Best Cars for Dog owners in 2019!
Are you a dog owner looking for a new car? We all love our pets and think they deserve the best of care, so for those searching for the best dog-friendly cars, we have listed a few of our favorites in order of price…
Rivervale’s top tips for picking the best cars for dog owners
Depending on the breed and size of your dog, you might have specific requirements when buying or leasing a car. There are several things to consider when it comes to picking a car that’s perfect for you and your canine friend(s). These are;
✔ï¸Space: The car must have plenty of room in the back seat or boot for your dog to feel comfortable
✔ï¸Suspension: A car with decent suspension and a comfortable ride is key, as it can prevent dogs from getting travel sick.
✔ï¸Safety: It is very dangerous to drive in a car with a dog that isn’t properly restrained. Unrestrained dogs can be a huge distraction, as well as being a risk to themselves and others in the event of an accident. To protect yourself, your passengers and your dog, you should make sure to fit a pet harness or dog grill to the car. Alternatively, make sure there is enough space to fit a dog cage or dog guard. These are the safest and most appropriate ways to restrain your dog in the car.
✔ï¸Boot height: A car with a boot that isn’t too high off the ground, makes it easier for dogs to jump in and out of.
✔ï¸Air conditioning system: A good vehicle air conditioning system is really important for keeping your dog cool in the car during the summer. Some cars even allow for pre-heating/cooling to be controlled via Smartphone devices. Tesla have introduced a new feature called “Dog Mode” to keep pets safe while they wait in the car. It allows drivers to configure a cabin temperature to keep dogs comfortable at all times, letting passersby know the pets are OK.
Legal requirments for transporting dogs in cars
Rule 57 of the Highway Code states;
“ When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars."
Failure to comply with the legislation means you risk being stopped by the police and facing a charge of up to £2,500 and 9 points on your licence. Your car insurance could also be invalidated if found involved in an accident due to you being distracted by an unrestrained pet.
View our best cars for boot space page
There are many cars to choose from, below are the best 8 cars for dog owners to lease from the least expensive to the most expensive…
Leasing prices £100 - £200 per month
At 573 litres of boot space, the Dacia Logan MCV is a great option for someone looking for a dog-friendly car on a budget. Fold down all the rear seats and the space grows considerably – 1,518 litres to be exact. This is more than enough room for 2 large dogs to comfortably sit, lie down or turn around. Additionally, it also offers a smooth and comfortable ride, making it particularly proficient on long journeys.
- Seats: 5
- Doors: 5
- Dog equipment: Boot liner
- Boot space: 573 litres
- NCAP safety rating: 3*
The Volkswagen Golf range offers great quality interior, abundant space and practicality and comes fully packed with innovative technology to enhance your driving experience. When selecting your Golf, you’ll be met with a wide range of trim levels and engines – 10 trims and 20 engines to be exact – so you can configure your Golf to what meets your requirements. The Golf was awarded 5 stars by Autoexpress and voted Best Car for New Drivers in the Auto Trader New Car Awards 2019, particularly for being reliable and safe to drive.
- Seats: 5
- Doors: 5
- Dog equipment: Loadliner, rear sill cover
- Boot space: 380 litres
- NCAP safety rating: 5*
Volkswagen GOLF HATCHBACK leasing prices start from £205.73 exc. VAT per month
Leasing prices £200 - £300 per month
The Peugeot 308 SW’s boot space measures to 660 litres, which is the same to the Skoda Superb Estate’s. Compared to the Superb Estate, the 308 SW has a shorter and taller boot so perhaps it is more suitable for transporting larger, heavier dogs like Great Danes. The 308 SW gets optional safety features like Emergency Collision Alert and Emergency Collision Braking. Furthermore, it offers low running costs, so you won’t have to spend much time visiting the petrol station, which means more money saved for doggie treats and accessories.
- Seats: 5
- Doors: 5
- Dog equipment: Back seat cover
- Boot space: 660 litres
- NCAP safety rating: 5*
View our Peugeot 308 leasing prices
The Nissan X-Trail is a large SUV that offers great practicality and interior space. While its high height ride isn’t really ideal for dogs to climb in and out of, Nissan offer an option that makes it perfect for any dog. The optional Paw Pack consists of a ramp to help smaller, less agile dogs into the boot. Other featured included; a boot liner, a hanging storage rack, a spill-resistant water bowl and a dog bed. A dog guard is also offered which separates the boot from the rest of car.
- Seats: 5
- Doors: 5
- Dog equipment: A dog guard boot separator, a ramp for smaller dogs
- Boot space: 565 litres
- NCAP safety rating: 5*
Nissan X-TRAIL STATION WAGON leasing prices start from £0.00 exc. VAT per month
Leasing prices £300 - £400 per month
For those after a luxurious but dog-friendly car, the Mercedes-Benz E Class Estate delivers. The E Class Estate is suited to long journeys, has sleek and stylish exterior looks and excellent interior quality. Complete with a big boot – 1,820 litres with the rear seats lowered – it’s perfect for transporting dogs around. If you’re looking to take your dog with you on a family road trip, then there’s an optional folding sill protective mat to protect against dog claws and an automatic boot closing (standard on the All-Terrain model).
- Seats: 5
- Doors: 5
- Dog equipment: N/A
- Boot space: 670 litres
- NCAP safety rating: 5*
View our Mercedes-Benz E Class leasing prices
The Skoda range is full of dog-friendly cars, but the Superb estate is one that easily stands out. The 5-door Superb estate is the ultimate family car, because it is comfortable, classy, practical, and incredibly spacious – plus there’s 660 litres for your dog to jump in and out of. It is also the safest car Skoda has ever built, matching the previous model for reliability.
- Seats: 5
- Doors: 5
- Dog equipment: Dog seat belt, seat covers
- Boot space: 660 litres
- NCAP safety rating: 5*
View our Skoda Superb leasing prices
Land Rover’s optional Pet Pack consists of accessories such as a Full-Height Partition and either a Loadspace Liner Tray or a Rubber Loadspace Mat. There are 2 Pet Packs available for buyers: Pet Pack 1 combines the loadspace rubber mat with the full height partition, while Pet Pack 2 combines the loadspace liner tray with the full height partition. Boot space measures at 963-litres with the third row of seats folded. With all the seats folded, boot space rises to 1,698 litres.
- Seats: 7
- Doors: 5
- Dog equipment: Foldable pet carrier, tailored quilted load space
- Boot space: 963 litres
- NCAP safety rating: 5*
Land Rover DISCOVERY SPORT SW leasing prices start from £389.49 exc. VAT per month
