The Best Pet Friendly Cars: A Guide

Pets have become an integral part of many Filipino families. No wonder car manufacturers are jumping in the pet-friendly cars craze these days. For instance, Subaru has funded a study about the crashworthiness of pet crates and carriers, while Volvo has designed genuine accessories for pet owners. Today, many car manufacturers also offer optional car features for pets, like dog gates, pet barriers for the cargo bay, access ramps, cushioned dog beds with easy-wash seat covers, safety restraints, and even dog seatbelts.

This shows how much these furry creatures have become important household members of many families today. And since we love pets as much as you do, we're thinking now is the best time to show our furry friends how much we care for them by giving you the best pet friendly cars in the market today.

Our Recommended Cars According to Your Pet's Needs

Make sure to look for these features when buying or choosing your dog friendly or cat friendly car:

Spacious / Accessible interior

Suitable for those that love the outdoors, it allows your pet enough room to move around without sacrificing your space for all of your camping gear and other gadgets.

Cars with this feature:

• Subaru Outback
• Volvo V60
• Honda Odyssey

Large back door (or hatch) that opens or slides up

This helps the dog to easily jump inside and outside the car. It also makes it easier to lift dog and cat carriers.

Cars with this feature:

• Hyundai Elantra
• Honda Fit
• Kia Forte
• Toyota Prius
• Kia Soul
• Mini Cooper S Clubman
• Kia Sportage
• Mazda 3
• Kia Sedona

*Note: While Hatchbacks and Crossovers are good choices for your pets, keep in mind that too much space can be a problem because it's harder to supervise your dog while your vehicle is moving. Also, too much headroom might cause dogs to jump around. The best ones are those that are not too big and not too small (because your pet needs enough space to move around, too).

Waterproof seat covers / Pet seat cover / Auto seat covers

To keep your car seats clean even during pet "accidents".

Car with this feature:

• Toyota FJ Cruiser

Spacious (boxy) cargo area

The lesser the sloped walls, the more space will be utilized for your dog and cat crates. If uncaged, it also gives more room for your dogs to move around.

Cars with this feature:

• Volvo CX-70
• Ford Edge

Attachment devices (tie-downs) in the seats and/or rear cargo area

Helps a harnessed dog and cat (or their carriers) from sliding around. Seats with attachment devices also allow you to attach a dog seatbelt easily.

Cars with these features:

• Volvo V-60
• Kia Sedona (captain's chairs)
• Honda Element EX
• Honda Pilot
• Toyota Scion xB

*Note: You can also use D-rings on the floor to attach bungee cords that will hold your carrier or crate.

Pet barrier / gate

Helps your dog to remain in the passenger seat. You can also buy a cargo divider as an alternative.

Cars with these features:

• Volvo XC70
• Mini Cooper S Clubman
• Volkswagen Tiguan
• Honda Odyssey
• 2016 Lexus LX 570

Low-to-ground (low load) profile

Makes it easier for your dogs and cats to climb in and out of the car. Especially helpful for pets with arthritis or those with small legs.

Cars with this feature:

• Subaru Outback
• Ford Edge
• Mini Cooper S Clubman
• Kia Sedona
• Mazda 3
• Mercedes Benz GLA Class

Fold-out Ramps or Steps

Also makes it easier for your pets--especially the disabled, injured and senior ones--from getting in and out of the car.

Cars with these features:

• Honda CR-V
• Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X

Back windows that roll down

For good ventilation inside the vehicle.

Cars with these features:

• Toyota 4Runner
• Honda Element EX (rear ventilation windows)

Fold-down rear / front seats

It prevents seats from getting dirty because your dog or cat won't be sitting directly on them. It's also a helpful feature when moving your crates and carriers inside the cabin.

Cars with these features:

• Honda HR-V and Honda Fit's "Magic Seats". It can be folded flat behind the front seats, and even upwards to allow bigger dogs to stand up and still look out the window.
• Hyundai Elantra
• Kia Forte
• Toyota Prius
• Mini Cooper S Clubman
• Volkswagen Tiguan
• Honda Odyssey Minivan
• 2016 Lexus LX 570
• Subaru Impreza WRX 5-Door
• Kia Sedona

*Note: Avoid letting your dog stick his head outside. This can lead to flying debris (such as dirt and even cigarette butts) from getting into his eyes, mouth and nose. Also, sudden stops and braking may cause window cuts around his neck.

Rear A/C vents

In case it's really hot outside and the rear windows aren't enough in providing adequate ventilation.

