Best Dog Friendly Cars – According to Skoda research, there are around 9.6 million dog owners in the UK and seven million of them travel by car with their dog at least once a week. It is therefore appropriate that people can ask for help in finding the best car for dog owners.
Before we get into the car tips, we have a warning for all dog owners. According to the Highway Code, dogs must be properly leashed so that they do not distract the driver and prevent injury in the event of a sudden stop. Failure to secure your dog can result in a fine of up to £5,000, so a car seat belt is worth considering.
Best Dog Friendly Cars
Interestingly, only 51% of those surveyed said they always properly restrain their dog while driving, with 14% only occasionally doing so and 9% admitting they never keep their dog securely in the car Below is a selection of the best cars for dogs and their owners in 2024, highlighting the best cars for sale today, in a variety of sizes and price ranges to suit every need and budget.
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Dog-friendly car boots are often found in station wagons. These family steeds have the advantage of being lower to the ground than SUVs, making it easier for our canine relatives to get in and out. Smaller breeds in particular may not find it easy to jump into a shoe that is high off the ground. Any shoe opening 60-70cm from the floor should make it easy for dogs to enter.
Estates tend to have a boxier, more upright rear end, which leads to a large boot, and we’ve found that dogs fit easily 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 the risk of buying yours on the run from the supermarket. .
The Škoda Superb has long been a great choice for dog owners, and this latest version of the company’s flagship station wagon is even better than ever. Boot space has grown and is now a sizeable 690 liters with the rear seats in place, making it the biggest boot of any estate currently available. With a loading lip, it’s perfect for easy access to dogs and the shoe is big enough for a pair of big tails. A number of useful storage elements in the boot are also ideal for pet owners, another big plus is the Superb’s comfortable ride. The new Superb also remains available as a plug-in hybrid, although this version’s boot is not as spacious. Read our full Skoda Superb Estate review to find out more
Provided your dog isn’t the size of a small pony, the 3 Series Touring is a great choice. For starters, it’s not the size of an aircraft carrier, and it’s one of the best trucks for seconds. For those moving in a real hurry, there’s even an absurdly powerful M3 Touring. Clever features like a cargo line and opening rear window add to everyday practicality, and up front the standard 3 Series. That means a quality, easy-to-drive interior with plenty of room for four adults and more sensible petrol, diesel and hybrid engine options. Read our full BMW 3 Series Touring review to find out more
Best Cars For Dog Owners
For many years, the Volkswagen Golf Estate was a compact station wagon. Unfortunately for VW, its sister brands have caught up and surpassed the Golf. This Leon estate is a great example, offering similar space but at a lower price and with so many engine options. For something perfectly reasonable, the regular SEAT Leon Estate will serve them best, while those who want something fast (or are looking for something fast) should look at the Cupra Leon Estate. Both are generally available on excellent financial terms. Read our full Seat Leon Estate review to find out more
The best vehicles for large dogs are often SUVs (short for sport utility vehicles). These are raised 4×4 style vehicles with inflated proportions inside and out, making them a popular choice for families looking for extra space.
Just remember that the tall driver’s position, which provides a useful overhead view, also means that the SUV’s cargo area is usually higher off the ground (this type of car can have a boot floor 80cm off the ground). Can your dog jump without help? Or will you have to constantly increase your pride and joy inside and out? After winter walks in Mudfordshire it can be noisy…
Available with five or seven seats, the Kodiaq’s gargantuan boot even exceeds that of the Superb estate. Being an SUV, the boot floor is higher which may not be suitable for some older dogs, although there are solutions such as a dog ramp. The new Kodiaq is just around the corner, so Skoda should have some great deals to clear out stock. A range of petrol and diesel engines are available, and there’s even the option of four-wheel drive, which isn’t always a guarantee with an SUV. A heated vRS version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI might look interesting, but it’s not very fun or fast. Read our full Skoda Kodiaq review to find out more
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If a premium badge is important, the GLB offers plenty of space and practicality in a luxurious yet compact SUV. It comes close to the Kodiaq in terms of boot space and matches it in terms of seating, although it is usefully small on the outside. There are petrol, diesel and electric versions, as well as the all-electric Mercedes EQB. You can also have front or four-wheel drive, though don’t expect to get that far off the beaten track. A facelifted version of the GLB has been announced, so expect discounts on the outgoing model. Read our full Mercedes GLB review to find out more
Essentially an elongated Dacia Sandero with more seats, the Jogger is a great budget option. Even though the third row remains in the car, there is around 600 liters of boot space left and the top edge of the boot is lower than most other SUVs. While it’s more of an MPV than an SUV, the rugged styling will appeal to those who like tougher style. Don’t expect a luxury car, but it’s not bad to drive and has most of the equipment you really 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 neither is a diesel engine. Instead, there’s just a 1.0-litre manual turbo, which fits in pretty well, but feels a little underpowered under full load. Alternatively, there is an automatic hybrid that is slightly faster and more efficient. Read our full Dacia Jogger review to find out more
Typically, your average hatchback will carry most dogs in reasonable comfort, but boot space is inevitably smaller than an equivalent SUV or custom car. More compact dog breeds should be fine here, but larger dogs may get a little claustrophobic. Make sure you measure before you decide.
Hatchbacks have the advantage of being cheaper and more plentiful, so they can be a smart buy, especially if you don’t need acres of space. Our shortlist includes the best options for dogs.
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The Škoda Octavia has been one of the most practical hatchbacks since the late 1990s, and this version is no different. Its massive 600-litre boot is bigger than some station wagons, and rear-seat space isn’t bad either. Petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains are available, while some variants may also get four-wheel drive. It’s not the sportiest ride, including the Octavia vRS, but it’s comfortable, especially on the smaller wheels. Read our full Skoda Octavia review to find out more
Even with the Vauxhall Corsa starting at nearly £20,000, or perhaps at the time you’re reading this, you’d think finding an affordable yet dog-friendly hatch would be impossible. Fortunately, Dacia once again has a major solution that not only costs thousands less, but is bigger than you’d expect. The Sandero is based on the Renault Clio and offers great space inside, especially if you fold down the rear seats. A few nail marks can be seen on the exposed painted loading lip, especially since it’s not the lowest, but it’s still a better bet than most smaller superminis. Read our full Dacia Sandero review to find out more
Where the Civic was once an entire family of cars, including three- and five-door hatchbacks, an Italian and a coupe, there is now just one five-door hatch. However, it has grown over the years and is now something that can happily take a dog or two along with passengers. A collapsible parcel shelf is a neater alternative to removable ones, and a plastic boot mat should make cleaning easier. With a high-quality, easy-to-use interior, a fuel-efficient yet solid hybrid system and crisp handling, it’s a car you and your loved ones will love.
