We’re a little dog crazy here at Autotrader. And why wouldn’t we be? Dogs make great companions at home, in the office, and on the road. We’re always looking for excuses to bring our dogs along for the ride, allowing us to involve them in testing.
We’re not alone. According to research by Cox Automotive (Autotrader’s parent company), 62% of dog owners take their dog in the car at least once weekly, and 77% consider their dog when deciding which vehicle to buy. Overwhelmingly, 92% feel their dogs are family or their best friends.
Which brings up the question: Which cars are best for dog lovers?
Key features in the best new cars for dog lovers
- Durable seats — Vinyl, leather, and faux leather are the preferred seating materials for dog lovers, thanks to their durability and easy cleaning.
- Low cargo floor – A tall cargo floor can intimidate even a big dog. A low floor makes a vehicle accessible to small dogs and those with mobility issues.
- Rugged interior – Even the best-behaved dogs can accidentally cause damage to delicate surfaces. A rough-and-ready interior can better stand up to dog nails (and slobber).
- Accessories – Several manufacturers include dog accessories, like pet screens, in their catalogs. The aftermarket also supplies great harnesses, kennels, and other pet travel essentials. Some are universal; some are model specific.
- Cargo tie-downs — Automotive pet accessories are much more secure when using cargo tie-down hooks.
In alphabetical order, here are 10 vehicles dogs and their owners will love.
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2023 Audi Q3
Not only do you deserve a little luxury in your life, but so does your dog. The 2023 Audi Q3 has a simple yet elegant interior, with smooth leather seats and a 60/40-split second row that reclines. A small dog will be comfortable in the 23.7 cubic-foot luggage space behind the seats or harnessed to sit in the second row. A larger dog will appreciate the 37.6 inches of headroom in the second row, which translates to ample headroom with the second row folded flat.
You’ll love the choice of 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines, one tuned to 184 horsepower and the other heated up to 228 hp. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive is standard, hooked up through an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. Take your dog everywhere in style.
Also on MarketWatch: Cats vs. dogs: Which pet makes better financial sense?
2023 Ford Bronco Sport
Maybe your dog is a little outdoorsy. The 2023 Ford Bronco Sport might be the coolest way to get your pooch to the trailhead for a beautiful hike. Though it shares a name with the Bronco, the Bronco Sport shares a platform with the Ford Escape, which gives it a much tamer, more carlike ride than its accomplished off-road bro. Still, the Bronco Sport comes with standard all-wheel drive and Ford’s
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cleverly named “G.O.A.T. Mode,” short for “Goes Over Any type of Terrain.” While that may be a little overstated, the Bronco Sport is quite capable, so you can take yourself and your 4-legged friend to some great places – and make it back safely.
2023 Honda Pilot
Your dog is a family member, and the 2023 Honda
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Pilot is one of the best family vehicles on the market. It is a 3-row SUV with a durable interior, from the LX model’s cloth seats to leather-trimmed seats in the EX-L and above. Splurge on the Elite trim, and your dogs get a heated second row of seats – and don’t think they won’t appreciate it.
Each Pilot comes with a 3.5-liter V-6 engine and front- or all-wheel drive. Multiple seating configurations mean your dogs can enter the vehicle from the liftgate or the rear side doors and comfortably navigate to their preferred seating (or lying down) position. Standing between the second-row captain’s chairs allows a pampered pup to get petted by all of the vehicle’s passengers at once – which is only appropriate.
Read: What dogs can teach us about life and death
2023 Hyundai Venue
The least expensive vehicle on our dog lovers’ list (starting at $19,650), the 2023 Hyundai
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Venue is ideal for thrifty owners with small to medium dogs. The Venue is stylish, fuel-efficient, and well-equipped for the money. Best of all for the dogs, outward visibility from the second row and the cargo area behind the seats allows for a great view of the surroundings. Your dogs will be able to command all that they survey.