Cars with this feature:

• Kia Soul (rear climate control)
• Dodge Grand Caravan
• Ford Escape Hybrid (rear floor air ducts)
• GMC Acadia (Rear a/c outlet and tri-zone climate control)
• Honda Element EX (removable cooler)
• Honda Pilot (front / rear aircon with air filtration, trizone automatic climate control)

Non-carpeted / non-fabric walls and floors

Allows easy clean-up and less fur (carpets are dog and cat fur magnets!)

Cars with these features:

• Jeep Wrangler
• Hyundai Elantra
• Kia Forte
• Kia Soul (rubber floor mats)
• 2016 Lexus LX 570 (rubber floor mats)
• Nissan Titan XD PRO-4X (all-season floor mats)
• Dodge Grand Caravan
• Honda Element EX

Removable cargo liner / tray

This helps you take it out for occasional hosing and / or cleaning.

Cars with this features:

• Kia Soul
• Toyota Prius
• Volvo V-60
• 2016 Lexus LX 570
• Toyota Scion xB
• Volvo XC70

Sunroof or Moonroof

Gives great ventilation for your dogs and cats.

Cars with this features:

• Honda Pilot
• Ford Escape Hybrid
• Honda Pilot

Tinted windows

Helps keep vehicles cooler and protects animals (and humans) from glare and other harmful UV rays. Also, they can help hold shattered glass together in case of an accident.

Cars with this feature:

• Almost all cars come with this feature

*Note: Check out for restrictions regarding tinted windows.

In-floor storage bins

Separates your things from your pets while keeping them safe and out of their way.

Cars with this feature:

• Honda Odyssey Minivan (underfloor compartments)
• GMC Acadia
• Toyota Scion xB

Childproof locks and windows

Avoids accidental closing and opening of doors and windows.

Cars with this feature:

• Almost all cars have this feature
• GMC vehicles (OnStar remote start or unlock) in case your dog locks you out

Vacuum-ready

Helps clear out kibbles, pet fur, dirt, and other messy things inside the car.

Cars with this feature:

• Honda Odyssey
• Chrysler Pacifica

Scented Interiors

Best for cars with absorbent interiors, they allow the cabin to smell fresh due to their built-in fragrances. This helps you dog's scent from not sticking to the car's fabric and carpet.

Cars with this feature:

• Dodge Grand Caravan
• Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Our Recommended Cars According to Car Type / Size

Generally, the best cars for your pets are Compact to Large SUVs, Minivans, Midsize-Large Sedans, Wagons Hatchbacks.

Minivans

Great for the following pets sizes:

• All types of cats
• Border Terrier, Boston Terrier, and Cairn Terrier

Recommended minivans for pet lovers: Honda Odyssey

Compact SUVs

Work for the following pets with these sizes:

• All types of cats
• Cockapoos
• Corgis
• Cocker Spaniels

Recommended compact SUVs for pet lovers: Ford Escape Hybrid and GMC Terrain

Mid-size to large SUVs

 Great for pets with these sizes:

• All types of cats
• Bernese Mountain Dogs
• Rottweilers
• Giant Schnauzers
• Boxers

Recommended mid-size to large sedans for pet lovers: Toyota Highlander / Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited

Mid-size sedans

Best for pets with these sizes:

• All types of cats
• Yorkies
• Shih Tzus
• Westies

Recommended mid-size sedans for pet lovers: Hyundai Sonata, Ford Fusion, Kia Optima

Large sedans

For the following pets sizes:

• All types of cats
• Pugs
• Jack Russel Terrier
• Puggles

Recommended large sedans for pet lovers: Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera

Wagons / Hatchbacks

 Suitable for pets with these sizes:

• All types of cats
• Border Collies
• Retrievers
• Australian Shepherds

Recommended wagons / hatchback for pet lovers: Subaru Outback

Our Overall Picks

These are just some of the best cars to drive your pets around in. With all the cars we’ve mentioned here, our overall  pet car picks are:

1. Honda Element EX
2. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
3. Toyota FJ Cruiser

Why did we pick Honda Element EX as our number one animal friendly car? The Honda Element EX offers a Dog Friendly Package, merging almost all the good features we mentioned here. Unfortunately, it’s not available in the Philippines, although you can import it from other countries. You may need to splurge more, though, but it's definitely worth it. After all, isn't it a small price to pay for the happiness our pets bring us every day? A Dog Friendly Package costs around $1,000; a pet's love -- priceless. Need we say more?