Best Cars for Dog Lovers

According to the Humane Society, the citizens of America own 83 million dogs. Chances are good that at least some of the time we’ll want to bring our four-legged friends with us in the car. From taking our pooches on camping trips to including them on scenic drives around the area, it can be a real joy to take them along for the ride.

Of course, some cars are more dog-friendly than others. As much as you want to take your Great Dane with you to the drive-up ATM, if you own an itty-bitty Smart Car, that probably isn’t going to happen. Whether you are researching used vehicles on a website like DriveTime or heading out to test drive some new cars, there are many vehicles that are perfect for both you and your pooch:

2014 GMC Acadia

As Fox Business notes, the 2014 GMC Acadia is ideal for people who have medium to large dogs. The vehicle is roomy enough to safely hold larger dogs and it also boasts a nice amount of cargo space ideal for hauling huge bags of kibble. As a bonus, a touch-activated climate control feature will help your dog stay cool and comfy during the warmer summer months, even if he or she is riding in the third row.

Photo by Bull-Doser via Wikimedia Commons

2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser

If you enjoy taking your dog on hikes or camping trips, you know they can sometimes get pretty muddy. Even an hour at the local dog park will transform your clean Collie into a dirty doggie. The 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser has the perfect solution: water resistant seats that are a snap to clean. In addition, the FJ has a number of safety features, including six air bags, side-impact door beams, vehicle safety control and Smart Stop Technology; all of which will keep both two and four-legged occupants safe.

Photo by IFCAR via Wikimedia Commons

2013 Volvo XC70

This vehicle, notes Bank Rate, features a split-folding rear seat that is handy when transporting dogs. It also has an optional compartment cargo divider that, when used with the steel safety grille, will split the cargo section into two portions. This way, if you are heading on vacation, you can store your luggage in one half and safely carry your dog on the other side. A luggage net will help keep pet paraphernalia contained, so you won’t have to worry about tennis balls or Frisbees rolling around the car while you are driving.

2013 Mazda5 Sport

As parents of older dogs know quite well, it can be difficult for them to get in and out of some vehicles. The 2013 Mazda5 Sport is an outstanding choice for senior pooches — the van’s sliding rear doors and wide openings provide an easy and roomy way for dogs to enter and leave the vehicle, and the low cargo floor and rear lift gate are great for dogs who can’t jump up like they used to. In addition, the third row seats fold flat, which gives Fido a nice large space to ride in, and the automatic climate control does a great job of keeping the rear of the van nice and cool in the summer and toasty in the winter.