Ratings for Rover: Top Pet Friendly Cars in Australia

Life with pets can be messy and fussy to say the least. Your local parkrun can turn into muddy seats, trying to load them often feels like awkward gymnastics, and then fitting a dog, removing them, adding a bag, and then a passenger involves a constant rearranging of your cargo.

Adding kilometres can make you realise it more. Day trips turn to weekend getaways and before you know it, that old family car simply wasn’t designed with pets in mind. A small boot, high loading height, and less than cleanable interiors can all combine to create a poor experience for both you and your furry family member.

That’s why choosing wisely can mean the difference between battling every time you get in the car and cruising along with no worries at all. Whether you’re in the market for a new car right now or just browsing, you’ll soon see that the differences between cars is much easier to identify once pets tag along for the ride.

 

Below, we’ve reviewed some of the best pet-friendly cars for Australian families according to how they actually stack up living with pets every day.

Australia’s Growing Need for Pet Friendly Vehicles

More Australians now seek to compare cars online before making a purchase, as practical lifestyle needs are playing a bigger role in their decision-making process. While fuel consumption, safety ratings and price are key deciding factors when researching your next car, practicality considerations that fit your lifestyle are important too. This includes whether your vehicle can comfortably and safely transport your pets.

If you’ve got a furry friend or four-legged family member then they’ll likely be accompanying you on your daily commute. From beach excursions and dog park visits to extended trips and holiday breaks, pets are a frequent sight on Australian roads these days. Many owners treat their pets like family, taking them along on trips quite often.

What Makes a Car Pet Friendly in Real Life

Cars aren’t all created equal when it comes to accommodating pets. In fact, the difference usually isn’t apparent until you load up Rover or Mittens for the first time and start hitting the road regularly. Still, you’ll find most cars that are good for pets share a few key features that smooth out those journeys, making them safer and much less of a hassle, whether it’s just a quick trip to the park or their first big holiday.

Here’s the four qualities you should take into consideration when choosing the best car for road adventures with your pets:

Comfort for Pets and Owners

Above all else, it’s important to consider how the car rides. For animals, jarring journeys and noisy engines are usually a negative experience. A smooth and stable ride will help your pet feel calmer when you’re travelling long distances, as jarring movements will stress them out. Adequate space for them to get comfortable and change position is valuable.

Practicality and Interior Space

Equally important is how you utilise the space you have. Straightforward boot space, fold-flat seats and versatile layouts allow you to maximise space depending on your pet’s size or if you need to bring any additional equipment with you.

Ease of Cleaning and Durability

At some point, every pet owner will spill food or have an accident in their car. Having upholstery and flooring that is easy to clean, deals with dirt and hair, and doesn’t leave debris stuck in your load space will be appreciated later down the line.

Safety and Travel Convenience

Last but not least, it’s vital that you consider your pets’ safety when driving. Look for cars with pet restraining systems, good ventilation throughout the car and boot area, clear rear visibility (for you and your pet), and low-entry points.

Top Rated Pet Friendly Cars in Australia

Subaru Outback

Rating: 9.5/10

Arguably one of our most popular vehicles among pet owners, the Outback almost seems designed with dogs in mind. With the wagon design and low rear entry step you’ll find getting your pets in and out for those daily errands becomes easier.

But where it shines is during those longer journeys. The flat cargo bay provides ample space for bigger dogs to stretch out comfortably, and the overall smooth ride ensures your more particular passengers will stay calm and content.

It really shines for those with active lives who often hit the road, whether for weekend escapes, exploring regional areas, or just managing a larger, more energetic dog.

Toyota RAV4

Rating: 9/10

For Aussies, the RAV4 has become almost an automatic SUV pick, and it earns that reputation in our review too. The Japanese SUV isn’t pretending to be something it’s not, but it does the basics tastefully.

The cargo hold is spacious enough for most needs, without being over the top. The upholstery also holds up well against the usual onslaught of fur, dirt, and muddy paw prints. This car is perfect for folks who don’t want to stress about the impact on their furry friends.

Think of it as a car that won’t require you to overthink your purchase. Toyota really does know how to engineer a vehicle that can tackle daily life with your pets graciously. It’s ideal for families, and also people who commute around the city but love their weekend getaways with medium-sized breed dogs, or even multiple pets.

Mazda CX-5

Rating: 8.5/10

While not every pet owner requires an oversized SUV to cart their pooch around town, the CX-5 earns its spot on this list because of how it strikes that balance. Driving and parking around town are far from a hassle thanks to its compact dimensions, and there’s still plenty of rear space for your dog’s bed, a travel carrier, or a medium-sized pooch after a good run.

