Best cars for pet people
Posted on August 19, 2009 19:54
Pet safety experts of BarkBuckleUp.com teamed up with popular car site Edmunds.com to come up with a list of 10 "pet-safe" cars for your consideration. Christina Selter, founder of Bark Buckle Up, says that even the calmest unrestrained pets can become frightened in a moving vehicle, so the use of restraints is key: "In the event of a sudden stop or accident, the animal can injure other passengers or be thrown through the windshield, then hinder the efforts of rescue workers or even cause another accident by escaping into the street.
So, in alphabetical order, here are the top 10 recommended vehicles for traveling with your pet and an explanation of the features that make them stand out when it comes to pet safety.
Dodge Journey
To ensure the safety of drivers, passengers and pets, all gear must be secure when driving, and the Journey offers in-floor storage bins that elegantly achieve this objective. Sadly, many pets are injured by drivers who unknowingly run them over while reversing; the Journey offers a rear-view camera that helps drivers avoid this tragedy. Other available features include an in-dash cooler that can be used to store beverages, medicine or pet food; a rechargeable LED flashlight; and steering-wheel-mounted controls (useful in lessening driver distraction).
Ford Flex
Larger dogs and their crates will be comfortable in the roomy Flex; the crossover offers ample legroom and wide door openings for easy ingress and egress. Other pluses include a refrigerated console and five-star crash test scores
GMC Acadia
Tri-zone climate control is available in the Acadia. This feature is important in SUVs, station wagons and minivans; it helps monitor temperature in the rear of the vehicle, ensuring that pets secured in back aren't exposed to extreme heat. The Acadia also offers a direct link to poison control via its OnStar feature (many animals are injured each year from ingesting potential pet poisons such as antifreeze, chocolate and tea) and rear fold-flat seats that accommodate travel for larger pets and their crates.
Hyundai Tucson
The Tucson's available features include automatic climate control and fold-flat rear seats. This Hyundai also offers remote keyless entry (helpful if your hands are full managing a dog on a leash) as well as privacy glass that helps keep temperatures cool in back.
Jeep Liberty
The Jeep brand offers specialized pet travel gear, including crates, carriers and a ramp. The ramp is useful for larger dogs as well as for older and/or arthritic pets. This gear can be used with the Liberty and all vehicles in the Jeep lineup. Other useful Liberty features include a splint-folding rear seat and available keyless entry.
Kia Borrego
Full-length side curtain air bags with rollover sensors can keep both pets and their owners safe, and they're offered in the Borrego. The SUV also offers a backup warning system and a rear camera display
Mazda5
Three words: sliding rear doors! The Mazda5 offers easy-access dual sliding rear doors with a one-touch walk-in feature. These doors simplify pet access and make it a breeze to secure your pet. The minivan is also notable for having earned five-star crash test scores and for having side curtain air bags in all three rows. Its low cargo floor also facilitates pet access. The Mazda5 has tethers and anchors in the second and third rows helpful because pet safety seats need to be secured in the same way as a child's.
Mitsubishi Outlander
Side airbags, five-star crash test ratings and steering-wheel-mounted auxiliary controls are all part of the Outlander's arsenal of available offerings. The SUV also boasts fold-flat seating and stowable third-row seats (both these features increase the amount of room available for larger pets), as well as more than a dozen storage compartments for your gear and your pet's.
Subaru Tribeca
Pet owners will appreciate the Tribeca's five-star crash test scores, steering-wheel-mounted auxiliary controls and rear backup camera.
Volvo XC70
The XC70 is available with a Volvo-designed pet barrier. This is not a one-size-fits-all system with suction cups and Velcro this is the real deal. Many pet barrier systems are not designed to remain in place during an accident. This system crash-tested by Volvo has been created to remain intact in a collision. The barrier may be installed by the dealer, and is bolted securely into the vehicle. Another great feature is the XC70's blind-spot warning system. A pet in back can sometimes impede visibility, so any safety feature that helps with blind spots is a big plus.
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