Five cars for dog lovers

When it comes to our canines, we only want the best – and for some, that means a comfortable chariot to ride to and from puppy play dates and dog-friendly cafés. So if your fur-child shares your bed, lounge and maybe even dining table, they probably expect (and deserve) a ride as plush as their lifestyle for those weekend outings.

After all, we don’t want Brutus re-living that frothy puppuccino he slurped up at morning tea, do we? So without further ado, here are some of the best dog-friendly cars which you can find here on carsales.

It’s cute as heck and might seem best-suited to smaller breeds, but the Jimny has plenty to offer, even if you’ve got a St. Bernard. It’s only a four-seater, but those rear seats can be folded flat and have a durable plastic backing, so there’s no fabric to claw at and destroy. Two child-seat anchor points are also fitted to the rear seat which can double as your pet’s restraint buckle – winning.

And, if you and pup are into hiking adventures, the Jimny isn’t just a cutesy version of a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. No, no, no – this thing, small as it may be, comes with proper off-road credentials. Watch this if you don’t believe us.

Find your next Suzuki Jimny here on carsales.

Honda’s nimble little Jazz is perfect for zipping ‘round town. Even though it’s on the small side, every Jazz variant comes with 'Magic Seats', with the ability to fold into multiple configurations – so it’ll fit a Chihuahua or Great Dane.

Find your next Honda Jazz here on carsales.

The XV is another top pick for adventure-dogs. Because it’s built off the same platform as the Impreza, it doesn’t feel like a large car to drive. Flagship 2.0i-S models are packed with technology like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning, making those long weekend trips a little easier. And, it’s good for some light off-roading too. The rear seats fold flat, so there’s plenty of room for doggy and friends.

Find your next Subaru XV here on carsales.

The recently-arrived Tesla Model 3 is a great pick for the environmentally-friendly tech-savvy among us. It’s fully electric, with a claimed driving range of 460km in entry-level guise, and it comes with a bunch of on-board games and gadgets (just in case you get bored).

And, while locking animals in the car is almost always frowned upon, the Model 3 comes with a 'Dog mode' which keeps the climate control running and displays a "my owner will be back soon" message on the 15-inch touchscreen.

Find your next Tesla Model 3 here on carsales.

It’s the top-selling dual-cab ute in the country right now, but the HiLux isn’t just a favourite with the tradies. It’s also great if you’ve got a rather smelly dog, your dog prefers to feel the wind in his hair or you’re taking pup somewhere to swim. Chuck it in the tray (securely) and you won’t have to vacuum and shampoo the seats after every trip.

Find your next Toyota HiLux here on carsales.

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