What Does Your Dog Want From a New Car?
As a dog owner, there are two critical things you want for your dog. You want them to be comfortable and you want them to be secure. When your dog is comfortable, they're less likely to be stressed, and in turn, stress you out with barking or upset tummies.
Dogs want cars that are easy to get into and out of, are comfortable, and give them a feeling of security. They also need fresh air, protection from the sun, and proper temperature control. They need enough room to move, but not so much that they can be tossed about.
“If you’re comfortable in the car, your dog will be comfortable in the car,” says Lytle.
Many of the best features of family cars, such as great interior and cargo space, are elements of the best dog-friendly vehicles. Dog owners should look for vehicles with interiors that are easy to keep clean, don’t sit so high that your dog can injure themselves jumping in or out, and have ways to keep dogs secure.
Dog-friendly features include multi-zone automatic temperature controls, low floors, air suspension, and built-in window shades. The tinted rear windows common on SUVs and minivans can keep your pet significantly cooler as you drive. Conversation mirrors and camera systems, such as the CabinWatch system in the 2018 Honda Odyssey, can help you keep an eye on your pet as you drive.
Having a car that’s easy for them to get into and out of is great for both of you. If they can easily jump in and out, without you having to lift them every time, it’s less stressful for them and less physically demanding on you. Minivans, for example, have big sliding doors and low floors that are easy for dogs to jump into and out of.
Vehicles with flat floors and few nooks and crannies between the seats are also great for dogs and their owners. Some SUVs have huge gaps between the folded seats where toys and treats can get stuck. Be sure to check that the seats fold fully flat, making it easier to strap down a crate. If you're going to use a harness that clips to the car's LATCH connectors, make sure that they are easily accessible and located where you plan to carry your pet.
If you think that leather or leatherette seats are a bit too luxurious for your dog, it means that you’ve never had to try to vacuum dog hair out of cloth seats. If you do have cloth seats, it’s a great idea to invest in aftermarket seat covers that are easy to wipe clean. Dog owners should also consider replacing carpeted floor mats with rubber or plastic mats, such as FloorLiners from Weathertech.com, which span the floor from edge to edge, with no gaps to hold pet hair.
Keeping Rover Safe
Your dog also needs to be secure. Having a loose dog in the vehicle is fun until you have to stop quickly or you get into an accident. When that happens, your pet can become a projectile, potentially injuring it and other passengers. They can also escape the vehicle, running into traffic or getting lost.
Just as you would never drive with a child unsecured in a car, you should never travel with an unsecured pet.
The two best ways to secure your dog are with a crate or a harness. Many harnesses clip into the seat belts, and crates should be strapped to the floor. Many carmakers and aftermarket suppliers sell pet barriers, but often those still allow for a pet to be thrown around in case of an accident.
It’s best to take your crate or pet harness along with you when you are car shopping so that you can ensure it fits in whatever vehicle you’re considering.
Never carry your pet on your lap or in the front seat of an airbag-equipped vehicle. Airbags are designed for humans and can injure or kill your pet. A dog in your lap is also a significant distraction from driving.
Check out the best cars for dogs on the following slides.
1) 2018 Kia Soul
$16,200 | U.S. News Score: 9.1/10
When it comes to carrying your puppy, the 2018 Kia Soul has a lot going for it. It has a massive cargo area compared to most class rivals. It also sits low to the ground, making it easy for your dog to get in and out.
Its boxy profile provides enough room to install medium-size crates, with tie downs available to secure them to the car. Unfortunately, the rear seat doesn't fold completely flat, making it hard to install large crates correctly.
There's ample storage under the rear floor to stow items that you don't want your pet to get into, or leashes and toys for those trips to the dog park.
The Soul comes standard with cloth seats but is available with combination cloth/leather or full leather upholstery. The cloth in the combination seats is tightly woven, with good ability to repel pet hair.
It is a top-rated vehicle in our ranking of compact cars and is the winner of our 2018 Best Compact Car for the Money award. It scores a perfect five out of five for its stellar predicted reliability and has one of the longest warranties offered by any automaker.
