Car model suggestions for large dog

[Rafini]

Howdy y'all,
I haven't shown off my boy here yet so I'll update with a few pictures,
This is Leo

Here he is when we first got him at 3.5 months

at around 4 months

5 months and a little bit

5 and a half months

Here he is at about a week before 6 months, weighed in at 78 lbs

Besides being incredibly stubborn, he is the perfect pup. We have him on a low protein, low fat giant breed formula specifically for good joint and bone growth.
He sleeps through the night every night since we got him, and generally lazes around the house.
Luckily for us also he is a grazer so we know he always gets as much food as he needs, instead of as much as we will give.

Right now I drive a taurus sedan, for the time being he lounges on the back seats but I can tell that now hes larger he isn't entirely happy with the space.
My fiance has a large pathfinder that will fit him in no issues, however I am looking for something that would be easier for him.
we will mostly use the pathfinder for Leo, however in the event that I need to take him somewhere on my own, I would like him to be comfortable.

i'll be looking for something used, preferably a wagon, small sized crossover and anything in between (mazda 5, kia rondo etc)
Don't worry about the price because that varies by region, I'm just curious what cars other users with big dogs have used.


Here are a few models that I have been looking at
Ford escape, Mazda 5, Kia Rondo, Ford Focus Wagon, VW passat wagon, Kia Sportage, Toyota matrix, Honda CRV (older)

I'll be using the car for work and daily driving, Preferably I would like something that's at least the same on fuel as my Taurus (I can compare online)
There seems to be an abundance of Subarus in my area but I know they have a bad reputation for reliability with the older 2000s models.

okay sorry for the essay, I'd love to hear what kinds of vehicles work well for everyone

 

[Chicxulub]

Back in ye olden dayes when we still had dogs, my wife and I saw fit to buy a four door F-150, as for most of the year the dogs enjoyed riding in the back, and if we needed to take them anywhere in the winter, we could put them in the cab.

But that's not what you're asking.

We also considered a bunch of different wagons or hatches, nearly having purchased a Dodge Magnum instead of the F-150. Basically any modern hatch would work well for you. We currently have a Ford Focus as a daily driver for my wife. It gets 30+ mpg even with her lead foot, and is comfortable for smaller framed people. I'm 6'3 and I find it quite uncomfortable. It would likely be a decent car for you, and can be had with low miles quite affordably.

 

[islandguy11]

Speaking of the olden days, we had something similar to this for our Alaskan Malamute, but not quite so fancy lol:



Rafini that's one beautiful monster sized buddy you've got there -- he deserves some cool wheels.

 

[Rafini]

thanks for the input guys!
He will most likely only go in the car on occasion, I’m thinking something low to the ground with a hatch in the rear would really help him out.

I live in the city and although trucks and SUVs are popular here I would rather have the cheap insurance and gas that comes with a wagon.

I do love those old wagons, they are available occasionally but usually in bad condition... that would be sweet though.

Yeah I was interested in the focus wagon primarily because of the gas mileage and that a lot of hem seem to be available in my area, some better looked after than others lol.

I forgot to mention that Leo might not be the 200lb + brute that some saints become. His dad is 163 and his mom is 120. So safe to say he will be on the smaller weight scale for his breed ( 150-220 for a male)

 

[Dloks]

Have you consider the Subaru Outback? I have two Australian Shepard(s), and that was my main choice before I got the new TRD Pro Tacoma

 

[The Morning]

I second the Outback. Great cars. Base models are inexpensive and there is a ton of room. I have owned two and have no complaints about them.

 

[Dloks]

I second the Outback. Great cars. Base models are inexpensive and there is a ton of room. I have owned two and have no complaints about them.

How are they my wife wants one

 

[pops]

outback, see you get snow so be my go to. More than likes the forester.

 

[The Morning]

Outback to me was the perfect car. Good gas mileage, plenty of space and the interior was large enough that I could fit my assembled fly rods without having to break them down when I switched spots on streams. Priorities.

 

[Rafini]

There are a lot of used Subaru’s in my area, I have been told they’re somewhat unreliable as a used vehicle. Maybe that was bad advice?

The legacy wagon seems to have good mileage. However the outback I checked was worse than my current car.

Does anyone have a good source for mileage? I have been using this website

FuelEconomy.gov - The official U.S. government source for fuel economy information.

EPA gas mileage, safety, air pollution, and greenhouse gas estimates for new and used cars and trucks.

www.fueleconomy.gov

I know it’s a US website, but it has a comparison so I can see how things match against my 2000 Ford Taurus se

I would be open to a Subaru if I could find a that was well maintained, good mileage and good fuel economy