As families hit the road for summer vacation or just weekends away, many of them are taking their dogs along with them. That’s why we turned to our friends at DogCars.com, the automotive and travel site for dog-lovers, to come up with a list of top canine carriers. The site’s automotive review team focuses on the vehicle’s attributes from the viewpoint of a dog owner and rates each vehicle by numbers of paws on a 1-5 scale.
Page 2Compact
Toyota Matrix
Proving that good things do come in small packages, the newly redesigned Toyota Matrix is a dynamic DogCar in a compact, pup-pleasing profile. Sharing many of the same mechanics as the Toyota Corolla, the Matrix comes in three versions: a base level front-wheel-drive, small four-cylinder model, an all-wheel-drive with larger engine and a sporty version. Cargo volume is more than adequate for its size while fuel mileage is economical.
MSRP: $20,400
EPA Mileage: 20/26
Cargo: 61.5 cubic feet
Rating: 
Full review at Dogcars.com
Page 2Small SUV
Ford Escape / Mercury Mariner / Mazda Tribute
Ford’s terrific triplets — the Escape, Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute – offer on and off-road versatility, with moderate fuel mileage and fold-flat seats for canine crates. While they may look different on the outside, their breeding and heritage is the same.
MSRP: $28,825
EPA Mileage: 20/28
Cargo: 66.3 cubic feet
Rating: 
Full review at Dogcars.com
Page 2Small SUV
Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi has gained quite a bit of a following among dog lovers with its versatile and stylish Outlander SUV. Its Cargo space is deceptively roomy and well-shaped, without the sloping rear that ruins it on many other SUVs. The seats flip forward to open it all up, and the bottom of the rear gate flips down, giving dogs a good landing pad when entering.
MSRP: $29,000
EPA Mileage: 18/23
Cargo: 72.6 cubic feet
Rating:
Full review at Dogcars.com
Page 2Midsize SUV
Honda Element
The Element is an exceptional DogCar, but it gets even better in 2010 with the addition of a special dog-friendly model that includes a raise dog bed and a hideaway ramp in the rear. The Element has clamshell rear doors with glass that opens up for ventilation and the tailgate flipping down to make a great seat. The rear Cargo area is easy to clean after being marred by muddy paws
MSRP: $23,110
EPA Mileage: 22/27
Cargo: 77.1 cubic feet
Rating:
Full review at Dogcars.com
Page 2Midsize SUV
Honda Pilot
In the crowded midsize SUV market, this Pilot flies above the rest, each with its own dog-friendly qualities. The Honda Pilot was been redesigned for ’09 and got even better, with a squared off rear to better handle large dog crates.
MSRP: 33,595
EPA Mileage: 17/23
Cargo: 87 cubic feet
Rating:
Full review at Dogcars.com
Page 2Midsize SUV
Suzuki XL-7
Suzuki’s XL7 is a rugged rig that features fold-flat second and third row seats for flexibility when securing crates and carrying Cargo. As one reader suggested, the XL7 can handle multiple dogs. “I love mine, it fits two border collies and a Jack Russell and agility equipment wonderfully!”
MSRP: $22,899
EPA Mileage: 18/24
Cargo: 95 cubic feet
Rating:
Full review at Dogcars.com
Page 2Midsize SUV
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe features a sporty design that adds style and remarkable handling to its list of canine capabilities at a great value for an SUV. The rear Cargo area is squared off to make headroom for the optional third row seats, making great for small and medium-sized dog crates and barriers. And the Santa Fe's second row climate controls help keep your pups cozy without roasting the driver too.
MSRP: $21,690
EPA Mileage: 21/26
Cargo: 79.3 cubic feet
Rating:
Full review at Dogcars.com
Page 2Wagon
Toyota Venza
Toyota designed the Venza to be dedicated to the safety needs of our four-legged friends. Resembling a pregnant dachshund (minus the tail), the Venza is a wagon-like SUV that satisfies the DogCar requirement for ease of accessibility with a low ground clearance, yet doesn’t give up much in its off-road ability because it features all-wheel-drive and the seats fold flat and firm enough to provide plenty of room for canine Cargo.
MSRP: $27,800
EPA Mileage: 19/26
Cargo: 70.1 cubic feet
Rating:
Full review at Dogcars.com
Page 2Wagon
Subaru Forester
The newly redesigned Subaru Forester is a great ride for four-legged family members who love to frequent snow and mud on a regular basis. Toss in the leather interior and a turbo-powered engine, and you are assured of a fun ride as well. The rear seats fold flat neatly and easily and the Forester is tall enough to take a single large dog crate.
MSRP: $25,995
EPA Mileage: 20/27
Cargo: 64.5 cubic feet
Rating:
Full review at Dogcars.com
Page 2Wagon
Volvo XC70
The Volvo XC70 is comfortable, stylish, fairly economical and a bunch of fun to drive. Plus, it easily handles all dog mobile demands for space and utility. This is more than puppy love, it’s the real deal.
MSRP: $44,065
EPA Mileage: 15/22
Cargo: 72.1 cubic feet
Rating:
Full review at Dogcars.com
Page 2Luxury SUV
BMW X5
Some people like the looks and status of the BMW X5, but for dog lovers, it’s the Cargo capacity and fold-flat seats of the X-5 that make our tails wag happily. The rear tailgate is low and relatively square, with an opening wide enough to fit dog crates. All the rear seats fold flat and the power tailgate makes it easy for pups to get in and out of the roomy cabin.
MSRP: $46,675
EPA Mileage: 15/21
Cargo: 61.8 cubic feet
Rating:
For a full review, go to Dogcars.com
Page 2Luxury SUV
Acura MDX
Acura’s top-of-the line SUV bucks the styling trend of other luxury haulers by not sloping the vehicle’s hindquarters too drastically.Once inside, you’ll find the Acura MDX highly capable of handling most of your DogCar carrying, with a power tailgate that opens wide and tall, providing ample space for crates and canine-related Cargo. Driving the MDX feels silky smooth, with enough power to make you forget you’re in an SUV.
MSRP: $47,795
EPA Mileage: 17/22
Cargo: 84 cubic feet
Rating:
For a full review, go to Dogcars.com.
Page 2Hybrid
Toyota Highlander Hybrid
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid was redesigned to add room, comfort and better mileage, making the popular crossover a classic DogCar with a hybrid twist. Both rear seats fold nicely flat to provide ample room for crates and Cargo, and when in use, and the second row slides forward and back to provide flexible Cargo room. A nifty little latch in the back lets you flip the middle row flat with minimal effort.
MSRP: $39,950
EPA Mileage: 27/25
Cargo: 94.1 cubic feet
Rating:
Full review at Dogcars.com
Page 2A word about the writers:
Dr. Marty Becker is America’s Veterinarian and popular contributor to ABC-TV's "Good Morning America," a top-selling author and the host of "The Pet Doctor With Marty Becker" on PBS.
Syndicated automotive writer Keith Turner is Editor of DogCars.com, a comprehensive automotive resource for dog-lovers of all kinds. See more at DogCars.com.
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Seats that fold flat or are easily removable.