2) 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
$39,995 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
Minivans make great dog cars. They have wide sliding side doors, large rear hatches, and low floors that are an easy jump for most dogs. They also have more cargo space than even the largest SUVs, so you can install multiple crates and still have room for passengers.
The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is the best of the bunch, as its floor is almost completely flat. The anchors for its seats make excellent tie downs for crates and there is LATCH hardware at several seating positions to attach harnesses to.
You can travel up to 33 miles on electricity alone with the plug-in Pacifica Hybrid before the gasoline engine is required. When the battery charge is depleted, the Pacific Hybrid still gets an EPA-estimated 32 mpg combined, which is great for a minivan.
In our ranking of minivans, the Pacifica Hybrid holds a spot near the top. Depending on your tax situation, you may qualify for a federal EV tax credit when you purchase the plug-in hybrid minivan.
If you don’t want to make the investment in the Pacifica Hybrid, you should consider the non-hybrid Pacifica, which starts at $26,995. It’s available with fold-flat second- and third-row seats, which offer maximum flexibility for dogs and cargo.
3) 2018 Subaru Outback
$25,895 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
Perhaps no car says “dog car” like a 2018 Subaru Outback. (Subaru advertisements even feature dogs driving.) It has a spacious cabin and plenty of cargo room for your dog and all its luggage. Every Outback comes standard with all-wheel drive, so the entire family can get off the grid for weekend adventures.
The Outback’s low ride height makes it easy for everyone, including the dog, to get into and out of. Cloth seats come standard on the lowest trims, with leather included on top trims.
EyeSight, Subaru’s comprehensive suite of advanced safety and driver assistance features is available on the Outback. It features a reverse automatic braking system that is still uncommon in the marketplace. It can automatically stop the car if your dog runs behind you when you’re in reverse. It won a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which is the highest rating the organization awards.
In our ranking of wagons, the Outback holds a spot in the middle of the pack.
4) 2018 Honda CR-V
$24,250 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
Whether buying for people or pets, the 2018 Honda CR-V is a tough compact SUV to beat. Not only does it hold a top spot in our ranking of compact SUVs, but it also won both our 2018 Best Compact SUV for the Money and Best Compact SUV for Families awards.
Dogs will love the CR-V’s cavernous cargo area and low floor. Humans will love its roomy, high-quality cabin and comfortable seats. The heart of the lineup is the CR-V EX, which at $27,050 includes a moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 7-inch infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also features an active safety and driver assistance package that includes automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control.
Upgrade to the $29,550 CR-V EX-L, and you'll gain pet-friendly features like leather seating surfaces and a power liftgate.
Both pets and their people will appreciate the CR-V’s composed and stable ride.
5) 2018 Volkswagen Atlas
$30,750 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
The Volkswagen Atlas is an all-new model for 2018, giving dog owners a vehicle option with a spacious cargo area and three comfortable rows of seating. The third row features a 50/50 split so you can install a dog crate while retaining one of the rear seats for a passenger.
Midrange-and-above trims of the Atlas are available with tri-zone automatic temperature control, so passengers and pets in the second and third rows can get plenty of heating, cooling, and air flow, even if front-row passengers don’t desire it.
The midrange Atlas SE and SEL trims come with synthetic leather upholstery, which is great for pet parents. It’s durable and more easily cleaned than cloth seats.
In our ranking of midsize SUVs, the 2018 Volkswagen Atlas holds a spot about a third of the way down the list.
6) 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS
$69,550 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
You can pamper your pooch with the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS. It comes standard with easy-to-clean synthetic leather upholstery, plenty of cargo and passenger space, and air suspension that lowers the SUV to make ingress easier for both pets and people. All-wheel drive comes standard on all GLS models.
A potent 3.0-liter 362-horsepower V6 comes standard, but if you want to make sure Fido is never late to the dog park again, you can opt for one of the two V8 models available, including the 577-horsepower AMG GLS63.
While the base GLS doesn't come standard with a long list of equipment, Mercedes offers dozens of packages and options, so you can make the GLS fit your specific desires. It holds a spot near the top of our ranking of luxury large SUVs.
