Enny Sulivan
Best Dog Friendly Cars – According to Škoda research, there are an estimated 9.6 million dog owners in the UK and seven million of them travel with their dogs in the car at least once a week. So it’s only natural that people want to help find the best car for dog owners.
Before we get into the car advice, we have a warning for all dog owners. According to the Highway Code, dogs must be properly restrained so that they do not disturb the driver and avoid injury in the event of a sudden stop. Failure to secure your dog can result in fines of up to £5,000, so a car harness is worth considering.
Best Dog Friendly Cars
Interestingly, only 51% of people surveyed in the study said they actually secure their dog while driving, 14% only do so a few times and 9% admit they never secure their dog safely in the car. Below, pick the best 2024 cars for dogs and their owners, and name the best vehicles on sale today, in a variety of sizes and price ranges to suit every need and budget.
The Best Family Cars Of 2022
Dog-friendly car boots are often found in station wagons. This family worker has a lower ground clearance than an SUV, making it easier for our canine friends to get in and out. Small breeds in particular may not easily jump into shoes above ground level. Any opening in the shoe 60-70 cm from the ground should facilitate access for the dog.
Estates tend to have a boxier, more upright rear end for the big boot, and we find that dogs are comfortable in most cars. For this reason, we often recommend that the best car for large dogs is a station wagon, and you can usually fit a partition to carry your pet and your belongings without risking your purchase being eaten while leaving the supermarket. .
The Škoda Superb has long been a great choice for dog owners, and the latest version of the automaker’s flagship station wagon is better than ever. Boot space has grown again and is now a massive 690 liters with the rear seats in place, making it the largest boot of any estate car currently on sale. With a loading lip, it’s perfect for easy access for dogs and the boot is big enough for some large dogs. A number of useful storage elements in the luggage compartment are also suitable for pet owners, and great travel is another plus. The new Superb continues to be available as a plug-in hybrid, although this version’s boot space is not as spacious. To find out more, read our full Skoda Superb Estate review
Provided your dog isn’t the size of a small horse, the 3 Series Touring is a great choice. It wasn’t the size of an aircraft carrier for a start, and for a while it was one of the best station wagons out there. There’s even a super-powerful M3 Touring for those in a hurry to get out and about. Smart features such as cargo rails and an opening tailgate add to everyday practicality, and up front it’s standard 3 Series This means a quality, easy-to-drive interior with enough space for four adults and a choice of petrol, diesel and smarter. hybrid engine. To find out more, read our full BMW 3 Series Touring review
Best Cars For Dog Lovers
For many years, the Volkswagen Golf Estate was a compact station wagon. Unfortunately for VW, sister brand Golf has caught up and overtaken. This Leon estate is a good example, offering the same space but at a lower price and with a wider range of engines. For those who want something that really makes sense, the regular SEAT Leon estate is best, those who want something fast (or look fast) should look at the Cupra Leon estate. Both are generally available on good financial terms. To find out more, read our full Seat Leon Estate review
The best cars for big dogs are often SUVs (short for sport utility vehicle). It’s a 4×4-style vehicle that’s well-proportioned inside and out, making it a popular choice for families looking for extra space.
Remember that the raised driving position, which provides a higher view, also means that the load of the SUV is usually higher off the ground (this type of car can have a boot floor 80 cm above the ground). Can your dog jump without help? Or will you keep boosting your pride and joy in and out? This can get dirty after a winter walk in Mudfordshire…
Available with five or seven seats, the Kodiaq’s large boot space beats the Superb estate. As an SUV, the boot floor is higher which may not suit some older dogs, although solutions such as dog ramps are available. The new Kodiaq is almost here, so Skoda should have some good stock clearance deals. There are petrol and diesel engines of various capacities and even four-wheel drive options are available – not necessarily a guarantee with an SUV. A heated vRS-powered version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI may sound interesting, but it’s neither exciting nor fast. To find out more, read our full Skoda Kodiaq review
Top 10 Dog Friendly Cars You Can Buy In 2023
If a premium badge is important, the GLB has plenty of space and practicality to be a luxurious yet compact SUV. It’s close to the Kodiaq in terms of luggage space and good for the number of seats, although smaller on the outside. Petrol, diesel and electric versions are available, along with the all-electric Mercedes EQB. You can also have front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, though don’t expect to stray too far off the beaten track. An updated version of the GLB has been announced, so expect a discount on the outgoing model. To learn more, read our full Mercedes GLB review
Essentially an elongated Dacia Sandero with more seats, the Jogger is a great budget option. Although the third row remains in the car, there is almost 600 liters of boot space and a lower lip load than most other SUVs. Although it’s more of an MPV than an SUV, the rugged styling will appeal to those who like more rugged style. Don’t expect a fancy bike, but it’s not bad to ride and has most of the tools you need. Since it’s based on a regular hatchback, four-wheel drive is out of the question (you’ll need a Dacia Duster for that), and so is a diesel engine. On the other hand there is a 1.0 liter turbo manual which is quite good but lacks power when fully loaded. Alternatively, there is only an automatic hybrid available, which is a bit more assertive and efficient. For more information, read our full Dacia Jogger review
Your average hatchback will usually carry most dogs in reasonable comfort, but boot space is inevitably smaller than the equivalent SUV or station wagon. More compact dog breeds should do well here, but large dogs can get a little crowded. Measure yourself before you decide.
Hatchbacks have the advantage of being cheaper and more versatile, so they can be a smart buy, especially if you don’t need a lot of space. The best options for dogs on our shortlist are:
Traveling With Pets: Hertz Makes It Easy
Since the late 1990s, the Škoda Octavia has been one of the most practical hatchbacks, and this version is no different. The huge 600 liter boot is bigger than some station wagons and rear seat space isn’t bad either. Petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains are available, while some versions may also get four-wheel drive. It’s not the sportiest ride, Octavia vRS aside, but it’s comfortable, especially if you stick to small wheels. For more information, read our full Skoda Octavia review
Even a Vauxhall Corsa starts at almost £20,000 or maybe more, reading this you might think that finding a cheap but dog-friendly hatch is impossible. Fortunately, Dacia once again has a back-to-basics solution that not only costs thousands less, but is bigger than you’d expect. The Sandero is based on the Renault Clio and offers surprising interior space, especially if you fold down the rear seats. The exposed painted nose can show some claw marks, especially since it’s not the lowest, but still better than the smaller supermini. To find out more, read our full Dacia Sandero review
While the Civic used to be a family of cars including three- and five-door hatchbacks, a station wagon and a coupe, there is now only one five-door hatchback. However, it has evolved over the years and is now something that can carry a dog or two and a passenger. A roll-up luggage rack is a neater alternative to a removable one, and the plastic boot mat should make cleaning easier. With a high-quality, easy-to-use front interior, impressive fuel-efficient hybrid system and crisp handling, it’s your car and yours.
