The Most Dog-Friendly Cars You Can Buy This Year
August 22, 2023
6 min read
Dogs love car rides—it's a chance to stick their heads out the window and feel the wind in their fur! But not every car is ideal for bringing your four-legged friends along. You want a ride with space for your pup, plus features that make travel easy for both of you.
This year, we've dug deep to sniff out the top cars and trucks for dog owners. From integrations that allow easy cleaning to high safety ratings giving you peace of mind, we've rounded up the best rides for you and your tail-wagger. No bones about it—this list has everything you need to pick the pawfect set of wheels.
SUVs
When it comes to transporting your furry companions, SUVs are a top choice for dog owners. Their spacious cargo areas and higher ride height make fitting crates, bags, and even multiple pets simple. Here are two of our top SUV picks for dog-toting in 2023:
Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 has long been a popular option for dog owners needing an affordable, reliable SUV. The 2023 RAV4 features ample cabin and cargo area room to fit large dogs comfortably. The rear seats fold flat to accommodate bigger crates, and Toyota's indestructible SofTex synthetic leather upholstery is easy to clean. The RAV4 also earned top safety honors from the IIHS, giving dog parents peace of mind.
2023 Ford Explorer
For those needing more space, the 2023 Ford Explorer provides exceptional interior room for both human and canine passengers. The second and third-row seats fold down to create a cargo floor fit for even giant breed dogs. The rear liftgate makes loading/unloading easy on your back.
Ford's Active Drive Assist allows hands-free highway driving functionality, an advantage for solo drivers with pets in the car. While pricey, the Explorer has the features and space for the dog owner with big transportation needs.
Wagons
Today's wagons make excellent pet mobiles for dog owners needing cargo space mixed with car-like fuel efficiency. Wagons blend ample room for your pup with easy drivability. Here are two top-rated wagons for dog duty in 2023:
Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback maintains its status as a premier dog-friendly wagon. Offering up to 75 cubic feet of cargo space when the rear seats are folded, it comfortably accommodates dogs of all sizes. Its broad rear gate ensures hassle-free loading, while the roof rails are primed for attaching cages or storage bins during travel.
Subaru's understanding of pet owners is evident in features such as scratch-resistant upholstery. Additionally, the standard all-wheel drive ensures reliable performance in various weather conditions.
BMW 3-Series Sports Wagon
The BMW 3-Series Sports Wagon impresses with driving dynamics and cargo versatility for a more premium wagon pick. Rear seats fold in a 40/20/40 split, allowing you to use only part of the space for your dog while maintaining some passenger room. A power liftgate makes loading effortless.
BMW offers a range of pet accessories like rear seat covers to protect the leather interior. While not as roomy as SUVs, the 3 Series Sports Wagon balances dog-toting capability with a luxury driving experience.
Sedans
You may not expect to fit a dog in a sedan easily, but some models offer clever designs and convertible cargo space. These sedans let you bring your pup along while still enjoying a car-like ride.
2023 Honda Accord
The 2023 Honda Accord stands out for its spacious trunk and split folding rear seats. With the seats down, the Accord provides ample length for larger dogs to lie down comfortably. The low trunk floor makes lifting heavy pets easy on your back. Rear seat covers are available to protect the cloth upholstery from muddy paws and dog hair. For solo drivers, Honda's driver assist technology reduces the stress of driving with an animal onboard.
Tesla Model 3
Surprisingly, the Tesla Model 3 can also work for pet owners needing an efficient, tech-savvy sedan. The 3's minimalist interior is easy to clean, and the large center touchscreen lets you monitor your pet in the backseat using Tesla's handy pet mode.
This mode maintains a comfortable cabin temperature and displays the in-car camera on the screen so you can check on your dog while away. While cargo space is smaller than an SUV, the deep trunk still fits crates, and the fold-flat rear seats allow for carrying bigger dogs. With ample range and Tesla's vast Supercharger network, the Model 3 has the road trip capabilities to take your pup on adventures.
Trucks
While not the most spacious options for pets, we'd be remiss not to mention trucks as honorable contenders for dog owners. Trucks offer the advantage of an open bed that can be used to transport big crates, toys, and active pups. Their towing power also enables pulling trailers with ATVs, horses, boats, or other gear to take your furry co-pilot on outdoor adventures.
2023 Ford F-150
The 2023 Ford F-150 stands out with its expansive bed and an available integrated kennel. The sturdy, weatherproof kennel installs easily into the truck bed, providing a secure ride for medium and large dogs.
RAM 1500
Meanwhile, the RAM 1500 earns points for its optional rear seat monitoring camera. This lets you keep an eye on any dogs (or other cargo) in the bed while driving.
Key Buying Considerations for Dog Owners
When picking out the perfect set of wheels for you and your furry friend, there are four key factors dog owners should keep top of mind:
1. Ample Interior Cabin and Cargo Space
You'll want plenty of rear leg room, cargo area length, height to fit large crates, and fold-flat seats to maximize capacity. Measure your existing crate dimensions to ensure a proper fit.
2. Easy-To-Clean Interiors
Choose interiors that are easy to clean after inevitable messes from your pup. Look for water-resistant upholstery like leather or synthetic leather that can be wiped down and removable floor liners and seat covers. Smooth, non-porous surfaces are best for minimizing trapped dirt and hair. Cargo areas with plastic linings also make clean-up a breeze.
5. Top Safety and Ratings
Thirdly, don't compromise on safety features and ratings. Research crash test results, opting for vehicles with high marks from both IIHS and NHTSA. Also, look for collision avoidance technology like automatic emergency braking. Convenient driver aids like surround-view cameras help you monitor your pet while driving.
6. Excellent Fuel Efficiency
Vehicles with 4-cylinder engines get better combined mileage than 6-cylinders. Hybrid options further maximize efficiency, especially in the city. Aim for a range of 350+ miles to comfortably road trip with your dog along for the ride.
Man’s Best Friend Deserves the Best Ride
After reviewing some of the top dog-friendly vehicles this year across SUVs, wagons, sedans, and trucks, there are clearly lots of great options that make driving with your furry companion a breeze. While your specific needs will vary depending on your dog and lifestyle, keeping key buying considerations in mind will help you pick out the perfect set of wheels.
Focus on interior room, easy cleaning, safety ratings, and fuel efficiency to find a dog-ready vehicle you'll both love. The time has come to upgrade your old car for a new set of dog-friendly wheels in 2023. So leash up your pup and prepare for the pawfect ride this year!
