The Best Cars for Canine Companions: 6 Picks for Adventurous Drivers With Dogs (2024)

To many of us who love the outdoors, dogs are synonymous with the adventurous lifestyle. They’re loyal, enthusiastic traveling and hiking companions, faithful protectors when the going gets tough, and a constant connection to the natural world that we love.

The comfort and convenience of our canine companions should certainly be considered when choosing a new vehicle. Of course, we all crave something well-equipped, good to look at, and preferably with at least some off-road ability. But there are swanky new vehicles that boast all this and are still dog-friendly to boot.

By dog-friendly, we mean rides that check certain base boxes for canine comfort and cleanup. These include spaciousness, easy-wipe upholstery, rear air vents, and tint. But many contemporary cars also offer dog-desirable extras like luggage partitions, intercoms to soothe rear-riding dogs while driving, and even pet-sized portable showers.

Here are six canine cruisers that will keep both people and pooches happy on the trail.

The Best Cars for Canine Companions

2022 Subaru Outback

The Best Cars for Canine Companions: 6 Picks for Adventurous Drivers With Dogs (1)

It’s no surprise that a Subaru tops this list. The Japanese automaker is famed for its commitment to animals, to the point of being the ASPCA’s largest corporate donor and even hosting an annual Subaru Loves Pets month. Indeed, alongside the Outback, we could’ve equally included Subie’s Forester and Crosstrek models as capable adventure vehicles that also cater to pooches.

Earlier this year, Subaru announced a new line of specially designed pet gear and accessories. These include a console lid protector and padded seat protector, collapsible pet kennel, dog loading ramp, rear bumper protector mat, seat covers, and even license plate frames proclaiming, “Pet Lover.”

If that’s not impressive enough, Subaru is also now offering state-of-the-art Sleepypod products, including a pet carrier/mobile bed, travel bowl, and pet harness.

The Best Cars for Canine Companions: 6 Picks for Adventurous Drivers With Dogs (2)

The Outback scores particularly big with dog lovers thanks in part to its voluminous cargo area, measuring 75.7 cubic feet, which features multiple tiedown hooks to make securing Fido’s crate a breeze.

While a ride height of 8.7 inches (9.5 inches in the Wilderness Edition) might challenge older or smaller dogs, the cavernous rear hatch makes the jump easier — or just opt for the available trunk ramp with its cute bone motifs.

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2022 Kia Telluride

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Kia’s 3-row Telluride SUV offers much of the convenience and flexibility of a minivan, without the latter’s mumsy aura, and all for under $33,000. Its 87 cubic feet of cargo space is ample for even large and lively mutts.

Standard synthetic leather upholstery, called SynTex, makes it easy to wipe off paw prints and treat crumbs, while still looking chic. Rear privacy glass and ceiling-mounted air vents for the second and third rows will keep your four-legged pal nice and cool.

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The Telluride’s infotainment system includes a feature called Driver Talk, which allows the driver to communicate with rear passengers, dogs included, without the need to shout. This could prove invaluable when a pet needs reassuring or comforting, such as after a vet visit, but you’re driving alone.

Telluride’s standard Smart Key, which allows entry without having to operate or even hold the fob, is ultra-handy when wrestling a boisterous hound aboard.

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2022 Volvo V60 Cross Country

The Best Cars for Canine Companions: 6 Picks for Adventurous Drivers With Dogs (5)

Volvo is discontinuing most versions of its handsome V60 luxury wagon but has retained the very capable Cross Country, with standard all-wheel drive and higher ground clearance. The V60 Cross Country is also a great ride for dogs while forgoing the additional bulk of an SUV.

Its 50.9 cubic feet of cargo space is ample for most pets, while the famously smooth ride and hushed cabin should calm even the most nervous of furry friends.

Volvo also offers an unusually comprehensive range of pet-friendly accessories. These include a user-friendly dog harness, available in a range of sizes. An easy-to-install protective grille safely divides the cargo area from the passenger compartment, while a dog gate can split the cargo area into different compartments and prevent a pet from leaping out of the car as the tailgate opens.

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Volvo displays its attention to dogs by supporting The Petfinder Foundation, an adoption organization that supports animal shelters and rescue groups, and by offering pet insurance through Liberty Mutual.

