The best car for a vet to own largely depends on the type of practice he or she has. Large animal vets are probably going to want something that delivers a fair bit of power, and possibly even towing capacity. Small animal vets, generally speaking, can please themselves – their main interest may just be in getting to the veterinary clinic and back home at the end of the day. For all vets, however, reliability is paramount.
With considerations above in mind, the following are our recommendations for the best, most reliable vehicles for large and small animal vets to buy used.
Dodge Ram 1500: The Ram 1500 has a 5000-pound towing capacity, backed up by a Hemi V8 engine. Coil springs provide a smooth ride over rough terrain, and the cabin is comfortable. Hands-free Bluetooth systems are available, making it easy to stay in touch with clients or the office. This truck is a great choice for a large animal vet.
Ford Excursion: The Excursion is a solid SUV that delivers 6,100-11,000 pounds of towing capacity, depending on configuration. The most powerful engine available is the 6 liter V8 diesel. The Excursion is based on the F-250 frame, making it extremely heavy-duty. It’s a comfortable ride, too, and has lots of cargo capacity.
Chrysler Town & Country: The Town & Country is a front-wheel drive minivan with a 6-speed transmission powered by a 3.6 liter V6 engine. Sturdy and reliable, and fairly easy on gas (17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway), this van has plenty of room and would be great for a small animal vet, or a large animal vet who has no need to tow.
Nissan Versa: This is a small, competent car that comes in a variety of trim levels. It’s extremely reliable, so you can count on it to get you to and from your small animal practice. Large animal vets will not likely find this suitable, as they frequently have to carry quite a bit of gear.
Kia Soul: We like the Kia Soul’s lines, and the interior is nice and comfortable – just right for the ride home after a hard day at the clinic. Again, this won’t appeal to large animal vets, but small animal vets will appreciate knowing that they have a reliable, economical vehicle to get them to and from work.
In our quest to find the best used cars for vets, we’ve considered towing capability and cargo space, along with reliability and comfort for large animal vets; while prioritizing economy for small animal vets. In the end, the above five vehicles have stood their ground, earning their title as the top picks for cars for vets.
