Used Car Buyer's Guide: Best Dog Friendly Cars

We are truly a nation of dog lovers. Over a third of UK households have at least one dog, with an estimated 13 million pooches across the country.  

It’s understandable that we want our four-legged friends to feel just as at-home in our cars as we do, whether it’s a quick hop in the boot to your favourite field or a long drive to a family holiday destination. 

We’ve considered size, boot loading space, optional extras and driving smoothness to come up with our top five used cars for dog owners.  

Best Value Option – Dacia Jogger 

The Dacia Jogger makes a fabulous (and affordable) car for dog owners thanks to its proper seven-seat usability. You can fit the dog, the kids, and all the tennis balls you can dream of into this large family car. 

If you don’t need them, the bonus seats at the back can be completely removed, creating ample room for big dog crates accommodating large breeds like Great Danes and Newfoundlands. Either way, its low boot opening and square door make it super easy to load and unload bulky pups and equipment. 

Animal lovers also love Dacia’s dog-friendly accessories – especially the optional Pet Pack, which includes a boot liner and partition grille.  

Best Electric Option – Skoda Enyaq 

The Skoda Enyaq is a fantastic choice for dog owners – but don’t take it from us.  This stylish SUV took home the Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Award for ‘Best Car for Dogs’, thanks to its spacious cabin, clever design, and smooth driving experience. 

With its large, easily accessible boot and wide-opening doors, loading dogs and their gear is super simple. There’s plenty of room for crates, beds, toys, and travel accessories, and the Enyaq’s calm and quiet electric drive makes journeys more relaxing for nervous dogs. Long trips, quick trips, muddy walks, or vet visits – the Enyaq handles it all with ease. 

Drivers can also take advantage of Škoda’s dedicated canine accessories, including harness options, protective boot mats, and full Pet Packs featuring guards and bumper protection. In the Enyaq, human comfort and dog-friendly practicality go paw-in-paw. 

Best Premium Option – Land Rover Defender 

If you can bear to get muddy paws on that premium upholstery, the Land Rover Defender is a fabulous premium choice for dog owners. It’ll transport you to the muddy woodland walks and beach escapes with ease, and you’ll look good doing it. This iconic SUV is a treat for you and your canine companions. 

With its generous interior space, wide-opening boot door, and impressive boot capacity, the Defender makes loading even the largest dog breeds (and all their outdoor gear) wonderfully simple. Whether you’re travelling with one pampered pup or a whole pack of energetic explorers, there’s more than enough room to stretch out, settle in, and enjoy the ride. 

Land Rover also has a huge range of premium pet accessories; including tailored boot protectors, quilted load-space mats, full-height guards, and a luxurious Pet Pack complete with a portable rinse system – perfect for sandy paws and muddy fur. 

Best All-Rounder – Kia Sportage 

It's spacious, it’s comfortable, it’s got an industry-leading warranty – of course the Kia Sportage made the list. Recently crowned What Car?’s Family SUV of the Year, the Sportage impresses on paper and in real-world family life, proving it’s just as well suited to humans as it is to four-legged passengers. 

Inside, the Sportage offers generous headroom, wide-opening doors, and a practical boot layout that makes loading dogs, crates, and weekend-away essentials quick and easy. 

Kia also offers a thoughtful range of accessories designed to protect your interior and keep pups secure, including custom boot liners, guards, and protective mats for mucky adventures. 

Best Hatchback – Volkswagen Golf 

The Volkswagen Golf is the ideal best hatchback option for dog owners who don’t need a big SUV but still want practical pet-friendly features. Compact on the outside yet cleverly spacious inside, the Golf proves that you don’t need a chunky 4x4 to travel happily and hassle-free with pups. 

It's easy to get pets in and out thanks to the wide-opening boot and low loading height, whether you’re popping to the park or heading away for a weekend adventure. There’s ample room in the boot for medium-sized breeds, dog beds, and travel essentials, and its famously stable drive makes journeys smooth, predictable, and reassuring for both dogs and humans. 

Owners can also equip their Golf with a range of dog-friendly accessories, including boot protection and secure travel barriers, helping keep pets comfortable whilst protecting the interior from muddy paws and wagging tails.