5 of the Best Vehicles for Traveling With Pets

Dogs (and cats) are passengers, too. Make sure they're comfortable in the car.

David Gluckman | 

Jun 23, 2025 | 3 min read

Subaru

To make the cut, each entry on this list had to have a back seat, ample stretch room, a price below $80,000, and features designed to make the experience more pleasant for everyone — regardless of how many paws or legs they have.

Chrysler

Minivan: Chrysler Pacifica

Although minivans tend to get a bad rap, they are often practical and efficient in their use of space. The sliding doors and low sill height — the distance from the ground to the bottom of the door opening — can make it easier for your pet to hop in or for someone to gently place them inside. And there's ample space to carry your human and furry family as well as their gear.

While it's standard for minivans offer those advantages, the Chrysler Pacifica is especially appealing for its available onboard vacuum. The Stow 'n Vac system, available on Touring L and Limited models and standard on the top-spec Pinnacle, will allow you to remove fur from your vehicle while you're away from home. The Pacifica's starting price is just over $42,000.

Honda

Pickup: Honda Ridgeline

The Ridgeline can be an especially good choice for pets: All models have rear air vents, its car-based architecture translates to low-for-a-truck sill heights, and the rear seats can be reconfigured to accommodate many domesticated animals. Additionally, the rear bench is split 60/40 and can fold up against the rear bulkhead, clearing space on the floor for a pet or its carrier.

Toss in a dog bed and you will still have room, and as a bonus, the handler can sit in an adjacent seat that's still in place. Available leather upholstery helps make clean up easier. The Ridgeline starts around $40,000.

Kia

Hatchback: Kia Soul

The subcompact yet spacious Kia Soul is a good option for those who don't need a big vehicle. It allows for simple entry and exit, and its rear-seat reminder function will help ensure Princess Whiskers doesn't get left behind, alerting you as you exit.

Another bonus: The Kia Access app lets you not only start the vehicle, but control the temperature remotely, so you can pre-condition the cabin before you leave. The starting price for the most basic trim level is about $20,000.

Rivian

SUV: Rivian R1S

In addition to being spacious, Rivian's electric SUV has plenty of air vents for the second and third rows. The real highlight is Pet Comfort Mode. Activate this function on the R1S when parked, and it will keep the heat or air conditioning running at a safe temperature for your pet. The center display shows a message with the current interior temperature to tell any concerned passersby that all is well while you stop for snacks. This Rivian's starting price approaches $76,000.

Subaru

Wagon: Subaru Outback Wilderness

Does your dog like to hike, play in streams, or just be outdoors? The Subaru Outback is a good option for such rugged individuals and their guardians. It can hang in light to moderate off-roading. The trail-ready Wilderness trim has water-repellent upholstery so that anything tracked in from the great outdoors is simple to clean.

Subaru's accessories catalog is particularly pet friendly, offering items such as cargo-compartment separators, fitted seat covers, padded cargo-area mats, and storage that fits behind the front seats and below a dog sling. The starting price is around $40,000.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

David Gluckman

David has years of experience as a writer and editor for print and digital automotive publications, including Car and Driver and Road & Track. He can parallel-park a school bus, has a spreadsheet listing every vehicle he's ever tested, and once drove a Lincoln Town Car 63 mph in reverse. When not searching for the perfect used car, he can be found sampling the latest gimmicky foodstuffs that America has to offer.