Cars for spaniels

[Omgnamechange]

Hi,
Looking for recommendations for cars to transport two spaniels and two teenagers (space wise). Also cars to avoid.
I have a RAV4 which I love but need to change due to ULEZ. We mainly do short journeys.

Thanks

We have a RAV4 and it's exempt from the new charge. Are you sure yours won't be?

Anyway my parents have a Mitsubishi Outlander and love it

I've got a VW T Roc - and chose it purely for the dogs! I've got a working cocker and a very leggy sprocker.

They have their harnesses on and sit on the back seat with an Orvis cover which is a godsend, but the boot is huge and they both fit in there comfortable when I've got the grandkids with me or passengers.

I've got a 1.5 petrol DSG, and it's brilliant on fuel - I commute 30 miles a day as well as other use and a tank lasts me nearly 3 weeks. It has a sport mode too for when you want to have a bit more power (think it's 150bhp).

If you mainly do short journeys, don't get a diesel. They don't warm up properly on short journeys and the DPF gets all clogged up, and these are expensive to replace.

Personally I'd look at medium-size estate cars rather than SUVs -- VW Golf estate, Skoda Octavia, Seat Leon, Ford Focus, Peugeot 308 SW.

We have a Subaru Outback, 2 Springer spaniels and two 20 something ‘children’, who both report plenty of leg room in the back. It was a replacement for a Landrover Discovery and we are really pleased with it.

Very fuel efficient, lots of safety features, quiet to drive, we have a dog guard and there’s plenty of room in the boot for the dogs plus good height for us to sit on when putting on walking boots etc

It has all wheel drive and quite high ground clearance so good for tracks etc and snow (we live in the country - lots of small lanes a little snow clearance in winter)

Also has a Sports mode and can be nippy when needed for overtaking

Hi, thanks for the responses. I checked and the car is liable for the charge. I will have a look at the cars suggested. Thanks.

we are also going to get caught by Ulez. Have you looked at the electric cars? Skoda have one coming into stock next year (the Enyaq) that looks good for the dogs. Problem is they are going to be expensive! Our petrol car will be fine for 2 years apparently and then we are likely to have to move to electric.

if it's only short journeys in london, you might be able to get away with one of the smaller electric cars

If it's short journeys in London, why not get rid of the car altogether? that's what we've done (2 teens, 1 younger, 1 dog)

Hi, I was looking at Electric cars, there was a thread that mentioned them on MN. So something to think about.

I can’t imagine not having a car, are dogs allowed on buses?

We've got a Honda CRV which is perfect for our kids plus spaniel. Day to day and short trips the dog goes in the crate in the boot and camping trips she's clipped onto the back seat between the kids.

Don't know anything about ULEZ though so not sure if compatible.

@Omgnamechange they can go on all public transport. Mine loves the bus but he always wants to sit on the sodding seat (which he shouldn't do) to see out the window so I always end up with a giant spaniel on my lap on the bus

@StrongArm sounds interesting. @tigerinyourtank I’ll take a look at the CRV