When you adopt a dog, that dog truly becomes part of the family. And since over 80% of dog owners drive with their pets on a regular basis, choosing a family-friendly car means choosing a dog-friendly car. “Dog-friendly” and “family-friendly” overlap quite a bit – whether your passengers walk on two legs or four, you’re probably looking for vehicles with great safety scores and plenty of space. But although lots of SUVs fit those basic requirements, true dog-friendly SUVs do more than that. It’s all about the details, and the Mitsubishi Outlander and Outlander Sport get those details right. Here’s why these Mitsubishi vehicles are some of the most dog-friendly SUVS on the market.
Easy Access
Both vehicles have wide hatches and low load floors, so it’s easy for dogs to climb in and out. This is especially important with older dogs, who may have trouble in higher-riding vehicles. The Outlander’s fold-flat seating arrangement doesn’t add extra height, and models with the remote power liftgate make access even easier.
Read More: 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Named “Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year”
Safe Cargo Spaces 
While some dogs may love to ride up front, a crate is by far the safest way for any dog to travel. Both the 2016 Outlander and Outlander Sport come with standard cargo tie-down hooks, which make it easy to secure a dog crate behind the rear seats. The Outlander Sport provides 22 cubic feet of space, perfect for a medium-sized crate plus 5-passenger seating. The spacious Outlander has two rows of fold-flat seats, so it’s even more flexible. You’ll have 34 cubic feet of space with just the third row folded, or up to 63 cubic feet with both rows down and a dog barrier installed. Even a Great Dane will have plenty of room to ride comfortably.
The Outlander also comes with a large underfloor storage compartment, so you can stow leashes and extra dog accessories without taking up any extra space.
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