Kymri and her dog, Bo, in the Jeep Wrangler 4xeThe best cars for dogs come in all sizes to provide safety, comfort and security. Everything from sports cars to SUVs can be great options with the right accessories.This one goes out to all the proud dog moms out there who are celebrating National Dog Day. From small Chihuahuas to massive Great Pyrenees, dogs love traveling with their people in cars. But what's the best way to prevent *ruff* situations on the road? Are Subaru models really the best cars for dogs? Also, how do you keep your pooch safe and comfortable?There may be a little more to consider when bringing your best friend along for adventures. There are also accessories that solve crucial problems, such as loading bigger pups in the back of your car, protecting the upholstery and making captain's chairs in the second row work.AdvertisementAdvertisementMy copilot, Bruce, is a 45-pound Blue Heeler Beagle mix, and he helps me review multiple cars. He always lets me know which cars he likes the most. But to get some other expert advice, our collective experts weight in with which cars their dogs like best and why.This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person and dog knowledge, extensive experience, and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.The Place to Start: The Best Car Accessories For Traveling With DogsEli in his Sleepypod Air carrier – Credit: Scotty ReissThe best cars for dogs are not complete without the right accessories for safety and comfort. So, make sure your pup is buckled up with a crash-tested harness and safety belt. In the event of an accident, you don't want your dog to become loose in the cabin, as their weight could make them a dangerous projectile, even at low speeds. And for those with open-air capabilities? A good harness or tether is a must.Along with seatbelts, there are crates and barriers to keep them secure in the rear cargo areas and back seat. For smaller dogs, there are booster seats that allow them to sit up a bit higher so they can see out the windows. Some dogs, like Scotty Reiss's pup Eli, resist being buckled in and get anxious when restrained. A barrier such as a seat cover, which also protects the car's upholstery and prevents, a metal grate between the seats or a longer tether are all good solutions.AdvertisementAdvertisementDogs love to stick their snouts out of the car window to catch all the good smells. However, flying debris like dirt can be harmful at high speeds. Some folks get goggles to protect their eyes but our favorite trick is to add a window screen, either one that attaches with suction cups or one that is built into the car door. Another trick is to keep the windows half way up; that way they can't get their heads all the way out the window. Riding with the windows down is another reason to keep your dog secure, ensuring they don't jump out of the car.For vehicles with tall lift-over heights, consider getting a ramp for dogs to use if they're too heavy to lift into the cargo hold. My older German shepherd hated jumping in and out of cars, so a ramp made an incredible difference.Which Trucks Are Good For Traveling With Dogs?Bruce is ready to roll in this 1991 Ford RangerBruce has a 1991 Ford Ranger that makes him super excited for trips because I call it his truck. However, it's a two-seater, meaning he sits in the front passenger seat, which makes me nervous. I don't want him to get hit by the airbag, but he also isn't a fan of riding in the truck bed like Erica Muller's farm dog, Digit. On that note, dogs can safely ride in the back of trucks as long as they are secured in a crate or with a heavy-duty harness system and have protection from high winds.I prefer four-door options as the best cars for dogs so they can sit in the backseat. But note that some mid-size pickups, like the Toyota Tacoma, have a small rear seat. Bruce felt noticeably cramped in an older version of the Tacoma. Other trucks with tight backseats include the Ford Maverick and Nissan Frontier. But the current Tacoma, Chevy Colorado, Jeep Gladiator, and Ford Ranger offer a bit more room.AdvertisementAdvertisementFull-size trucks have a bit of a higher liftover height for the back seat. But Bruce appreciates the bigger seats. He has been the most comfortable in the Toyota Tundra and Ford F-150 thanks to the smooth ride and quiet cabin. Also, trucks like the Ram 1500 have rear seats that fold up against the back of the cab to provide a larger, flat space for bigger dogs to lay down and relax.Which SUVs Are Best For Dogs?Natalie Merola's dog, Apollo, being the goodest boy in the Mazda CX-90 – Credit: Natalie MerolaSUVs with captains chairs can be a matter of debate for the best cars for dogs. While I prefer captain's chairs for human passengers, they create difficulties for loading up 'ole sensitive Bruce. He doesn't like being placed in the third row, because it's further away from me and bench seats are better for him to be able to stretch out. Also, carrying him to the third row is a bit awkward and tricky. But there are seat covers with strong flooring to bridge the gap.Other people, like Scotty, like captains chairs; she secures a dog bed between the seats and puts Eli on a long tether so he's safe; he loves to curl up in his bed on a long road trip.The best SUVs for dogs are some of the most popular for people, like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler and Subaru Outback because of the rugged interiors and heavy rubber all-weather floor mats. They make it really easy to clean up moisture, fur, and dirt and can stand up to sharp nails and high velocity wagging tails. The Jeep Wrangler even has a plug in the floor so it can be hosed down.