These are our picks for the 10 best dog-friendly cars

Want to chauffeur your Schnauzer in a Skoda? Or cruise around with your canine in a Kia? Here are the 10 best dog-friendly cars on sale today.

Dogs are among the most popular pets in the UK, and man’s best friend deserves to travel in comfort and style. Choosing a car that keeps your pooch happy throughout the journey is a top priority for many dog owners.

So, this International Dog Day, I’ve cherry-picked 10 of the best cars for dog owners. My list features a mix of estate cars and SUVs, each offering its own advantages. Estates tend to sit closer to the ground, making it easier for dogs to hop in and out, while SUVs often provide extra space for larger breeds and all the gear that comes with them.

Here are our top 10 dog-friendly cars:

1. BMW M5 Touring
2. Dacia Duster
3. Jaecoo E5
4. Kia EV9
5. Land Rover Discovery
6. Mercedes E-Class Estate
7. Skoda Enyaq
8. Skoda Superb Estate
9. Tesla Model Y
10. Volkswagen ID Buzz

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

1. BMW M5 Touring

• 500 litres of seats up space
• 1,630 litres with the seats down
• Comfortable interior
• Delightful on a motorway

Our first pick is the BMW M5 Touring. This estate car may excel in terms of performance, but it’s also really practical for dog owners. With 500 litres of boot space, a flat loading area and an optional tow bar, it’s well suited to transporting dogs and all their gear.

Inside, the cabin is roomy, refined and solidly built, making longer journeys more comfortable for both humans and hounds alike. While its suspension can feel firm over rougher roads, the M5 Touring settles into a smoother ride on the motorway. Its hybrid powertrain also helps improve efficiency, making it a more practical choice for longer trips.

2. Dacia Duster

• 474 litres of boot space in two-wheel drive petrol models
• 1,609 litres with rear seats folded in two-wheel drive models
• Hard-wearing interior – ideal if you regularly have mutts with mucky paws

Next up is the Dacia Duster. This pick is tough, roomy and refreshingly simple – great for dog owners who need a car that can handle muddy paws and weekend adventures. Its spacious boot, easy-clean surfaces and available four-wheel drive make it a practical companion for both country walks and everyday errands.

What really sets the Duster apart is its value. Few small SUVs offer this much space and capability at such an affordable price, with prices starting at under £20,000. Add rugged styling, durable materials and hybrid options, and it’s a no-nonsense choice that doesn’t skimp on features – or pet-friendly practicality.

3. Jaecoo E5

• 480 litres of boot space with the rear seats up
• Pet-friendly features and upholstery
• Range up to 248 miles

Also making our list is the Jaecoo E5. This electric SUV has a generous 480-litre boot, giving you plenty of room for your dog as well as their bed, food and other essentials. It also has an adjustable boot floor, which can be raised to reduce the load lip at the boot entrance. While the bumper itself is a little high, the floor can sit level with it, making it easier to lift heavier items in and potentially making access easier for dogs, too.

The Jaecoo E5 also stands out for its dedicated Pet Mode, available on the Luxury trim. This allows the climate control to keep the cabin at a comfortable temperature while displaying a Pet Mode message on the screen, helping to reassure passers-by that an animal is being cared for inside the car.

4. Kia EV9

• 333 litres of boot space with all three rows in place
• 828 litres with third row folded
• Loads of space for your dogs
• Great electric range up to 349 miles

Few electric SUVs are as imposing to look at as the Kia EV9, and this seven-seater is ideal for carrying your four-legged friend. With all seven seats in place, there’s enough space for a small dog to travel comfortably, while folding down the third row creates a truly cavernous load area. Your pooch will have loads of room to stand up, lie down and turn around to their heart’s content.

Beyond its excellent practicality, the EV9 has all the equipment you could need. The cabin looks and feels great, too, while the range is impressive for a car of this size. It’s just a shame that it comes with a hefty price tag.

5. Land Rover Discovery

• 2,406 litres of space with all seats down
• 1,137 litres with five seats up
• Comfortable and quiet
• Useful dog pack available as an option

Our next option is a go-anywhere SUV with serious space and comfort – ideal for adventurous dog owners. With a massive boot when the rear seats are down, the Land Rover Discovery is ideal for transporting everything from crates to chew toys. The ride is smooth, and the cabin is quiet, making long journeys less stressful for four-legged passengers.

