Ah, the British public. Don’t you just love ‘em! Some seemed quite happy to answer the question “which is the best car for my dog”, yet others were, I think, answering a different question altogether. Loved the lady with one smallish dog choosing the Land Rover. Had she two mastiffs then it’d make some sense. As it is not sure how much she’ll like lifting him into the back when he gets old. And the Benz? Ha. Presumably that lady doesn’t plan on taking her dog for many walks and watching him wreck that posh interior. We have 4 collie+ sized dogs and have researched this a bit. Some of the things I have found below attached in case they may help you if you have multiple or larger dogs: • Be careful with the Skodas and other modern estates. Yes, the boots are massive but the roofline slopes down dramatically meaning your dogs may not be able to sit up as well as you think. Volvo V70s are much better here • Measuring boot size in litres is really unreliable; you’re carrying dogs not foam. As well as the point above some manufacturers measure them to the window line, others to the roof. There is a disabled research website called RiDC I think which gives you the actual sizes in cms. Much, much better • Most SUVs are not as good as you think. The boot space on that Mazda will be considerably smaller than most estate cars. They are also high and few allow you to create more space by moving the back seats forward. They often have huge wheel arches intruding into the boot • MPVs, like Zafira Tourers and Galaxies, are ten times better for your wallet and your dogs unless you live with harsh winters. Some also have sliding doors meaning you have a chance of loading the animals in your garage (useful if you live on a main road) and 7 seater ones usually give your dogs air vents throughout
Thanks for this Ian. I'm looking at upgrading from my trusty little hyundai citycar and your comments are super helpful. The more I read, the more I realise an estate is probably the best choice. Which is unfortunate, I was hoping for something a little more fun...!
The best thing ever for dog owners is the Honda magic seats. You can have your dog on the floor and still all of the luggage compartment is available for your stuff. Also dog is safer there than in the luggage compartment. Too bad the new Civic does not have them, but the HR-V and Jazz/Fit still do.
I wish there was more affordable options. Considering 50% of people own a pet in the UK, you'd expect more pet friendly vehicles! All i want is a flat load line, affordable price point, spacious enough and no load lip.
Me too but also need air con. Currently drive an old diesel van as a dog walker but want petrol next time and so few vans tick my boxes. Don't want another Peugeot or Citroen as had four and all unreliable. VW and others too expensive. Ford I can't get the interior spec I want. So now looking at cars. Some like Corolla commercial or Skoda Octavia etc too long and low. Not convinced Dacia is anything other than bargain bucket Renault. The 7 seater MPVs I imagine are heavy to lug along with all the seats intact but might look at a Touran. Wd be easier if just for me and one dog!
When I was this video title I thought that What Car had got a dog called it "What Car Dog" to help with this review, a bit like Top Gear. I love This review because I love cars and animals as specially dogs and of course Rebecca did a awesome job interviewing the dog owner. Its great that you taken perspective of people that are dog owners.
If anybody needs to know the hose the lady with the Land Rover has is an option from Land Rover originally for cleaning muddy boots. She just used it for her dog because it works like that too.
What if you have a big dog but cannot afford a Discovery? Where are the cheaper alternatives? Kia? Volvo? How many of the cars in this video can have a dog cage in the rear? This is poor market research. The Vitara used to be a good car but it got smaller. You got the information on the Mercedes wrong - the model in the video was the soft-road, raised suspension model and NOT the standard E-class Estate as the text states. All of these dogs are substitute for kids ('fur babies'). Where are the working dogs?
Why is it a rarity for dog review cars, also it used to be a standard that the reviewer would mention about baby seat space but that's now becoming few and far between now with mentioned in these videos
The Mazda is the only car in the group that is diesel-only. Some, perhaps many people would dismiss it for that reason . Also, the ride is too firm as some dog owners mentioned. To me, the obvious missing contenders are the Skoda Karoq and Kodiak. If you're looking second hand; I've seen loads of dog owners with the Skoda Yeti.
I’m not a dog owner and never will be so the content is not my cup of tea BUT the format is brilliant really well done all. Finally please please please can we have the full RJ balanced car review of the Merc All Terrain I think it is just about to get the new straight six diesel Thanks
Great stuff! I'll chip the Smart Forfour in. Because you can flip the horizontal part of the seats over and then overlay the folded seatbacks, you can really avoid that all-penetrating dog fur from messing up your passengers' clothes when you actually carry humans in the back.
Its funny really as that Mazda has a very firm ride which is uncomfortable for pets as some people said. AKA no one there actually drove these cars they just went by looks making the whole thing pointless
They got the CX5 wrong as well. The one in the clip is the Sport Nav model, details in the captions says its 2.2d SE-L model at £26,096. They need to sack the producer.
Ah, the British public. Don’t you just love ‘em!
Some seemed quite happy to answer the question “which is the best car for my dog”, yet others were, I think, answering a different question altogether. Loved the lady with one smallish dog choosing the Land Rover. Had she two mastiffs then it’d make some sense. As it is not sure how much she’ll like lifting him into the back when he gets old. And the Benz? Ha. Presumably that lady doesn’t plan on taking her dog for many walks and watching him wreck that posh interior.
