Best Subaru Models for Pet Owners

Whether you take your family dog on road trips or just let them tag along for a quick trip to the store, the vehicle you select must fit their needs as much as yours. Subaru offers many vehicles in various sizes, shapes, and colors to appeal to pet owners everywhere. When selecting your next vehicle, consider the space your pet needs to stretch out and enjoy the ride more before purchasing. Our Tameron Subaru team invites you to explore the best Subaru models for pet owners.

Best Option for Large Dogs

If you have a Doberman pinscher, Great Dane, Labrador retriever, mastiff, or German shepherd, you’ll want to consider their size when choosing a vehicle. Luckily, Subaru has several options that offer a larger interior to accommodate your pet. The largest Subaru available is the 2023 Ascent, a midsize SUV available in eight trims: Base 8-Passenger, Premium 8-Passenger, Premium 7-Passenger, Onyx Edition 7-Passenger, Limited 8-Passenger, Limited 7-Passenger, Onyx Edition Limited 7-Passenger, and Touring 7-Passenger.

The Base trim features LED headlights and 18-inch wheels with three-zone climate control, four USB ports, a six-speaker sound system, and an 11.6-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. You also get a 2,000-pound towing capacity to bring the recreational toys or doghouse to the cabin for your weekend adventures around Mobile, Alabama. The 54-inch panoramic moonroof will give your passengers, including your furry friend, an incredible view of the outdoors.

The same engine powers all eight trims of the Ascent. You get a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder matched to a continuously variable automatic transmission. You’ll enjoy the 260 horsepower, 277 lb-ft of torque, and standard all-wheel-drive system on this SUV.

The cargo volume behind the second row ranges from 42.1 cubic feet to 43.5 cubic feet, depending on the trim level you select. You can extend that to 72.8 cubic feet to 75.6 cubic feet if you put the second row down, using the entire cargo area behind the front rows for your pet. Either way, the Ascent offers your big furry friend the space to relax and enjoy the ride. You’ll also find underfloor storage to keep dog treats, food, bowls, and leashes hidden away.

You can get into the Base trim for an MSRP of $33,895 or the high-end Touring for $48,195. The Ascent also saves you money at the pump with its 25 to 26 mpg rating for highway driving.

Best Option for Medium Dogs

Pet owners who call a poodle, schnauzer, collie, boxer, or Australian shepherd their fur baby would be comfortable in the Outback. You can get the 2024 Outback in nine trims: Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, Touring, Onyx Edition XT, Wilderness, Limited XT, and Touring XT. Standard features include LED headlights and fog lights, roof rails with integrated crossbars, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Hill-descent control helps keep you in control of any incline in your Outback, keeping you and your pup safe. Automatic climate control and dual 7-inch center touch screens with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.

The Base through Touring trims feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine matched to a continuously variable automatic transmission. This combination delivers 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque to get you ahead of the pack. The XT and Wilderness have a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, paired to the same transmission. All-wheel drive is standard on all nine trims of the Outback to give you the traction and control you need over various conditions.

You’ll discover 32.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat in all nine trims, giving your pet the space to sleep on long car rides. If you need more room for all your dog’s toys, treats, or bedding, you can flip down the rear seat to gain 75.6 cubic feet of total cargo volume. A hands-free power liftgate is standard on the Onyx Edition and above, making it easier to load your pup even if your hands are full of their 50-pound food bag.

With a starting MSRP of $28,895 and a top sticker price of $42,795 for the top-of-the-line Touring XT, you’ll have plenty left over to buy your best buddy a new chew toy for the road. You’ll also love the EPA-estimated 32 mpg for highway driving on most trims, with a couple offering 26 and 29 mpg.

Best Option for Small Pets

A beagle, Pomeranian, chihuahua, Boston terrier, pug, yorkie, or fluffy feline would be happy in the Crosstrek, Subaru’s smallest SUV. The 2024 Crosstrek has four available trims: Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited. A Wilderness trim could also be in the works later in the model year. The Base has steering-responsive LED headlights and 17-inch dark gray alloy wheels. Inside, you’ll find comfortable and convenient features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, satellite radio, a USB-A data charging port, a four-speaker audio system, and a 7-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

For the Base and Premium, you get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. The Sport and Limited upgrade that to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that garners 182 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system are standard on all four trims.

As you get your small pet situated in the cargo area, you’ll enjoy the 19.9 cubic feet available behind the rear seats. You can open that up to 54.7 cubic feet by lowering the rear seatbacks, giving your four-legged friend the additional space needed to get cozy. The Crosstrek starts at an MSRP of $24,995, with the Limited coming in at $30,895, giving you plenty of leftover cash to spoil your pet. Based on trim level, you’ll also enjoy the savings of the 33 to 34 mpg highway driving rating.

Ready To Take Your Pet on the Road?

When you’re ready to take a road trip with your furry friend, stop to see the sales team at Tameron Subaru at 1431 E. Interstate 65 Service Road South in Mobile, Alabama. We’re prepared to answer any questions, give you a showroom tour, or set you up for a test drive in any of our pet-friendly models from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Contact us today via our secure online form or at 251-910-0494.

Great Dane with stuffy by E’Lisa Campbell is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0