To truly appreciate why the 2026 Subaru Forester is so highly regarded by dog owners, we have to look past the marketing brochures and analyze the raw, physical numbers. In a market where many automotive manufacturers are sacrificing utility for fastback rooflines and aggressively sloped rear glass, Subaru has remained fiercely committed to the classic, upright SUV shape. This design philosophy pays massive dividends when it comes to usable interior volume. For the 2026 model year, the Forester delivers up to 30 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats on most trims, which expands to a cavernous 74 cubic feet when you fold those rear seats flat. For models equipped with the panoramic sunroof, these numbers adjust slightly to 27.5 cubic feet with seats up and 69 cubic feet with seats folded, yet the space remains exceptionally functional.

But raw cubic footage only tells part of the story. The real magic lies in the actual width, depth, and height measurements of the opening itself. The rear hatch opening of the 2026 Forester is remarkably wide, measuring roughly 43 inches at its narrowest point near the floor. This provides an almost square, unobstructed entryway that allows large dogs to hop inside without having to duck or squeeze through a pinched opening. The maximum cargo width inside the cabin expands to over 51 inches between the side walls, meaning there is plenty of shoulder room for multiple pets to ride side-by-side comfortably. When compared directly to rival compact crossovers that feature pinched, rounded hatch openings, the Forester’s structural design stands out as a triumph of practical engineering.

For dog owners, these dimensions translate directly to a less stressful travel experience. Large breeds like German Shepherds, Great Danes, or Bernese Mountain Dogs need room to turn around, stretch out, and lie down during longer drives. In many modern SUVs, the sloping rear window cuts deeply into the vertical space, forcing large dogs to sit in a hunched, unnatural position. The 2026 Forester avoids this entirely by maintaining an upright rear glass profile. This ensures that the rear-most portion of the cargo area has virtually the same vertical clearance as the center of the cabin. Your dogs can stand comfortably right up against the rear hatch, looking out the back window at the passing scenery, without hitting their heads against the headliner or the rear defroster elements.

Additionally, the low liftover height of the Forester is a subtle but incredibly valuable feature. Measuring just under 30 inches from the ground to the cargo floor, it is significantly lower than many truck-based SUVs or high-riding off-roaders. This low step-in height makes it easy for senior dogs with arthritis or joint issues to step up into the back without requiring assistance. It also reduces the impact on the joints of young, growing large-breed puppies who shouldn't be jumping down from high surfaces. If you want to check out these dimensions with your own canine companion, feel free to Call us at (815) 725-3789 to set up an appointment where you can explore the cargo hold in person.

For professional trainers, agility competitors, and safety-conscious dog owners in Joliet and Plainfield, loose pet transport is not an option. Heavy-duty, crash-tested crates—such as those from Ruff Land, Impact, or Gunner—are essential tools for keeping dogs secure during travel. However, these rugged, roto-molded crates feature rigid, uncompromising dimensions that require a long, flat floor to sit properly. This is where the 2026 Subaru Forester truly excels. With the 60/40-split flat-folding rear seatbacks lowered, the cargo floor length stretches to an impressive 69 inches from the inside of the closed rear hatch to the back of the front seats (depending on front-seat positioning). This gives you nearly six feet of perfectly flat, continuous horizontal space to work with.

This extended floor length means that even extra-large crates, which can measure up to 36 or 40 inches in depth, can be slid straight in lengthwise without having to tilt them at awkward angles. Because the 2026 Forester features a nearly seamless transition from the cargo floor to the folded seatbacks, your expensive heavy-duty crates will sit perfectly level. They won't wobble, tilt, or strain the tie-down straps during transit. Speaking of tie-downs, Subaru has thoughtfully integrated four heavy-duty cargo tie-down hooks directly into the floor structure, allowing you to anchor heavy crates securely using ratchet straps. This ensures that in the unlikely event of an emergency maneuver, the entire setup remains solidly anchored in place, protecting both your human and canine passengers.

The Upright Advantage

Unlike modern 'coupe' SUVs with sloped roofs, the 2026 Forester features a boxy, squared-off greenhouse design. This ensures that the vertical clearance remains consistent from the rear seatbacks all the way to the hatch glass. Tall, rigid crates slide inside easily without catching on the headliner, maximizing every millimeter of height.

