Audi A4 is a mid-sized luxury car that has been around for over two decades. It was first introduced in 1994 and has been redesigned a few times since then. The latest redesign was done in 2021, with its height being 56.4 inches.
There are three rack types that can fit Audi A4: hitch, roof and trunk (learn more about car bike rack types).
Things to consider buying an Audi A4 bike rack:
- Only trunk racks can be installed out of the box. Hitch racks require a trailer hitch (of the right size and the right class) and roof racks require compatible crossbars,
- In general, trunk racks are much more affordable than hitch and roof racks. Though there are budget models on the market of all rack types,
- How many bikes are you planning to carry? If the number of bikes is 4 and more, then only hitch and roof racks are capable of doing this,
- Make sure that your non-standard bikes will fit the rack. By non-standard, I mean fat-tire, women’s, kid’s, BMX, etc,
- Keep in mind that trunk racks can damage your Audi A4 if improperly installed,
- Moreover, racks that secure bikes by the frame can damage your bikes. So for expensive bikes, I would recommend zero frame contact racks,
- Finally, not all racks on the market are Audi A4 compatible so you have to make sure it will fit. I have verified the compatibility for all racks in my rating.
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 A4 hitch bike racks
Hitch bikes racks are absolutely great for Audi A4 except for its price. However, I would say it is a savvy investment since hitch racks are sturdy, easy to use and can carry most bikes.
Kuat NV Base 2.0 (2+2) – Best hitch rack for super heavy bikes
- Audi A4 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): 20” to 29” (51 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 4.8″ (fat-tire compatible)
- Max wheelbase: 48″ (122 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″ versions (class 2-4)
- Tilt function (easy trunk access): Yes
- No frame contact
Kuat’s NV Base 2.0 is the best way to convert your vehicle into a versatile bike carrier. It takes only minutes to install and can carry almost any bike on the market. It requires either a 1.25″ or 2″ hitch receiver and can hold 2 bikes or up to 4 bikes with add-ons. The innovative design secures the frame with no contact so you don’t need to worry about your bikes getting scratched.
Key Takeaways
- Even though it is quite expensive rack you won’t regret,
- It is super sturdy since it is designed for really heavy bikes,
- It is easy to install but keep in mind that rack itself is pretty heavy (52 lb empty),
- Easy to load bikes and access trunk with bikes loaded (thanks for tilt function),
- This rack is definitely recommended for bike enthusiasts,
- Designed to carry really heavy bikes. That’s why it is made from steel and rather heavy itself. For not too heavy bikes it might be an over-kill.
PROS
- Top-notch quality materials
- No assembly required
- The most sturdy rack on the market
- Can carry super heavy bikes and most bike types
- Easy trunk access with bikes loaded
- Rack-to-car and bikes-to-rack locks
- Proper clearance between bikes and no frame contact
- This rack won’t damage your car
- Goes in two receiver size versions (1.25″ and 2″)
- Compact when not in use
- Negligible mileage reduction
CONS
- Quite pricey
- Keep in mind that this rack quite heavy (52 lb empty)
- The hitch receiver must be either 1.25″ or 2″
Yakima Dr.Tray (2) – Awesome hitch rack for not too heavy bikes
- Audi A4 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
The Yakima Dr. Tray is the best way to carry two bikes on your vehicle, and let’s be honest, we all need that extra cargo room for other things. This rack is designed to hold both typical and fat-tire bikes. That’s great if you’re struggling to transport your bike with a trailer or other cargo carrier.
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
Yakima RidgeBack (2, 4 or 5) – Premium hanging hitch rack
- Audi A4 compatible: Yes
- Max number of bikes: 2, 4 or 5 bikes versions
- Max bike weight: 40 lb (18.1 kg)
- Total load capacity: 160 lb (72.6 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): any
- Max tire size (width): any
- Max wheelbase: any
- Empty rack weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- Hitch receiver size: 1.25″ and 2″ compatible
- Tilt function (easy trunk access): Yes
Yakima RidgeBack’s bike rack is light, durable and always on the go. It can carry up to 5 bikes and has a sleek, low-profile design for smarter vehicle use. With Yakima’s patented HitchSwitch technology, you can easily switch between 1.25″ and 2″ receivers for convenient installation.
Key Takeaways
- This is a very high quality hanging hitch rack,
- The rack itself is very robust but bikes will wobble a bit,
- It is relatively easy to load bikes, you can access the trunk with bikes loaded,
- This bike rack is a good choice for rather occasional cyclists,
- This bike rack can not carry really heavy bikes,
- You might need an adapter for some rounded frame bikes,
- This rack is not recommended for expensive bikes since it will probably leave scratches.
