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Best Cars & SUVs for Dogs in 2024

Dog in Car
Credit: Getty / Johnce

The Most Dog-Friendly Cars & SUVs Are Roomy & Easy to Clean

Taking the dog for a ride is fun, but traveling with pets can be a challenge. While cars aren’t specifically designed to transport our canine friends, some vehicles can keep your dog comfortable and safe on the road. To compile this list, we searched for cars with dog-friendly features.

How We Ranked These Dog-Friendly Cars


2024 Subaru Forester

2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness
Subaru Forester Wilderness / Credit: Subaru

Best Small SUV for Dogs

  • Price: $27,095
  • What We Like: Very spacious; excellent safety scores, standard all-wheel drive (AWD); great Carfax user reviews
  • What We Don’t: So-so acceleration; below-average reliability

Its durable interior and spacious cargo hold make the Forester a smart choice for taking your pup out for a drive. Keep the cabin clean with optional features such as waterproof fabric, leather upholstery, seat covers, and rear-seat protectors. The Subaru Forester is all about utility over style. Because of its boxy design and efficient use of space, it features a class-leading cargo capacity of 76.1 cubic feet. Cargo ties help secure cages and safety harnesses.

It has comfortable seats in both rows, excellent crash test ratings, and comes equipped with a full suite of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS). As with most Subaru vehicles, the Forester has standard AWD, but it gets much better gas mileage than its AWD rivals. The only downside is the so-so acceleration from its 182-horsepower engine.

Shopping for a Used Forester?

The Forester received a subtle styling update for 2022 and a new Wilderness off-road trim, but Subaru hasn’t fully redesigned the Forester since 2019, so models from 2019-2024 will have similar specs.


2024 Subaru Ascent

2023 Subaru Ascent
Subaru Ascent / Credit: Subaru

Best 3-Row SUV for Dogs

  • Price: $34,395
  • What We Like: Great safety scores; reasonable price with AWD; large cargo area
  • What We Don’t: Less power than some competitors

It’s another Subaru. If you have seen a Subaru commercial in the past 20 years, finding one on a list of pet-friendly vehicles shouldn’t be a surprise.

Even though the Ascent comes standard with AWD – something that’s optional on nearly all other 3-row crossovers – it still has a competitive starting price. In addition, this midsize 3-row SUV has plenty of room for cargo (including folded crates), a coddling ride, and spacious seats for adults in all three rows.

This Subaru SUV earns strong crash test ratings and comes standard with many safety features, as well as Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Its only demerit is its mediocre 260-horsepower turbo-4 engine.

Shopping for a Used Ascent?

The Ascent was refreshed for 2023 but hasn’t had a complete redesign since it debuted for 2019.


2024 Honda Odyssey

2021 Honda Odyssey
Honda Odyssey / Credit: Honda

Best Minivan for Dogs

  • Price: $38,240
  • What We Like: Good at everything; spacious; excellent crash-test scores; fun to drive for a minivan
  • What We Don’t: Mediocre mpg

With up to 144.9 cubic feet of cargo space, the Odyssey minivan has plenty of room for your pooch to relax. Power-sliding doors, a low floor, and foldable seats make it easy to jump in and out, and an optional built-in vacuum cleaner is right there to suck up pet hair and crumbs. The Odyssey’s available CabinWatch system helps you keep an eye on what’s going on in the back, and if your pooch needs to hear your voice, you can broadcast back there through the optional CabinTalk microphone.

The Odyssey earned a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Honda’s extensive suite of ADAS features includes lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning – all standard on every trim.

Shopping for a Used Odyssey?

The Odyssey’s interior and exterior styling were last refreshed for the 2021 model year, so the 2021-2024 models look identical. Honda has been making the Odyssey since 1994, so there are many used models on the market. The last major redesign was in 2018, and models from 2018 through 2024 are similar, although all used Honda Odysseys follow the same basic formula: V6, 3 rows, good performance, and strong reliability.


2024 Jeep Wrangler

2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X 4xe
Jeep Wrangler / Credit: Jeep

Best Off-Road SUV for Dogs

  • Price: $31,995
  • What We Like: Iconic off-roader; convertible top; four engine options ranging from 270-470 hp; plug-in hybrid option; endless opportunities for customization; reasonable starting price; fun fun fun; reliable
  • What We Don’t: Impractical; poor mpg; so-so crash-test scores; not as comfortable as rivals

The Wrangler is canine-friendly and especially good for larger dogs. Water-resistant carpet and floor drains will make it easy for owners to wash away mud, dirt, and dog hair. The Wrangler’s removable top and open sides are a treat for any dog who enjoys the rush of the wind, and its rear seat is roomy enough to nap comfortably — all while tie-down hooks keep your dog safely harnessed. The off-road Wrangler also has a large cargo hold to accommodate a crate or collapsible kennel.