Generous Headroom

With a vertical height of roughly 32 to 35 inches inside the cargo hold, your large dogs can easily sit upright, stretch their necks, and look around. This generous vertical clearance prevents pets from feeling claustrophobic or overheated, keeping them calm and relaxed during long summer drives across Will County.

Hatch Clearance

The rear hatch opening is framed with vertical pillars, which prevents the opening from narrowing at the top. This means you do not have to tilt tall, heavy wire crates or plastic airline-approved carriers to load them into the car. Simply slide them straight in, secure them, and hit the road to your next park adventure.

Every experienced dog owner knows that the fun of an outdoor excursion is inevitably followed by the chore of cleaning up. Muddy paws, lake water, forest debris, and endless loose dog hair can quickly turn a pristine SUV interior into a messy chore. Fortunately, the 2026 Subaru Forester is engineered from the ground up to minimize this hassle. One of its most brilliant design features is the completely flat transition between the rear bumper and the cargo floor. Because there is no raised lip or recessed well at the rear edge of the cargo bay, dirt and hair cannot get trapped in hard-to-reach crevices. You can easily brush, vacuum, or wipe debris straight out of the back hatch without struggling with a vacuum attachment.

Furthermore, Subaru offers specialized heavy-duty rubberized cargo trays and seatback protectors that snap directly onto the carpeting. These textured surfaces are completely water-resistant, meaning wet dogs and muddy paws won't soak moisture or odors into the underlying fabric. When you get home from a messy day at the river, you can simply wipe down the non-porous liners with a damp cloth or pop them out entirely to hose them down in the driveway. The dense, high-quality carpeting used on the Forester’s sides is also woven tighter than in previous generations, preventing individual dog hairs from weaving themselves permanently into the fibers. For those tough messes, our Parts Center stocks official Subaru protective accessories designed to fit these exact cargo dimensions.

For dog owners who love taking their pets deep into the backcountry, the Forester Wilderness trim is a compelling choice. This specialized, ultra-rugged model is built to handle rough terrain, gravel roads, and unpaved trails that would leave ordinary crossovers stranded. If your weekend plans involve exploring remote state parks, primitive campsites, or unpaved trailheads around Will County, the Wilderness trim provides the extra capability you need to travel with absolute confidence. Equipped with a raised suspension that delivers 9.2 inches of ground clearance, standard Yokohama GEOLANDAR® all-terrain tires, and a heavy-duty front skid plate, the Wilderness model can safely scramble over rocky trails, deep mud pits, and rutted paths without breaking a sweat.

But what makes the Wilderness trim particularly appealing for dog owners is how its rugged exterior features enhance the interior cargo experience. Because it is designed for serious outdoor enthusiasts, the Wilderness features heavy-duty roof rails that can support a dynamic load of up to 220 pounds (and a static load of 800 pounds, perfect for rooftop tents). This allows you to mount a massive cargo box or gear basket on the roof, freeing up the entire interior cargo hold exclusively for your dogs. Instead of squeezing your dogs in alongside tents, sleeping bags, and coolers, you can pack all of your human gear on top of the vehicle, giving your canine companions the luxury of a completely open, spacious, and dedicated riding cabin below.

Inside the Wilderness trim, Subaru replaces standard cloth or leather seating with water-resistant StarTex® upholstery. This advanced synthetic material is completely non-porous, meaning wet, muddy dogs can sit directly on the seats without soaking moisture, mud, or pond odors into the cushions. Cleaning up is as simple as wiping the seats down with a towel. The Wilderness also includes an extra-durable, textured cargo tray that extends up the backs of the rear seats, protecting the entire rear cabin from claws and teeth. If you are debating between a new Wilderness model or an exceptionally high-quality pre-owned vehicle, we encourage you to Browse Used Inventory at Hawk Subaru to see our fantastic local pre-owned options.

Furthermore, the Wilderness features a rugged, textured rear bumper cover. This durable plastic cladding protects the painted top edge of the bumper from scratches caused by eager dogs jumping in and out of the cargo hold. Whether you are dealing with a 90-pound Lab or a high-energy Australian Shepherd, their sharp claws won't leave unsightly gouges in your car's exterior paintwork. It is this level of meticulous, real-world utility that makes the Forester Wilderness a standout option for active, dog-loving adventurers.

