Three-quarters of UK dog owners take a road trip with their beloved pet at least once a week, according to new research, the five best cars for housing dogs have been revealed.
Car rental site Leasing.com has compiled a list of its five most popular cars among dog owners, based on trunk size, practicality and cost effectiveness.
The company analyzed data from more than 100,000 consumers to compile its findings.
Dog lovers should choose a car that can adequately restrain and protect one or more of their pets, as owners can be fined £5,000 if they break the rules on transporting their pets in vehicles.
Drivers should ensure their pets are restrained by a harness, carrier, crate or dog guard when traveling alongside them – both to prevent driver distraction and injury to the dog or passengers in the event of an accident.
Choosing the right car model for man’s best friend is key to keeping pooches such as George and Ringo (pictured) happy and safe.
It is estimated that more than eight million of the UK’s 13 million dog owners travel with their pet in the car at least once a week – but only half of UK dog owners surveyed were aware of the rule, which is stipulated in the highway code.
Buying or leasing a car with enough room for the family and dogs with proper restraints isn’t easy — but this handy list can help owners research their next vehicle.
1.Skoda Kodiak
The Kodiaq is a seven-seater with a 270-litre trunk if all seats are used
Automotive giant Skoda is an official sponsor of Crufts this year and offers plenty of models with plenty of room to keep pooches safe while traveling.
The Kodiaq is a seven-seater with a 270-litre trunk if all seats are used. With the rear seats folded down, that triples to 835 liters of boot space.
Brand new, the Kodiaq retails from £32,235.
2. Tesla Model Y Hatchback
Tesla Model Y vehicles are pictured at a Tesla factory in Gruenhide, Germany
This Tesla model has a huge boot volume of 854 liters, offering enough room for one or more dogs while accommodating up to five passengers.
As an electric car, the model is also better for the environment and much quieter than traditional petrol or diesel engines.
Prices start at just under £45,000.
3. Land Rover Discovery
Even the biggest dogs can travel comfortably in the Land Rover Discovery, with a boot capacity of over 1,000 liters
This Land Rover is made for exploring the outdoors with man’s best friend.
Although it normally only has 258 liters of boot space, with the rear seats folded down that volume increases to 1,137 litres, meaning even the biggest dogs can ride comfortably.
That comes at a price though, with new finds starting at £57,225.
4.Honda Jazz
Pictured: 2020 Honda Jazz model – 2023 model expected to go on sale soon
The 2023 Honda Jazz hybrid vehicle will go on sale soon, its website says.
Previous models had ample boot space for the compact car, and it should also be cheaper than most models listed here.
Similar-sized new Honda cars are on sale for less than £34,000.
5. Nissan Qashqai
The Nissan Qashqai is a surprisingly spacious vehicle and is by far the cheapest of the top five
The Nissan Qashqai is a model that has many advantages, one of them being its affordable price.
An SUV with a spacious interior and boot volume starting at 455 litres, which triples if the rear seats are folded down, it’s perfect for a family adventure.
New vehicle prices start from £26,405.
Dave Timmis, founder and CEO of rental company Leasing.com that compiled the list, said choosing the right vehicle for a beloved pet can be a daunting task.
He said: “Between 2021 and 2022, three quarters of the 13 million dog owners in the UK drive with their pets at least once a week, so this is becoming an important factor when choosing a car. .
“That’s why manufacturers like Jaguar Land Rover and Skoda have gotten quite imaginative and created dedicated ‘pet packages’ to suit their customers’ needs, and these are proving increasingly popular.”
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