Car sales have started to rebound after the pandemic caused a massive crash, and shoppers from all walks of life are buying new cars. Many folks are buying cars with their families in mind, and that includes their furry family members. Autotrader has a list of the 10 best cars for dog lovers, and here’s a look at that list for the 2021 model year.

What makes a car good for dogs

According to Autotrader, safety and comfort are the big factors for a dog-friendly car. Features such as rear air vents and tinted windows are great because they help keep a dog cool. Having a low cargo floor and having cargo tie-downs are also great. Other than those factors though, durable seats matter a lot, too. 

10. Volvo XC60 Recharge

As Autotrader wrote, the XC60 Recharge has a few dog-friendly features. A pet carrier is available, and it also has a kneel mode. This mode allows the car to get lower so that your dog can jump in easier.

9. Toyota Sienna

The Sienna is a big minivan, so it has more than enough space for dogs and their accessories and toys. More importantly, though, there’s a lot of ventilation and sunshades available. 

8. Tesla Model Y

As many Tesla owners know, the Model Y, like many other Teslas, has “Dog Mode.” This feature not only keeps the car cool when you’re away but it’ll also notify strangers that your dog is doing OK. 

7. Subaru Forester

While the Forester may not have a “Dog Mode,” it has a host of dog accessories. Autotrader says that the Forester has an optional pet ramp, a collapsible kennel, and a small travel bowl set, among many other options.

6. Nissan Rogue

The Rogue has many cargo features that dog lovers would be familiar with and more. For example, there’s an optional travel cleanup kit, an interior protection package, and a cargo organizer. 

5. Kia Telluride

The Telluride is pretty famous nowadays, and for a good reason. Autotrader wrote that the Telluride has a roomy and customizable cargo area. This will allow dog lovers to outfit the Telluride with plenty of dog-friendly accessories.

4. Jeep Wrangler

Similarly, the Wrangler has a lot of cargo room but is also very customizable. As such, owners can equip plenty of dog-friendly accessories into, or onto, their Wrangler. This makes the Wrangler a great choice for folks who want to take their dogs off-roading.

3. Honda Passport

In a similar vein, Autotrader wrote that the Passport could be “a decent off-roader” when it’s equipped properly. Plus, the Passport has over 100 cubic feet of cargo capacity and underfloor cargo storage options. This will allow dog lovers to carry their dogs and their toys almost anywhere they want to go.

2. Ford Bronco

As far as off-roading cars for dog lovers go, the Bronco is another great option, according to Autotrader. It excels off-road, and it’s spacious enough for dogs and their stuff. Additionally, like the Wrangler, the Bronco is very customizable, too.

1. Chrysler Pacifica

The Pacifica is the best car for dog lovers in 2021, according to Autotrader. This is because the Pacifica is absolutely huge when it comes to cargo space. There’s enough space for dogs, their toys, and the humans in the family, too. Plus, there are practical dog-friendly features, such as a built-in vacuum.

Small cars need not apply

Due to Autotrader’s criteria, it’s no surprise that no sedans made the list. After all, space is pretty important when it comes to cars for dog lovers, and sedans don’t have much space. Most sedans also don’t have leather or fake leather upholstery as standard, which is the type of material preferred for dog owners.