It also has an optional ‘For Dogs’ pack you can get your hands on. This adds thoughtful touches such as a quilted boot liner, spill-resistant water bowl, foldable pet carrier, and even a rinse system to clean muddy paws. It’s a rare mix of rugged off-road ability and pet-friendly luxury.

6. Mercedes E-Class Estate

• 615 litres of boot space with seats up
• 1,830 litres with seats folded
• Older dogs won’t have a problem getting in and out

The Mercedes E-Class is one properly posh car, and it’s available as a practical estate so your dog can come along for the ride. This alternative to the Audi A6 Avant has a massive boot, and the estate body shell means any elderly canines won’t have far to jump up into the car. There are handy hooks and tie downs to secure your dog crate in the boot, too.

The E-Class Estate gets a softer suspension than the saloon. This means it glides over bumps smoothly even when fitted with particularly large alloy wheels. This makes for a more relaxing drive for your furry companion.

7. Skoda Enyaq

• 585 litres of boot space with the seats up
• 1,710 litres with the seats folded
• Affordable, practical electric SUV
• Range of over 300 miles

Skoda has a long standing reputation for cavernous practicality, and the Enyaq is a great example of this. The massive 585-litre boot is a good square shape, and there’s no load lip for your dog to haul itself over. The handy cubbies in the boot are also good for keeping all dog-related paraphernalia out of harm’s way.

Skoda is known for its Simply Clever range of smart features. For dogs, you can get the seat covers as shown above to protect your car’s seats. And Skoda has a double-sided floor covering on request. One side is carpet, the other has a dirt and water repellent material. So when you have your dog in the boot, you simply flip the cover over onto the easy-clean side.

Outside of dog duties, the Enyaq is great to drive thanks to the comfortable suspension setup and quiet cabin. Just avoid the vRS version as it has a much more firm feeling to it.

8. Skoda Superb Estate

• 690 litres of boot space with the seats up
• 1,920 litres of space with rear seats folded down
• Efficient engines and great PHEV
• Low loading lip means it’s easier for older dogs to jump up into

From one Skoda to another, we give you an estate… the Skoda Superb Estate. Like the Enyaq, this offers an incredibly spacious and practical interior that’s ideal for dog owners. With up to 690 litres of boot space and a low loading lip, it’s perfect for larger breeds or multiple pups. The long, wide cabin means even the chunkiest dog crates fit with ease – no cramped paws here.

Comfort is a standout, too. Its suspension is smooth and the cabin feels well thought out, making it more than ideal for your dog to feel at ease in the car. So, whether it’s a short trip to the park or a longer drive, the Superb Estate makes travelling with your dog that bit easier and definitely the best estate car for dogs.

9. Tesla Model Y

• 2,118 litres of boot space with the seats down
• 854-litre cargo capacity with the seats up
• Has a dedicated Pet mode
• 383 miles of electric range

Also making our list is the Tesla Model Y, which is a great choice for dog owners thanks to its huge 854-litre boot. There’s plenty of room for your pooch, their bed and all the essentials, while the wide-opening rear doors make it easier to get dogs in and out.

The Model Y also has a dedicated Pet Mode, which keeps the cabin at a comfortable temperature while you’re briefly away from the car. Combined with its spacious interior and practical SUV design, it makes the Model Y a particularly dog-friendly choice.

10. Volkswagen ID Buzz

• Huge 1,121 litres of boot space
• Range of 258 miles
• Loads of space if you have a large dog

Lastly, if an estate car or SUV is a bit too run of the mill for you, why not try something completely different. The Volkswagen ID Buzz is a real head-turner thanks to its quirky styling, but more importantly it’s also insanely spacious inside.

It has a humongous 1,121-litre boot. That’s big enough to get your dog in the back – even if you have a larger dog like a Great Dane or a Saint Bernard – and still have enough space for a weekend away. With a range of 258 miles, you’ll be able to get to all of your favourite walking spots with no stress.

If you need maximum space for your dog in your next new car, then the Land Rover Discover or VW ID Buzz could be your perfect poochmobile. If you have an older dog or they have limited mobility, then the lower riding Skoda Superb Estate or Mercedes E-Class Estate might be more suited to you and your best friend. However, all of the cars here should give you excellent dog carrying capabilities.

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