   2014 Volkswagen Golf Wagon, 2014 Honda CR-V, 2014 Subaru Forester. Click image to enlarge |
Vehicles to consider
Volkswagen Golf Wagon
Amazing to consider that the compact wagon segment once had dozens of true competitors. Currently, the Volkswagen Golf Wagon is the only one left standing. Current version has been essentially unchanged for seven years, but probably won’t be replaced for at least a couple more. In other words, the buts should be worked out by now, and the excellent and frugal TDI option means resale value is really good. Has over 900 L of hauling space, although its roof isn’t as high as some of the other options, so better for smaller dogs/crates.
Honda CR-V
When Honda still made the Element, pet owners flocked to its upright shape. The easily configurable cargo area and smartly organized interior used to be king. The CR-V is the only one left for now, but has similar benefits as before. Although not immediately apparent, it has one of the lowest load floors around, which helps provide around 1,050 L of usable cargo space behind the rear seats. Decent seating, too, with simple one-touch fold-flat seats, although not nearly as brilliantly engineered as the Fit. One of the real no-brainers around for general ability and reliability with four-cylinder auto-only powertrain.
Subaru Forester
Even though the Forester no longer belongs to the ‘looks like the box it was delivered in’ club doesn’t mean it can’t handle big boxes inside. With the rear seat folded, the 2,115 L cargo area is brilliantly engineered to haul big XL pet crates in this compact package. Other benefits like wide-opening rear doors, lots of big storage cubbies, and some pretty – ahem – durable plastics and other materials. Standard AWD is not the penalty for fuel consumption it used to be thanks to the CVT in most models.
Ford Transit Connect Wagon
Sure, you might get comments about being a taxi driver or Canada Post employee, but Ford’s Transit Connect is pretty much the ultimate pet hauler. Technically a cargo van, there’s an option to make the wee thing into a passenger-hauling wagon, with rear seats and dual sliding rear doors. And the high roof means you can probably stand up comfortably inside with almost 3,700 L of cargo room. The leftover first-gens are basically an old Focus underneath, meaning four-cylinder engine, four-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. New one coming this fall.
   2014 Kia Rondo, 2013 Dodge Journey, 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon. Click image to enlarge |
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Kia Rondo
Although the Mazda5 has sliding side doors, the Rondo is probably a better option for pet owners. The more traditional two-row layout (in lower trims) means being able to put big pets in the way back without impeding passenger room. Clever touches and hidden cubbies give lots of ‘extra’ storage space that’s out of sight. The Kia’s back seats are more adult-friendly too, and on higher trims, can even be heated. Best of the mini-minivans to look at, inside and out.
Dodge Journey
Although itching for a replacement, the Dodge Journey has three things going for it: it’s dirt cheap, has cleverfeatures like under-seat and under-floor storage, and can be had with a third row of seats. Certainly not the biggest, but try to at least stretch for the V6 as the base four-cylinder is seriously overworked.
