If you asked us which Subaru was best for dog lovers, we’d say the ones with wheels. That’s because Subaru loves pets and we know that these four-legged family members are as important to the adventures you take as any of the human kind are. But sure, if we absolutely have to be honest, there are some Subaru models that make driving with pets a whole lot easier than others.
Top of the list has got to be the Subaru Outback — and there’s a reason it was named one of the 10 best cars for dog lovers by Autotrader.com. The Outback is spectacularly versatile which means that whether you’re cruising the suburbs or those off-road trails, every ride’s an adventure with you and your four-legged buddy.
The roomy, well-ventilated space means that driving with dogs in an Outback makes them as happy as you are. You get ample cargo space and even more when you fold down a seat or two. With seat covers and heavy-duty floor mats as optional extras, you can be sure your car’s interior is easy to maintain and keep looking great for all those times your passengers aren’t the furry kind.
The Subaru Forester and the Subaru XV are not shy of being able to get you and your four-legged family out on adventures and back again safely, either. As mentioned, Subaru loves pets which means that there’s no model that can’t keep you and your furrkids moving. But — to be diplomatic and fair — these models are as ready for any adventure as your dog is.
Driving safely with pets
Safe journeys make the best memories
While your dog will absolutely vote for riding shotgun with you upfront, the least amount of distraction for you the driver — in any driving scenario — the better! The safest space for your dog is tethered with a special seat belt harness in the backseat, or in a crate in the boot. The crate should be tethered with cargo area anchor straps, and not be blocking any vents so that your best friend gets plenty of fresh air on the trip.
Now while most of the spotlight has been shone on the assumption that you’ll be driving with dogs, there are plenty of you that just as may be driving with cats. Least popular is any trip to the vet, sure, but as the hours of videos explored during different phases of the lockdown have taught us, cats are out there doing dog things in big ways. Going for walks (yes, fully harnessed and on a leash) and therefore all kinds of road trips too.
Either way, best to be prepared and give your dog a ‘puptalk’ and your cat a whisper through their whiskers. Tell them all about the adventure you’re planning and then make sure they’ve had plenty of rest beforehand, are hydrated, and have access to snacks and water (especially on longer trips).