Dog ownership has rocketed in recent years, with more and more people choosing to bring along a four-legged friend for the ride. However, dogs of all shapes and sizes are accompanied by different requirements - particularly when it comes to taking them in the car.
So if you’ve got a dog - or maybe more than one - which car should you be looking at to take them in? We’ve picked out some of the best around today.
Audi A6 Avant
The humble estate car has often been seen as the go-to option for dog owners, but there’s good reason for that - they’ve got large boots, low load lips (which make it easier for dogs to get in and out) and often have a comfortable ride quality.
One of the best about is the Audi A6 Avant. It’s got a huge boot, so there’s plenty of space for four-legged friends to get comfy in the back, while the low boot height means it’s easy for dogs to clamber in.
Honda Jazz
It doesn’t have to be estate cars and SUVs that fit the bill with dog-carrying duties - smaller cars can get the job done too. One of the most practical smaller cars on the market is, without a doubt, the Honda Jazz as it packs a whole lot of space into a small package.
Of course, it’s not going to be big enough for a Great Dane, but smaller and medium-sized dogs will be able to get comfy in the Jazz.
Jaguar F-Pace
Jaguar’s largest SUV - the F-Pace - is spot-on if you’re looking to transport dogs. It is higher up, mind you, so if your dog is older or has a bit of a struggle getting up higher then it might not be the best option, but for younger dogs it’s ideal. The boot is large, plus the floor itself is reversible - you’ve got regular carpet on one side, and hard-wearing plastic on the other.
That means you can flip it over when the dogs are in the back, leaving you an easy-to-clean surface that won’t get damaged or mucky.
Volkswagen Caddy
Volkswagen’s Caddy feels like a car made specifically for dog owners. After all, its van-based underpinnings mean it’s got acres of space, but its lower ride height means it’s easy for dogs to jump in and out.
Though the large tailgate means you’ll need to think about where you park - and not position the car too close to a wall - this also means that the boot opening is nice and large.
Seat Leon Estate
Again, we come back to the estate car. The Seat Leon Estate may not be quite as spacious as the A6 Avant, but it provides more than enough room for most. It’s also available with a series of quiet and refined engines, ensuring your dogs can travel in quiet comfort.
There’s not too much of a boot lip to contend with, either, while the Leon’s relatively low ride height means it’s a good option for older dogs too.
Cupra Formentor
The Formentor might not be a car to transport really large dogs in, but for small and medium-sized hounds it’ll more than fit the bill. The boot it has to offer is square and easy to access, while 450 litres of space means that there’s plenty of room on offer. Just remember that four-wheel-drive and plug-in hybrid versions do suffer a space penalty.
Plus, well-sorted suspension means that the Formentor can provide a nice, comfortable ride for your four-legged friends.
