There are a lot of things for you to consider when you’re shopping for an SUV: the price, the size, the interior features and options, the kind of technology you’ll enjoy, and what sort of safety features will help protect you. Just as important as many of those considerations, however, is figuring out which SUV will work best for your four-legged friend. Fortunately for you, I’m here to help with some of the best SUVs for dog owners on the market.
Bear in mind that this won’t be comprehensive, and the dog you have will really impact what vehicle is best for you. Let’s be honest: the needs of a Newfoundland or Irish Wolfhound aren’t exactly the same as a Jack Russell Terrier or Welsh Corgi. So you’ll need to consider what you really need in a vehicle and the sort of companion you have with you – in addition to keeping in mind what sorts of events or activities you want to bring your pup along for. Ultimately, I can help point you in the right direction, but you’ll need to decide what works best for you.
The Jeep Wrangler
If you like to hit up the great outdoors with your faithful, furry friend, then there are few options better than a Jeep Wrangler. This has been the quintessential off-road SUV for decades, and there are a lot of great reasons for that. It builds on the legacy of the original Jeep and maintains an incredible ability to go just about anywhere you want and handle any trail.
Since these models have been around for a long while, you can find a lot of them on the used market, making it a great choice for just about any budget. Your pooch will love the removable doors and roof, not to mention the fold-down windshield, allowing for a ton of fresh air. Best of all, the interior is washable with a drain, so no matter how muddy your good boy or girl gets, they can make a huge mess inside, and you can hose it down for easy cleanup.
The Ford Bronco (and Bronco Sport)
If you’re looking for something similar to the Jeep Wrangler, but you have a taste for the latest and greatest options, then check out the all-new Ford Bronco. A lot of people feel like the Bronco is set to dethrone the Wrangler as the new king of the trail, and looking at its features makes it pretty clear why. The Bronco has a ton of incredible options and some of the best off-road capability in the industry, so if you like to hit the trail, then it’s a great choice.
You also get a similar wash-out interior with the Ford Bronco, so it’s a terrific option if you have a pup who likes to make a mess. The Bronco Sport is a smaller version of the Ford Bronco, with an impressive off-road performance of its own, making it a great choice if you want something more compact than the standard Bronco. This model just came out, and a lot of them are still on backorder, so they can be hard to track down at the moment, and you won’t find them used.
The Tesla Model Y
While the Wrangler and Bronco are great for their easy cleanup, a Tesla is not necessarily the first model you’d want to allow a muddy hound to leap into. That being said, the Tesla Model Y has one of the few features in the auto industry specifically designed for dogs: the Tesla Dog Mode. Once activated, this will use the Model Y’s climate control system to keep your pup nice and comfortable if you need to leave them in your vehicle while you run into a store or take care of something else. This is the only way to safely leave your dog in a vehicle since they won’t overheat, and there’s no risk of them knocking the SUV into drive. It even displays a message on the vehicle’s infotainment screen to let others know that your dogs are safe and comfy.
The Subaru Outback
Although not quite as rugged or trail-ready as the Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, the Subaru Outback is a great option if you’re looking to take your dog on an adventure or two. It has a very large interior, giving you plenty of room inside for any breed, and a spacious rear cargo area if you prefer to keep your pup in a carrier or crate. One thing I find particularly appealing about going with Subaru is their annual Share the Love Event that is held toward the end of each year. One of the many charities they donate to through this program is the ASPCA, which has rescued more than 74,000 animals using funding from Subaru’s event.
The Chrysler Pacifica
If you’re an attentive and savvy reader, then you’re probably thinking to yourself, “The Pacifica is a minivan, not an SUV!” You’re right, and I’m cheating with this pick, but I don’t care because it’s really a great option. If you need something a lot bigger than SUVs, with a ton of interior space for your dog (or more likely dogs at this point), then a minivan is a great choice, and the Pacifica is as good as they get.
Not only is the interior truly massive, but it’s highly configurable, thanks to the ways the seats can be lowered and arranged. No matter how much space you need for your loyal canine companion, the Chrysler Pacifica has you covered. If you really want an SUV, then this might not be your pick; but if you can look over our collective obsession with SUVs, then this is a vehicle you should strongly consider.
The Toyota Highlander
Of course, if you really do want an SUV, but you also want a lot of interior space, then a three-row model like the Toyota Highlander could be right for you. While not quite as spacious or configurable inside as something like the Pacifica, the Highlander still offers lots of room for family and friends, furry and otherwise. It has solid handling and an engine that can handle any open road, making it very enjoyable to drive so that you and your pup get where you’re going quickly. On top of that, Toyota’s advanced safety features are among the best in the industry, ensuring you get to your destination in good time and in one piece.
The Honda CR-V
One of the most popular crossover SUVs on the market, if you’ve started looking into different SUVs at all, then you’ve likely already encountered this one. The Honda CR-V doesn’t necessarily blow away any other model out there, but it simply does everything well. It’s not the fastest or the most powerful option, nor the most spacious, but its overall appeal is undeniable, and it delivers on a comfortable and responsive driving experience.
You get plenty of room inside for your pup, with lots of options for luxurious materials that are easy to wipe clean after a car ride. Best of all, the Honda CR-V has some of the best standard safety systems in the industry, including a forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control, all standard. You also get a lane keeping assist system and a lane departure warning, both standard, plus much more. So no matter where the road is taking you and your fluffy friend, you know that you’ll both get there safe and sound.
