5 Cars for People Who Really Love Their Dogs

You only eat at dog-friendly restaurants. You have a tattoo of your pup’s paw prints somewhere on your body. Your bumper sticker proudly proclaims that you just want to drink wine and hang out with your dog.

We get it. You’re a dog person. We’re dog people, too. That’s why we compiled this list of awesome, dog-approved vehicles. These dog-friendly cars will make it easier for you and Fido to travel together in comfort and style.

You’ll notice that while these vehicles are all different makes and models, dog-friendly cars tend to have a handful of things in common.

The best dog-friendly cars all have:

Great, versatile cargo space: Seats can fold flat or easily be removed for maximum storage and space for a dog crate.
Low floors: Low floors make it easy for your dog to hop into the car, no matter their age or size.
Built-in window shades: Tinted windows or built-in shades can help your dog avoid direct sunlight and stay cooler on long car trips.
Easy to clean interiors: $%*# happens. Literally. Parents and pet lovers know this to be true firsthand. An interior that’s easy to hose down and vacuum out is a godsend when a long car ride turns into a long day at the car wash.
Little space between seats: The less nooks and crannies there are, the less places you have to worry about cleaning up dog hair and losing rouge treats!

5 Best Cars for Dogs & Dog Parents

#1: Kia Soul

The Kia Soul is top choice among dog lovers and even musicians. Its massive, easy-to-clean cargo area makes it easy for you to transport almost anything—Great Dane or full drum kit. The Soul’s body sits low to the ground, so even if you do have to help an ol’ dog climb in, you won’t have to lift for long. It can easily accommodate a medium-sized crate. One drawback, though? The rear seats fold down, but not completely flat.

Used Kia Souls cost well under $15k. Think $6k to $13k.

#2: Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

As a general rule of thumb, minivans make great dog cars! Thanks to their wide sliding doors, large rear hatches, and low floors, minivans make it easy to travel with dogs and still leave room for passengers and luggage.

The Pacifica Hybrid rises to the top of the dog pile with its completely flat floors and convenient seat anchors that make it easy to tie down a dog crate. Safety and comfort? Two paws up for that!

A new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid will run you close to $40k, but you can find reliable used Pacificas for closer to $30k with fewer than 50,000 miles.

#3: Subaru Outback

No list of dog-friendly cars would be complete without a Subaru! Subaru loves featuring dogs in their commercials and regularly invests time and money in pet causes around the country. They work with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®), The Center for Pet Safety, and Southeastern Guide Dogs. As a company, Subaru is paws-itively passionate for pups and lives out their passion every day!

Drive a Subaru Outback and you can take your dog pretty much anywhere. The Outback’s low height makes it easy for Fido to jump in and out, and the spacious cabin means plenty of room for him and all of his toys and treats. Plus, every Outback comes with all-wheel drive. In an Outback, you can both answer the call of the wild.

Subaru has an almost cult-like following, so good luck finding a used Subaru Outback. A new Outback costs about $26k.

#4: Honda CR-V

On first glance, the Honda CR-V sits a little higher than the Kia Soul and Subaru Outback. Don’t start sniffing elsewhere just yet. Dogs and people alike adore the CR-V’s spacious cargo area and composed, stable ride. Upgrade to a CR-V EX-L for leather seating, a power liftgate, and additional safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane assist, and adaptive cruise control.

Honda CR-V prices vary quite a bit depending on mileage and year. For the most part, you can find newer-model used CR-Vs with fewer than 50,000 miles for $15k to $20k.

#5: Volkswagen Atlas

The Atlas doesn’t yet have a reputation among pet parents, but we think it soon will. The perks? A cavernous cargo area plus three rows of versatile seating. The CR-V, Outback, and Soul can’t match that versatility.

The third row of seats even features a 50/50 split so you can secure a dog crate and still keep one of the rear seats for passengers. Atlases are also available with tri-zone automatic temperature control, so passengers and pups alike can stay warm or cool no matter where they’re sitting.

Volkswagen Atlases are still new to the market. A quick Internet search shows that you can find used models for as low as $25k in some areas.

Buy the car your dog deserves!

Your dog deserves the best. So do you. The pawfect dog-friendly car is waiting for you and your fur baby! Compare up to four used car loan or new car loan offers today and choose the best offer for you, then use your extra cash for some sweet dog treats!