Audi A3 is a compact luxury car that is popular for its performance and style. It has an engine which produces 220 horsepower, with a top speed of 155 miles per hour. The car’s height is 55.7 inch and has a wheelbase of 103.5 inch.
There are three rack types that can fit Audi A3: hitch, roof and trunk (learn more about car bike rack types).
Things to consider buying an Audi A3 bike rack:
- What’s your budget? Normally, trunk racks are considered to be much more affordable than hitch and roof racks. One of the reasons is that all hitch racks require a trailer hitch (of the right size and the right class) and all roof racks require crossbars,
- Types of bikes you need to carry. Not all non-standard (fat-tire, lady’s, kids’, etc.) bikes will fit all racks so check the compatibility if you have any of those bikes,
- Weight of bikes. Trunk racks can’t carry heavy bikes. Normally, it is not possible to load bikes heavier than 35 lb on this bike rack type,
- Keep in mind that trunk racks can scratch your car, whereas hitch and roof racks do not pose such risks,
- Go for a zero frame rack for carrying carbon frame bikes (and other expensive bikes),
- Last but not least, make sure that the rack you are about to buy will fit your Audi A3 (all racks from my rating are compatible).
As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases if you click on my links (I would really appreciate it). Anyway, all ratings are not paid directly or not and are based on my personal experience. I hope you will enjoy the products. Thank you!
Best Audi A3 hitch bike racks
Hitch bike racks are absolutely amazing for Audi A3 cars. They are way easier to use in comparison to roof racks. Moreover, they have no risk of damaging your car which is deemed to be a premium model.
Thule T2 Pro XT/XTR (2+2) – No frame contact hitch rack
- Audi A3 compatible: Yes
- Max number of bikes: 2 (+2 with add-on)
- Max bike weight: 60 lb (27.2 kg)
- Total load capacity: 120 lb (54.4 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 29″ (74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 5″ (fat-tire compatible)
- Max wheelbase: 50″ (127 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 52 lb (23.6 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- Hitch receiver size: 1.25″ and 2″ different versions (class 2-4)
- Tilt function (easy trunk access): Yes
- No frame contact
The Thule T2 Pro XT/XTR is the ultimate bike rack for any cyclist. It easily installs on your vehicle, and can carry 2 bikes up to 60 lb each (up to 4 bikes with an adapter that sold separately). The bike rack will be secured with zero frames touching the bikes, protecting your bikes from scratches and damage.
Key Takeaways
- Definitely worth the money since it is really robust and well-made,
- Bikes are very sturdy on the rack so you won’t experience any annoying wobbling,
- Very easy to use and load bikes on, if you are planning to use this rack rather often then you won’t regret about the money spent,
- This bike rack is awesome for fat-tire bikes because of a lot of space between bikes, for e-bikes because it can easily carry up to 60 lb and expensive bikes because of zero frame contact which guarantees your bikes won’t get damaged.
PROS
- High quality materials
- Easy to assemble and install
- Very easy to load bikes
- Bikes are very secure (no wobbling)
- Can carry heavy and fat-tire bikes
- Can carry different types of bikes (lady’s, kid’s, etc.)
- Easy trunk access (tilt function)
- Can’t damage your bikes
- No frame contact
- No risks of damaging your car
- Both 1.25″ and 2″ hitches are available
- Can carry up to 4 bikes with an adapter (only for 2″ version)
CONS
- Rather expensive
- Bike-to-rack locks are not reliable
- Is not universal in terms of receiver size
Yakima Dr.Tray (2) – Awesome hitch rack for not too heavy bikes
- Audi A3 compatible: Yes
- Max number of bikes: 2
- Max bike weight: 40 lb (18.1 kg)
- Total load capacity: 80 lb (36.3 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 26” to 29” (66 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 4.8″ (fat-tire compatible)
- Max wheelbase: 48″ (122 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 41 lb (18.6 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- Hitch receiver size: 1.25″ (class 2)
- Tilt function (easy trunk access): Yes
- No frame contact
Yakima Dr.Tray is a lightweight, easy-to-use bike rack that can fit any 1.25 inch hitch receiver and carries up to 2 bikes 40 pounds each. With easy loading and a secure design, the Dr. Tray is perfect for mountain bikes or fat tire bikes as it will not touch the frames and will carry them securely.