The Wilderness Trade-off

Because the Wilderness trim features a raised suspension and a full-size spare tire tucked under the floor, buyers often wonder if cargo volume is compromised. The answer is incredibly reassuring: the physical difference is practically unnoticeable, dropping by less than one cubic foot compared to standard non-sunroof trims.

Negligible Spec Difference

With the rear seats up, the Wilderness offers 27 cubic feet of space, and 64 cubic feet with seats folded. The minor reduction is entirely below the floorboard to accommodate the rugged full-size spare tire, meaning the actual vertical height and usable width of the main cargo compartment remain identical to other trims.

Uncompromised Utility

For dog owners, this minor difference has zero impact on pet comfort. Your crates, carriers, and dog ramps will fit exactly the same way they do in a Premium or Limited trim. You get all of the incredible off-road and protective upgrades of the Wilderness without sacrificing the spacious, boxy utility that your pets love.

One of the elements that truly sets Subaru apart is its passionate, long-standing commitment to the pet-owning community. Subaru does not just build pet-friendly cars; they offer a massive, officially engineered line of pet accessories designed to integrate seamlessly with the 2026 Forester's cargo dimensions. Rather than relying on generic, loose-fitting aftermarket covers that slip, slide, and bunch up, you can outfit your Forester with custom-molded protective gear designed by the same engineers who designed the vehicle itself. These accessories are rigorously crash-tested to the same standards as child safety seats, ensuring maximum protection for your beloved pets.

Among the most popular official accessories is the Subaru Pet Kennel, a heavy-duty, collapsible travel crate designed to fit securely in the Forester's rear cargo hold. For owners who prefer to let their dogs ride loose in the cargo area, the heavy-duty Pet Barrier is an essential addition. This rugged, custom-fit metal grid installs securely behind the second-row seats, preventing curious dogs from climbing over the headrests into the passenger cabin. Additionally, the official Subaru Pet Ramp is a game-changer for senior dogs, offering a lightweight, telescoping ramp that hooks securely to the rear hatch latch, providing a gentle, non-slip incline for easy entry.

The Agility Competitor's View (Joliet, IL):'As someone who competes in regional AKC agility trials, my car is practically a mobile kennel. I need to haul a large Ruff Land crate, a folding canopy, lawn chairs, and cooling fans. In my previous crossover, I had to play Tetris just to get the crate to fit, and the rear door would barely close. The 2026 Forester is an absolute dream. The cargo floor is long enough that my large crate slides straight in lengthwise, leaving the entire 60-percent split side of the rear seat free for my gear bags. Plus, the low floor height means my Australian Shepherd can jump in easily after a long, exhausting day of running courses.'

The Multi-Dog Family (Naperville, IL):'We have two large golden retrievers who are obsessed with swimming. Every weekend this summer, we take them to the Whalon Lake Dog Park in Naperville. They get absolutely covered in mud and lake water. In our old sedan, the dog hair and damp smell were permanent fixtures. Our new 2026 Forester with the rubberized cargo liners has changed everything. The dogs have plenty of room to stand up and shake off, and the flat cargo floor makes brushing out the dried mud incredibly easy. We just wipe down the liners, and the car looks and smells brand new. We couldn't be happier with our purchase from Hawk Subaru.'

The Outdoor Weekend Explorer (Plainfield, IL):'My Husky and I spend every weekend exploring the local forest preserves, from Hammel Woods to McKinley Woods. During the hot summer months, keeping him cool is my top priority. The Forester's large, upright rear window provides excellent visibility, and the cargo area receives fantastic airflow from the rear AC vents. The boxy shape means he can sit up comfortably to look out the window without his head pressing against the ceiling. The Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive has also been a lifesaver on muddy, unpaved gravel parking lots after heavy summer storms. It's the perfect dog-hauling machine.'

These real-world stories from local Will County dog owners highlight why the 2026 Subaru Forester is more than just a vehicle—it's an essential partner for active families. Whether you are dealing with mud, hair, heavy crates, or multiple large breeds, the Forester's thoughtfully engineered dimensions and durable materials rise to the challenge. If you are ready to experience this level of pet-friendly utility for yourself, our dedicated service team is always here to keep your vehicle running perfectly. You can easily Schedule Your Service Today online to ensure your current vehicle is ready for trade-in, or to keep your new Forester in absolute peak condition.