Top Five Cars for Drivers with Dogs

Here at Xcite Car Leasing, we know that a car isn't just for the driver, it needs to fit your passengers' needs too. One passenger who you might be considering is your pet which is why we've rounded up our  top pick of cars for dog owners. 

dog friendly cars

If you are looking for a new car and have a dog, then there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind when looking at your options. 

These include:

  • Space: Your dog will need space to sit and lie down as well as turn around. They will need room in the car to get comfortable.
  • Suspension: Just like humans dogs can get car sick, but unlike us, they’re unable to let the driver know when they’re feeling unwell. It’s important to consider the suspension and how steady the ride is when looking at cars you’ll be driving your pet in.
  • Safety: Your dog should be restrained when travelling, either using a harness, pet crate or dog grille, so that they cannot distract you from driving, or injure themselves or you if you stop suddenly.  This is a legal requirement as stated in rule 57 of the Highway Code.
  • Boot height: Another consideration will be the height of the boot, as this will determine how easy it is for your pet to get in and out of the vehicle. If you have a smaller dog you may be able to lift them so this is less of a consideration, however if the boot is too high then they may damage their legs jumping out.
  • Windows: If you are looking at a new car then chances are this will have electric windows, but if your dog will be in the back seat then it’s important that you can open and close the window for them as necessary from the driver’s seat.

Taking all of this into consideration we’ve chosen our top five picks for cars that you and your pet will both love. 

nissan x trail for dogs

Nissan X Trail

The Nissan X-Trail is a great family SUV, and with 5 and 7-seater options you’re sure to fit the entire family including your pets in.

Light steering, comfortable suspension and minimum wind noise on motorways mean there’s little chance of your passengers, both two and four legged, getting motion sickness.

The flexible seating, with the second row having a 60/40 split, means that you can configure the boot space perfectly to fit your dog in alongside your other passengers.

Alternatively, the X-Trail also has the great additional option called the Paw Pack, which converts your boot space into a bespoke travel compartment for your dog. The pack includes a foldaway dog ramp and bag to store it in once your dog is safely in the car. It also includes a dog guard, trunk liner, super soft bed and seat back tidy for you to store all your pet’s accessories.

Take a look at all our great deals on the X-Trail here. 

land rover discovery sport dog

Land Rover Discovery Sport

The Land Rover Discovery Sport combines a luxury interior with a powerful all-terrain exterior, making it arguably one of the best SUVs on the market.

It also has a large boot with an impressive volume of 981 litres, which means there’s plenty of room to store all your pet’s accessories with them.

The split tailgate makes it easier for your dog to get in and out of the vehicle. If it is still too high for them Land Rover have a pet access ramp accessory available to help.

There’s a lot of accessories that Land Rover offer for pets that you can choose to add to your Discovery. Along with the access ramp, you can get a foldable pet carrier, to keep them secure when travelling in the car as well as taking them to and from the vehicle. There’s also a spill-resistant water bowl, full-height luggage partition and rubber mat and liner trays.

An additional option that can help you after a muddy walk is Land Rover’s portable rinse system. Designed to be used outside the vehicle the system can deliver a minimum of two minutes of continuous water flow through the shower hose style attachment. This can be used to wash muddy pets as well as rinsing down equipment like bikes or wetsuits. 

Check out all of our best offers on the Land Rover Discovery Sport here.

skoda dog friendly car

Skoda Superb Estate

The Skoda Superb Estate is one of the most spacious estates on the market.  

But a lot of room up front and a large boot doesn’t compromise the space of the back seats. An adult will fit comfortably in any of the three rear seats, with plenty of leg and headroom.

The Superb is a great car for dogs as well, with its and low loading sill your pet will be able to get in and out easily. As mentioned, there’s also a large boot, with models having up to a 660-litre capacity so your pet will have plenty of room to move around and get comfortable.

Available in a range of engines; petrol, diesel and even a plug-in hybrid you can be sure to find the one that’s right for you. Whatever engine you choose the noise in the cabin is minimal, so you and your pet can enjoy a quiet drive.

There’s the option of adding Dynamic Chassis Control, which allows you to adapt the suspension in three modes; normal, sport and comfort, so you can make sure the ride is as smooth as possible when you’ve got your pet passenger.

Take a look at our best offers on the Superb here.

fiat dog friendly car

Fiat Qubo

Like its name suggests the Fiat Qubo has a distinctive cube design, that's easy to recognise.

With its high driving position, the Qubo offers you great visibility of the road and the supportive seats and ergonomic steering wheel mean you’ll be comfortable.

The Qubo is a smooth and calm drive which is important when you’ve got your four-legged friend in the car.

Despite being under 4m in length the Qubo has an impressive boot capacity of 330 litres, which is more than enough space for most dogs, and with roof bars you can still take plenty of luggage with you as well.

Not only is there plenty of room for your pet to get comfortable the Qubo has no carpet so it’s easy to clean after those muddy walks.

You can also add the option to have the rear windows tinted to help your pet avoid the bright sun on summer days.

If you want to check out our best deals on the Qubo just click here.

Mercedes dog friendly car

Mercedes-Benz E Class Estate

Like all Mercedes, the E Class Estate is designed with comfort in mind and the luxurious interior reflects this, with features like ambient lighting.

Most of the E Class Estates have a load space of around 670 litres, which gives your dog room to lay down and get comfortable.

Some models also have the option of a panoramic sunroof which your dog is sure to love, whether open or closed it offers a sense of freedom and brings more light into the cabin space.

The E Class Estate has a whole host of safety feature options including active brake assist with cross-traffic function, LED high-performance headlights and lane tracking. All of which will help keep you and your passengers safe.

The wide boot opening and low floor make it easy for your dog to get in and out of the vehicle, and if you opt for air suspension you can lower the sill even further.

Click here to take a look at our best lease offers on the E Class.

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