Best Bike Rack for Kia Soul 2023 Reviews & Buying Guide

A Kia Soul has an interesting design. It has less capacity than an SUV, but more than any other standard car of its size. While a Kia Soul is a great vehicle if you want the cargo capacity of an SUV coupled with the ease of use and compatibility of any regular-sized car, the space inside this vehicle is not enough to transport your bicycle whether it’s one or more.

Other than running the chance of damaging your vehicle, your bikes might not make it to the destination at one point if the roads are too rough!

The solution to this is having a suitable bike rack for Kia Soul. When we say “suitable”, we are mainly eyeing the type of bicycle rack that will be most compatible with your wagon. It can be a hitch-mounted or rooftop mount rack, and it might also trunk mounted bike rack for Kia Soul. For a trunk style, steer away from the smaller sizes!

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What Style Bike Rack Will Fit a Kia Soul?

In choosing the best bike rack for Kia Soul, you must also consider how many bicycles you would be carrying and how much security you want for your bike rack. Moreover, you may have to adjust budgets and take into account the fuel economy involved when riding with a particular style of bike rack. Besides, a few bike carriers are easy to install, while some fold down without trouble.

Whichever style or brand you choose, make sure you choose the one that suits your needs. To make sure you choose the best bike rack for your Kia Soul, we have conducted thorough research to review the most sustainable and reliable options in the market!

Through in-depth research, we have concluded that the different generations of models that have been manufactured and produced through the years can fit racks that are trunk mount, roof mount, or hitch mount. Although the models are each an upgrade from one another, there are no major differences in design or construction that could specifically affect the choice of rack.

Roof Mount

For a roof-mounted bike rack, your Kia Soul must have an installed rack already. Roof mounted bike carriers are versatile as they can carry a wide range of other gears along with your bicycles. With hassle-free hauling and no obstacle to any of the doors, these bike racks are incredibly stable. However, your little Kia Soul might see some extra fuel use on windy days due to air drag.

Hitch Mount

For your Kia Soul, a hitch mounted can be perfectly compatible for you if you have a tow hitch already attached to your vehicle. If you want a rack style that is easy to assemble, good for daily use, and has good security, hitch-mounted carriers could be a great match. For all that, the price is comparatively higher than a trunk or roof mount.

Trunk Mount

As they vary in size and have easier access to bicycles, they are sometimes used as a common bike rack style for Kia Soul. A lot of people don’t have an additional rack or hitch system for their wagons. In such a case, the inexpensive truck mount styles are ideal for them.

The downside of such a style when using it with a Kia Soul car is that trunk-mounted bike carriers aren’t the most stable in terms of swaying. Plus, the rear access is fully hindered.

What Should You Be Aware of When Choosing a Kia Soul Bike Rack?

While the style of the rack and the budget may vary based on how often you use and where you carry your cycles, they can vary from person to person and is more dependent on what feels comfortable to the rider. Nevertheless, there are a few factors that you may want to keep in mind and be aware of when choosing the best bike rack for Kia Soul.

Panoramic Sunroof

Few Kia Soul vehicles, especially the latest models can have a panoramic sunroof. In that case, you should always sway away from using a roof bike rack. A panoramic sunroof is more prone to damage and even sudden cracking if you haul a loaded bike rack onto it.

Avoid Small Trunk Racks

Trunk mount racks vary greatly in size. Always opt for the bigger-sized ones even if you are carrying a single bicycle. Small truck racks, when loaded with bikes, have the potential to damage the paint of the bicycle.

Moreover, when you use a smaller size for the trunk rack, your bike will be at a worrying distance. The bicycle might come so close to the rear of your wagon that there would be a risk of contact and severe paint damage. With a bigger-sized trunk mount Kia Soul bike rack, you’ll never have to face this issue.

Using Hitch Rack with Kia Soul EV

If you are willing to install a hitch on your Kia Soul EV, you may want to find time to thoroughly look into the benefits it will bring, how you should set it up, and whether it is allowed in the area you live in. This is because few countries have disallowed the brand’s electric vehicle to carry any trailer. Even if a hitch is installed, you might now get to use it.

