The best estate cars for dogs 2024
Taking your favourite four-legged friend for a drive is a rewarding thing to do, so here are the best estate cars for the job
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Owning a dog can be an incredibly humble and rewarding experience. From their first time playing fetch to their first walk, it can be so wholesome – but transporting them around often comes with its limitations.
Many dog-owners may look towards an SUV as their new dog-mobile, but there are a couple of reasons an estate car may be a better choice.
Firstly, they’re very high off the ground, so unless you can pick up your canine friend, it may be tricky. Secondly, they often cost more to buy and run – leaving the estate as an excellent alternative.
Here are 10 of the best estate cars for dogs that new and existing owners should consider:
Skoda Superb Estate
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Calling a car ‘Superb’ may sound quite big-headed of Skoda, but the name perfectly reflects what it’s like to live with this car.
With a large 660-litre boot, the Superb estate is one of the roomiest in its class, meaning there’s plenty of room for your four-legged friend – or maybe even more.
It’s not all for show either, as this comfortable estate also comes with a great selection of engines, from the entry-level 1.5-litre petrol to the top-spec plug-in hybrid that offers up to 35 miles of all-electric driving –ideal for those dogs with sensitive ears.
Ford Focus Estate
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The Focus Estate has a lot to live up to – especially when put up against the Hyundai i30 Estate and Vauxhall Astra Estate – but Ford has done such a fantastic job, it’s hard to know how it could improve it.
Even with the rear row of seats upright, you get 608 litres of boot space, which is more than enough for your dog to lounge in. Plus, this grows to 1,653 litres with the seats folded down, so transporting lots of luggage is not a problem.
It’s also reliable, because Ford knows how to build a car that’ll last as long as possible. That's true even if you opt for a used Ford model. Therefore, the engine options are simple and kept to just two main options: a 1.0-litre; or a 1.5-litre engine (diesel variants are also available).
Kia Ceed Sportswagon
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Just a few years ago you’d be mocked for putting the words ‘stylish’ and ‘Kia’ next to each other, but nowadays it’s the norm – especially with the Ceed Sportswagon.
This practical and well-equipped estate car from South Korea will put a smile on your face every time you see it. Aside from its looks, the Sportswagon has an impressive 625 litres of boot space, which is plenty for almost any dog-owner – unless your dog is big, red, and named Clifford.
The Kia Ceed Sportswagon is available with just one engine option, but thankfully it’s the best one in our eyes – a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol unit that produces 160hp and is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
Volvo V90
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If you see a Volvo on the street, the driver is often thought of as someone who knows what they want in life and that values safety – and isn’t that everything a sensible dog-owner would want?
That’s why the V90 Estate might be the best car for you. Thanks to its boxy rear, you get a 560-litre boot that’s perfect for most dog owners.
We know this is quite a classy option, but thankfully you can get protective mats to place in the boot to stop any pawprints from appearing on any of the car’s carpets.
Like the Kia Ceed, you get one engine option – a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol that’s very fuel efficient and won’t let you down.
Mercedes E-Class Estate
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We often get wary of putting our pets in luxury cars because we fear they may make a mess of them, but the E-Class Estate is just too appealing that we take the risk.
With a massive 640-litre boot and a low-loading lip, it’s not surprising this Mercedes is becoming more popular among dog-owners.
Being designed and built in a country that’s home to the Autobahn motorway, it makes sense for the E-Class to come with some punchy engine options too.
There are a few different petrol and diesel motors to choose from, but we’d recommend the plug-in hybrid because it makes city driving much more appealing with 33 miles of electric range, and it's more efficient overall because it uses both systems to work out what’s best for your journey.
Skoda Octavia Estate
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It may not be the fanciest option, but the Skoda Octavia is still probably one of the best all-round family estate cars you can buy, so your dog will thank you.
The boot measures 640 litres, which is the same as its Mercedes E-Class rival, but it costs less to buy.
And if you thought that was too good to be true, the Octavia is available with some very reliable engines including a 1.5-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel. Both are excellent, but if you also want to tow a caravan, then the latter is the best for you.
Dacia Logan MCV
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If you’re not fussed about the glitz and glamour of some of the other estates on the used car market, then why spend all that extra money?
You’re much better off taking things down a notch and entering the world of cheap estates, which makes putting a dog in the back much less stressful.
The Dacia Logan MCV estate still gives you a generous 573-litre boot that grows to 1,518 litres with the rear seats folded flat, making it ideal for dog-owners and those painful trips to the tip.
There are two engines on offer for this Dacia: a 0.9-litre turbocharged petrol engine; and a 1.5-litre diesel. The former is better for city driving and shorter journeys, whereas the latter is best-suited to those longer motorway trips.
Volvo V60 Cross Country
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Have you ever been to a Center Parcs before? If so, the chances are almost every other car there was a Volvo V60 Cross Country, and there’s a good reason for that – it’s a fantastic outdoor person’s estate car.
From its slight lift kit and four-wheel-drive system to help get you through leafy Surrey to its 519-litre boot, the V60 is a great all-round estate that your dog will feel very at home in.
To add to its adventurous lifestyle, two engines on offer will help you over all terrain – a 190hp diesel engine and a 250hp petrol engine.
BMW 5 Series Touring
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Proper drivers’ cars and estates don’t tend to cross paths very often, but the BMW 5 Series Touring is surprisingly capable considering its shape and weight.
With a selection of peppy engines and lightning-fast automatic gearboxes, a used BMW 5 Series is a great choice if you want to have some fun behind the wheel (when the dog’s not there).
But when the dog is there, they can sit in luxury in the spacious 570-litre boot, which grows to 1,700 litres when the rear seats are folded flat.
Audi RS4 Avant
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If your main mission in life is to be the coolest parent in the school car park (who also loves dogs), then there is no better car than the Audi RS4 Avant.
Sporty estate cars are very popular these days, so having one of the fastest around is a real perk if you wish to stand out.
It’s powered by a powerful 450hp twin-turbocharged V6 engine that’s mated to Audi’s four-wheel drive Quattro system, which helps you complete a blistering 0-62mph run in just 4.1 seconds.
Additionally, it’s got 505 litres of bootspace, so your pouch will be able to travel in style wherever you go.
There are plenty of used Audi models on offer as well, meaning you can often secure an impressive deal.
Best small estate for dogs
If you're after an accessible car for your dog but don't want anything too chunky, a smaller estate might be the one.
The previously mentioned Ford Focus estate is a great pick, with 608 litres of boot space and a hard-wearing interior.
The Peugeot 308 SW is another impressive pick. It's sleekly styled and has a spacious boot that's ideal for dog-owners, and plenty of room in the backseat.
Other impressive small estate options include the Mini Clubman, Skoda Fabia, and Hyundai i30.
Best estate for large dogs
If your furry friend is on the larger size, a larger estate might be more suitable.
The Skoda Superb has a massive 660-litre boot, while the Mercedes E-Class offers 640 litres.
Choose the Toyota Corolla Touring Sport and get 596 litres of boot space, plus a whole lot of room in the cabin to stretch your paws.