We have 4 collie+ sized dogs and have researched this a bit. Some of the things I have found below attached in case they may help you if you have multiple or larger dogs:
• Be careful with the Skodas and other modern estates. Yes, the boots are massive but the roofline slopes down dramatically meaning your dogs may not be able to sit up as well as you think. Volvo V70s are much better here
• Measuring boot size in litres is really unreliable; you’re carrying dogs not foam. As well as the point above some manufacturers measure them to the window line, others to the roof. There is a disabled research website called RiDC I think which gives you the actual sizes in cms. Much, much better
• Most SUVs are not as good as you think. The boot space on that Mazda will be considerably smaller than most estate cars. They are also high and few allow you to create more space by moving the back seats forward. They often have huge wheel arches intruding into the boot
• MPVs, like Zafira Tourers and Galaxies, are ten times better for your wallet and your dogs unless you live with harsh winters. Some also have sliding doors meaning you have a chance of loading the animals in your garage (useful if you live on a main road) and 7 seater ones usually give your dogs air vents throughout
This should be pinned near the top. 💯
Ian covers some salient points here which were not covered at all in the footage.
Thanks for this Ian. I'm looking at upgrading from my trusty little hyundai citycar and your comments are super helpful. The more I read, the more I realise an estate is probably the best choice. Which is unfortunate, I was hoping for something a little more fun...!
The best thing ever for dog owners is the Honda magic seats. You can have your dog on the floor and still all of the luggage compartment is available for your stuff. Also dog is safer there than in the luggage compartment. Too bad the new Civic does not have them, but the HR-V and Jazz/Fit still do.
I wish there was more affordable options. Considering 50% of people own a pet in the UK, you'd expect more pet friendly vehicles! All i want is a flat load line, affordable price point, spacious enough and no load lip.
Me too but also need air con. Currently drive an old diesel van as a dog walker but want petrol next time and so few vans tick my boxes. Don't want another Peugeot or Citroen as had four and all unreliable. VW and others too expensive. Ford I can't get the interior spec I want. So now looking at cars. Some like Corolla commercial or Skoda Octavia etc too long and low. Not convinced Dacia is anything other than bargain bucket Renault. The 7 seater MPVs I imagine are heavy to lug along with all the seats intact but might look at a Touran. Wd be easier if just for me and one dog!
... you also need upholstery that doesn't grab hold of the fur, never relinquishing its grip, even when vacuumed or attacked with lint rolls !
When I was this video title I thought that What Car had got a dog called it "What Car Dog" to help with this review, a bit like Top Gear. I love This review because I love cars and animals as specially dogs and of course Rebecca did a awesome job interviewing the dog owner. Its great that you taken perspective of people that are dog owners.
The lady who chose the Land Rover even though she has the smallest dog...🙄 She's definately an 'afternoon tea' kinda gal!
If anybody needs to know the hose the lady with the Land Rover has is an option from Land Rover originally for cleaning muddy boots. She just used it for her dog because it works like that too.
My dog quite happily sits on the front seat of my F-type. Admittedly he is quite small.
Great boot space, yes, that is important
I have two big dogs and I use a 17 year old Peugeot Partner van. It isn't elegant or posh but it is ideal for the dogs.
What if you have a big dog but cannot afford a Discovery? Where are the cheaper alternatives? Kia? Volvo? How many of the cars in this video can have a dog cage in the rear? This is poor market research. The Vitara used to be a good car but it got smaller. You got the information on the Mercedes wrong - the model in the video was the soft-road, raised suspension model and NOT the standard E-class Estate as the text states. All of these dogs are substitute for kids ('fur babies'). Where are the working dogs?
Why is it a rarity for dog review cars, also it used to be a standard that the reviewer would mention about baby seat space but that's now becoming few and far between now with mentioned in these videos
The Mazda is the only car in the group that is diesel-only. Some, perhaps many people would dismiss it for that reason . Also, the ride is too firm as some dog owners mentioned. To me, the obvious missing contenders are the Skoda Karoq and Kodiak. If you're looking second hand; I've seen loads of dog owners with the Skoda Yeti.
Skoda Roomster or Toyota IQ or maybe Alfa Mito, those are the best cars for dogs.
All cars are great. And at the end of the day your dog will go with you even in smart for two. Or a pickup truck.
I have a miniature beagle and got a 2017 titanium ford kuga and has great space for her.
My beagle and jack russell sit quite happily on the back seat of my second generation Yaris.
Please review all new Rexton 2018
I’m not a dog owner and never will be so the content is not my cup of tea BUT the format is brilliant really well done all. Finally please please please can we have the full RJ balanced car review of the Merc All Terrain I think it is just about to get the new straight six diesel Thanks
Mine loves my Ford Mondeo. She doesn't like to keep still... so she jumps from the back seats to the boot.
Great stuff! I'll chip the Smart Forfour in. Because you can flip the horizontal part of the seats over and then overlay the folded seatbacks, you can really avoid that all-penetrating dog fur from messing up your passengers' clothes when you actually carry humans in the back.
The discovery has good styling lady? It's bloody horrendous!
Ford transit for me, have me dag right next to me
Dacia Jogger?
That Mazda is quite beautiful
If only What Car got the fact right. The CX5 in the clip is the Sport Nav trim model, not SE-L trim model as the various captions say in the clip.
IM GETING MY PUPPY PENNY A MERCIDES -BENZ
talk about the aircon ffs
You forgot to mention that the Range Rover Discovery is not very reliable.
You mean dog owners...
🐶❤🐶❤🐶❤🐶❤
Buy whatever you want but PLEASE avoid SUVs....
Why? Those are the best
Its funny really as that Mazda has a very firm ride which is uncomfortable for pets as some people said. AKA no one there actually drove these cars they just went by looks making the whole thing pointless
Also that Vitara is the 1.4T S model not the SZ4 model as stated, theres about £5k difference in cost
They got the CX5 wrong as well. The one in the clip is the Sport Nav model, details in the captions says its 2.2d SE-L model at £26,096. They need to sack the producer.
Silly What Car, dogs can't drive.
This is terribly sad🤔
Arnau van Achterbergh sorry to hear you're sad. Why not get a dog to cheer yourself up?