A number of people have mentioned the Ford Escape as a possible option as a good “dog car” for those people wanting 4wd as an option. I’m usually an import girl, but I couldn’t *not* check it out when I saw it on the lot. How does it compare to other small SUVs?
(not my photo, found via Google Image search)
Well, it has similar dimensions to most of the smaller SUVs out there, and the seats DO fold flat (yay!), but overall it seemed a lot lower quality inside when compared to similar imports. Lots of plastic, the carpeting in the back cargo area was very cheap feeling and not well secured, and the dash seemed very light on any bells and whistles. It struck me much more as a basic, no frills vehicle, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing when you’re looking for something that can stand up to use as a dog hauler.
Width between wheel wells (narrowest part of the vehicle): 40.5″
Cargo depth with both rows up: 32.75″ on the floor, 23″ deep at the narrowest point (seat back 20″ above floor level)
Cargo depth with the second row down: 57.5″
Hatch dimensions: 34″ tall, 37.75″ to 47.75″ wide.
MPG city: 22 mpg (this was a 2WD model)
MPG highway: 26 mpg (this was a 2WD model)
The Escape, for all of its workhorse styling, does have some nice features. The glass in the hatch opens independently, allowing you to increase air circulation in the vehicle even with the hatch locked. There is a small light above the cargo area which is great for late night or early morning packing and unpacking. The seats did fold flat as I mentioned earlier *and* they were very easy to fold – no complicated series of handles and latches here!
The Escape definitely doesn’t have the bells and whistles of other similar vehicles, but it’ll certainly get the job done! With the second row of seats up, you should be able to fit smaller crates in the cargo area, and with that row down, the cargo space is quite flexible and generous for a small vehicle. The distance between the wheel wells does mean putting two larger crates side by side might not be possible (most 36″ crates are 24″ wide with SUV-style crates still being 21″ wide), however. Overall, this is a decent option for those with only a few larger dogs or a larger number of smaller dogs if you don’t need the more high-end interior styling found in some other small SUVs.
Four Paw Drive 
I have a 2007, same style, and can snuggly fit two medium sized Nylabone crates (40 inches wide) side by side in the back. Unfortunately, the crates are too tall and too deep to allow the back seat to be up. I’ve also removed the flipped up seat bottom on the passenger side (shown against the back of the seat — they remove very easily) so it gives me a cubby to stash items below floor level. Gas mileage on the 6 cylinder isn’t great, but for the room, it’s a good dog car.