https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:27:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1964602 Sun, 30 Nov 2014 15:47:45 +0000 Ash 1964602@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a diono and I don't think the install was that bad... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1964488 Sun, 30 Nov 2014 13:15:43 +0000 MrsLilybugg 1964488@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: thank you for updating me! :grin: this was great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1964446 Sun, 30 Nov 2014 12:08:16 +0000 PurplePeony 1964446@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: we got our Advocate yesterday and it was soooo easy to install!! I highly, highly recommend one of the Click Tight seats if you're going to be doing a seat belt installation (the three types of convertibles are all the same size for height and depth, it's just the width that varies). I have ours reclined a little less than halfway and it fits great, but DH and I are both on the shorter side so we don't need the front seats back too far. I did put one of the seats way back and it was tight with the recline level of the carseat, but if I'd set the carseat to a more upright position it would have worked just fine. I don't know how the space in our Civic compares to a Yaris but I think the Britax seats are well worth a try! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1964205 Sun, 30 Nov 2014 01:18:35 +0000 MrsLilybugg 1964205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: this is great!!! Thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1963703 Sat, 29 Nov 2014 09:52:52 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 1963703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://carseatblog.com/22818/the-ultimate-rear-facing-convertible-space-comparison-review-size-matters/" rel="nofollow">http://carseatblog.com/22818/the-ultimate-rear-facing-convertible-space-comparison-review-size-matters/</a></p> <p>You should find that link quite helpful. The Radian is an excellent choice with the angle adjuster, which helps QUITE a bit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1963593 Sat, 29 Nov 2014 00:11:08 +0000 MrsLilybugg 1963593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sapphiresun: thank you so much - this is really helpful! It's almost impossible to find yaris recommendations online! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1962490 Thu, 27 Nov 2014 01:54:44 +0000 Sapphiresun 1962490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I drive a Yaris as well. We have the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio convertible seat. I use it behind the passenger seat because my husband is super tall and needs the leg room when he's driving, but I think if both people were average height it would actually be better in the middle, rather than behind the passenger seat pushed all the way forward.<br /> I really like the seat in general though. Installation was super easy, it has a rebound bar for rear facing. It doesn't say exactly what height it's good for for extended rear facing (1 inch below top of the headrest isn't super definitive), but the review on carseats for littles shows somebody with their five year old in it still not surpassing the height or weight limits (45lbs rear facing). It's really easy to adjust, and lengthen/shorten the straps. Everything kind of moves, so no rethreading needed when it's time to upsize.</p> <p><a href="http://csftl.org/peg-perego-primo-viaggio-5-70-convertible-car-seat-review/" rel="nofollow">http://csftl.org/peg-perego-primo-viaggio-5-70-convertible-car-seat-review/</a></p> <p>The only things are that it's a pretty heavy seat, so not ideal for traveling, and I wish it had a cup holder, and the straps get twisted easier than our other seat... and it was pricey. But otherwise I find that it looks really comfortable and plush.</p> <p>ETA: My cousin had a baby the same time I did and ALSO drives a Yaris. She has the Britax Boulevard and claims it fits in her car just fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1962482 Thu, 27 Nov 2014 01:05:17 +0000 MrsLilybugg 1962482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PurplePeony: thanks yes that would be helpful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961927 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:46:39 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1961927@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: latch </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961881 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 16:12:56 +0000 PurplePeony 1961881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: we have a Honda Civic with no center LATCH and have one of the new Britax seats with the Click Tight feature on its way to us. It's supposed to arrive this weekend. If you're not planning to buy right away, I'll let you know how the installation goes once I've done it! I found the installation of our infant seat base (Keyfit 30) to be tricky even with the shoulder belt lock-off, so I'm hoping this seat will both fit and be easier to install. I read a review where the tech put one in her Civic and said it worked well...so fingers crossed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961818 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:32:12 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1961818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: We don't have ours in the middle seat mostly because it is easier to get him in and out from the side. I figure with our small back seat and side airbags it really isn't that much safer in the middle and it is MUCH less hassle for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961784 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:11:43 +0000 rattles 1961784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've got a Clek Foonf in the center seat of our Chrysler Sebring. It's nervous about getting a good install with the angle adjuster, so we tried the Nextfit and the Foonf in our car at BBB to see which gave us more room. Surprisingly, the Nextfit took more space front to back than the Foonf, and DD seemed to prefer the roomier fit it gave her in the seat. I got it during end of year sales, and it's been worth every penny. