In the market for a station-waggin'?
When parents of young children are shopping for a car, their priority is the comfort and safety of their family. Online car marketplace AutoTrader recognized that pet owners would have the same concerns about their animals. The site claims that 55% of its visitors seek cars that are pet-friendly, so to make the process easier, the company identified the top cars for pets:
These 7 are leading the pack:
Subaru Outback
Nissan Juke
Volkswagen Tiguan
BMW X3
Volvo V60
Kia Soul
Honda Odyssey
The site stated that the following features make a car more accommodating for pets:
A rear lift gate allows your dog to jump in and out of the car easily; it also makes for more convenient loading in/loading out of pet carriers, crates and kennels.
Fold-flat seats create a spacious area for your dog to sit while keeping the actual surface of the seats clean from hair or scratches.
An airy cabin is especially beneficial for large dogs to stretch out.
Rear cargo-attachment ringlets help keep carriers and crates from sliding around.
A containment barrier/divider keeps your dog from jumping up to the front seat while the car is in motion.
A low ride height helps dogs — especially older ones — get in and out with ease.
Rear climate control keeps your dog cool and comfortable in transit no matter what the weather is like.
A sunroof brings fresh air and sunlight so you can keep your dog from hanging its head out of the window.
Underfloor storage gets your things out of the way so your dog can ride more comfortably.
A writer with USA Today posted about AutoTrader's list, adding four of his own: The Dodge Grand Caravan minivan, Buick Encore small SUV, Ford Transit Connect compact van, and VW Jetta station wagon.
But no matter what you're driving, make sure you're following these safety tips on planning a road trip with your dog.