2017~2025 Fitting my 67” long (51cm frame) road bike in a 2025 CX-5?

[Kinshi]

In the next few months, I plan to buy a new CX-5. I have made no firm decision on buying a 2025 or a 2026. For my usage and preferences, there are pros and cons for both the 2025 and the nearly all new 2026.

I realize I could get a hitch receiver and bike rack, but I would prefer putting the bike in the car. Also, I ride too frequently to want to bother with remove and install the front wheel every ride.

My road bike is a smaller than average 51cm frame size and it is 67 inches from the tip of the back wheel to the tip of the front wheel. Most mountain bikes, hybrids, and road bikes for taller people would be longer.

I’ve done many searches and get varying answers regarding fitting a bike in the back of a CX-5 without removing the front wheel. I won’t have a passenger, so I can move the passenger seat forward if that helps.

I’ve seen one YouTube that claims a 71” cargo floor length for the 2026. Since the 2026 is said to have 2” longer cargo floor, that implies the 2025 would be about 69”.

If you have a road bike, will it fit in your late model CX-5? If not, maybe someone could measure the cargo floor length from the inside of the rear door sill to the rear of the center console or back of the passenger seat?

 

[SimpleCanuck]

I haven't measured my road bike, although it is average size. I can fit it in the back of my '22 although sometimes I have to turn the front wheel in one direction if I carry other items at the same time.

 

[Kinshi]

Thanks, that is reassuring.

 

[minnesotaart]

I have a 54cm Trek Madonne carbon fiber road bike, 700x23c wheels/tires. It fits just fine in the back of my 2014 with the front wheel on. If anything, based on your description of being tall, you might need to lower your seat post. I put the rear wheel in first, drive side up, and angle it to the drivers side rear door. Once it's in as far as it can go, I then angle the front of the bike to the passenger side with the handlebars turned so the front wheel is facing up (as if turning right) and set it in. No problems whatsoever. Lots of room left for pump, helmet, shoes, etc. Make sure you check your brakes (if rim type) when you take it out to be sure they are free as sometimes they move and contact the rim when the bike is laying down. You can always bring your bike and a blanket to the dealership to try before you buy. They shouldn't have an issue with that for a potential customer. Again, mine is a 2014, Gen 1, but I don't think the dimensions in the back have changed. Hope that helps.

 

[Kinshi]

My bike might be smaller than yours. 51cm Trek Domane SL5. Entry level carbon with the workhorse 105 groupset. Two years old so it has disc brakes.

For me, one of the pro’s for the 2026 CX-5 is the extra 2 inches of cargo length. I thought that the 2” may make the difference between barely fits and fits comfortably. That said, I prefer the physical control buttons of the 2025.

But it looks like, cargo size wise, the 2025 is more than adequate. My plan is to take a tape measurer when I go to the dealer. Considering that both you and SimpleCanuc have no problems, I don’t see how I could run into trouble.