There's a new model of the BMW 5 Series Touring these days, but you can save yourself a whole heap of cash by buying a used example of the previous-generation car, which is still sensational for both you and your pooch. If you're looking for car that blends luxury, practicality, comfort and fun-driving into one awesome package, then you'll hit the jackpot with this car. It certainly looks the part thanks to its smart face and tight shut lines, plus the cooler estate body is a rarer sight than the saloon.

It's also a lot more practical. The boot lid opens electrically and it leaves a huge space for your dog to leap into, with no annoying lips for the animal to catch its paws on. Not only is the boot massive, it is also very practical, with hooks for your shopping and a 12V socket for a vacuum that'll making cleaning up after your hound that bit less of a pain. You can also have a split tailgate so smaller items can be dropped in through the open rear window, without giving the dog a chance to make a bid for freedom. Given how plush the 5 Series is inside, however, you'd have to ask why any dog would even attempt to make a run for it. 

This well-rounded nature is also evident in the driving experience. The 5 Series' 2.0-litre diesel engine has plenty of power, but costs buttons to run, while further up the range there are plenty of more powerful options. The car's rear-wheel-drive chassis means it handles very well – you can also choose from xDrive four-wheel drive – and its suspension strikes an excellent balance between control and comfort. 

The Dacia Logan MCV estate isn’t the newest, nor the most premium, car in this list by a long shot. In fact, it can’t compete against rivals in various ways (performance, refinement, handling etc). However, it excels when it comes to both affordability and economy, making it an excellent choice for dog owners on a tight budget. For those who don’t mind a basic approach to motoring, the Logan MCV will be the perfect car.

It’s quite spacious for its size - it's based on the same platform as the previous Renault Clio - but it's the boot that really impresses for roominess. The 573 litres you get is actually more than in the whopping BMW 5 Series Touring we mentioned just now. The wipe-clean plastics are ideal for canine companions, too. The 1.5-litre diesel engine (1.5 dCi 90) will return more than 62mpg, and has enough muscle to pull you around easily.

But if you do want some level of comfort, avoid the base Access trim, which doesn't have air conditioning, electric windows or a DAB radio. And, whichever version you go for, you get a dated-looking cabin and a poor three-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

The Skoda Superb Estate is - in our opinion - one of the best estate cars money can buy, and even better, you don't need a ridiculous amount of money to do so. It’s ideal for drivers who need a vehicle for dogs, but don’t want to pay through the nose. It’ll carry anything you need it to (within reason), and it’ll do it in a high level of comfort and with low fuel consumption.

A low boot lip means that it’ll be easy for dogs to jump in and out, even as they get older, and once they’re inside they’ll be able to enjoy a huge 690 litres of boot space. When it comes to human passengers, there’s absolutely shedloads of legroom and headroom in the back for ultimate lounging capabilities. 

The ride quality is fantastic, with the suspension dealing effortlessly with poor quality roads, and there's minimal noise in the cabin, too. There's a wide range of powertrain available in the Superb estate, including petrol, plug-in hybrid, and - rare in this day and age - diesel.

While it's true there are better luxury SUVs than the Land Rover Discovery when it comes to driving dynamics, few can beat it when it comes to practicality. That's because Land Rover’s seven-seater excels when it comes to space, comfort, off-roading and pure luxury. The British brand’s optional Pet Packs also mean you can pay extra for a full-height metal luggage partition and a rubber boot liner.

Of the various engines to choose, we recommend the entry-level 2.0-litre SD4 diesel. It isn’t quite as powerful as the bigger engines, but it doesn’t feel slower. It’s also more economical and it’s perky enough to keep you rolling along without too much trouble. The S and SE trim grades come with a decent amount of kit, but if you want a car like the Discovery to feel truly special then the HSE trim provides things like upgraded leather upholstery, adaptive cruise control, a hands-free powered tailgate, heated rear seats and a fixed panoramic roof.

With all seven seats up, the 258-litre boot is only big enough for a smaller dog. But we think most people will use the Discovery with the rearmost seats down most of the time. With five seats in place, there’s a whopping 1137 litres available, which will keep even the largest dogs happy.

If you want a hugely practical car at a reasonable price, the Citroen Berlingo is where you should put your money. It won’t woo you with sharp handling or stylish looks, but you will get luxurious levels of space without a premium price tag. The Berlingo is closely related to the Peugeot Rifter and Vauxhall Combo Life, too, so if you’re searching for a good MPV (van with windows, basically) then it pays to look for the best deal on any of the three.

As you’d expect with a van-based car, the boot is gigantic at 775 litres , growing to 1050 litres with just five seats up (in the XL version). The tailgate is enormous, making it very easy for even the biggest dogs to leap in and get comfortable. But the hinged rear screen means you don’t have to open the whole door to give your pet water or the like, which is a big help when you’re backed up close to a wall, another car, etc.

The 130PS 1.5 BlueHDi diesel provides plenty of poke and the optional eight-speed automatic gearbox takes the pain out of long journeys and stop-go traffic. Flair trim is worth paying a little bit extra for because it adds reversing sensors that make it easier to get the big Citroen parked, plus proper electric rear windows.

The Ford S-MAX isn’t the biggest car around (Bernese owners, look elsewhere), but it's an extremely practical MPV that won’t mean sacrificing driving pleasure for space. Although it can’t quite offer the space and practicality of the larger Galaxy, the S-MAX has better styling and handling. 

It seats seven, although the rearmost seats are only really suitable for kids. In seven-seat mode, the S-MAX offers 285 litres of luggage space, which isn’t a whole lot. With the third row not in use, capacity increases to a cavernous 965 litres, with up to 2020 litres available in two-seat mode. That’s more than enough space for a dog or two, and the 150PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine blends performance and economy really well. We’d also suggest getting the entry-level Zetec trim level, which comes with a generous amount of kit.