Shopping for a Used Wrangler?

While the Wrangler’s styling has remained relatively consistent for decades, the current generation only dates back to 2018. Since then, the Wrangler has gained more safety features and an available turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Jeep added the 4xe PHEV to the lineup partway through the 2021 model year. The Wrangler got a slight styling update for 2024.


2024 Kia Soul

Kia Soul / Credit: Kia

Best Affordable Car for Dogs

  • Price: $20,190
  • What We Like: 62.1 cu ft of cargo space for under $20K; funky styling
  • What We Don’t: 4-star crash-test rating; no AWD

Despite its small stature, the boxy Soul provides plenty of cabin and cargo space. The rear seats fold down to create 62.1 cubic feet of cargo space — enough for any dog to stretch out comfortably — and you can easily slide toys and dog bowls into the hidden storage compartment under the floor. The subcompact SUV’s low, wide liftgate opening makes it easier to load up pets and their equipment, while a rear-occupant alert helps ensure no canine will be left behind.

Shopping for a Used Soul?

The Kia Soul has been on the market since 2008. The current third-generation model arrived for the 2020 model year. 2020 and 2021 models are available with a manual transmission, but the 2022 is not. Kia refreshed the Soul for 2023, updating the styling and removing the 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter engine option.


2024 Ram 1500

2022 Ram 1500 Limited
Ram 1500 Limited / Credit: Ram

Best Pickup Truck for Dogs

  • Price: $39,420
  • What We Like: Nicest cabin of any pickup; smooth ride; solid lineup of engines up to 702 hp TRX
  • What We Don’t: Pricier than average

The Ram deserves credit as the luxury pick among today’s full-size pickups. However, its massive back seat area is one feature that helps it stand above the others for dog-carrying ability. Order a Ram 1500 with the Crew Cab, and your pup will be a happy camper. (Never carry a dog in a pickup truck’s bed.)

The Ram also has a supple ride, a premium cabin, spacious seats, and many available features. It doesn’t lead the class in towing and payload, but it’s highly capable. The Ram 1500 offers a wide range of engine choices, including a turbodiesel and multiple V8s, including a ridiculous 702-horsepower engine.

It’s hard to find fault with the Ram 1500 aside from its above-average sticker price and short list of standard features. If you prioritize fuel economy but aren’t in the market for a diesel truck, stick with the Ram’s base V6 or opt for the available V8 with its mild-hybrid system.

Shopping for a Used Ram 1500?

Ram 1500s from 2019-2024 offer nearly identical styling and features. Ram still sells the 2018 model as the Ram Classic.


2024 Hyundai Kona Electric

2024 Hyundai Kona Electric
Hyundai Kona Electric / Credit: Hyundai

Best EV for Dogs

  • Price: $32,675
  • What We Like: Good price
  • What We Don’t: Small second row

Your dog will appreciate the smooth, quiet ride of this electric SUV, and you’ll appreciate its low price and long range. The Kona is relatively spacious for an EV, thanks to its crossover body style, and the leather upholstery is easy to clean should accidents occur.

Because the Kona Electric is based on the gas-powered Kona, it’s small, peppy, and easy to maneuver. It also has several high-tech ADAS features and a great warranty.

Shopping for a Used Kona Electric?

Hyundai redesign the Kona for 2024. The Kona Electric debuted in 2019.


Safely Carrying Your Dog in the Car

Dogs need lots of room, making spacious rear seats and cargo holds a must. Your pup needs plenty of space to stretch out, and owners also need enough space to transport crates, cages, and dog beds. It’s easier for dogs to scamper into cars that sit closer to the ground or have wide liftgates — and don’t forget that durable fabric and detachable rugs can keep your car clean and smelling fresh.

Safety features are essential, as well. Tie-down hooks help you attach a dog harness (never take your dog out without one!) or secure a large cage. For dogs who are anxious or distracted by loud sounds, cars equipped with noise cancellation can keep the cabin calm and quiet.


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