Do you love bringing your precious dog on road trips, out-of-town weekends, and vacations? Do you also think that your four-legged pal seems happy and exhilarated whenever you go out for a long drive? Well, if yes is your answer to both these questions, think about the best cars for dog owners. You’d understand why the safety, security, and health of your furry pal is of dire importance as with yours (as a dog owner and driver) and your other passengers (if any).
And while we are all somehow knowledgeable about the various ways how to travel safely with our dogs, we still can’t deny the importance of using the most suitable vehicle for them. Because let’s face it, not every car is pet-friendly. It all depends on the size, age, breed, temperament, and all the other specific needs of your dog.
The general rule is, the bigger the dog, the bigger your vehicle should be. Plus, small and lap dogs are recommended to be in crates or carriers, most especially if there’s no one else but you and your pet inside your car.
So if you’re planning on going on more trips and adventures with your dog, then you might want to consider getting a brand or quality used car that’s perfect for you and your best friend.
If you’re looking to get the most suitable vehicle for your travels with your four-legged buddy, then consider best cars for dog owners:
For Small and Medium Sized Dogs
Toyota Prius
The Prius is indeed one of Toyota’s innovative vehicles as it can accommodate actually all sizes of pets. But as your experts in the used car providers and car wreckers Melbourne industry, we suggest that you maximize its features by using it to travel with your puppies, lap dogs, and other smaller pups. Comfort and convenience will definitely be given to your furry pals as it has a solar ventilation system that can cool your car even when you’re idle and parked under direct sunlight at high noon. Plus, its A/C system even provides bursts of air when you drive under the scorching heat. There are even additional Prius accessories that you can purchase so you can protect your ride even if you bring your dog with you often – like its boot liner and scuff guard.
Nissan Juke
You might want to consider this compact SUV if you want to bring your toy dogs or medium-sized puppies with you for many road trips. The Juke’s size makes it too easy for your dogs to get in and out of, especially through its large rear hatch door that can also accommodate small to medium crates. And as it’s a combination of a coupe, a hatchback, and a crossover, it simply provides you the size and utility you need to bring your best pal with you wherever you go. If your goal is to get a pup-friendly yet compact and light car, then a Nissan Juke is one of your best bets yet.
Kia Soul Sport
Kia’s stylish urban cruiser, Soul, offers its owners and their pets unmatched riding comfort and convenience. It has rear-seat heat features for the winter and an extra large panoramic roof for lots of sunlight during perfect spring days. And even though the Souls is so compact, its boxy and efficient shape will allow plenty of space for headroom and legroom. And just like the Juke, we absolutely love how its large rear hatch makes it a quick entry and exit for your playful pups. Though we cannot advise you to bring this for your off-road adventures, we simply can’t deny the fact that its rear climate control is a must-have for our furry pals.
Volvo V60
While we all know how Volvo claims to provide the world’s safest cars, that doesn’t mean that that only applies to humans. As a matter of fact, one of their cars, the V60 is actually perfect for trips with your four-legged pals. If you’re looking for a vehicle that has the versatility and efficiency of a crossover but would have the dynamics of a sedan, then the Volvo V60 is just perfect for you. It is an all-wheel-drive wagon that provides a general amount of cargo space even for 3 small or medium-sized dogs.
Apart from that, it also boasts of a rear climate control feature, rear tie-downs (that make harnessing your carriers easier), and even an optional dog barrier if your pal isn’t really the carrier type, and even moderate off-road capabilities, just in case you’ll need it in the outback.
For Large and Multiple Dogs
Volkswagen Tiguan
Don’t mock this small SUV for its size because the VW Tiguan can actually provide enough room for large dogs or even a handful of small to medium puppies. It’s not only because the Tiguan got its name from combining the tiger and iguana that we say it’s super pet-friendly, but all the more because dogs of all sizes can sit comfortably in this elegant and luxurious ride.
Its other dog-friendly features include rear seats that fold flat, optional seat liners for pets, and even a pet barrier for your larger dogs, so they are safe and you are not distracted from driving.
Honda Odyssey
Think that a minivan is just for growing families? Well, it’s also perfect for road trips with pets! The Honda Odyssey gives you the luxury of plenty of room space, comfortable seats, rear ventilation, underfloor compartments, and even a built-in vacuum for your dogs that shed excessively. Talk about your convenience as well!
So if you have a family, plus about 1 or 2 dogs, going around the country with the Honda Odyssey will surely be a walk in the park. It even has built-in side window shades so you can help keep your dog from getting too hot while traveling during hot summer days.
Isuzu MU-X
If you are simply a dog lover and you just can’t help but bring at least 8 to 10 paws with you, then you’d better consider getting an Isuzu MU-X for your family. 4×4 utes like this Isuzu model aren’t just good for business, leisure, and industrial purposes. It most definitely is convenient for pet travel, too! So if you want a smart and convenient dog lugger that is also safe and comfortable for your furry family members, then you should really consider this one over the others. We simply love that it offers a great ride while boasting a bomb-proof interior to boot. Truly one of the best cars for dog owners.
Lexus LX 570
This full-size SUV doesn’t only take pride in its great off-road capabilities but also in its ability to accommodate and protect humans and pets that ride in it. The Lexus LX 570 gives enough room for 7 passengers as well as comfy space for dogs of all sizes. While it has the standard 4WD capabilities that are perfect for any short or long road trip with your pet/s, it will simply amaze you how you can even fit a dog hammock in its back cargo area and still have room for 3-4 passengers in the rear seats. Among its available pet-friendly add-ons are pet dividers, rubber mats, cargo liners, trays, and even larger displays.
Those were our ideas of the best cars for dog owners. Have you now set your eyes on one of these vehicles for future trips and adventures with your dog? Then make your move soon to make even more memories with your furry pals.