7 of the best cars for dog owners

Here are seven of the best cars you can lease for dog owners

As the saying goes, a dog is man’s best friend. 

And we’d agree. There’s nothing that makes the Carparison office happier than when a four-legged friend comes to visit. 

You want your pet to feel safe and secure on every journey – whether it's a quick trip to the vet, a long walk over the moors, or a family holiday. But beyond keeping them comfortable, the law is very clear about how you should transport your furry friend.

Rule 57 of the Highway Code states that you need to make sure that ‘dogs or other animals are suitably restrained’. For ease, putting your dog in the boot in a comfy crate filled with some of their familiar items is the best way to go.

Having your dog secured safely not only brings peace of mind, but it also means you’ll avoid having to pay a potentially hefty £5,000 fine.

So with your dog being such an integral part of your family, you’ll want to bear their needs in mind when it comes to selecting your next lease car.

We’ve rounded up seven of the best lease cars for dog owners to make life easier for you, comfier for them, and safer all around.

Volvo XC40

The Volvo XC40 is one of the best compact SUVs on the market, and with its 452L boot it also makes a great car for owners of dogs big and small.

The load bay is a good square shape too, which will make fitting a cage into the back an absolute doddle. 

But the XC40 isn't just a good car for your dog. 

It's excellent for humans too, which is just as well – you'll inevitably be spending more time in it than they will. The cabin is spacious and comfortable, with plenty of room for five adults to stretch out without clashing elbows.

The tech on offer is impressive, even in the entry-level Core trim. Every XC40 comes with:

• 9in infotainment screen
• DAB radio and Apple CarPlay
• Cruise control and keyless start
• Dual-zone climate control
• Rear parking sensors
• Volvo OnCall (alerts emergency services if you're in a collision)

Whether you’re zipping around town or heading off on an adventure, the Volvo XC40 is flexible, comfortable and economical – especially if you opt for the plug-in hybrid version.

Ford Capri

The Ford Capri might seem like an unexpected choice for dog owners, but hear us out.

This sleek electric crossover surprises with a generous 572-litre boot – that's more space than many traditional SUVs offer. Your four-legged friend will have plenty of room to stretch out, whether they're in a crate or secured with a harness.

The clever removable boot compartments are a game-changer for dog owners.

Muddy lead after a woodland walk? Simply pop out the compartment, give it a rinse at home, and slot it back in. No more scrubbing dried mud out of carpet.

But the Capri isn't just about practicality – though it's got that in spades.

The smooth, responsive drive means no jerky stops that might unsettle your passenger, while the customisable driving modes let you dial in the perfect balance of comfort and efficiency for your journeys.

Inside, the spacious cabin comfortably seats five adults, so there's plenty of room for the whole family plus your furry friend. And with a WLTP Comb range of up to 389 miles, you can venture further afield for those special dog-walking adventures without worrying about finding a charger.

The Capri isn't just spacious – it's packed with smart tech too:

• EV trip planner with live traffic updates and charging availability
• Five selectable drive modes (Normal, ECO, Sport, Individual, Traction)
• Wireless phone charging in the centre console
• Driver Assistance Pack including lane centring and lane change assist
• 360-degree parking camera with five cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors
• Head-up display for essential information without taking your eyes off the road

It's proof that you don't need to compromise on style, or technology, to find a car that works brilliantly for dog owners.

SKODA Superb

If your taste in dog leans more towards the 'can't work out if it's actually a bear' type (think Bernese Mountain Dog, English Sheepdog, Irish Wolfhound), then you'll want the SKODA Superb and its cavernous 660L boot.

Seriously.

The proportions of the Superb are spaceship-like. It's probably the most sensible car ever invented, and – being a SKODA – it's great value for money, well-built, and has plenty of clever touches like an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap and an umbrella in the driver's door.

It's just as roomy in the cabin too, with leg, head and shoulder room to spare. Even if all your friends are rugby players, you'll have no qualms fitting them all in.

