"I'm a car expert and former Top Gear host – here are the 10 best cars on the market for dog owners"
By Rory Reid, Director of YouTube at Autotrader
As a motoring journalist and the Director of YouTube at Autotrader, I spend a lot of time behind the wheel in all sorts of different cars, so I’m often asked about boot space, electric range and running costs. But there’s one co-pilot car buyers often forget to factor in until it’s too late: the family dog.
Whether you’re dealing with a massive Great Dane that needs headroom or a muddy Cockapoo that leaves a trail of destruction after a walk, your choice of vehicle dictates how stressful your weekend adventures are going to be.
To help solve this dilemma, I've been inspired by this year's Driver’s Choice Awards by Autotrader, the UK's largest automotive marketplace.
We've rounded up the 10 absolute best cars on the market right now for pet owners. From spacious premium SUVs to affordable, wipe-clean family haulers, these are my top picks for keeping your hounds happy on the road.
If you have a large dog and a habit of finding the boggiest walking trails in the UK, the Discovery is practically unbeatable. It’s a go-anywhere SUV with a massive, square boot. That shape is vital because it means large breeds can actually stand up, turn around, and stretch out without hitting their heads on a sloping rear window. Plus, the split tailgate gives them a perfect platform to sit on while you wipe down muddy paws.
This is the car that brings serious tech. The highlight being Tesla’s ‘Dog Mode’ which helps keep the cabin comfortable for your passenger pooch. Combined with the Model Y’s roomy boot, easy access and flat load space which makes light work of blankets, leads and muddy-paw chaos. On top of all of that, it’s just been voted Best Car for Dog Owners by over 160,000 UK consumers at Autotrader’s Drivers’ Choice Awards 2026.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get elite dog practicality. The Jogger is an incredibly affordable seven-seater, but if you drop the back row, it transforms into a cavernous pet paradise. Crucially for dog owners, Dacia prioritises rugged, wipe-clean plastics over delicate luxury materials. If your dog loves a swim or a muddy trail, you can simply clean up the mess with a damp cloth without crying over ruined upholstery.
For those who want something compact for city driving but still practical for the weekend, the Qashqai hits the sweet spot. It features a raised ride height, meaning you don’t have to bend double to strap in a pet harness, alongside a highly accessible boot space perfectly sized for most medium-sized dogs.
If you aren't ready to go fully electric but want zero-emission city driving, this plug-in hybrid estate is a brilliant shout. It combines a long electric-only range for quiet trips to the local park with a remarkably smooth, refined ride. The load area is wide, long, and totally dog-friendly.
Who says having a dog means you have to drive a boring car? This performance estate delivers serious boot space alongside all-wheel-drive confidence that keeps the car completely planted on slippery country lanes. There is plenty of room for active dogs and heavy gear, meaning you get track-level performance without compromising on family duties.
If you have multiple dogs or run a dog-walking business, stop looking at sleek SUVs and buy a van-based MPV. The interior space inside the Tourneo Connect is absolutely massive. More importantly, it features sliding side doors, which are an absolute game-changer when you're trying to unload excited pets in tight, crowded car parks.
If your priority is dependability and ruggedness, the hybrid RAV4 is a stellar choice. Beyond its legendary reliability, it features a roomy boot constructed with easy-to-clean materials, making it a perfect match for muddy outdoor adventures where you just want to throw the gear in and go.
Dogs can be anxious travellers, and the drone of a diesel engine doesn’t help. This fully electric estate offers a whisper-quiet, calm cabin that instantly settles stressed pets. It boasts an impressive battery range, but the real winner is the boot: it features a completely flat loading area, making it incredibly easy for older dogs to hop in and out without straining their joints.
Skoda is famous for its "Simply Clever" storage, and that design philosophy works perfectly for pet owners. This spacious electric SUV is defined by its massive boot and family-friendly layout. It accommodates dogs of all sizes comfortably while offering plenty of hooks and nets to secure crates or pet luggage safely.
Want to see which other cars came out on top? Explore the full Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards 2026 winners, including Best Car for Families and Most Fun Car to Drive: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/new/awards
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