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut there are plenty of more comfortable and luxurious options to consider. For example, Natalie Merola loved driving her dog, Apollo, in the Mazda CX-50. The rear doors open wide for easy loading, the rear seat is pretty spacious, and it has rear air vents. For both people and pets, the rear air vents make a massive difference for keeping cool and preventing car sickness.For dogs that ride in the cargo area of SUVs, options like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda Pilot have a lot of space. The very back of the Toyota 4Runner and Ford Explorer might feel a little cramped for larger dogs because space is limited, even with the third-row seats folded down.We like that the Land Rover Defender, Toyota Land Cruiser and Volvo XC90 all have air vents in the cargo area so pups in crates get lots of A/C. SUVs like the Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Grand Highlander and Kia Telluride have ceiling-mounted air vents to direct air to a crated pup in the cargo area. And if you want extra space for your dog to stretch out, consider something like the Hyundai Palisade with seats that fold completely flat to create a level cargo floor.The Best Cars For Dogs: Our Fave 4-Door SedansBruce has tons of room in the Toyota CorollaSedans can be pretty clutch options for pups thanks to wide door openings and low lift-over heights, allowing them to jump in and out on their own. However, two-door models or sports cars can be tricky because you have to position the front passenger seat forward to access the back seat, and it can get in the way.AdvertisementAdvertisementRecently, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid changed my life as one of the best cars for dogs with a massive rear seat and air vents for Bruce. The Toyota Camry is a solid option for plenty of floor space and scratch-resistant upholstery. And the Toyota Prius has a large rear hatch opening, cargo floor, and seats that fold completely flat.And after spending a week in the Nissan Sentra, I found it a natural for Bruce, too. The wide rear seats are comfortable for everyone and with a price that starts in the super-affordable range, it leaves more space in the budget for more doggie toys and accessories.EVs Are a Natural For Traveling With Your PupScotty drives the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and loves "the wide rear seat for my daughters dogs, Ranger (center) and Fluffy (right)." The seat cover acts as a hammock and it's wide enough so that the boys can catch the breeze from the windows but also, lay down and relax once they settle down. And the hammock has a nice barrier that they try to cross but it's too high and proves too difficult, so they eventually just resolve to settling down and enjoying the ride. The height of the Ioniq 5 is perfect for them to hop in and out, she says, and the wide rear floor gives them room to move around and get up onto the seat. The smooth feel of one-pedal driving, "which I've now mastered, makes the drive feel less jerky than a standard gas-powered car, which is another nice benefit: it also settles them a bit on the road."AdvertisementAdvertisementMaybe the best benefit of EVs for dogs, though, are models with special pet modes. The Tesla Model 3 has a 'Dog Mode' and Rivian has Pet Comfort Mode; these keep the car comfortable when you leave your buddy in the car. It keeps the climate control system going and displays a message letting pedestrians know that your dog is protected from the cold or hot weather.But Wait, Dogs Love Minivans, TooWe had plenty of space for our son, our dog Apollo and then some – Credit: Natalie MerolaRemember Scooby Doo and the Mystery Machine? It doesn't get cooler than that—a van for the ultimate cool factor—as Natalie found when driving the VW ID Buzz with her dog Apollo. But a minivan is a natural for pups; they give even Scooby, an iconic Great Dane, tons of room for all his shenanigans.One of our favorite minivans for travel with dogs is Honda Odyssey; it's an excellent option with seats that fold flat and center seats that can slide side to side, allowing your pup to lay on the floor next to the door. And, with sliding doors, entry space is maximized.The Toyota Sienna has third-row seats that stow flat into the floor for those who need a crate and don't need the 3rd row, but the second-row space has tons of cargo room, storage bins and cubbies for leashes, toys, treats, and more. But best of all, the lift-over height is extremely convenient for larger and older dogs.AdvertisementAdvertisementIf your dog is like Bruce, he knows when you're headed to the car and he's ready to go, too. The best cars for dogs are the ones that provide both comfort and safety and set us up for lots wagging tails and pawsitive adventures on the road.