The best electric cars for dog owners

Tired of working like a dog to find the best EV for your furry friend? Here’s our top 10, from estate cars and SUVs to vans

When you’re buying a new car it’s important to make sure it meets the needs of your entire family.

Usually that means thinking about space for adults, children and any regular luggage such as sports equipment. But for a huge number of people it also involves a four-legged member of the clan.

It’s estimated that between a quarter and third of UK households have a dog, meaning a car’s pet-friendliness is vital to a huge number of drivers. From comfort and safety for your pet to convenience for the owners, there’s a lot to consider, so we’ve rounded up the best electric cars and vans for dog owners.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Sure, the ID. Buzz causes a stir wherever it goes due to its quirky styling, but it also makes an ideal dog carrier as it’s fitted with dual sliding doors and a massive top-hinged tailgate. Opening the bootlid reveals a low loading sill when the optional Multiflex floor isn’t equipped, and there are 1,121 litres of boot space behind the back seats. Likewise, there are lots of aftermarket options available for the ID. Buzz for those needing a dog guard or a cage.

Skoda Enyaq

At just a smidge under £40,000, the Enyaq makes a great hound hauler thanks to its comfortable suspension setup, square boot and storage cubbies which can stow bowls and treats. You’ll get 1,710 litres with the rear seats folded but put the seats up, and this reduces to 585 litres. Skoda also includes a handy rubber boot liner, great for catching muddy paws, which can easily be removed, cleaned and put back in place. There’s a range of pet accessories for the Enyaq such as grille boot partitions, back seat pet covers and dog seatbelts, which can be bought directly from Skoda.

MG 5

The MG 5’s low-load lip makes loading even the smallest of dogs an easy task. Combine this with its 578-litre boot space and you have a perfect recipe which can cater for medium-sized doggos too. It’s worth remembering that boot height, something the MG 5 has around 70cm of, shouldn’t be missed when choosing an EV and this is because your dog may want to sit up while travelling. On the road, the MG 5’s suspension and powertrain are smooth, which should help keep your pet calm on most journeys.

Kia EV9

The EV9 won’t just carry seven people but will also cart your four-legged friend thanks to its 828-litre boot (333 litres with all three rows in position). Hop onto the EV9 configurator on Kia’s website, and you’ll see a host of dog-friendly accessories such as boot organisers, mats, and liners. If you spec the six-seater, you’ll also be able to fold down three rear seats and still have a passenger sit in the rear to comfort any anxious pooches.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

You get lots of tech and a fairly large 527-litre boot with the Ioniq 5. It might not have the largest roof height, but there’s still enough space for a medium-sized dog and if you fold the rear seats flat, your doggo will benefit from five rear cooling vents. There’s an array of boot liners available that can help protect the Ioniq 5’s rear bumper from any scratches or mishaps when loading your beloved pet. By popping the front bonnet, you’ll find a 57-litre frunk which is ideal for stowing wet towels and other dog-tarnished non-cabin-friendly items.

Volkswagen ID.4

Volkswagen includes a removable boot floor with the ID.4 and with this in place, the height from the floor to the top of the boot is just shy of 70cm. Without the floor, this extends to 82.5cm, which is ideal for larger dogs. Similarly, you get 543 litres of boot space with the seats locked in place and 1,655 litres with them folded. Volkswagen also offers a plethora of pet accessories such as a dog guard, boot inlay and all-weather floor mats. There are a few trim levels to choose from, but the entry-level Match guise will see the ID.4 carry out dog adventures of up to 224 miles before the battery needs replenishing.

BMW iX3

Not only does the iX3 have a 285-mile range, but it also has a low-load lip and a 510-litre boot (1,560 litres with the rear seats flat). The iX3 will also swallow a double dog cage, something that can often be found residing in a 3 Series Touring, and thanks to the large roof height, the driver should be able to see over the cage and out of the rear window with ease.

Citroen e-Berlingo

While the Berlingo is often associated with hauling passengers or transporting work gear, the new e-Berlingo comes with a 205-mile (claimed) range and in a variety of different trims. Five-seat models offer 775 litres, while the seven-seaters only have 209 litres of boot space. Fold everything flat and your pooch will have 4,000 litres of real estate to wander around in. Its low-load boot lip and top-hinged door will also make it easier for larger dogs to jump in and out.

Audi Q4 e-tron

While you could fork out £71,510 for the Q8 e-tron, the Q4 e-tron’s boot isn’t far off the larger Q8’s, and you’ll save nearly £20,000, which means more cash for dog toys, vet bills and dogcations in your EV. The Q4’s boot comes in at 520 litres, or 1,490 litres with the rear seats folded. Opt for the top-spec option and you’ll get a 300-mile (claimed) range so that you can tackle walking adventures further from home.

Tesla Model Y

Topping off our list is the Tesla Model Y thanks to its 854-litre boot (2,041 litres with the seats down) and pet-specific tech. Tesla is the only manufacturer to offer Dog Mode, making it the most dog-friendly car on our list. If you plan on leaving your dog alone in the car, activating Dog Mode will not only keep the air-conditioning at a set temperature, but it will also display the message “My driver will be back soon” on the car’s central screen to help calm any worried onlookers.