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We have a CRV and a Pilot. Our CRV is from 2012, so I'm not sure if they made major changes, but the one we have wouldn't fit 3 car seats across. Our pilot would, but it would be tight. My friend has a Volvo SUV which she has 3 car seats in, but she had to do special narrow seats to fit (and ultimately they ended up getting another car with a third row which she prefers). The new pilot (2016) comes with a third row with captains chairs which could make things easier.... But I hear you, I love my CRV and I like that it's a little smaller than the Pilot.

if i were the main driver, i wouldn't choose to get a smaller SUV for myself. we bought an outback a few years ago, which could fit 3 across with smaller seats and has the trunk space to (tightly) accommodate 3. when we were looking for the new car, we looked at the RAV4s and the CRVs, but the trunk space was just too tight. when we have 3, i'll definitely go for a SUV with the 3rd row (or yes, even succumb to the conveniences of the mini van!)

@Canoli: just saw this! http://www.thecarcrashdetective.com/2014/07/3-across-installations-crv.html/

Following. We have a 2008 CRV and I love it. I have fit 3 car seats in the back when baby sitting my cousins, but two where boosters and it was just for a trip to McDonalds. They were quite tight back there, I don't know how it would work long term.
I do agree that the trunk space is limited. Our other car is a Hyundai Elantra and it has way more trunk space then my CRV, even though it's a small car.

I have a 2013 CRV and I do love my car. My twins aren't here yet but I went with the Chicco key fit because it's a narrow infant car seat. I wanted a bit more room in case I had to sit back there. We don't them installed yet but I thought I read some where I could get 3 across. (Oh, I just refreshed my memory with the 3 across link above and it looks like I would have to get a Chicco NextFit (x2) and 1 Chicco Keyfit, if I were having triplets.) We did IVF so multiples was a possibility. No real experience, though.

There was talk about trading in one of our cars for a larger car. I found some larger SUVs and minivans but I would have been real sad to give up my CRV. DH did say he would trade in his truck for a larger SUV or a minivan. He also is planning on being the SAHD for our kids.

You might want to ask @rainbowsprinkles. I think she has a CRV and could fit 3 car seats across. I think it was 2 diono and 1 RF car seat but she would have to confirm

If you guy already have a large SUV, the Pilot, why can't that be the main family car to fit the 3 carseats needed and whoever is driving the kids around take that car and leave the smaller car to the other person? Or do both need to fit 3 car seats all the time?

We have a 2008 CR-V and can fit 3 car seats easily across. The key is getting the right seats. 2 Diono Radians + a Chicco Keyfit fit REALLY well. Actually, with inches to spare on each side. It's not crammed! Once DD3 outgrows the Keyfit, we will get another Radian and have 3 in a row.

We did hours of research and tried dozens of dofferent seat combinations in our car. We had a a tough call to make in terms of whether or not to buy a new car. Once we saw how well the Radians fit, we were sold and knew that we wanted to keep our CRV as long as possible.