Besides, the hitch is mounted on panels below the vehicle. In the case of the Kia Soul EV, the panels underneath the vehicles are covered with fairly huge plastics. If you still wish to install a hitch, you might have to make great changes to the underbody of the vehicle.

Best Bike Racks for Kia Soul

Now, let’s discuss my selection of the best bike racks for Kia Soul so that you can find the best one according to your needs.

Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack (Single Bike Roof Rack)

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When it comes to bike racks, one of my favorite brands that has built its reputation through the years is Thule. The Thule ProRide XT Roof bike rack is just another addition to their lost list of premium quality products.

One of the most popular upgrades in this bike rack is the newly designed frame holder capable of positioning itself automatically. Additionally, the torque limiter lets you have complete control over how much you want to tighten the security. This ensures that the bike frame does not have to endure too much pressure and subsequent damage. A bonus, especially if your bicycle has a carbon frame!

The back lined and sleeved wheel straps take seconds to release, and are a much-wanted change in a roof bike rack because of the increased stability they provide. Moreover, this easy-to-mount rack for Kia Soul has cushioned “claw pads’” that allow you to secure several bikes with a range of tube sizes. The primary job of these pads is to distribute any heavy pressure on the frame of the bicycle.

Key Features:

Maximum load capacity: 44 lbs.
Fits various bike tube sizes
Fast release wheel straps
Integrated torque limiter
Self-positioning frame system
Built-in cable locks
Soft claw pads included

Pros:

Incredible security
Padded support to decrease frame damage
Easy installation
Sturdy and stable
Quick mounting and unmounting
Improved claw and lock feature.

Cons:

The front wheel may wobble at high speeds

Thule Apex XT (4 Bike Hanging Hitch Rack)

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If loading different-sized rigs for a family outing is on your mind, you might want to envision Thule’s Apex XT. In my opinion, one of the best Kia Soul bike racks, this product is designed to carry up to 4 bikes, ranging from smaller bicycles with 16-inch wheel sizes to bigger ones with 20-inch wheel sizes.

You can also invest further to have a 5-bike capacity or a swinging 4-bike rack. I love that the large capacity in this rack is not compromised with staggering 7’ bicycle spacing.

With a titling HitchSwtich lever, you won’t have to worry about rear vehicle access either. Like any other hitch-mount rack, loading and unloading your bicycles is not a breeze. However, the built-in anti-sway cradle and cable locks make sure your bikes are carried about without jerks, damage, and chances of theft, even on the coarsest of roads. Moreover, you won’t need any tools or much effort to assemble this easy folding bike carrier in place.

With the stabilizing effects, the ratcheting straps that secure the bikebicycles frames in place are not bulky or interfere during the loading process. If there are women’s or children’s bikes to be carried, this 4-bike hitch rack is ideal, although you might need an extra tube if the wheel size is too small.

Key Features:

Maximum capacity: 4 bicycles
Tilting HitchSwitch lever
7 inches a gap between bikes
Built-in receiver locks
Anti-wobble cradle
Ratcheting security straps
Double folding wing arm

Pros:

Lightweight
Ease of folding and unfolding
Minimum swaying
Great locking security
Simple installation process
Adequate spacing
Can hold various sized wheels

Cons:

Loading and unloading are not easy
Smaller bicycle wheels might need an additional adapter

Saris Bones EX 2 Bike Rack (2 Bike Trunk Rack)

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The new and upgraded EX version of the original Saris Bones bike rack is specifically designed for vehicles like Kia Soul in mind. I have found that the mounting legs are spaced out in a way that they don’t touch the spoilers easily. More so, the unique arc shape makes sure there is little to no hindrance caused by the handlebars.

Made with premium, non-rusting materials, this 2-bike trunk mounted rack is versatile in holding fatter tires to thinner ones, with adequate spacing between the bicycles as well. If you are worried about all that sea saw movement on the roads, the anti-sway cradles and straps also take care of that issue.

Although the 3 strapping points are an added advantage and only provide more security, it may sometimes seem like there are too many of them.

Since it is a trunk rack bike carrier, you probably already expect some obstruction to the rear view of your vehicle. Even though, the adjustable arms fold down without hassle. Moreover, the same feature ensures you can change the height of the rack frame according to your need.

