The phrase "Man's Best Friend" is more alive and relevant in 2021 than arguably any other point in history. Things like that of COVID, remote working, and an increase in the amount of available "pet-friendly" venues have resulted in many of us being able to spend more time than ever with our furry companions. Additionally, as a result of these factors, we have been taking our pets with us more often whenever we leave the house.
Because of this change in the way we conduct daily life, dogs are generally spending a lot more time riding around in their "parent's" car (which most of them couldn't be happier about). Unfortunately, however, not all cars are exactly what we would call "dog-friendly." Just like people, dogs also come in various shapes and sizes and may need more accommodations than just the backseat of your two-door Toyota 86.
Thankfully, there are plenty of attractive options that will do a pretty darn good job of ferrying both you and Fido around town in comfort. As you can probably guess, most of these vehicles do tend to be a little bigger than your average eco-box. Surely, your doggo will appreciate that in spades.
Let's take a look at some of the best vehicles for today's pet parents.
The Tesla Model 3's "Dog Mode" Will Keep Your Hound Safe While You're Gone
If you're like most people, your first impression of the Tesla Model 3 probably wasn't "wow, that would be a great car for my dog." After all, it is a relatively small, albeit handsome sedan that definitely prioritizes its electric power unit over many of its other facets. Despite this, if you were to conduct a closer inspection of the Model 3, you would find a feature that has been aptly named "Dog Mode."
The purpose of this "Dog Mode" is to keep your dog comfortable and safe whenever you're away from your car. The system accomplishes this by utilizing either the air conditioner or the heater to maintain a safe and enjoyable climate for your pup.
Further (according to Car and Driver), when you actually leave, a message will appear on the entertainment system's large screen that says, "My owner will be back soon. Don't worry! The heater [or A/C] is on and it's XX degrees". Overall, we can probably all agree that this is definitely a feature that should be in more cars.
Subaru Loves Pets And So Does Their Outback
Despite not offering any fancy gadgets that are dog-specific, the Outback has always been a staple within the dog-owning community for quite some time. The reason for this is the Outback's mentality of function over gimmicks. Basically, everything about it is thoughtfully simple.
This idea culminates in the various materials that are utilized throughout the wagon. This includes cloth seating (with optional water-resistant Gore-Tex), rubber mats, cargo bay, and bumper protection, and plenty of space for your dog to roam. Additionally, the car is high enough to be somewhat off-roady but also low enough for your dog to easily jump into (this becomes especially helpful in your dog's golden years).
The Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition Can Keep Your Dog's Food Fresh
Next up on the list, we have the Toyota 4Runner, which has plenty of great dog-friendly features right out of the box. For starters, it has a retractable rear hatch window, which will allow your pal to breathe in plenty of fresh air. Further, while they are back there, they will also have more than enough room for activities, as the cargo hold encompasses an area of 47.2 ft³.
If you want your 4Runner to really go the extra mile for your dog, you can always opt for the "Trail Special Edition" trim. With this package, you'll get a 40-quart cooler that you can use to keep your dog's food and water cold and fresh. Additionally, this trim level comes with cloth seats, which makes it extremely easy to clean when your dog decides to play around in some mud.
The Honda Odyssey Is Arguably The Best Car For Dogs
Among all of the options you'll see here today, the Honda Odyssey is by far the best vehicle when it comes to keeping your pet comfortable. Because it's a van, your dog will obviously be able to enjoy plenty of space. However, not only will they love the amount of room that they're given, but they will also be quite fond of how luxurious of a space Honda has made it.
In order to keep your four-legged passengers happy, the Odyssey has Cabin Watch, Cabin Talk, and Cabin Control. The two former features work by allowing you to not only see your dog while they are in the back via a camera but also talk to them through a microphone (this may be helpful for dogs with anxiety). The latter of these attributes keeps the rear cargo area set to a specified temperature; thus, preventing your canine companion from becoming too hot or too cold.
Another reason as to why this vehicle is so great for dog owners is the simple fact that Honda has been equipping the Odyssey with a built-in vacuum for quite some time. So, not only will you be able to bring your dog everywhere, but you'll also be able to easily maintain a clean car as well. Clearly, Honda really has thought of everything, and that's why we think that the Odyssey is truly the perfect vehicle to serve all of your dog's transportation needs.