Transportation

These Are The Best Cars And Crossovers For Dog Owners


Apparently we’re not out of the dog days of August just yet. Celebrating National Dog Day, the editors at the online vehicle marketplace Autotrader have compiled a list of the most dog-friendly vehicles in a variety of sizes and body styles, which we’re featuring below. Each contains critical design elements that can make traveling with pets in tow – whether just a quick trip to the vet or for an extended excursion – safer and more comfortable for both human and canine riders.

Key features Autiotrader suggests dog owners look for when shopping for a new or car include:

• Leather seats. They tend to be more durable and easier to clean than cloth upholstery, though leather can be slippery, allowing a dog to slide around through sharp turns. On the other hand, cloth tends to afford more grip and is also cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

• Tinted windows. These help keep the cabin cooler in hot weather and minimizes the penetration of ultraviolet rays. Tinted rear windows usually come standard with sport-utility vehicles, but they’re not as frequently available with cars and wagons.

• Rear air vents. They’re key to keeping fresh cool or warm air circulating throughout the vehicle.

• Level cargo floor. This helps to accommodate a dog crate.

• Rear hatchback with a low loading height. A vehicle that sits lower to the ground is easier for a dog, especially an older or smaller one, to climb into.

• Cargo area tie-downs. These are handy to secure dog crates, harnesses, and wire or mesh barriers.

At that, here’s two cautions on the topic of driving with a dog that may seem obvious, but are often overlooked:

First, never leave a dog sitting inside a parked car during the summer. According to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, on a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 100 degrees in only a few minutes. On a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes.

Second, be sure to have a dog properly harnessed or in a carrier when riding in a vehicle for both the animal’s safety and your own. Aside from the obvious danger to all parties involved should the car get into a wreck and send the animal flying forward, a recent study conducted by Volvo and Harris Poll found that a motorist can become more than twice as distracted and for longer periods while driving with an unrestrained dog in the cabin.

Here’s a look at Autotrader’s best cars from the 2019 model year for dog owners, listed in alphabetical order:

BMW X2

Fun to drive and one of the most affordable models in BMW’s lineup, the subcompact X2 crossover SUV features faux-leather upholstery, a reasonably spacious cargo hold with fold-flat seats, and a large hatchback at the rear. It’s also not as tall off the ground as some larger crossovers, and looks snappy with its coupe-like roofline.

Buick Regal TourX

The midsize Buick Regal TourX station wagon is an excellent alternative to a larger sport-utility vehicle, and we’ve seen it being offered with hefty cash rebates. In addition to having a large cargo area and rear hatch to better accommodate a crate, it sits lower to the ground than a big SUV to make it easier for dogs to climb in. Upper trim levels offer leather seats and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat.

Chrysler Pacifica

Arguably one of the best vehicles of any kind for families with or without dogs, the Chrysler Pacifica minivan comes with second- and third-row seats that can fold flat into the floor for ultimate passenger and cargo flexibility. A low loading floor and sliding side doors make it easy for even a small dog to enter and exit the vehicle. A fuel-frugal plug-in hybrid model sits atop the Pacifica line and is eligible for a one-time $7,500 federal tax credit.

Honda Fit

For such a small car, the subcompact Fit hatchback has a surprisingly roomy interior, thanks in large part to its tall roofline. Its dog-friendly attributes include a wide hatch and an especially large and flat cargo hold when the rear seatbacks are folded.

Jeep Wrangler

Adventurous dog owners have long made the rugged Jeep Wrangler their rides of choice. The four-door Unlimited models are especially useful for their larger cargo areas. The roof and doors are removable for the ultimate open-air effect, though Autotrader cautions you’ll want to have the dog restrained in a proper harness if you’ll be transporting him or her al fresco. And you may want to invest in a ramp if your dog has trouble climbing into the rather tall tailgate.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The plug-in hybrid edition of the compact Mitsubishi Outlander crossover SUV can travel for the first 22 miles solely on electricity with a fully charged battery. It lacks the standard version’s third-row seat, but that affords a generous cargo area that’s well suited to carry a large dog kennel. It’s an even bigger space with the second-row seatbacks folded flat. Leather seats are standard. The Outlander PHEV is pricey, but is eligible for a $5,836 one-time federal tax credit.

Subaru Crosstrek

The compact Subaru Crosstrek crossover SUV features a large cargo area and can be fitted with a number of pet-oriented accessories from the automaker. It sits higher off the ground than the Impreza hatchback upon which it’s based, so you may have to purchase a ramp if your dog needs assistance climbing into the vehicle. All-wheel drive and a suite of driver-assist safety features come standard.



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