Key Takeaways
- Very robust and high quality materials make this rack a very good choice,
- Rack itself and bikes on it will be secured very sturdy,
- The installation process is very straightforward and takes less then 10 minutes,
- Perfect choice for those who need to transport bikes rather often,
- This bike rack is amazing for fat-tire and expensive bikes due to great spacing between bikes (18″) so they will fit and won’t be hitting each other. However, keep in mind that this rack is not designed for really heavy bikes, up to 40 lb each bike only.
PROS
- Highest quality materials
- Very easy and tool-free installation
- The whole construction is very robust
- Can carry fat-tire bikes out of the box
- Tilt function for easy trunk access
- Locks included
- Unprecedented spacing between bikes (18″)
- Zero frame contact (won’t damage bikes)
- No risks of damaging your car
- Folds up when not in use
- Won’t affect mileage much
CONS
- High-priced
- Rather low load capacity (40 lb each bike)
- Only 1.25″ hitch receiver version
Tyger TG-RK4B102B (3 or 4) – Perfect budget rack for budget bikes
- Audi A3 compatible: Yes
- Max number of bikes: 3 or 4 bikes versions
- Max bike weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
- Total load capacity: 140 lb (63.5 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): any
- Max tire size (width): any
- Max wheelbase: any
- Empty rack weight: 28.2 lb (12.8 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes
- Bike-to-rack lock: No
- Hitch receiver size: 1.25″ and 2″ compatible
- Tilt function (easy trunk access): Yes
The Tyger TG-RK4B102B is a bike rack that will help you safely and securely transport up to four bikes (including adult and kids bikes) with its dual locking features, anti-wobble hitch design, adjustable ratchet arms, and durable steel construction.
Key Takeaways
- This rack is amazing given how cheap it is,
- The rack itself is sturdy though bikes will wobble a bit,
- You will have to perform some lifting to load bikes on the rack,
- Great choice for those who need transport bikes rather occasionally
- If you need to transport rather lightweight and not expensive bikes, then this rack will get the job done. However, you have to be ready that bikes will be hitting each other due to the design of hanging hitch racks.
PROS
- Super cheap in comparison with other hitch racks
- Easy to assemble, install and mount bikes on
- The rack itself is sturdy
- Can carry fat-tire bikes
- Tilt function provides easy trunk access
- Rack-to-car and bikes-to-rack locks
- Won’t damage your car
- Fits both 1.25″ and 2″ hitch receivers
- Won’t affect mileage much
- Foldable
CONS
- Bikes will wobble
- Most likely you will have to tie bikes up each time
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- No clearance between bikes (bikes can get scratched)
Best Audi A3 roof bike racks
Roof racks are another great choice to transport your bikes for Audi A3. Why? Because since A3 is rather a small car (especially when it comes to the height) so it won’t be that hard to load your bikes on the roof.
Yakima FrontLoader – Premium roof rack that fits most crossbars
- Audi A3 compatible: Yes
- Type of mount: wheel
- Max bike weight: 40 lb (18.1 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 20” to 29” (51 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″
- Max wheelbase: 48″ (122 cm)
- Crossbar spread: between 16″ and 42″
- Empty rack weight: 13 lb (5.9 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes (sold separately)
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes (sold separately)
- No frame contact
Developed with the help of professional cyclists, the FrontLoader is a sturdy and innovative bike rack for cars. It’s perfect for people who want to comfortably transport their bikes in an easy-to-install rack that doesn’t require any frame contact. With up to 40 pounds of carrying capacity, it can also hold a variety of bikes with sizes up to 29 inches.
Key Takeaways
- Really premium roof rack that worth every penny,
- A bike will be very sturdy (no wobbling at all),
- You need some muscle to get your bike lifted up to the roof of your car,
- Fits most bike types (even most fat-tire bikes),
- An excellent choice to carry expensive bikes because of zero frame contact mounting.