7) 2018 Land Rover Discovery
$52,090 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
A problem with many SUVs is that the rear bumper gets scratched from dogs jumping into and out of the back. The 2018 Land Rover Discovery features a flap that covers the top of the bumper, protecting it from damage. Air suspension is also available on the Discovery, allowing you to lower the rear of the vehicle for your pooch.
The Discovery’s rear seats fold nearly flat, and the cargo area has near-vertical sides, making it easy to fit dog crates inside. The square interior makes installing a pet barrier behind the second row a breeze.
Land Rover recently announced optional Pet Packs that include accessories like a quilted load space liner, a foldable pet carrier, an access ramp, and even a portable hose.
Also available on the Discovery is Land Rover’s Activity Key. Instead of carrying your key fob while you’re out hiking with the dog, you can wear the Activity Key wristband, which will unlock the door when you return to the vehicle.
The Discovery earns a midpack position in our ranking of luxury midsize SUVs.
8) 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
$21,685 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen is an affordable ride for Rover, with an excellent predicted reliability rating, a warranty that will cover you for the long haul, and a cargo capacity that’s better than many class rivals. It holds a top spot in our ranking of wagons.
A pair of shallow bins flank the rear cargo area, providing a great place to store leashes, tennis balls, and other things you don’t want sliding around in the back of the car.
It offers a low ride height that’s easy for all but the smallest dog breeds to jump into. Front-wheel drive comes standard, while all-wheel drive is available. Golf Alltrack models add some SUV-style design elements and a higher ride height to all-wheel-drive SportWagens.
Though your puppy might not appreciate it, every SportWagen comes standard with an infotainment system that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
9) 2019 Ram 1500
$31,695 | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10
The fully redesigned 2019 Ram 1500 just may be the perfect pickup for traveling with a dog. The new crew cab is four inches longer than the last generation’s, making its back seat space cavernous enough to fit large dog crates. (It’s not a good idea to carry your dog in the bed of a pickup.)
When the rear seat is folded up, the floor is completely flat, with enough room for a comfy dog bed to fit behind the front seats. If you prefer to use a harness, there are two complete sets of LATCH hardware built into the rear seats.
Upper trims feature air suspension, which can lower the cab height for easy entry, as well as factory-installed running boards. Just inside each rear door is a RamBin storage container built into the floor, which is perfect for holding leashes, treats, and collars.
Depending on the model you choose, you’ll get up to two 110-volt AC outlets, which can be used to power fans to keep your puppy cool.
10) 2018 Jeep Wrangler
$27,495 | U.S. News Score: 7.5/10
What could be more all-American than heading down the trail in a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL with the family dog along for the ride? Jeep redesigned the Wrangler for 2018 with a clear mission to improve the SUV’s on-road driving dynamics without hurting its epic off-road prowess, and they have largely succeeded.
The four-wheel-drive Wrangler is available in two- and four-door body styles, which are almost limitlessly customizable with different roof, door, and equipment options. If you can’t find the perfect Wrangler from the factory, the legendary off-roader has a massive array of available aftermarket equipment.
You won’t have to worry when your muddy dog hops into the Wrangler. Its washable interior is designed for dirt, with built-in floor drains and removable carpet. The Wrangler holds a spot about three-quarters of the way down our ranking of compact SUVs.
11) 2018 Toyota 4Runner
$34,810 | U.S. News Score: 7.5/10
Let’s face it: Dogs sometimes smell. Fortunately, the 2018 Toyota 4Runner has a feature to deal with the problem: a power-operated window in its rear liftgate that can be cracked to release Fido’s offending odor as you drive. Seriously, dog owners know the importance of that feature.
Of course, the 4Runner also has excellent off-road capabilities and solid predicted reliability. Its utilitarian design and its age, however, have pushed it to toward the bottom of our ranking of midsize SUVs.
The 4Runner’s interior is lined with durable materials that are designed to withstand years of abuse. There’s ample cargo room for crates, though you might want to get a dog ramp if you don’t want to have to pick your dog up to help it get into the SUV’s high cargo compartment.
