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Best cars for dog owners

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Best cars for dog owners 2023

  • What are the best cars for dog owners?
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Looking for a car that'll be great for your canine friend? Then look no further than this list of the best cars for dog owners.

The cars on this list all have the boots of your four-legged friend's dreams. These cars' large boot openings mean they're easy to get into and there's no tall lip for your hound to leap over. Once in, they'll have plenty of space to stretch out. 

We have also chosen a car that will appeal to you, the owner. You'll find everything here from bargain machines that give you lots for your money to go-anywhere SUVs, large and comfortable family cars and posh estates that are great to drive and will cut a dash down the doggy day care car park. Otherwise read on for our guide to the best cars for dog owners.

If you're ready to buy we've got over 5000 Used Estate Cars for Sale, while if you want more choice, we have over 70,000 Used Cars for Sale. if you're looking to save money, check out our guide to the Best Car Deals.

Best cars for dog owners

BMW 5 Series Touring

Year launched: 2017

BMW 5 Series Touring Review 2023: Driving Front
10/10

Choose a BMW 5 Series Touring as your next car and you and your dog will have hit the jackpot if you're looking for model that blends luxury, practicality, comfort and fun-driving into one awesome package. It certainly looks the part thanks to its smart face and tight shut lines, plus the touring body is a much rarer site than the rep-mobile saloon.

It's also a lot more practical. The boot lid opens electrically and it leaves a huge space for your dog to leap into, with no annoying lips for the animal to catch its paws on. Not only is the boot massive, it is also very practical with hooks for your shopping and a 12V socket for a vacuum that'll making cleaning up after your hound that bit less of a pain. You can also have a split tailgate so smaller items can be dropped in through the open rear window, without giving the dog a chance to make a bid for freedom. Given how plush the 5 Series is inside, however, you'd have to ask why any dog would make a run for it. 

This well-rounded nature also seeps into the driving experience. The 5 Series' 2.0-litre diesel engine has plenty of pace, but costs buttons to run, while further up the range there are plenty of more powerful options. The car's rear-wheel drive chassis means it handles very well – you can also choose from xDrive four-wheel drive – and its suspension strikes an excellent balance between control and comfort. 

Dacia Logan MCV

Year launched: 2013

Dacia Logan MCV Review 2023: front static
5/10

The Dacia Logan MCV estate isn’t the newest, nor the most premium, car in this list by a long shot. In fact, it can’t compete against rivals in various ways (performance, engines, handling etc). However, it excels when it comes to both affordability and economy - making it an excellent choice for dog owners on a tight budget. For those who don’t mind a basic approach to motoring, the Logan MCV will be the perfect car.

The 1.5-litre diesel engine (1.5 dCi 90) will return more than 62mpg. It’s quite spacious for its size, too. That comes at the price of image and performance, but if you're wanting to keep costs down as much as possible, there are few competitors that can compete with its simplistic approach. A 573-litre boot with wipe-clean plastics is ideal for canine companions.

But if you do want some level of comfort, avoid the base Access trim - which lacks air conditioning, electric windows or a DAB radio. If you really want a new car with a three-year warranty, nothing else comes close. Cars that cost similar money are much smaller. Think, Hyundai i10 size. Yet, the cabin is very dated and the lack of safety systems does mean the Dacia Logan MCV gets a disappointing three out of five stars safety rating.

Skoda Superb Estate

Year launched: 2015

Skoda Superb Estate (2015-2023) Review Front Side View
9/10

The Skoda Superb Estate is up there with the best estates. In fact, it’s the best budget estate in our opinion, meaning it’s ideal for drivers who need a vehicle for dogs but don’t want to pay through the nose for a larger car. It’ll carry anything you need it to (within reason), and it’ll do it in a high level of comfort and with low fuel consumption.

A low boot lip means that it’ll be easy for dogs to jump in and out, even as they get older, and once they’re inside they’ll be able to enjoy a huge 660-litres of boot space. You can also spec four-wheel-drive and an electrically operated boot to suit your needs.