PROS
- High quality materials
- Easy to assemble and install
- Secures a bike very sturdily (no wobbling)
- Can carry most bike types under 40 lb
- Does not block trunk access
- Does not cover license plate and taillights
- Locks included
- No frame mounting (won’t damage your bikes)
- Won’t scratch your car
- Universal (fits most crossbars)
CONS
- Rather expensive since it requires crossbars
- Not that easy to load a bike on
- Can’t carry really heavy bikes
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Thule ProRide XT – Premium roof rack for not expensive bikes
- Audi A3 compatible: Yes
- Type of mount: frame
- Max bike weight: 44 lb (20 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 29” (74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″ (5″ with adapter)
- Max wheelbase: 48.6″ (123.5 cm)
- Downtube diameter: 0.87” to 3.15” (round shaped only)
- Empty rack weight: 11 lb (5 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
The Thule ProRide XT is the best bike rack for carrying your bike on the roof. The aluminum construction is durable and fits only Thule crossbars. The rack can carry most bikes up to 44 lb and secures a bike by the frame instead of a wheel, so you don’t have to worry about loose straps.
Key Takeaways
- Premium quality roof bike rack,
- The ease of use highly depends on your physical conditions,
- I would not recommend this rack to carry expensive bikes because of frame contact mounting (will scratch your bike),
- Fat-tire bikes require an adapter (sold separately).
PROS
- High quality materials
- You don’t have to remove the front wheel
- Easy to assemble and install
- Can carry relatively heavy bikes
- Does not block trunk access
- Does not cover license plate and taillights
- Low risk of damaging your car
- Looks modern and fancy
CONS
- Quite pricey considering it requires crossbars
- Not that easy to load a bike
- Won’t fit fat-tire bikes out of the box
- Frame contact mounting will leave some scratches
- Does not fit all crossbars
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Best Audi A3 trunk bike racks
It is true that trunk racks are much more affordable. However, you have to keep in mind that this rack type have a risk of scratching your car, which, as we both know, is not cheap at all.
Saris Bones EX (2 or 3) – Trunk rack that fits most cars
- Audi A3 compatible: Yes
- Max number of bikes: 2 or 3 bikes versions
- Max bike weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
- Total load capacity: 105 lb (47.6 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): any
- Max tire size (width): any
- Max wheelbase: any
- Empty rack weight: 11 lb (5 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: No
- Bike-to-rack lock: No
- Number of straps: 6
Saris Bones EX gives you room to store 2 or 3 bikes in your trunk, and can be installed on Audi A3 without expensive custom parts. It’s quick to install, so you’ll be ready to go on any adventure with your family!
Key Takeaways
- Best-seller trunk rack with a good reason for that (fits most cars and decent quality overall),
- Don’t expect it to be very sturdy (some wobbling is inevitable),
- Quite easy to easy overall, but keep in mind that trunk access will be blocked,
- Fits most bikes under 35 lb (an adapter will help with kid’s and women’s bikes),
- I would not recommend it for carrying expensive bikes (especially carbon frame) since it will cause scratches.
PROS
- Reasonable price
- Easy to install
- Fits most bikes (including fat-tire)
- Compatible with most cars (universal)
- Quite compact
- Won’t affect mileage much
CONS
- Don’t expect it to be super sturdy
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- Blocks trunk access
- Very easy to steal (both rack and bikes)
- Bikes will be hitting each other (expect scratches)
- There is some risk of damaging your car
Hollywood Express (2 or 3) – Very affordable trunk rack
- Audi A3 compatible: Yes
- Max number of bikes: 2 or 3 bikes versions
- Max bike weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
- Total load capacity: 105 lb (47.6 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): any
- Max tire size (width): any
- Max wheelbase: any
- Empty rack weight: 13 lb (5.9 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: No
- Bike-to-rack lock: No
- Number of straps: 6
Hollywood Express is a bike carrier that installs onto your vehicle, no trailer? No worries! Hollywood Express accommodates 2-3 bikes, with weight capacity of up to 35 lb and is made from aluminum and alloy steel. It’s designed to mount right on the vehicle without any additional equipment – perfect for those who need an easy way to transport their bike while avoiding the hassle of a trailer. Exceptional quality at an affordable price!
Key Takeaways
- This rack is reasonably well made given the price,
- The rack itself is quite sturdy but bikes will wobble a bit,
- Relatively easy to use (both installation and bikes mounting),
- Can carry most bike types under 35 lb. Some rounded frame bikes might require an adapter,
- Not recommended for expensive bikes since your bikes will inevitably get scratches (or even may be dents).
PROS
- Very affordable
- Relatively easy to assemble and install
- Can carry most bike types under 35 lb
- Requires nothing to be installed (such as trailer or crossbars)
- Reasonable mileage reduction
CONS
- Bikes will hit each other on the road
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- No trunk access with bikes loaded
- Super easy to steal
- Might leave scratches on your car