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Best cars for dog owners 2026: six cars with room for a dog crate

Updated 6 cars in this ranking

A dog needs to travel in the boot, secured, and a large dog needs a large crate. The safest way to carry it is in a metal box: when Touring Club Schweiz (TCS), the Swiss motoring club, crash-tested 19 products, it found that only metal boxes offered the necessary safety for dog and people, while harnesses performed worst. A 19 kg dog in a 50 km/h crash can exert a force of more than 400 kg, according to TCS. That makes boot size and shape the first thing to check.

The six cars below combine big boots with practical bodies: a high-roof leisure van, a raised estate with all-wheel drive, a seven-seat-capable SUV, an electric SUV and two estates. Every one offers at least 640 litres with five seats in use, except the Subaru Outback, whose 213 mm ground clearance suits muddy walks and forest tracks.

Quick picks

Model (version)BodyBoot, 5 seatsHeightBraked towingGermany, from
Citroën Berlingo XL Diesel 130High-roof van1,050 l1,844 mm1,250 kg€28,970 (01/2026)
Subaru Outback 2.5iRaised estate561 l1,675 mm2,000 kg€46,690 (11/2024)
Škoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 193 4x4SUV910 l1,679 mm2,300 kg€51,900 (05/2025)
Tesla Model Y (RWD)Electric SUV836 l–1,600 kg€39,990 (10/2025)
Volkswagen Passat Variant 2.0 TDI 150Estate690 l–2,000 kg€52,600 (06/2025)
Škoda Octavia Combi 2.0 TDIEstate640 l1,468 mm1,600 kg€44,020 (05/2025)

Boot volumes are manufacturer figures and say nothing about the height of the tailgate opening or the load sill, so take the crate you plan to use, or its measurements, to a test drive. For more ways to compare load space, see the best used diesel estates.

  1. 1. Citroen Berlingo K9

    Most space for big dogs

    Production years
    2018–present
    Body type
    Minivan / MPV, Van
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Electric
    Power output
    74–96 kW (101–131 PS)

    No car here gives a dog more room than the Berlingo XL. ADAC lists 1,050 litres behind the five seats of this high-roof leisure van, which is 4,753 mm long and 1,844 mm tall. The facelifted XL Diesel 130 has 96 kW (130 PS), uses 5.6 l/100 km WLTP and costs from €28,970 in Germany, the lowest price in this list. It may tow 1,250 kg braked and carry 100 kg on the roof. The drawbacks: a two-year warranty and no automatic gearbox in this version.

    Pros

    • 1,050-litre boot
    • 1,844 mm tall body
    • From €28,970 in Germany (2026)

    Cons

    • Two-year warranty, manual gearbox in this version
    Full review: Citroen Berlingo K9

  2. 2. Subaru Outback

    Best for the countryside

    Production years
    1994–present
    Body type
    Station wagon, SUV
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel
    Power output
    99–194 kW (135–264 PS)

    The Outback is the choice for owners whose walks start at the end of a forest track. It combines permanent all-wheel drive with 213 mm of ground clearance, the most in this list, and a 561-litre boot that grows to 1,822 litres with the seats folded. The 2.5-litre boxer engine has 124 kW (169 PS) and drives through a CVT; it may tow 2,000 kg braked. Subaru's warranty runs for five years or 160,000 km, and Euro NCAP awarded five stars in 2021. The drawback: 8.6 l/100 km WLTP, the highest here.

    Pros

    • 213 mm ground clearance and all-wheel drive
    • Five-year or 160,000 km warranty
    • 2,000 kg braked towing

    Cons

    • 8.6 l/100 km WLTP combined
    Full review: Subaru Outback

  3. 3. Skoda Kodiaq II

    Best SUV

    Production years
    2023–present
    Body type
    SUV
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
    Power output
    110–195 kW (150–265 PS)

    The second-generation Kodiaq has the biggest boot of any SUV here: 910 litres with five seats and 2,105 litres to the roof with the rear bench folded. The body is 1,679 mm tall with 189 mm of ground clearance. The 2.0 TDI 4x4 with 142 kW (193 PS) and all-wheel drive costs €51,900 in Germany and may tow 2,300 kg braked; Euro NCAP awarded five stars in 2024. The drawbacks: the diesel 4x4 uses 6.0 l/100 km WLTP, and the warranty is two years.

    Pros

    • 910-litre boot
    • 2,105 litres with the seats folded
    • 2,300 kg braked towing (2.0 TDI 4x4)

    Cons

    • 6.0 l/100 km WLTP (2.0 TDI 4x4)

    Spec sheet: Skoda Kodiaq II 1.5 TSI mHEV 110 kW (150 PS)

    Full review: Skoda Kodiaq II

  4. 4. Tesla Model Y I

    Best electric

    Production years
    2020–present
    Body type
    SUV
    Fuel
    Electric
    Power output
    324 kW (441 PS)

    For dog owners who want an electric car, the Model Y offers an 836-litre boot, more than any estate here. The rear-wheel-drive version has 220 kW (299 PS), 525 km of WLTP range and a heat pump, and costs €39,990 in Germany. It may tow 1,600 kg braked. Euro NCAP awarded five stars in November 2025. The drawbacks: the vehicle warranty is four years or 80,000 km, and the car weighs 1,981 kg.

