F31 with two dogs - this time for real

[The New Yorker]

Trying this again as my previous post seems to have been deleted. Anyway, my wife and I are looking at wagons for our next car. We have two boxers (https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1.0-9/10268417_10203035926674961_1907960084549202283_n.j pg) who weight 50-60 lbs each and want something big enough for them to ride in the rear/cargo space comfortably. We were originally thinking an XC70 T6 because of the space and the power it makes, but mileage in the high teens/low 20s isn't really desirable. We drove the 328d and loved it, but want to hear others' experiences with dogs in these cars. As for other cars, Outback is out because I dislike Subarus and Allroad is...meh.

Long time lurker here as a general car enthusiast, actually a Volvo nut (http://turbobricks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=157240). Let me know what you guys think!

[Moondancer]

I will be following any answers you get since my wife is also thinking about getting this small wagon for her 65th birthday, .... and we also have two dogs that she likes to drag with her. Getting a real world, hands-on, review of this little wagon seems to be more difficult than I expected. There don't seem to be that many options these days and we are not particularly fond of SUV's or Crossovers.

So, good luck.

[levous]

I figured I'd reply since I have some experience big dogs. I shopped for an x1, before the wagon was available, but it was pretty small. I considered the X3. Once I priced it out it turned out the x5 was cheaper so I ended up with an x5.

I have three large dogs, ranging in weight from 65 pounds to 100 pounds. I can fit all three dogs in the back of the truck with the seats up. I have to kids so this is important for me. My fantasy that the dogs would stay back there however was wrong. Hair certainly doesn't stay confined to the back either. I just returned a loaner 328 I with the four-cylinder and found it to be incredible fun. I expected. The four-cylinder to be a bit anemic but it wasn't in the slightest.

The X5 it's truly a marvelous engineering. It handles like a car and drive superbly. The 328, however, is simply more nimble and fun to drive. Toss feel economy into the equation and it starts to sound like a very compelling option.

I typically only have one dog with me at any given time. Occasionally I need all three. When my lease is up I'll have to evaluate how often I actually need three dogs in the car plus the kids. If that turns out to be infrequent, i'm likely to move to the wagon.

I'd love to hear others opinions and experience on this