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2021 Jeep Wrangler

The Best Cars for Canine Companions: 6 Picks for Adventurous Drivers With Dogs (7)

The legendary Jeep Wrangler needs no introduction to adventure lovers, and its many 4-door incarnations are also pretty dog-friendly. The Wrangler’s durable and water-resistant interior surfaces may be intended for topless mudding and water fording, but they are also resistant to canine claws and make post-dog cleanup quick and easy.

Doggy accessories for the Wrangler include the Mopar Floor Cargo Trail Rail, offering more tiedown points for a pet crate; a collapsible Jeep-branded pet kennel; and a rear seat dog partition.

But perhaps the biggest bonus of the Wrangler (for more confident dogs, at least) is its removable top, doors, and windshield. If you’ve ever delighted at those hounds who love to hang their heads out of car windows, the Wrangler offers them all of that fun, times 10 (safely harnessed, of course).

The airiness of the Wrangler also reduces any sense of canine claustrophobia while, with the doors off, making four-legged entry and egress considerably easier.

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2022 Honda CR-V

The Best Cars for Canine Companions: 6 Picks for Adventurous Drivers With Dogs (8)

Honda’s CR-V may appear more soccer mom than wilderman but, with optional all-wheel drive, it offers an affordable and fuel-efficient, dog-friendly ride that can at least tackle dirt-road trailheads and muddy campsites. Starting below $27K and with hybrid versions (which are all AWD) rated at 40 mpg city, the CR-V is the best budget buy for dog lovers.

While the CR-V is categorized as a compact crossover SUV, its incongruous 75 cubic feet of cargo space, plus rear air vents, will mean that your pet can always be comfortable. The wipe-down leather upholstery (in most trim levels), low loading floor, and an unusually flat cargo area for pet crates leave the focus firmly on fun with your dog.

Honda’s range of pet accessories, including seat-back protectors and a plastic cargo liner, only boost the CR-V’s low-maintenance hound-iness.

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In Japan, Honda even offers its Honda Dog series of accessories, including paw-print shifter knobs and center caps, and a waterproof pet seat with an integrated window.

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2021 Land Rover Discovery

The Best Cars for Canine Companions: 6 Picks for Adventurous Drivers With Dogs (10)

While Land Rover has increasingly marketed the urban appeal of its luxury SUVs, its roots are firmly in off-road and rural markets. The original, all-wheel-drive Series 1 Land Rover, introduced in 1948, was intended for agricultural use, dogs and all.

And the Range Rover, which ushered in the mainstream 4×4 craze in the early 1970s, was firmly associated with Britain’s “riding-shooting-fishing” set, to whom hounds are an integral part of an at least semi-rural lifestyle.

Today, the Discovery is at the (relatively) affordable end of Land Rover’s lineup of pooch-pampering models. Starting at $56,600, it’s far from cheap, but it endears itself to dog lovers with available accessories including a folding pet access ramp, full-height luggage partition, spill-resistant water bowl, and a quilted, washable cargo liner that extends over the rear bumper to avoid claw scratches.

But most unusual is the Land Rover Portable Rinse System: a simple, hand-pumped mini-shower that delivers up to 2 minutes of continuous flow — enough for even the largest and dirtiest of dogs!

Check Price at Land Rover

Conclusion

Choosing a pooch-appropriate adventure ride comes down to checking off some base requirements, and then tailoring options and accessories to your specific dog’s size, energy level, and temperament. But there really is a vehicle out there to suit any and all dogs, while still being ready for the mountains, desert, or beach.

The Best Cars for Canine Companions: 6 Picks for Adventurous Drivers With Dogs (2024)

FAQs

What's the best vehicle to travel with dogs? ›

Best Vehicles for Dog Owners
  • 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe. Compare Model. Positives. Stylish new exterior. ...
  • 2025 Subaru Forester. Compare Model. Positives. Fresh styling. ...
  • 2025 Mazda CX‑70. Compare Model. Positives. Well-crafted interior. ...
  • 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser. Compare Model. Positives. ...
  • 2024 Honda Prologue. Compare Model. Positives.

What is the best hatchback for a dog owner? ›

Best Hatchbacks for Dogs and Dog Owners

The Skoda Octavia is great value for a family hatch, it also has a generously sized tailgate and a pretty amazing 6 litre load bay. The Volkswagen Golf is smaller (380 litre boot space) but is still big enough for most small or medium dogs.

