The Best Cars For Dog Owners

The estate car has always been a go-to for dog owners. After all, with a big boot and a low ride height, they’re ideal for dogs to jump in and out of. One car in this segment which has always presented itself above the rest is the BMW 5 Series Touring. Good to drive yet comfortable and spacious, it’s everything you could want – or need – from a large estate car.

The 5 Series Touring also has a trick up its sleeve which makes it ideal for dog owners. At the rear, the glass section opens independently of the entire boot. It means you can access your dogs – to give them a drink or hook up leads – without having to risk them leaping out by opening the entire rear hatch. It’s a great feature and one which feels like it was designed specifically with dog owners in mind.

The modern-day Mini Clubman took a number of styling cues from the classic version. Chief song these were the cool split-opening rear doors, which not only look different from anything available on any car today but make accessing the boot of the car a breeze. Because of the Clubman’s low height, accessing it should be easy for all types of dogs and make it a great option if your dog is older or has mobility issues.

Inside, the Clubman has lots of pleasant materials that are all pulled together with a typically classy sense of style that you’d expect from a Mini. A good range of engines – including efficient diesels – ensure that this isn’t a dog car that’ll cos the earth to run.

Volvo is known for its estate cars – and more on that later – but if you’re after that rock-solid Swedish build quality in a more upright, chunky vehicle then the XC40 could be right up your street. It’s the smallest model in Volvo’s range of SUVs, but with its boxy shape, it’s got a lot more interior room to offer than you might expect. It won’t be a great choice for owners of larger breeds, but for smaller and middle-size dogs the XC40 should have enough space.

You can get it with hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines, too, with the latter being particularly good for dog owners as it allows you to pre-cool the interior on hotter days and get it to just the right temperature for everyone inside to be comfortable.

The Land Rover Discovery is like a Swiss Army knife of cars – it can do pretty much everything you need it to. In this instance, the huge boot that you get from the Discovery is ideal for dogs and gives them enough space to turn around and get comfortable. We’re also big fans of the Discovery’s split-boot design, which opens to create a smaller platform. Not only is that handy to sit on when you need to remove your wellies after a muddy dog walk, but it’s also great for the hounds to spring up and on to.

While the Discovery may not have the best reputation in terms of reliability, ensure that yours is regularly serviced and it shouldn’t cause too many headaches – though it’s a good idea to put some money aside to cover any unexpected repairs.

Skoda knows a thing or two about making fit-for-purpose cars and the Superb Estate is a good example of this. With a gigantic boot, this is one estate car which brings spaciousness above all else and that means there’s loads of stretching-out room for your dogs. Even bigger breeds will be able to relax in the Superb, that’s for sure.

The Superb Estate is wonderfully comfortable and refined to drive, too, and though it may lack the sharper driving focus of others on this list, its ability to while away even the longest journeys is more than enough compensation. Plus, its relaxed ride should ensure that any dogs aboard will remain happy and relaxed.

Honda’s always been the go-to choice for reliability and that’s all wrapped up in fine SUV form with the CR-V. An ever-popular choice in Honda’s range of vehicles, the CR-V is well-made and robust enough to take whatever your dog – or dogs – can throw at it. There’s the option of a hybrid setup for lower running costs, too, though the standard petrol engines are up to the job too. There’s no diesel option to be found in the CR-V, however.

All versions get plenty of equipment, though if you’re after leather seats as standard – which are often easier to clean when they’ve had grubby paws on them – you’ll need to keep an eye out for tip-top EX specification cars. Soft suspension makes the CR-V a more comfort-orientated choice, that’s for sure, but it should help when travelling over lumps and bumps.

We couldn’t complete this list without checking out a Volvo estate, could we? After all, this Swedish brand’s history lies in fantastic load-luggers and one of the most recent entries into this group is the V90. Essentially Volvo’s newest – and largest – estate car, it’s a comfort-focused ‘wagon’ which will prove ideal for dog owners because of its large boot which is simple to access because of its low lip height.

Inside, the V90 has the same solid build quality that you’d expect from a Volvo, while the main infotainment system is intuitive and packed with features. You’ll find a good variety of engines accompanying the V90, too, with the efficient diesels being a must-pick for long-distance dog owners.

If you fancy whisking your dogs around under serenely quiet electric power, then the MG5 could be well worth checking out. It’s one of the few electric estate cars available in the UK and, as a result, brings a clever blend of spaciousness and efficiency. The boot area of the MG5 is more than spacious enough for a mid-size dog, while the low height of the car makes accessing it simple.

The MG5 also has a range of up to 250 miles between charges while a clever vehicle-to-load function (V2L) allows you to power domestic devices via the car’s battery. It means you could plug in a portable shower to get your dog looking as clean as a whistle after a muddy walk through the woods.

For out-and-out practicality, the Citroen Berlingo has always been a winner. While it may not win the style points that you’ll get with others on this list, this ever-useful MPV is a real champ when it comes to versatility and spaciousness. Massively practical, the Berlingo will prove extremely useful for dog owners as with its rugged plastics and low ride height, it’s ideal for transporting four-legged friends around.

But it’s good for humans, too, as with flexible seating options there’s always space for occupants to get comfy. A seven-seater ‘XL’ version will be a must-pick for dog owners who want to take a few extra passengers along for the ride, too.

We finish with a more compact – yet no less practical – Skoda. The Octavia has been a core part of the Czech firm’s range for decades, but in recent times it has evolved to become even more accomplished and polished. You can get it in hatchback and estate forms – the latter of the two is the better choice for dog owners because of its more accessible boot – and you can get it with a range of good engines, too.

For sportier dog owners, you may want to try go-faster vRS versions which don’t diminish the Octavia’s roominess but add in some extra performance and a more impactful appearance courtesy of larger wheels and a bespoke body kit.