The boot also has a handy touch-free opening option, which is excellent if you've been out splashing in muddy puddles and need to wrangle a wet dog into the boot without falling over.

The Superb doesn't just excel in space – its technology makes every journey smoother for both you and your canine companion:

• Three central rotary dials with multi-function capabilities (temperature, heated/cooled seats, drive mode)
• Adaptive cruise control for stress-free motorway driving
• Adaptive LED headlights – some of the best in the business
• Clickwheel on steering wheel for quick access to driver settings
• Massage function in front seats (L&K spec) for those longer journeys
• GSR-II mandated driver assistance systems (collision mitigation braking, lane-keep, speed limit warnings)
• Over-the-air software updates to keep your car at its best
• Intuitive infotainment system with easy-to-navigate menus

But the Superb isn't just practical.

The facelifted version is good-looking too, with a remodelled grille, new bumpers, LED headlights and some chrome trim for extra pizzazz. If you're looking for a car that can actually do it all, the SKODA Superb should be top of the list for your next car lease.

Tesla Model Y

If you're after an electric car lease option, they don't come much better for dog owners than the Tesla Model Y.

Not only does it have an enormous 854-litre boot – plus extra storage in the frunk – but it's practical inside the cabin too, with plenty of space for five adults and all their clutter.

But the Tesla Model Y has a little party trick that makes it absolutely perfect for your next electric lease – it comes equipped with 'Dog Mode'. This is a climate control setting that lets you keep the car's interior temperature in a comfortable range while the vehicle is parked up.

And while leaving your dog in the car isn't ideal, Dog Mode will give you peace of mind that your furry friend is okay.

You can even check on your dog through a cabin-mounted camera, and the 15in touchscreen on the dash will display a message to let well-meaning passers-by know the interior temperature is safe and you'll be back soon.

The Tesla Model Y takes tech to another level, making every journey with your four-legged friend a digital delight:

• 15-inch central touchscreen controlling most vehicle functions
• Voice activation system for hands-free control
• 16-speaker premium sound system with subwoofer
• Fast wireless phone chargers
• Ambient lighting around the beltline
• Electric front seats with heating and cooling as standard
• Heated rear seats with longer cushions for added comfort
• UV-reflective panoramic glass roof
• 8-inch rear tablet for climate control and entertainment
• Electrically reclining rear seats
• Auto-folding rear seats operated from the boot
• Dog Mode climate control system to keep your pet comfortable
• Cabin-facing camera for monitoring your pet while away from the vehicle
• Enhanced connectivity with faster Wi-Fi and clearer phone calls

The Tesla Model Y ticks the economical boxes too, with zero emissions driving, a claimed WLTP Comb range of up to 353 miles, and whole life costs that work out cheaper than diesel or petrol engine equivalents.

Dacia Duster

If you're after a brand-new car that offers phenomenal value for money, the Dacia Duster is the car for you.

It's especially good if your pooch has a habit of getting mud everywhere, and you don't fancy splashing out on something more premium that's only going to end up covered in dust and hair. There's a certain hardiness to the Duster that offers reassurance it can handle whatever you – and your dog – throw at it.

And though, if you dig deep, you'll be able to spot where Dacia have managed to save on their costs, it's still a much better car than its price might suggest at first glance.

The boot is a generous 445 litres too, with space for a dog crate for smaller animals and plenty of room for bigger dogs to have a nice lie down and a snooze.

If you're someone who just wants the basics, opt for the entry-level trim with DAB radio, air con, roof bars and manual windows.

But if you like a few more creature comforts, the Journey trim has everything you need, including an 8in infotainment screen, parking cameras, active safety systems and 17in wheels.

