Ruff-roaders: The best SUVs for dogs

Calling all dog owners. Looking for the best car to suit you and your four-legged friend? We’ve done the leg work: treat yourself to a look at our top SUVs for dogs and their owners. 

An SUV could be the perfect car choice for you and your furry companions. Whether driving to your favourite walking spot, discreetly navigating the road to the vet, or simply running errands with some puppy moral support; SUVs offer the space, practicality, and safety to get you and your dogs there in comfort – come rain or shine.

For those damp days, when you’d rather be curled up on the sofa, an SUV's canine carrying capabilities can be boosted by choosing the correct tyre. Uniroyal’s rain tyres are great for matching the inclement weather UK clouds can throw our way. As ‘rain experts’ since 1969, Uniroyal know a thing or two about designing a tyre with good grip and handling in wet conditions. And we’ve got good news: each of our best SUVs for dogs can be fitted with the Uniroyal RainSport 5.

Land Rover Discovery

If boot space is the priority, you can’t go wrong with the expansive Land Rover Discovery.

There’s 1,137 litres of rear dog space when in five-seater mode. But if that isn’t enough, folding the middle row down — which can be done electronically from the central touch screen — bumps this up to a van-esque 2,406 litres. This practical, easily accessible boot space can house even the biggest of dogs, however they travel, and there should be room for them to do so comfortably. It's no surprise this also made our overall best cars for dogs list 2024.

With 35 years’ worth of proven off-road credentials, and extra ground clearance, the Discovery can also defeat any Chelsea tractor allegations thrown its way. This makes it ideal for dog walking in remote locations, no matter the terrain, or weather. And should the heavens open as you begin to spell out a pups’ favourite word (W-A-L-K…) the RainSport 5’s best-in-class wet performance can provide the grip to make sure no exercise is skipped.

Volvo XC60

The Volvo XC60 can’t match the gargantuan internal dimensions of the Land Rover (despite the seat-down capacity of 1,410 litres being nothing to sniff at). But let’s face it, that’s not why people buy a Volvo anyway. It's the safety which is synonymous with the Swedish brand, and the XC60 is no exception.

Pets are precious, and the Volvo’s perfect five star score on the Euro NCAP safety test can give you the peace of mind that all your passengers are safe. There’s auto-emergency braking, driver attention monitor, lane assist, and traffic-sign recognition all packed in as standard, with the option to tick blind spot monitoring, pilot assist and other additional safety tech boxes. And for one more layer of safety, the RainSport 5’s enhanced handling and aquaplane resistance can carry this assurance onto wet roads too. 

Rear window tint can also be added (as with many of entries on this list) to protect any dog passengers from unwanted sunlight or glare.

Hyundai Bayon

From food costs, vet trips, and pet insurance, to any luxuries you buy for your pet (fancy doggy toothpaste comes at a price), it’s safe to say owning a dog isn’t cheap. Enter the Hyundai Bayon, our cost-saving choice to leave you with more pennies to spend on your pooch.

A more compact offering, there is still room for a pack of pugs and chihuahuas in the Bayon’s 1,205-litre boot once the seats are down. But it’s the price tag that sets the Korean SUV apart, as you can get your hands on one from a thrifty £22,480. Partner this with a frugal engine capable of MPG numbers in the low fifties, and you’ve got a canine carrier which is pretty easy on the wallet (or purse).

And if that’s not enough, the RainSport 5’s low-rolling resistance and tyre surface abrasion can help further reduce costs down the line, allowing for doggy holidays and trips further afield. 

BMW X5

And finally, for the really pampered pups, our luxury option: the BMW X5. 

Thanks to the premium materials and quality spread across the entire vehicle, the 650-litre boot (1,870 litres with the seats folded) in the X5 is a pleasant place for any pup. Although it’s not class leading in terms of size, your dog will be getting the passenger princess treatment as they travel in style here. 

Lauded for the precise driving and optimal traction which its all-wheel x-drive system delivers, this smooth runner can give the Rainsport 5’s a chance to demonstrate their handling performance — and reduced road noise for extra canine comfort. 

Even better, if you opt for adaptive air suspension, your dog will be insulated from potholes as they embark on decadent journeys over ruff rough terrain. 

We’d love to hear if any of our picks would be your dog-friendly SUV of choice. And have we missed any from our list? Let us know on our social channels.

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