Beep beep! After a long wait (three months on a waitlist!), I finally got my 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland (Everest, mineral softtex) and was able to put together the dog setup I’ve been dreaming of.

Since we spend a lot of time driving to dog shows, herding trials and lessons, hiking trails, and other outdoor adventures, finding a secure crate that could comfortably fit the corgis—and fit inside the RAV4’s cargo area without putting the back seats down—was very important to me. When I started picturing my ideal dog mobile, there was one particular crate I had in mind: the Thule Allax Double Medium. Thule is a Swedish brand, and this crate has been crash-tested at the company’s own test center in Sweden and certified by TÜV SÜD. I also love its sleek look. It fits well with the RAV4’s interior and doesn’t look too much like a prison. If anything, it's a fancy dog prison.

The one thing I was a little iffy about before purchasing it was whether it would actually fit inside the RAV4. I compared the crate measurements with the RAV4’s cargo space so many times, but online measurements don’t always tell the full story until you see the actual fit. I did lurk a lot in the FB group: Dog Kennel Vehicle Set-Ups & Ideas. Well, spoiler alert: It fits perfectly, even with all the seats up, and there is still some extra space along the side!

Here is my full setup, including all the measurements and important details, for anyone considering this particular car-and-crate setup for their dogs.

The RAV4 Cargo Space

Toyota lists the 2026 RAV4 as having up to 37.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. That number is helpful when comparing cars, but cargo volume only tells part of the story when you’re trying to fit a dog crate. You also have to consider the shape of the cargo area, the angle of the back seats, the slope of the liftgate, and the widest, tallest, and deepest points of the crate.

The Thule Allax has an adjustable depth, and I installed mine at its maximum size. Even fully extended, it fits in the RAV4’s cargo area with the second-row seats up and the liftgate completely closed, no squeezing, forcing, or sacrificing passenger seats required. Keeping the back seats available was one of my main requirements. I wanted room for passengers and more dogs, plus the option to use the second row for additional dog-show, herding, hiking, or camping gear. As dog people know, the dogs may be small, but their stuff somehow takes up the entire car.

Another thing to note is that when I drive and look in the rearview mirror, I can see cars behind me, so the crate does not block the rear at all.

The Car Crate and How I Secured It

I purchased the Thule Allax Double Medium, which has an adjustable depth. Its exterior dimensions are listed as width × height × depth:

Width: 36.6 inches
Height: 25.6 inches
Depth: 32.3–35.4 inches

Mine is pictured and installed at its maximum depth of 35.4 inches. The double crate has a removable divider that gives each dog their own space. The divider can be centered, moved, or angled to make one side larger, which is especially helpful when your dogs are different sizes.

With my divider centered, the two compartments measure approximately:

Larger side: 30 × 16 inches
Smaller side: 30 × 14 inches

I also added two washable, padded crate mats measuring 29 × 18 inches. The mats are slightly wider than the individual compartments, but they fit once placed inside and give Cooper and Friday a softer place to lie down. The crate came with four tie-down straps, but I used two and attached to the RAV4’s cargo anchors on opposite corners. The diagonal placement helps prevent the crate from shifting in different directions while I’m driving. I check the straps regularly—and always before a longer trip—to make sure everything is still tight. Another thing to also note is how quiet the crate is while driving! There was no rattling noise.

When installing a car crate, make sure it is stable, the liftgate can close without pressing against it, and nothing blocks the crate doors. I also check that both dogs can be loaded and unloaded safely before packing additional gear around the crate.

Cooper and Friday’s Sizes

Weight alone doesn’t give you the full picture when choosing a crate. Before purchasing mine, I measured the dogs while they were lying in a natural resting position:

Cooper: Pembroke Welsh Corgi (Pem), 25–26 lbs., and approximately 24 inches from his front paws to his butt while lying down.
Friday: Cardigan Welsh Corgi (Cardi), 32–33 lbs., and approximately 29 inches from his front paws to his butt while lying down.

Friday is the longer/larger of the two, which is typical when comparing a Cardigan with a Pembroke. Cooper and Friday are moderately sized for their breeds.

Inside the crate, the two dogs can comfortably turn around and lie down in their individual compartments. They have enough room to relax without having so much extra space that they could be jostled around while the car is moving. And I had already driven them around in the crate; I can safely say they are very comfortable and secure. The crate does not move at all.

My only minor concern is the extra headroom. The crate is designed for medium-sized dogs, however, corgis are long and short-legged. There is more vertical space than Cooper and Friday need, but that’s life with vertically challenged pups!

Dog-Mobile Accessories

Here are the additional accessories I use to keep all three dogs (Cooper, Friday, and Sachi) comfortable and the car protected, organized, and ready for our next adventure:

Spoiled Dog crate tags - Personalized tags with emergency information for Cooper and Friday.
Waterproof backseat cover - A non-slip seat protector for the back seat, where Sachi rides, that helps contain mud, dirt, and the never-ending supply of dog fur.
Sleepypod safety harness -Sachi rides in the back seat secured with her Sleepypod harness, while Cooper and Friday ride in the cargo-area crate.
Thule Allax Storage Bag - Attaches to the crate and keeps smaller dog essentials organized and easy to reach.
Thule Allax Leash Hooks - Attach to the side of the crate so the dogs’ leashes and collars are always within reach.
Washable padded crate mats - Two beige 29 × 18-inch mats that give Cooper and Friday a softer place to lie down.
Thule Allax Dog Crate Bumper Protector - Unfolds over the cargo edge to help protect the RAV4 from claws, dirt, and scratches when the dogs are getting in and out.
Thule tie-down straps - These came with the crate and secure it to the RAV4’s cargo anchors on opposite corners.
Stanley Adventure Fast Flow Water Jug - Keeps plenty of fresh water available for long drives, dog shows, herding days, and outdoor adventures.
YETI SideKick Dry 3L Gear Case - Keeps smaller essentials together and protected from water, mud, and dirty gear.
Aluminet shade cloth - Reflective shade material that helps reduce direct sun exposure around the car or crate during dog shows, herding days, and other outdoor activities.
RYOBI portable fan - Adds extra airflow around the dogs’ setup while we’re parked at events or spending time outdoors.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’m stoked with how the Thule Allax Double Medium fits inside the 2026 RAV4 Hybrid Woodland. It gives both corgis enough room to sit, turn around, and lie down comfortably, while still allowing me to keep all of the seats up.The crate also looks clean and intentional inside the car, which is a nice bonus. Most importantly, Cooper and Friday each have their own comfortable space for everyday drives and longer adventures.

Every dog is built differently, even within the same breed, so I highly recommend measuring your dog while they are standing and lying down before purchasing a crate. It’s also helpful to measure the actual cargo opening and interior of your car instead of relying on cargo volume alone.

So far, I’m very happy with the fit and setup. The car is ready, the corgis are secured, and we’re all excited for our next adventure!