Skip to main content

Whether you’re a car, a truck person, or a motorcyclist, there’s a good chance you like dogs. However, depending on your choice of ride, your furry friend might not love your car as they age. No worries, you can stack the car-buying deck in your favor by choosing one of the five best cars for dog owners on the market, like the 2024 Subaru Outback.

These cars will serve you and your dog with the best combination of usability and accessibility

So your dog is young. Well, that’s great. However, your dog, like all of us, is going to get up there in years. When that happens, the ease your pupper enjoyed hopping into your vehicle will vanish. Fortunately, these wagon-ized hatchbacks (and a compact SUV) can tick your boxes while preserving your dog’s joints. 

  • 2024 Subaru Outback
  • 2024 Honda HR-V
  • 2024 Subaru Crosstrek
  • 2024 Volvo V60 Cross Country
  • 2024 Audi A6 allroad

If you’ve got a tiny dog, you probably load your canine compatriot by lifting them off the ground and into your car. However, if you’ve got a medium or large dog, you likely open the door or rear hatch to permit your pal. 

A blue 2024 Subaru Outback, one of the best cars for dog owners, drives down a hill.
2024 Subaru Outback | Subaru

Therein lies an issue. Some dog breeds on the larger side, like the German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Boxer, and horse-sized Great Dane, have a tendency to develop joint problems in their later years. Of course, you’re not going to want to stop taking them to the veterinarian’s office or dog park in their advanced age. 

The answer? Make your car more accessible. Now, you could use a modification like a ramp. However, if you want convenience without the hassle, a vehicle with a lower ride height seems like the ticket.

Enter the 2024 Subaru Outback and its slightly shorter sibling, the Crosstrek. Both vehicles feature liftback rear-ends, standard AWD, a budget-friendly starting price, and a ride height that won’t put excessive strain on your dog’s joints. What’s more, the 2024 Honda HR-V’s $25,950 starting price will undercut much of its competition without compromising interior space for your hounds.

Of course, if you want to add a smattering of luxury to your choices, you could put your pups in a 2024 Volvo V60 Cross Country or an Audi A6 allroad. Still, the Volvo and the Audi will demand a much higher starting price.