When it comes to human passengers, there’s a very decent amount of legroom in the back. The ride quality is fantastic, the suspension dealing effortlessly with poor quality roads - alongside minimal road noise in the cabin. Most Superb Estate owners opt for a diesel, so we’d recommend the 2.0-litre TDI offering 150PS for an economical but punchy driving experience. If you're a low mileage driver, the Superb Estate is available with the excellent 1.4 TSI petrol (later improved to a 1.5 TSI on newer models).

Land Rover Discovery

Year launched: 2017

Land Rover Discovery 2023 Review: exterior front three quarter photo of the Land Rover Discovery off-road
7/10

While it's true there are better luxury SUVs than the Land Rover Discovery when it comes to driving dynamics, few can beat it when it comes to practicality. That's because Land Rover’s seven-seater excels when it comes to space, comfort, off-roading and pure luxury. The British brand’s optional Pet Packs also mean you can pay extra for a full-height metal luggage partition and a rubber boot liner.

Of the three engines to choose, we recommend the entry-level 2.0-litre SD4 diesel. It isn’t quite as powerful as the bigger engines, but it doesn’t feel slower. It’s also more economical and it’s perky enough to keep you rolling along without too much trouble. The S and SE trim grades come with a decent amount of kit, but if you want a car like the Discovery to feel truly special then the HSE trim provides things like upgraded leather upholstery, adaptive cruise control, a hands-free powered tailgate, heated rear seats and a fixed panoramic roof.

With all seven seats up, the 258-litre boot is only big enough for a smaller dog. But we think most people will use the Discovery with the rearmost seats down most of the time. With five seats in place, there’s a whopping 1137 litres available which will keep even the largest dogs happy.

Citroen Berlingo

Year launched: 2018

Citroen Berlingo MPV Review 2023: Driving
8/10

If you want a hugely practical car at a reasonable price, the Citroen Berlingo is where you should put your money. It won’t woo you with sharp handling or stylish looks, but you will get luxurious levels of space without a premium price tag. The Berlingo is closely related to the Peugeot Rifter and Vauxhall Combo Life, too, so if you’re searching for a good MPV (van with windows, basically) - then it pays to look for the best deal on any of the three.

As you’d expect with a van-based car, the boot is a gigantic 775 litres - growing to 1050 litres with just five setas up (in the XL version). The tailgate is enormous, making it very easy for even the biggest dogs to leap in and get comfortable. But the hinged rear screen means you don’t have to open the whole door to give your pet water or the like - which is a big help when you’re backed up close to a wall, another car etc.

The 130PS 1.5 BlueHDi diesel provides plenty of poke and the optional eight-speed automatic gearbox takes the pain out of long journeys and stop-go traffic. Flair trim is worth paying a little bit extra for because it adds reversing sensors that make it easier to get the big Citroen parked and proper electric rear windows.

Ford S-MAX

Year launched: 2015

Ford S-MAX Driving
8/10

The Ford S-MAX isn’t the biggest car around (Bernese owners, look elsewhere), but it's an extremely practical MPV that won’t mean sacrificing driving pleasure for space. Although it can’t quite offer the space and practicality of the larger Galaxy, the S-MAX has more car-like styling and handling. 

It seats seven, although the rearmost seats are only really suitable for kids. In seven-seat mode, the S-MAX offers 285 litres of luggage space, which isn’t a whole lot. With the third row not in use, capacity increases to a cavernous 965 litres, with up to 2020 litres available in two-seat mode. That’s more than enough space for a dog or two, and the 150PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine blends performance, economy and price when the car is full.

We’d also suggest getting the entry-level Zetec trim level, as Ford has loaded it with a generous amount of kit. If you’re buying a used example, higher trim levels make more sense for the respective price.

Estates offer the most amount of space in the back, with a low flat floor for easy access. With that in mind, the Skoda Superb Estate is the best choice. If you're regularly using a kennel to look after your dog, this is especially important.

That would be the Dacia Logan MCV - an estate offering from a fairly niche, but very affordable, French brand.

Other than the Skoda Superb Estate, the Range Rover offers a huge amount of space, a split tailgate and off-roading capabilities. It’s pricey, but it even offers a Pet Pack extra - which includes a spill-resistant water bowl, access ramp, foldable pet carrier, quilted load space liner and portable shower. 

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