The Top Ten 2011 Cars, Trucks and Minivans for Dog Owners

The interior of your next new car, truck, SUV, minivan or wagon must not only be easy to clean come winter coat shedding season, you must also look at certain features as the barometer of how pet friendly and pet safe it truly is. Isn't your dog important enough as a member of the family? Would you be able to live with yourself if something bad happened? Well, it does unfortunately, each and every day.

For more information on this you really should check out the stuff on Christina Selter's webpage "BarkBuckleUp.com." She advocates pet restraints in the car for all animals on very simple grounds-flying animals become dangerous projectiles in accidents. This kills dogs and humans. (Note: Christina is also known as "The Pet Safety Lady" so if you'd rather just Google her she is easy to find.)

Remember, there is a big difference between pet safety and pets who are allowed to stand and sit anywhere in the car. Dogs need to be harnessed in and attached to either the seat belt buckle, cargo area D-ring (which can attach to a crate) or to one of the metal latches for the car seats. The car seat attach gives you the most security and is considered the best way to go by "The Pet Safety Lady."

Although I do write (pardon me, my dog Daisy Mae writes) articles for BarkBuckleUp.com's review page, this is my own personal list of the top ten 2011 models that I recommend. Be sure to cross shop over at Christina's page to see what she had to say about her picks for the best 2010 models! She is the expert, after all. I just go by what Daisy Mae tells me.

2011 Honda Odyssey

Five car seats can ride in the back of the 2011 Odyssey which is a first ever feature in its class. That's ten dog safety latches! You could seriously start your own doggie day care! Some say they don't care for the styling but this is a design that people will appreciate over time.

And your dog will love the plush leather, dual screen rear DVD entertainment unit (Snow Dogs/Old Yeller double feature!) and the brilliant trash bag ring. Yes, it's a ring you wrap a trash bag around so you can throw away...trash! Genius! Even if you fee lukewarm about the new Odyssey, spend 20 minutes in the interior and you will be sold.

2011 Dodge Ram

There's no way around it, dogs love trucks. My parent's boxer Peyton had "sprained his paw" and was limping for a week or so. When he saw the back door of my 2010 Dodge Ram open he took a flying leap and jumped in. I figured I was testing a truck and there is no greater test than the slobbery destruction magnet called Peyton. Long story short? Lots of Windex and plastic cleaner later, the 2010 Dodge Ram was good as new.

2011 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI

The thing that separates the Sportwagen TDI from the Prius is the fact that this diesel engined puppy has more low down torque than the GTI hot hatch which give us some idea why this station wagon is the best thing to come from VW since the Vanagon. Although the Sportwagen TDI is way faster than the Vanagon ever was. We just meant from a hipster cool, spaciousness and build quality perspective. Also, this vehicle ranks very highly in all crash tests.

2011 Volvo S60

This is the coolest looking new luxury sedan in town and Volvo has the best reputation for safety in the business. That includes pet safety. So why shouldn't it make the list? Really, this is a great looking car.

2011 Scion tC

This is the only "dog friendly" sport coupe on the market today. First off, both front doors tilt and slide forward to reveal plenty of room for dogs to hop into the back seat. These seats then return to their original position! There are even D-Rings in the cargo hold perfect for hauling crates for smaller pets in the 34 cubic foot cargo hold. And get this! It only starts at $18,995 and it's also fun to drive!

2011 Subaru Outback

Subaru Outback's and dogs go together like Golden Retrievers used to go with Volvo wagons before they stopped making them. Shame, shame. I guess all those Volvo buyers will just have to drive Audi A4 or Acura TSX wagons instead. The wagon will have its family car comeback and the 2011 Subaru Outback is proof of this. For 2011, the basic 4-cylinder is updated to be more fuel efficient.

2011 Hyundai Tucson

If you are looking for a compact SUV that is loaded with all of the goodies then your search is over. The 2011 Hyundai Tucson we tested earlier this year was a GLS model ($21,580) and it had Bluetooth, USB port with iPod integration, a terrific 6-speaker AM/FM/CD/XM audio system, climate control, electric everything, tinted glass and really nice alloy wheels. The only GLS option is navigation or leather on higher line models.

2011 Ford F-150

On four door variants, the car safety seat buckle clip is wide and easy to reach. In fact, it was the easiest to find of any vehicle I tested this year. Clipping Daisy Mae into her harness was quite literally a "snap."

2011 Acura MDX

My parents owned two MDX SUVs in a row as the "dog car" which might tell you a little something about the importance of canines in my family. The MDX's interior, however, never wavered in its ability to withstand any claw mark, repel any long dried slobber stain and somehow always look brand new after each visit to the car wash.

2011 Honda Element with Dog Friendly Package

Um, duh, of course this has to make the list. The Element "Dog Friendly Package" is $995 (only with EX models) and comes with a built in mesh crate, a stowable ramp (so older dogs can get in and out with less strain), a built-in spill proof waterbowl, an electric cooling fan, dog bone seat covers and even a bespoke dog collar and leash set. That's something to put your paws up in the air and bark about!

Sources:

Honda.com

Acura.com

Hyundaiusa.com

Fordusa.com

Subaru.com

Scion.com

VW.com