Key Features:

Maximum capacity: 2 bicycles
5 bike spacing
Arc like design
Multiple strapping points
Integrated anti-sway straps
Injection molded plastic
Aluminum core construction
Easy mounting

Pros:

Lightweight
Damage preventing rubber feet
Rust resistant
Super durability
Frame shape can be adjusted
Anti-wobbling features
Easy folding and unfolding

Cons:

No locking system is available
Straps are bulky and metal clamps at the ends may hit a car when there is jerking

Allen Sports Premier S-102 (Affordable 2 Bike Trunk Mounted Rack)

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Allen Sports, an already popular brand making bike carries of good quality for a very reasonable price, has designed a trunk mounted Premier S-102 bike rack patented setup design.

This design ensures that the already assembled bike Kia Soul bike rack “snaps” into position during installation. This easy-to-install setup can hold 2 bikes but can be upgraded to have a greater capacity of up to 3 bikes.

Another patented feature is this incredibly strong construction, which is the tie-down system consisting of rubber straps and cushioned cradle base. To add, your bicycles and Kia Soul is further protected from damages and stretches with the help of the wide profile feet that make sure no point of the rack takes in too much pressure.

Whether it’s an adult bike or smaller bicycles for kids, in my experience this bike rack can hold a wide range of tire sizes. Apart from its super quick setup system, this carrier has a reputation for its affordable price point as well.

Key Features:

Maximum capacity: 70 lbs. total
Large cushioned paddings
Tie down cradle system
Various bicycle sizes fit carry arm
Wide base feet
Dual-side strapping system
Lifetime warranty

Pros:

Great value for the price
No tool, easy to set up the assembly
Durable build
Outstanding security
Great pressure distribution
Can fit many bicycles

Cons:

Rubber straps may come in contact with the bike causing damage

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kia Soul?

Kia Soul is considered to be a more compact version of a typical SUV and has been in production since 2008. It was first the unique model was first manufactured in Korea. Now, the vehicle is marketed all over the world as “Kia Soul”, with no alternative names.

Kia Soul combines the total interior space of an SUV with the usefulness and functionality of a smaller-sized car. The vehicle is commonly classed as a “Subcompact crossover SUV” with a hatchback body type, along with 5 door SUV body style. The typical layout of the vehicle has front wheel drive and an engine in front.

Additionally, Kia Soul has been upgraded in years of its production, the latest being the third-generation model (SK3), in production since 2019. The first generation (AM) was manufactured from 2008 to 2013, while the second generation of Kia Soul models came into the market between 2013 and 2019.

The latest model of the crossover SUV vehicle has an X-line trim option, better turbo 4 engines, and a dual choice of both gasoline and electric engines. The Kia Soul EV is the electric car option available in the third generation of models. However, this version is only available in Europe.

Can I use a single bike trunk rack like Tyger Auto TG-RK1B204B or Saris Solo?

Smaller-sizzled trunk racks look appealing and on top of this is one of the most inexpensive options of bike racks available in the market.

However, it is not advisable to use one because the bike closes in the distance and comes too close to the vehicle. The close distance might result in the bike hitting the vehicle to cause paint damage. A more reliable option is the larger trunk racks, which make sure the bicycle and car are at a safer distance.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right Kia Soul bike rack can significantly enhance your cycling adventures. Whether you’re a solo rider or a family of cyclists, there’s a rack out there that perfectly fits your Kia Soul and does not break the bank.

Among the racks I’ve reviewed, the Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack and the Thule Apex XT stand out for their robust features and high-quality construction. The Thule ProRide XT offers incredible security and easy installation, making it a top choice for tall riders like me who prefer roof-mounted racks. On the other hand, the Thule Apex XT, a hitch-mounted rack, offers a large capacity and minimal swaying, making it ideal for family outings.

The choice of the best Kia Soul bike rack for you depends on your personal needs and situation, including the number of bikes you’ll be carrying, and your budget. I have provided the pros and cons of each rack for you to consider how each one aligns with your cycling lifestyle.

As a cycling enthusiast, I can attest to the difference a good bicycle rack makes. It not only secures your bikes but also gives you peace of mind as you travel. So, invest in a quality Kia Soul bike rack, and let the cycling adventures begin!

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Best Bike Rack for Kia Soul 2023 Reviews & Buying Guide