Which Dog Friendly Car Suits You Best?
Whether it’s a quick trip to the park, or a full-blown road-trip with your fury friend, choosing the correct vehicle for you and your dog is vital - both dog and owner need to be comfortable. In 2025, car manufacturers are more tuned into pet owners than ever, offering dog-friendly features that make travel safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable for both of you. Here's our round-up of the best cars for dogs in 2025 - based on space, safety, ease of access, and thoughtful features for your four-legged friend.
Skoda Octavia Estate – 640 L Boot, Low Loading Lip & Pet-Friendly Extras
The Octavia Estate is a long-standing favourite amongst various dog owners, and for good reason. With its 640-litre boot, low loading lip, optional dog guard and boot liner, it’s ready and raring for muddy paws and wagging tails. The spacious rear makes it ideal for large breeds or multiple dogs, while the solid ride and economical engines keep humans happy too.
With producing the Octavia Estate, Skoda have ensured passenger comfort is at the forefront, that goes for dogs too. It boasts incredible space and is easy to get in and out of - which for your dog, is a perfect attribute. There’s plenty of space to accommodate your dog and as a nice addition, as well as the large boot-space, the infotainment system is ideal in terms of its sound system, making it no too loud which could make your dog restless.
Dog-friendly features:
- Flat, low boot floor
- Dog guard and protective liners available
- Rear air vents for comfort
Volkswagen Tayron – Flat Boot Floor & Rear Climate for Canine Comfort
While Volkswagen are a popular, world renowned car manufacturer, the Tayron is a fairly new addition to its lineup of SUVs. Volkswagen have a strong lineup of big and powerful cars, and joining the T-Roc, Tiguan and Touareg, the Tayron is one that can be named as a great car for dogs. Due to its large luggage space, and an optional row of seats, the vehicle is ideal not only for families but also for drivers that are dog owners and enjoy adventures with hobbies that include their fury friend.
Another attribute the VW Tayron possesses which makes it a fantastic car for dogs is its practical layout. A lot of thought has gone into the boot space, with a large, flat boot floor that makes it perfect for a dog to lie down comfortably and move around without stepping on uneven surfaces. This models rear climate control is crucial, allowing the dog to be at a cool temperature at all times during the journey, this is enabled when the air vents are lowered - especially important during the hot months.
Dog-friendly features:
- Boot dividers
- Dog guards
- Protective seat covers
- Boot mats
These help tailor the Tayron into the ideal transport vehicle for your canine companion.
SEAT Leon Estate – Budget-Friendly, Flat Load Space Ideal for Dogs
An excellent choice for dog owners. Perfectly balancing practicality, comfort and affordability - all important when travelling with your fury friend. Similarly to the Volkswagen Tayron, thanks to its spacious and flat boot area, the Leon Estate offers great flexibility for your dog in what can sometimes be a restless time when travelling on long journeys. The flat boot space allows for no gaps or bumps, so when your dog is lying down, there should be no interruptions - not only that, but it allows for a safe ride for your pet, too.
The SEAT Leon Estate has versatile rear seats, practical interior materials, good climate control, all of which make for a smooth and easy ride for any dog.
Dog-friendly features:
- Foldable rear seats
- Durable, easy to clean materials
- Low loading height
- Spacious, flat boot area
Honda Jazz – Small Car, Big Boot & Flexible Magic Seats for Pets
The Honda Jazz may not look like the obvious choice for dog owners, especially when compared to bigger SUV models, however the Jazz is one of the best small cars for dogs, more so in the UK. Being small and practical, this popular Honda model surprises many with how spacious it is. First of all, the boot space, a running theme with cars that are good for dogs - having a large boot is paramount! The boot, though, is deep and wide, meaning with a low loading lip, this car is ideal for small to medium dogs. A fun but important function to the Jazz is its ‘Magic Seats,’ rear seats that flip up or fold flat, this lets your configure the back seat for your dog.
Dog-friendly features:
- Low loading height
- Flat interior floor
- Surprisingly spacious boot
- Quiet, smooth ride
Land Rover Discovery – Rugged SUV with Flat, Water-Resistant Dog Area
The Land Rover Discovery is fantastic for dog owners because it combines rugged capability with spacious, practical interiors designed to keep your furry friend comfortable and safe. Offering a large, flat, and low-placed boot area with plenty of room for dogs to stretch out or for multiple crates. The rear seats fold flat, allowing you to customize the space for your dog’s needs.
Designed for adventure, the boot features tough, water-resistant materials and optional rubber boot liners, perfect for handling muddy paws, wet fur, and outdoor gear without worrying about damage. Despite its SUV size, the Discovery has a relatively low boot lip and a wide tailgate opening, making it easier for dogs to hop in and out, especially for older or less agile pets.
Dog-friendly features:
- Low Boot Loading Lip
- Rear Climate Control and Air Vents
- Optional Dog Safety Accessories
Audi Q7 – Premium SUV with Spacious Boot & Dog Safety Features
Often overlooked by the Audi Q8 (Audi’s flagship model), the Q7 is still the largest SUV the German manufacturer offers and is an easy choice for dog owners due to its generous boot space and comfortable interior, your dog will feel comfort at all times, whether you are planning a long journey, or just doing the school run.
There’s less stress for four-legged friend with the calming ride Audi’s Q7 offers, and combines safety, comfort and plenty of accessibility. A clever addition to this model is the boot liners and available dog guards, always an essential when it comes to taking the dog on a drive. While drivers often use their boots for putting heavier items in, there is space for your dog’s bed, and if you have multiple dogs, those too. Not a direct feature of the car, but something crucial to your dog’s comfort is the fact the Q7 displays low road noise when driving, enabling your
Dog-friendly features:
- Wide boot opening
- Climate comfort
- Built-in Safety tech
- Low loading height with air suspension
- Optional privacy glass helps shield dog from bright sunlight
Choosing Your Perfect Dog-Friendly Car: What Really Matters?
The biggest thing to consider here is the size, and also age of your dog - those two things will determine the decision you make on which car to get as a dog owner in 2025. Knowing your dog’s travel habits is an important factor, too.
Big breeds? Go for a sizeable SUV. Smaller dog? Choose a city car with spacious boot space. Either will do perfectly for use with your furry friend. No matter the choice, a dog-friendly car isn’t just a luxury, it’s part of keeping your dog safe, happy and comfortable at all times on every journey.
