type cups either. They’re high-quality industrial mounts. They haven’t exactly taken the mainstream by storm yet, but they’ve been used in such places as the Tour de France.