Everyone believes they have the world's best dog, and you know what? They're not wrong. you dogs are more than just your pets, they're beloved members of the family. They should be allowed to accompany you on holiday and for those weekend trips out of town. I know that many of us would love to be able to take them to work with us because that beats having to leave them every morning.
Related: Are SUVs good for dog owners?
When we choose cars, we think of our requirements. For many of us, the ability to transport our dogs in the car with you is an important deciding factor. We know that the two-seater convertible is less than suited to this purpose, and we would still like them to travel in a fair amount of comfort and safety.
Dog-friendly car boots on a budget
We've rounded up ten vehicles that we think make great cars for dogs (not that they can drive) and dog owners. We've given some of the reasons here, but it is by no means an exhaustive list. In no particular order...
Think carefully, your dog knows a few human words, but you don't know what any of their barks really mean; they may be smarter than us!
1. Toyota Urban Cruiser / Suzuki Grand Vitara
The Toyota Urban Cruiser shares its platform with the Suzuki Grand Vitara. The specs are similar as are the prices so it will come down to which service plan and dealership network you provide. Either way, the Urban Cruiser/Grand Vitara offers up a sizeable 353-litre boot and a tailgate that opens up nice and wide. It's not an overly expensive 4x4, and is only 2-wheel drive, so it's better suited to the occasional gravel road jaunt, but you'll revel in its size and proportion on the road though. The woofs will love it!
2. Honda Elevate
This fresh newcomer looks like it will be ideal for cross-country trips with your furry companions. The boot is a sizeable 458 litres and has a 60/40 folding rear seat to expand it even further. The Elevate is surprisingly spacious and will also suit larger breeds. The boot ledge is nice and low, which will help with the loading and unloading of your four-pawed friends.
3. Volkswagen T-Cross
No list would be complete without one of South Africa's favourite brands. You will love the Volkswagen T-Cross as will your pooch, the rear is generously proportioned and has a large 377 litre boot with a floor that can be adjusted to increase the load volume for larger doggos, then you get 455 litres. Fold the seats forward and it opens up 1 281 litres of space! With the floor in it's highest setting, there very little in the way of a boot ledge, helping your hairy hounds disembark with greater ease.
4. Suzuki Jimny 3-door
We can hear you saying that the surely the Suzuki Jimny 5-door would be a better option? Not quite. We've chosen the 3-door for a few very specific reasons. Firstly, the rear seats are truly flat, opening up a large volume of space and allowing your dogs to roam comfortably and safely. The range of accessories for the Jimny is also impressive and caters for pets. A moulded rubber mat will look after their paws, slider rear windows will give them a view of the passing scenery, and the hook attachment system means that you can strap them in with relative ease. The barn door style tailgate also means that getting one and out is even easier.
5. Renault Duster
The Renault Duster has been around for a good few years and we like the Duster quite a bit. In diesel guise it's frugal and powerful and a rather agreeable lifestyle companion. They've proven themselves to be reliable as well. We like the fact that the Duster has a larger rear cargo space with 478 litre boot with rear seats that fold forward should you need more space. The rear ledge of the boot is also fairly flush with the boot floor, making it easier for short-leg breeds to negotiate the exit.
6. BMW X1
Compact and classy, the new BMW X1 is a stylish crossover with a surprising amount of space. You will enjoy driving it and your cuddle buddy will enjoy travelling in it too. It has a sizeable 540 litre boot, one of the best in its class, and this can grow to even greater volume when you fold the 40/20/40 folding rear seats forward. The flat floor is perfect for paws and the suspension is compliant and capable. Perfect for the doggie that demands the best.
7. Volvo XC40
Volvo is the brand known for being the safest, and who wouldn't want to make sure that their darling doggies are taken care of as well? Not only is the Volvo inherently safe, but they offer a range of accessories specifically designed to help keep your pest safe while travelling. These include cargo nest and grilles to keep your rambunctious hounds in one area of the car, safely away from the controls. They offer padded dog harnesses and floor mats to help not only keep them safe, but comfortable too.
8. Mahindra Scorpio-N
This was one of our biggest surprises of 2023. The Mahindra Scorpio-N is a 7-seater SUV with 4x4 and a ladder frame construction. It's the first body-on-frame vehicle to score a full 5 stars in the recently established Global NCAP tests. With the rear row folded forward, it offers up a lot of space, perfect for multiple mutts, and has a barn-door-style tailgate that opens up to a low ledge for easy access. It's a full-size SUV at an agreeable price and one worth considering.
9. Land Rover Defender 110
We've chosen two from the same brand for our last two but that's mainly because they serve two different lifestyles but both have a design that favours pet owners. The Defender is the ultimate overlander, and the rear of the Defender 110 is a space fit for a king, or queen. Your pets will love it too, with its generous space and flexible layout. The barn-door tailgate makes entry and exit a breeze, but to make things even easier, Land Rover has a comprehensive host of accessories for pets. You can get rubber mats, access ramps, pet carriers and even portable rinsing solutions. Look out for their spillproof water bowls, quilted cargo liners, and loadspace partitions.
10. Land Rover Range Rover
Land Rover seems to understand what owning a pet is like and designs their vehicles accordingly. While you can get the same sort of pet accessories for transporting your dogs in your Range Rover, the split tailgate will help access the rear cargo section, providing a handy ledge for you to sit on as well. The Range Rover has a steeped history of carrying dogs and if it was good enough for the Queen and her corgis, it'll be perfect for you too!