While the Dacia Duster prioritises value over luxury, it offers all the essential tech without unnecessary frills:

• Digital driver's display (on all trims except entry-level)
• Centre touchscreen with navigation (on Journey trim)
• Built-in smartphone clip for using your own device
• 3D sound stereo system (on Journey trim)
• Physical climate control buttons and switches
• Driver assist features with easy override options
• Modular roof bars compatible with various accessories
• Optional foldable double bed system for camping adventures
• Available smart storage solutions including clips for gadgets and hooks
• Range of clever accessories to enhance practicality

For rugged style and affordable car leasing, look no further than the Dacia Duster.

BMW X1

If you're after something a little more premium, BMW’s smallest SUV is the car for you.

Though smaller in stature than the rest of the line-up, the BMW X1  still has a sizeable boot at 540L with the seats up, which for most dogs will give them plenty of space to stretch out. If you're eyeing up the (very good) electric variant, the BMW iX1 does lose a little space to the battery, but you'll still get a decent 490L.

The cabin is roomy too, and the quality of the finish is – as expected – very good. It's not just a box-ticking token model, but a well-thought-out and well-crafted compact SUV.

And with three trim levels on offer – Sport, xLine and M Sport – there's sure to be an X1 that suits your budget and your lifestyle. Even the entry-level model is very well equipped, with all BMW X1s coming with BMW's new Curved Display unit.

This combines the digital dial display and infotainment system into one big display, though this does come with the loss of the iDrive rotary controller – an absence that physical button aficionados might mourn.

The BMW X1 delivers premium tech that enhances both driving pleasure and pet transport convenience:

• 8.8" central display with BMW Navigation
• Customisable colour head-up display (Tech Pack)
• Adaptive LED headlights (Tech Pack)
• Enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging
• Reversing assist camera
• Forward vehicle collision warning
• City collision mitigation and brake preconditioning
• Speed limit information
• Dual-zone climate control
• Powered tailgate for easy access
• 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Front and rear park distance control
• Cruise control with braking function

All things considered, if you're after a premium SUV lease car to cart your dog around in, you can't go far wrong with the BMW X1.

Peugeot E-Rifter

If you need space, but you're after an electric vehicle, then the Peugeot E-Rifter might be the car for you.

An underrated gem in the big car world, the E-Rifter's style is a lot more rugged SUV than traditional MPV, especially when compared to rivals like theCitroen e-Berlingo. This gives it wide-ranging appeal, and makes it perfect if you have a large dog – or need to carry around more than one dog at a time.

There'll be no doggy arguments in the spacious boot, and with up to seven seats on offer it's also perfect if you need to cart around a lot of humans. Though this isn't as fun as chauffeuring around your waggy-tailed pals, it is necessary.

And even those hitting six-foot won't find their knees up around their ears in the rearmost seats.

The E-Rifter transforms family transport with cutting-edge tech that makes traveling with pets a breeze:

• Peugeot's distinctive iCockpit interior design
• Improved battery range of up to 199 miles (WLTP pending)
• Voice-activated digital assistant ("Okay Peugeot")
• Remote software updates for continued improvement
• Comprehensive 18 driver assistance features including: 
• Keyless entry for easy access when hands are full
• Adaptive cruise control for relaxed highway driving
• Park assist technology for stress-free parking
• Heated steering wheel for added comfort
• 100kW rapid charging capability (30 minutes for 0-80%)
• Available in both five and seven-seat configurations

Though all this space does have an impact on range, the claimed WLTP Comb range is still a decent 172 miles, which makes the Peugeot E-Rifter the perfect option for anyone needing a versatile vehicle with more space than you could shake a stick at.

The bottom line

Whether you've got a tiny terrier or a Great Dane that thinks it's a lapdog, there's a lease car out there that'll work perfectly for you and your four-legged family member.

From the Tesla Model Y's clever Dog Mode to the SKODA Superb's cavernous boot, each of these cars brings something special to the table for dog owners.

The key is thinking about your specific needs – do you prioritise boot space, easy cleaning, or perhaps those handy tech features that make life with a pet that bit easier?

Whatever you choose, you'll have peace of mind knowing your furry friend will be safe, secure, and comfortable on every journey. 

After all, they deserve nothing less than the best.