PROS
- Reasonable price for premium brand
- Easy installation (goes assembled)
- The rack itself is sturdy
- Can carry most bikes (including fat-tire)
- Easy trunk access with bikes loaded
- No risk of damaging you car
- Comes with locks
- Both 1.25″ and 2″ receivers compatible
- Good aerodynamics (moderate mileage reduction)
- Won’t tale much space (foldable)
CONS
- Bikes will wobble on the rack
- You will have to tie bikes up each trip
- Can’t carry very heavy bikes
- No clearance between bikes (expect scratches)
- Some mountain, women’s and kids’ bikes require an adapter
Best Audi A4 roof bike racks
You can absolutely go for a roof rack since your vehicle is not high. As a result, it won’t be a challenge to load your bikes on the roof of your Audi A4.
Yakima FrontLoader – Premium roof rack that fits most crossbars
- Audi A4 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
Yakima’s FrontLoader is easy to install, and holds up to 40 lb bikes securely. Made from alloy steel, it’s tough enough to stand up to any weather. Plus, it’s compatible with most vehicle setups with crossbars installed. The FrontLoader is a no-contact mounting system that secures your bikes by the wheels.
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 TopRide – Premium roof rack, super sturdy
- Audi A4 compatible: Yes
- Type of mount: fork
- Max bike weight: 40 lb (18.1 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 29” (74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″
- Max wheelbase: 49.2″ (125 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 7.7 lb (3.5 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes (sold separately)
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- No frame contact
Time to get rid of that flimsy bike rack and get a Thule TopRide, which is made from strong aluminum, weighs a measly 7.7 pounds, and is just as easy to mount as it is easy on the eyes. Unlike most other racks, this one can accommodate any bike you throw at it up to 40 pounds in weight and boasts an unmatched level of stability that’s perfect for any daredevil rider.
Key Takeaways
- Premium fork-mounted rack with nice design,
- A bike will super sturdy on the rack since it will me secured by the fork,
- Quite easy to load a bike on. The only thing you will ave to do is to remove the front wheel,
- This rack is perfect for basically all bikes (fat-tire, women’s, kid’s, etc.). Expensive or carbon frame bikes won’t get scratched.
PROS
- Very well made
- Easy to assemble and install
- A bike will be super sturdy on the rack
- Universal (fits most bikes)
- Does not block trunk access
- Does not obscure license plate and taillights
- Locks included
- Won’t damage your car
- Looks good
- Won’t scratch your bikes (no frame mounting)
CONS
- Quite pricey as it requires crossbars to be installed
- You have to remove the front wheel each time
- Can’t carry really heavy bikes
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Best Audi A4 trunk bike racks
There are quite a few trunk models on the market that fit Audi A4. However, the ones that you can find further, have the lowest risk of damaging your since they have been produced by high-quality makers.
Yakima HalfBack (2 or 3) – Premium quality but quite affordable
- Audi A4 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: 22 lb (10 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: No
- Bike-to-rack lock: No
- Number of straps: 4
Yakima HalfBack is a revolutionary new bike rack that attaches to the back of your vehicle without the need for trailer hitches or crossbars. It was designed with two goals in mind: to make life easier for cyclists by providing an easier way to transport bikes and to make life easier for automobilists by reducing the risk of damage caused by a bike rack.
Key Takeaways
- Worth every penny due to really high quality and affordable price,
- Super sturdy once installed (rather uncharacteristic for trunk racks),
- Fairly easy to use overall, but you have to remove bikes each time you would like to open the trunk,
- This rack is recommended for carrying lightweight bikes of most designs and shapes,
- Not suitable for carrying expensive bikes since bikes will inevitably scratch each other.
PROS
- Good price for a premium rack
- Goes assembled, fairly easy to install
- The rack is sturdy
- Relatively easy to load bikes on
- Most bikes will fit including fat-tire (kid’s and women’s bikes require an adapter)
- Does not require anything to be installed
- Negligible mileage reduction
- Folds up when not in use
CONS
- Bikes will wobble a bit (any trunk rack has this problem)
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- Can’t access the trunk with bikes loaded
- Very easy to steal
- Bikes will scratch each other
- Some risk of scratching your car (true for all trunk racks)
Saris Bones EX (2 or 3) – Trunk rack that fits most cars
- Audi A4 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
The Saris Bones EX is an innovative product that solves the problem of bike transportation by not requiring crossbars, hitches, or other accessories. The product installs on your car for quick and easy installation. The Saris Bones EX is also lightweight and durable.
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