Step up to the affordable SEL trim level (starting at $21,400), and you’ll get a power tilt-and-slide sunroof to let light and air into the cabin. Your dogs (and their noses) will love it.
2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
With six extra inches of wheelbase and 14 cubic feet more of overall cargo room than the standard Grand Cherokee, the 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is an excellent choice for owners of big dogs (or multiple small dogs). Fold down the third row of seating, and you can fit an extra-large crate in the back. Or if you have a big dog who likes to patrol all windows, your pet can move about without disturbing the headliner. The Grand Cherokee L is an extremely capable off-roader for rugged hikers and a sophisticated suburban cruiser for indoor dog show types.
Plus: Check out the new 2024 Chevy Blazer EV: photos, prices, range and tax credits
2023 Kia Soul
The second-least-expensive vehicle on our list (starting at $19,890), the 2023 Kia
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Soul is also the funkiest. Your hip dog will appreciate the airy, spacious interior and the 60/40 fold-flat second row opening up 62 cubic feet of cargo space. And even though the Soul is an inexpensive compact SUV, you can load up on the options to get the latest tech and style. Don’t say your dogs don’t care about that because you’re wrong. Your dogs want you to be happy, and it’s impossible to drive around in a bright-colored Soul with your tunes blasting and sound-connected LED speaker lights flashing and not be happy. Give your dogs what they want.
2023 Subaru Forester
You’ve seen Subaru’s TV ads, and so have your dogs. The adorable family of golden retrievers who star in the ads reinforces the brand’s commitment to dogs, and the 2023 Subaru Forester is the best all-around dog vehicle Subaru makes. Its tall wagon shape is more accommodating to big dogs than the Outback or Crosstrek, and its low threshold for entry is more accessible for older and smaller dogs to manage than the Ascent. Subaru
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loads its accessories catalog with dog crates, harnesses, and other car travel items. The company is the largest corporate donor to the ASPCA and supports pet adoptions nationwide. So, when you buy a Subaru Forester, your dogs know you care.
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2023 Tesla Model Y
Electric vehicles gain wider acceptance with each passing month, and the 2023 Tesla
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Model Y is the best-selling car model in the world. It’s also a superb dog car, with a large liftgate opening, low liftover height, roomy cargo area, oversized windows, and a climate control system with a dog mode.
As an EV, it’s tranquil in operation, which could greatly benefit owners with nervous dogs. It is an affordable luxury SUV, but not so fancy that your dogs will feel out of place, and its somewhat Spartan interior is quite dog-friendly, with smooth surfaces and durable finishes. Maybe it’s time to take your dog into the future.
2023 Toyota Sienna
A minivan is the best car for a big family and is also one of the better cars for dog lovers. Many of the same characteristics that make the 2023 Toyot
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a Sienna great for a family also make it great for dogs. The Sienna is easy to get in and out of. It has tough materials all around. It is spacious, and its seating is configurable for many situations.
Your big family includes your dogs; whether they sit on seats or in the cargo area, they’ll be comfortable and feel welcome. And don’t worry when your kids drop Cheerios on the seats or lose their Slim Jims on the floor – your dogs will help you keep your Sienna clean and vermin-free.
Read: 10 best new SUVs you can get for under $30K—and one is electric
2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country
The Volvo
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station wagon has long been the symbol of a certain kind of suburban living. The 2023 Volvo V60 Cross Country carries on this great tradition of safe, reliable, boxy family haulers. And what could be better than to load your dogs in the back of the station wagon for a long family drive?
Volvo pioneered many safety features, including the pet safety net – a staple in the Volvo accessory catalog. Not only can you keep your dog confined to the cargo hold of your station wagon for convenience and comfort, but you can also enhance the safety of pet travel and minimize your dogs’ (and your) injuries in an accident. Choose the Cross Country model because your dogs are cool (and so are you).
This story originally ran on Autotrader.com.
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