The cabin also feels more premium than most options in this class, which is nice if you’ll be spending a lot of time there getting across town or escaping the city for the weekend. If you have smaller breed dogs and don’t want to be driving something bigger than you need to based on cargo space, this is a good middle ground.

Kia Sportage

Rating: 8.7/10

Sportage’s biggest advantage is the interior space you’d expect to find in far more expensive SUVs. This extra space really comes into its own if you’re carting dogs around too. Add your pet travel kit, bedding, bowls, toys, leads and the multitude of other accessories they insist on bringing with them and you’ll see what we mean.

That low, wide boot opening also helps. Senior, large and injured dogs will find getting in and out of the Sportage easier than equivalents with higher load heights. Tack on Kia’s excellent value and it’s a no-brainer for families that want practicality without excessive expense.

Hyundai Tucson

Rating: 8.8/10

What really matters to pet owners who regularly rack up kilometres is comfort and the Tucson scores well here. Noise from the road is subdued, the suspension doesn’t flinch at lumpy surfaces and there’s enough space in the cabin for pets and passengers to feel relaxed about taking on longer journeys.

Pet owners who like to travel with smaller dogs in harnesses strapped to the back seats rather than in the boot will also appreciate the space back there. Hyundai’s well-known dependability and the Tucson’s wealth of up-to-date safety features certainly make it a compelling contender for pet parents who often have their companions joining them on trips.

Skoda Kodiaq

Rating: 9.3/10

Let’s face it, the Kodiaq is probably the underdog in this list. Most people will likely pick a more well-known SUV brand first, but Skoda actually packs one of the most dog-friendly cabins in this category.

Versatility is this car’s strongest asset. There’s plenty of boot space for those bigger breeds, and those who have more than one dog won’t have to compromise on passenger space. Need to haul around crates, camper trailers or everything you need for a weekend getaway? The Kodiaq won’t feel cramped. If you have a larger family or are a self-confessed dog nut, this is one of your best bets right now.

Best Overall Premium Option

Volvo XC60 

Rating: 9.2/10

Assuming money isn’t the biggest object, the Volvo XC60 is one of the most well-rounded dog-friendly cars you can buy. While Volvo’s name is practically synonymous with occupant safety and comfort, they’ve also done a stellar job of ensuring our furry friends are well taken care of.

The XC60 is remarkably quiet inside, handles high-mileage highway excursions with ease, and still has enough space where your dog won’t feel cramped or take away from your seat room. If you spend a lot of time driving with your pup, those factors can become big pluses. Especially over long stretches of road where noise, heat, and motion can really add up.

Granted, you’ll find bigger options out there. But you won’t find many that are this comfortable, spacious or that make you feel quite as worry-free.

Lifestyle Wildcard

Ford Ranger 

Rating: 8.6/10

SUVs make up the bulk of most pet-friendly cars lists. However, if you’re the type of owner who loves taking your dogs camping on weekends, fishing trips down the coast or to the beach or around regional NSW/Victoria, sometimes a ute is just better suited to your needs. Enter the Ford Ranger.

The Ranger with a good canopy fitted is a fantastic space for bigger breeds, muddy feet, toys and general gear you don’t want all over the back of your cabin. This also keeps your pets separate from your gear, especially when you’re out on longer journeys.

Granted it won’t be ideal for everyone’s situation but if you’re a lover of the outdoors and your dog comes with you everywhere, the Ranger allows for flexibility that most SUVs can’t compete with.

What This Means for Pet Owners on the Road

Truth be told, finding that one perfect car for life with animals seldom boils down to just a single “best” option. More often, the right vehicle boils down to whether it suits the lifestyle you already lead and the distances you regularly travel.

For many people who own pets, that means choosing something manageable on a day-to-day basis that can still accommodate the occasional longer adventure. For others, it’s about maximising space and functionality for weekends away, towing campervans, or transporting more than one pet at a time. When you consider your day-to-day habits instead of thinking too much about specs, the ideal car usually becomes pretty clear.

What is just as apparent is that pets these days factor into every element of our decision-making process when it comes to buying a car. Things like entry height, cargo configurations, ride comfort and temperature control are no longer nice-to-haves. If you’re an Aussie pet owner, they’re crucial considerations when researching your next set of wheels.

Enquire About Pet-Friendly Vehicle Options

We understand that finding the perfect car for your lifestyle (and fur babies) can be a difficult task. The goal is to find a car that not only fits your daily commute but one that also allows you to travel farther distances without your furry friend strapped to your lap. If you are in the market for a new car, investing the time to find what works best for you sooner rather than later can change your daily drives. 

 

You want your daily commute to be safer, more comfortable and less stressful for both you and your pup as you spend more and more time in your car.