What is the best jeep for a dog owner? ›

Pick the Jeep Wrangler for Off-Roading With Your Pup

The Wrangler is a top pick for dog owners because it offers more than just a means of transportation—it's an adventure waiting to happen. Its rugged design and spacious cabin make it a comfortable ride for humans and furry companions.

What SUV has dog mode? ›

Tesla, Rivian, Lucid and VinFast are leveraging battery power to keep their vehicles at a comfortable interior temperature while pets wait for their owners.

What is the safest way for a dog to travel in a car? ›

The safest way for a dog to ride in a car is in the back seat or cargo area with a crash-tested harness, carrier, or crate. Plenty of products claim to keep your dog safe in a car, but dog seat belts, tethers, and zip lines aren't the best options because they won't fasten your pet in place.

Which car is best for pet? ›

List of Best Car For Dog Lover
  • Hyundai Exter. ...
  • Maruti Grand Vitara. ...
  • Tata Nexon. ...
  • Hyundai Creta. ...
  • Mahindra Scorpio N. ...
  • Kia Carens. ...
  • Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder. ...
  • Mahindra XUV700. The Mahindra XUV700 showcases a robust and commanding presence with its sleek design and prominent stance.
Apr 28, 2024

What kind of car seats are best for dogs? ›

What Is The Best Dog Car Seat?
CostAward
Marslabo Dog Booster Seat$30Best Hammock-Style Dog Seat
BurgeonNest Dog Car Seat$40Best Reversible Seat
K&H Pet Products Bucket Booster$75Best Standalone Seat
Dotouud Small Dog Booster Seat$60Best Center Console Dog Seat
1 more row
Jan 4, 2024

What's the most reliable hatchback? ›

Most reliable small cars
  • Suzuki Swift (2017-2024) Reliability rating 99.5% ...
  • Toyota Yaris Hybrid (2011-2020) Reliability rating 99.3% ...
  • Honda Jazz (2015-2020) Reliability rating 98.5% ...
  • Kia Picanto (2017-present) Reliability rating 97.5% ...
  • Dacia Sandero (2013-2020) Reliability rating 96.8% ...
  • Mini hatchback (2014-present)
Mar 2, 2024

What makes a good dog car? ›

Not only does the cargo area need to be sized to accommodate a pet's crate (and include tie-down hooks to keep it from sliding around), but it also needs to have a relatively low load floor so that you don't have to lift up and over a high tailgate or hatch lip when transporting a canine companion.

What do dog owners buy the most? ›

40.5% of all pet product spending goes towards pet food and treats (APPA) Any pet owner will confess that feeding and rewarding their companions are the most expensive aspects of pet ownership.

What breed of dog is hardest to own? ›

5 Dog Breeds That Can Be Challenging for New Pet Owners
  • Belgian Malinois. The Belgian Malinois is an intelligent, energetic breed well-suited to military and police work. ...
  • Catahoula Leopard Dog. Bred to hunt boar, Catahoula Leopard Dogs are strong and fearless. ...
  • Siberian Husky. ...
  • Chow Chow. ...
  • Border Collies.

Which Jeep is the best value for money? ›

Here are five 2022 Jeep vehicles that offer the best value.
  • Wrangler Unlimited. The 2022 Jeep Wrangler is for you if you're an adventure lover. ...
  • Grand Cherokee. Suitable for any taste or task, the Grand Cherokee is one of Jeep's most versatile and valuable models. ...
  • Renegade. ...
  • Gladiator. ...
  • Wagoneer.
Nov 18, 2022

What is the best way to travel with a dog? ›

The safest way for your dog to travel in the car is in a crate that has been anchored to the vehicle using a seat belt or other secure means.

Is it better to fly or drive with a dog? ›

Some of the benefits of driving with your pet could include more space, the ability to stop and take walks, a less stressful environment, and keeping your pet with you at all times. Even though the car will have more room than an airplane seat, you should still keep your pets secure in carriers or with a pet seatbelt.

Can dogs travel long distance in car? ›

For short trips or long trips, car safety is just as important for your dog as it is for you. Don't let your dog ride without protection. There are a number of dog seat belts, car seats, and travel crates on the market designed for doggie car rides. Many products have even been crash-tested.

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