New guy here,
I'm in the early stages of searching for a new car. One of my requirements is the ability to occasionally haul around a couple of medium sized dogs (45# border collies) without the necessity to lowering the rear seats.
It may be that I'm barking (no pun intended) up the wrong tree and considering a FIT or other like vehicles in this class just won't be suitable and I need to focus on compact wagons instead.
However, the Fit appeals to me in many categories and would appreciate actual owners feedback on this.

regards,
K2

 

You certainly would not be able to fit two Border Collie size crates in without lowering the rear seat backs. Out of crates the two dogs could probably marginally fit for short drives but it would not be ideal. If you are talking about drives of longer than 30 minutes I think you need to consider a significantly larger vehicle.

 

Well, not crates necessarily, my current setup is a removal gate that prevents the dogs from clamoring over the seat backs so the crate is essentially the entire rear cargo compartment of my TrailBlazer. In this case it's a bit to big for them.

 

The trunk will be a tight fit for one dog, much less two.

 

Without lowering the seatbacks too tight a fit for two dogs.

But I think by raising the seat bottoms (tall mode) they should have enough room. They will not be able to jump over the front seats either as too high and the space between the front seats is too narrow for them to squeeze through.

_

 

You could have enough room if you dropped only one of the seats (the longer one). That would allow you to keep one of your rear seats up.

 

This is what I was afraid of. Really like what I'm hearing about the FIT but this class of vehicle might be out of bounds for my needs.
I'll get an up close look at a dealership to confirm, but I'm thinking that something more like an Elantra Touring or Jetta Wagon may be more suitable.

thanks!
K2

 

Perhaps Mazda5. It has abour 44 cubes behind the 2nd row, and swells to 89 with both rear rows down. My ex had one for a while - it was pretty impressive in the cargo haulin' department, though a bit cramped up front for the long legged (as is often the case for cars designed for the Japanese market).

 

Out of question why is dropping the read seats an absolute no? For some cars, the process is a PITA, but for the fit it's a one finger operation.

 

get a roof rack and tie em up there. your passengers that is, dogs can stay inside.

i dont think the Fit is a good Fit for you (pun intended) and your passengers and your dogs. try something like a SUV.