    Pros

    • 836-litre boot
    • 1,600 kg braked towing
    • Five-star Euro NCAP (2025)

    Cons

    • Vehicle warranty four years or 80,000 km
    Full review: Tesla Model Y I

  5. 5. Volkswagen Passat B9

    Best estate for large crates

    Production years
    2023–present
    Body type
    Station wagon
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid
    Power output
    110–150 kW (150–204 PS)

    The Passat Variant has the longest body of the estates here at 4,917 mm, and with it a 690-litre boot. The 2.0 TDI with 110 kW (150 PS) uses 4.9 l/100 km WLTP and may tow 2,000 kg braked. It costs €52,600 in Germany in Business trim, while the cheapest petrol starts at €42,930. The drawbacks: the price of the diesel and a two-year warranty.

    Pros

    • 690-litre boot
    • 2,000 kg braked towing (2.0 TDI 150)
    • 4.9 l/100 km WLTP

    Cons

    • 2.0 TDI from €52,600 in Germany (2025)

    Spec sheet: Volkswagen Passat B9 1.5 l eTSI 110 kW (150 PS)

    Full review: Volkswagen Passat B9

  6. 6. Skoda Octavia Mk4

    Best value estate

    Production years
    2019–present
    Body type
    Liftback, Station wagon
    Fuel
    Petrol, Diesel, Plug-in hybrid, LPG / CNG
    Power output
    81–195 kW (110–265 PS)

    The Octavia Combi offers 640 litres in a body 4,698 mm long, the best ratio of boot to size among the estates here. At 1,468 mm it is also the lowest car here. The 2.0 TDI with 110 kW (150 PS) uses 4.7 l/100 km WLTP and may tow 1,600 kg braked, and ADAC shows a five-star Euro NCAP result from 2025. The drawbacks: the low roof limits crate height, and the diesel costs €44,020 in Germany in Sportline trim.

    Pros

    • 640-litre boot
    • 4.7 l/100 km WLTP (2.0 TDI)
    • Five-star Euro NCAP (2025)

    Cons

    • Low roof limits crate height

    Spec sheet: Skoda Octavia Mk4 1.0 l TSI (110 PS) 81 kW (110 PS)

    Full review: Skoda Octavia Mk4

How we chose

Selection. The list covers cars sold new in Germany in 2026 with a published model page on 1cars and a boot large enough for a medium or large dog crate behind the rear seats. Estates, SUVs and a leisure van were considered; superminis and coupé-style SUVs were left out. Popular dog-owner choices such as the Dacia Jogger and Škoda Superb have no 1cars model page yet.

Data sources. Boot volumes, heights, ground clearance, trailer loads, roof loads, consumption, warranties, Euro NCAP results and German list prices come from the ADAC Autokatalog pages for the named versions, accessed in October 2026. The crash-test findings on dog transport come from Touring Club Schweiz. ADAC does not list boot length, opening height or load sill height, so this list cannot rank them.

Ranking. The order is editorial and weighs usable space for a crate first, then access, practicality outdoors and price. More on two of the picks is on the 1cars pages for the Citroën Berlingo and the Subaru Outback.

Frequently asked questions

What is the safest way to carry a dog in a car?

In a strong crate in the boot. In crash tests by Touring Club Schweiz of 19 products, only metal boxes offered the necessary safety for dog and passengers; dog harnesses did worst. An unsecured dog can become a dangerous projectile for the people in front.

Which car has the biggest boot for a dog?

In this list, the Citroën Berlingo XL: ADAC lists 1,050 litres with five seats in a body 1,844 mm tall. Among SUVs, the Škoda Kodiaq offers 910 litres and the Tesla Model Y 836 litres.

Is an estate or an SUV better for a dog?

It depends on the dog. An estate such as the Octavia Combi has a long load floor and a lower roof line. An SUV or a high-roof van gives more height for a tall crate, but a higher boot floor can be harder for an older dog to jump into, so check the sill height in person.

Can these cars tow a trailer?

Several are strong towers. ADAC lists 2,300 kg braked for the Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 4x4, 2,000 kg for the Subaru Outback and the Passat Variant 2.0 TDI with 150 PS, 2,300 kg for the Kodiaq 2.0 TDI 4x4 and 1,600 kg for the Model Y and Octavia Combi 2.0 TDI.

How should a dog travel on long journeys?

With regular breaks to drink, relieve itself and move, as Touring Club Schweiz advises. Keep the dog out of direct sunlight, and never leave it alone in a parked car: on warm days the temperature inside rises quickly and can be fatal.

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