I have always used crates in the car - Fern was a nightmare and yapped the whole time (she never barked it was always a high ear piercing yap
)
With Ash, Who is 10weeks today, I have had her in the car in a crate 5 times so far and she whines a little to start and then settles down. I want her used to the car so am using it as part of the training I am doing just now (as she hasn’t had her second jag yet we can’t go far as I can’t put her out to toilet on a journey) we have a long trip tomorrow to go and get her 2nd jag (my vet doesn’t have the same vaccine that the breeders vet used so rather than start over again we are taking her to the breeders vet)
I always put a couple of toys in the car crate and give her a few bits of her kibble (this is what I am using as treats currently, saving higher value treats until later as she is happy just to get her kibble currently and they are small bits so I can give her loads of treats while training. I have reduced her meals by 5g each and using the 20g as treats)
I have vet bed in the car crate and also a blanket
If you are going to start using a crate I would use it in the house to get him used to it and make it a nice safe place that he enjoys going in and then move it to the car etc. Ash gets fed in her crate in the house and now she runs in there happily in the day time too
I prefer a crate in the car as they can move around, stretch etc but are also secure should you be involved in a bump and the door gets opened etc.
Just a few thoughts from me - hope they help you to make a decision