12) 2019 Subaru Ascent
$31,995 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
There’s no doubt that dog lovers buy Subarus. One of the reasons for the loyalty is Subaru’s support of animal charities. Through Subaru’s annual Share the Love event, the company has supported the rescue of nearly 50,000 dogs by the ASPCA.
When Subaru introduced their newest, and largest, SUV at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, it was appropriately “driven” on stage by a family of Labrador retrievers.
The 2019 Subaru Ascent seats up to eight in three rows, with more room behind the third-row seat than many class rivals. All-wheel drive comes standard on every trim level, as does Subaru’s EyeSight suite of advanced safety technology. It includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist.
13) Used Honda Element
$10,767-$13,216 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10 (2011 model)
When Honda stopped building the Element compact SUV after the 2011 model year, dog owners lamented its loss. The Element was one of the best dog-friendly cars ever built. During one model year, they even had a special dog edition, with a built-in crate, extra fans, and a ramp.
What made the Element so perfect was a low floor, wide-opening doors, a low price, and a lack of carpet. When the compact SUV needed cleaning, you could blow the dog hair out with a leaf blower. Its cavernous cargo area could swallow multiple dog crates. It was easy to drive and small enough to fit in nearly any parking spot.
You can find used Honda Elements, though you shouldn't expect a bargain price. High demand and a relative scarcity of high-quality used models mean that used Element pricing is outpacing that of other SUVs of the era.
Honda built the Element from 2002 until 2011.
More Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Before you embark on a long road trip with your four-legged best friend, be sure to read our advice on traveling with your dog.
If you and your dog didn’t find a vehicle that fits your needs on the previous pages, explore our new car rankings and reviews to see hundreds of other options. For buyers on a stricter budget, our used car rankings and reviews will help you find affordable pre-owned options.
Before you head to the dealer, learn more about how to buy a car and how to finance your purchase on our consumer advice pages. Each month, the experts of U.S. News Best Cars scour the market to find the best deals available from automakers. You can find great financing offers and cash back incentives on our new car deals page. If you’re looking to lease, our lease deals page shows hundreds of the best special lease offers available each month.
Whether you choose to lease or buy, the U.S. News Best Price Program can save you thousands. We work with local dealers who provide guaranteed savings to consumers. Buyers save an average of $3,106 off MSRP when they used the program.
13 Best Cars for Dogs
- 2018 Kia Soul - $16,200 | U.S. News Score: 9.1/10
- 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid - $39,995 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
- 2018 Subaru Outback - $25,895 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
- 2018 Honda CR-V - $24,250 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
- 2018 Volkswagen Atlas - $30,750 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
- 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLS - $69,550 | U.S. News Score: 8.9/10
- 2018 Land Rover Discovery - $52,090 | U.S. News Score: 8.3/10
- 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen - $21,685 | U.S. News Score: 8.8/10
- 2019 Ram 1500 - $31,695 | U.S. News Score: 9.0/10
- 2018 Jeep Wrangler - $27,495 | U.S. News Score: 7.5/10
- 2018 Toyota 4Runner - $34,810 | U.S. News Score: 7.5/10
- 2019 Subaru Ascent - $31,995 | U.S. News Score: 8.4/10
- Used Honda Element - $10,767-$13,216 | U.S. News Score: 8.1/10 (2011 model)
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Finding the Right Ride for Rover
When you’re shopping for a new car, it’s easy to overlook your pet’s needs. Long-time dog owners will tell you, however, that a happy dog makes for a happy owner. You’ll want to get a vehicle that makes your dog comfortable and safe, while being easy to keep clean.
There are a lot of factors to think about when it comes to finding a dog-friendly ride. It needs to fit your needs and budget, plus be large enough for the adventures of both two- and four-legged family members. That’s pretty easy if you have a Chihuahua, but more difficult if Fido’s a Great Dane.
“The larger the dog you have, the bigger the car you need,” says David Lytle, a spokesperson for the Oregon Humane Society. “You want to be able to get them into and out of the car easily.”
Before we get to the 13 best cars for your dog, we’ll take the next couple of pages to talk about things that you should look for in the perfect dog-mobile. Then we’ll move on to the list.