What are the best cars for dogs?

Looking for a dog-friendly car? Discover the best cars for dog owners, featuring space, comfort, safety, and pet-friendly features to make every journey paw-some.

Owning a dog means finding a car that works for both you and your four-legged friend. Whether you’re popping to the park for walkies, off on a road trip, or just running errands, a dog-friendly car should offer you and your pooch comfort, safety and practicality. From roomy boots to easy-to-wipe-down interiors, the best cars for dog owners make travelling with your pets as stress-free as possible.

What to look for in a dog-friendly car

Before we bring out our recommendations for the best doggy drives, have a think about the key features that make a car pup-suitable:

• Big boot: A large boot area gives you plenty of room for crates, carriers or just space for your dog to stretch out.
• Low boot height: Unless you have some kind of Mexican Jumping Dog (note: check these exist), a lower entry makes it easier for older or smaller dogs to hop in and out of the car.
• Easy-to-clean interior: Dogs are many things, but scrupulously clean is not one of them.
• Wipeable surfaces, removable mats, and durable upholstery can make cleaning up fur and muddy paw prints much less stressful.
• Climate control and ventilation: Air vents in the back can help keep your dog cool on warmer days.
• Safety features: Keep an eye out for cars with built-in pet barriers, secure tie-down points, or compatibility with dog harnesses.

Budget-friendly options

Dacia Duster

A brilliant budget choice for anyone, the Duster is helpfully also great for dog owners. It’s cheap as chips in automotive terms, with a big boot, rugged durability and a wipe-down interior that’s perfect for your pooch.

Ford Focus Estate

A British favourite for years, the Focus’ dog appeal may have something to do with its popularity. With a big boot and a low loading height, it’s a great family and dog-mobile, with wipe-clean surfaces to help keep things spick and span.

Suzuki Vitara

The Vitara has way more space inside than you’d expect from its compact dimensions, which brings a big boot, decent ground clearance for muddy tracks and a durable interior. It’s a great low-cost option for dog owners that need an element of versatility in their car. There’s a hybrid version, too.

Family-friendly SUVs

Skoda Kodiaq

The Kodiaq is a cracking family car, with up to seven seats or, in five-seat mode, a massive boot. Even massive Mastiffs will fit in with no issues, and the low boot lip makes it accessible for smaller dogs, too.

Kia Sorento

A spacious interior, a wide-opening boot, and a seven-year warranty from new – the Sorento should be a fantastic family car for you and your dog. It’s got a top-notch climate control system, too, which should keep your pooch comfortable in the back.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Another great seven-seater SUV, the Santa Fe has a low boot lip for this type of car, lots of storage for leads and treats and excellent ventilation, all of which makes it another fine family-friendly dog option.

Luxury dog-friendly cars

Volvo XC90

Volvo is a brand well-renowned for its safety features, and the XC90 is no exception. As well as peace of mind, it also comes with a large boot, optional pet barriers and climate-controlled rear seats. It’s a luxury SUV that’ll ensure comfort and safety for your furry friend. Oh, and your family, too.

Land Rover Discovery

We didn’t just choose this because it has “Rover” in the name; the Discovery is a properly premium but properly go-anywhere SUV that’ll take you and your yapper off-road for those more adventurous walks. It’s spacious inside and you can specify optional dog-friendly accessories like a ramp and a partition.

Mercedes-Benz GLE

If you have a particularly classy canine, you’ll want high-end transport. The Mercedes GLE has a spacious interior and plush materials and is a great choice for luxury-loving dog owners that want some style along with their substance.

Electric/hybrid dog-friendly cars

Tesla Model Y

Tesla’s Dog Mode lets you keep the air conditioning on while you’re away from your car, meaning you won’t end up with a boiling Beagle when the sun’s out. It also displays a message on the screen saying that the driver will be back soon, in case any nosey passers-by get nervous. The all-electric Model Y also has a large boot and a flat floor, so it’s a practical choice, too.

Toyota RAV4

A great hybrid option with a large boot and excellent fuel efficiency, the RAV4 could be perfect for dog owners that want an eco-friendly choice without going full-electric. Its durable interior should withstand paw marks, its low boot-lip will help the puppers hop in, and it’s got a strong climate control system, too.

Kia EV9

The EV9 is a massive car with a massive boot and a flat interior floor, as well as lots of headroom, so if you’ve got a big dog it could be ideal. The battery has a long range, too, so it could be great for long-distance road trips for the ultimate walkies.

Additional features to consider

When choosing your next car with your dog in mind, keep in mind that some manufacturers offer extras like boot dividers, ramps and washable mats. This is particularly relevant if you’re buying new and can spec your own car, but it’s also worth watching out for on used models.

Even if the manufacturer doesn’t cater for your pet, many aftermarket firms do. There are oodles of dog seat covers, harnesses and booster seats available to keep your poodle happy.

Travel tips for dog owners

Here are a few of our top tips for keeping dogs happy and safe in the car.

Use a crate or harness

Always secure your pet on the move to prevent movement during the journey and, more importantly, during an accident. You don’t want a Miniature Schnauzer turning into a missile if someone bashes into you.

Keep essentials handy

Water, a leash, treats and blankets are musts for longer trips.

Take breaks

You’ll need a break every couple of hours, and so will your doggy. Bathroom and exercise stops are an excellent idea.

Never leave a dog unattended

Tesla’s Dog Mode notwithstanding, don’t leave your dog in the car. Even with cracked windows, cars can heat up very quickly, which can harm your dog.