For dog parents, their dog's comfort is the top priority. This why many of us make changes to our homes and surroundings to ensure that our pets are comfortable, safe, and at ease. When you have a large dog, your requirements are more specific. This is particularly true when it comes to choosing the "right" vehicle. With so many options on the market, it's hard to decide what's right for you and your dog.
The key factors to consider are low ride height so that your dog can get in and out with ease, fold-flat seats so that there is adequate flat space to sit, rear vents to control the temperature, durable interior, and a panoramic sunroof is always a plus. Based on these factors, we've picked 10 options that are perfect if you have a big dog.
10 Toyota 4Runner
Toyota 4runner is an off-road sport utility vehicle, so it's perfect for outdoor adventures. If you and your dog are always up for outdoor activities like camping, the 4Runner's reinforced body-on-frame construction, roof rails, durable cabin materials, and a towing capacity of up to 2,268 kg come in handy.
There is generous space in the 4runner and plenty of storage options. The 2,500 liters (88.3 cubic ft.) cargo space should be good enough for your dog, the carrier, and travel gear. Additionally, the tough yet comfortable cabin materials make it easier to clean and maintain the interior.
9 Volkswagen Atlas
Volkswagen Atlas is a car designed for families. So if you have a dog and also young children, Atlas makes sure all of them can travel comfortably, no matter how long the distance is that you're traveling. Atlas comes with a total of 2,741 liters of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded flat.
It also offers a range of features which make life easy for large dog owners. For instance, the power liftgate which can be opened by a kicking motion under the bumper makes it easy for you to multi-task. The optional rear bumper protection plate also serves a dual purpose. It not only provides grip to your dog when going in or out but also protects the car from possible scratches. The panoramic sunroof is also a great feature if your dog enjoys the sun and/or fresh air.
8 Subaru Crosstrek
Even though the Crosstrek is a compact vehicle, it will surprise you with its ample cargo space, versatility, and add-on options.
What makes this vehicle an ideal choice for big dog owners is that Subaru offers a variety of official pet accessories including door shields, harnesses, and barriers to make the Crosstrek as comfortable for your dog as possible. You can also select an interior protection package which includes high wall rubber floor mats and rear seatback protectors. This means that you can keep your car in top shape without much of an effort.
7 Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey has been designed with the needs of families and pet owners in mind. There are a number of features that make it a great choice for large dog owners, starting from CabinWatch™ and CabinTalk™ features, which enable you to see and communicate with your dog without taking your eyes off the road.
The tri-zone automatic climate controls keep your dog comfortable, the automatic rear liftgate makes movement in and out of the car a breeze, and the Magic Slide™ seats not only create space but also make cleaning easy.
6 Land Rover Discovery
With the Land Rover Discovery, your dog can travel in style. In addition to the luxury component, the cabin space in the vehicle is also very flexible. Second-row seats can slide forward and backward over 10 cm and the optional Intelligent Seat Fold can even let you raise or lower the seats with your smartphone. Awesome, right?
Another feature that stands out is how Range Rover understands the needs of dog owners. The company has designed a diverse range of specific pet accessories packs, that help you make your dogs travel experience comfortable, enjoyable, and safe.
5 Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler Pacifica is where comfort meets technology. There are a lot of things we love about this minivan.
To begin with, the Auto Advance ’n Return feature is very useful because it allows you to stow gear or anything else by just pressing a button which slides the front seats forward to provide bin access. Similar one-touch power-folding can help you fold the third-row. Also, the system is smart enough to automatically pause if an obstacle is detected. Lastly, it is natural for things to get messy when you’re traveling with your dog. This is when the built-in vacuum by RIDGID® comes in handy. It makes cleanup unbelievably simple!
4 Chevrolet Equinox
Chevrolet Equinox is spacious, modern, and comfortable. When it comes to cargo space, the Equinox boasts 1798 liters of space and an almost flat load floor, once the rear seats have been folded. If you still have more things to keep and don’t want to take the space away from your dog, there is an easy-to-access compartment beneath the rear load floor providing an additional 79 liters of storage space.
There is a hands-free liftgate which also features programmable memory height that can be set for easy reach. Additionally, there are a number of dog-centric accessories that can be added to make the ride comfortable for your dog.
3 Mercedes Benz GLS
If you’re a travel enthusiast and your dog loves adventure too, Mercedes Benz GLS can help you experience your journey in style.
It features standard 4MATIC all-wheel drive, which is great for rough terrains as well as cooler environments. Additionally, the 4-wheel AIRMATIC suspension adapts to changing roads and cargo loads, to ensure passenger comfort in every situation. The GLS also features a standard power liftgate, power-folding third-row, and storage capacity of unto 2,300 liters. For a large dog owner, the large side doors and innovative EASY-ENTRY 2nd-row seats, are an added advantage.
2 Volvo XC60
Volvo has been the car of choice for many dog parents. Check out the hashtag #VolvoDogs and you’ll see. The XC60 boasts load compartment volume space of 505 liters which can be increased to 1444 liters with the backrests folded. This, along with a panoramic roof that extends to the rear seats and a power-operated sunshade ensures that your dog can travel comfortably.
Additionally, the best thing about Volvo is how the brand understands exactly what dog parents need. Volvo manufactures a wide range of genuine parts and accessories such as safety harness, protective steel grille, and dog gates; to ensure your dog is safe.
1 Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is designed for adventure. It’s tough, resilient, and commands attention. It is engineered for off-road performance and can guarantee a number of amazing memories for you and your dog as you explore new roads.
Your dog will also love the open-air experience that Wrangler provides. It offers three different top styles and you choose what fits your requirements. Lastly and most importantly, with a Wrangler, you don’t have to worry about the mud, dirt, or even stains. Every Wrangler interior is fully washable and drainable. All you have to do is remove the weather-resistant carpet, get the hose and wipe the vehicle clean! Yes, it's as easy as that.