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961780 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:11:15 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1961780@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: the seatbelt is not too difficult, although it takes a lot of muscle to get it tight (my neighbor has a device that helps "ratchet" it so it gets really tight and doesn't wiggle.) Also, the Graco seat extends to a huge height (I'm talking probably the height of a 7 year old), so it's a good erf seat. Full disclosure, it's very clunky, but it's our only seat for now, so we don't mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961779 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:11:10 +0000 Foodnerd81 1961779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: we had a sedan with a normal sized backseat but the roof felt pretty low (Acura tl). Since the seat is pretty bulky, getting around it to install was difficult. It basically took two of us, one on each side, to push down and pull the seatbelt tight enough. But this was an issue even with the infant seat.<br /> It was much easier to install on the passenger side because we could move the seat in front all the way forward for installation. Then I had room to move around the seat, which I couldn't do with the center console in front in the center position. </p> <p>The seatbelt lock off works well though and is easy to use! Latch is even easier of course. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961752 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:58:59 +0000 MrsLilybugg 1961752@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs Green Grass: do you have yours installed with latch or seatbelt?</p> <p>@JoyfulKiwi: thanks! I read that my yaris doesn't have latch in the middle seat. Is seatbelt easy?<br /> @Mrs. Lion: is yours not in the middle seat because of the latch requirement?</p> <p>@Foodnerd81: true about the height !! Ok good call. So it looks like latch isn't in the middle seat for my car. You said if there's room that the seat belt isn't so bad. What do you mean by "if there's room"? </p> <p>@MrsB2012: I'll look this up too thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961744 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:50:46 +0000 Foodnerd81 1961744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: one more thing :). I really wanted the diono to work because the lower sides would make getting the baby in and out easier. Alas, it wasn't to be. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961740 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:48:33 +0000 MrsB2012 1961740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have the Clek foonf. You can fit 3 in a row in a compact car if necessary. It has extended rear facing up to 50 pounds/43" and ff up to 65 pounds. It also has a longer life then a lot of carseats, I believe it's 9 years.<br /> We love it and I just ordered a second one for my husbands truck. Right now you can't use them until about 6 months/child can sit on their own, but the retailer that I ordered from yesterday mentioned they're coming out with an infant insert now too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961739 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:48:17 +0000 Foodnerd81 1961739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: I think most people run into the height limit before the weight limit. My almost four year old nephew is still under 40 lbs but he would be way too tall to RF in his seat (a Britax so not great for erf). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961737 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:47:58 +0000 MrsLilybugg 1961737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: and that settles it! No Diono. THANK YOU for sharing your experience with the Diono! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961736 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:46:34 +0000 MrsLilybugg 1961736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow these are all great suggestions! Thanks!! And im glad that there are a lot of "40 lb" extended rear facing - it makes me think that maybe that additional 5 lbs that the Diono offers isn't worth the aggravation of the seat itself . I'm going to research these and stalk them on amazon for Black Friday deals :grin: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961734 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:45:12 +0000 Foodnerd81 1961734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lion: same, we got the Nextfit because it fit best in our smallish backseat. It has one of the smallest front to back footprints. </p> <p>We tried the diono radian and there was just no way. I did not try the angle adjuster, which I have heard helps, but it didn't even look close. Plus it was so tall that it would have blocked my vision. </p> <p>C is only 23 lbs now so the weight and height limit are still way off for me. :)</p> <p>Eta- if you have latch in the center seat, the Nextfit is a breeze to install. With the seatbelt it's really not bad if you have room, but in our old car with a small backseat it was pretty difficult. But I blane the car not the seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961729 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:43:27 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 1961729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsLilybugg: we have a Graco myride 65 and a corolla; with LATCH its a breeze to rear face. It goes to 40lbs rear-facing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961725 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:40:38 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1961725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got the Chicco Nextfit because it fit the best in our saturn ion. I don't have it in the middle seat but i am fairly certain that we could install it there if we wanted to.</p> <p>ETA: the thing I love most about it is that it is so easy to install. definitely worth it for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961720 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:36:54 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 1961720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The Recaro performance ride rear faces to 40 and 49 inches. I have a rav4 and it fits fine in the middle seat. Not sure how much smaller the yaris is. It's not easy to install either though, but once it's in, it's great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/extended-rear-facing-middle-seat-for-tiny-cars#post-1961713 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 14:31:26 +0000 MrsLilybugg 1961713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What extended rear facing seat do you have for your small car (that can be placed in the middle seat)? I have a Toyota Yaris and so far I think am leaning toward getting the Diono Radius RTX. It can rear face to 45 lbs. however, the reviews are scaring me away. Everyone basically says it's a nightmare to install and that you basically need to drink lots of beer to cope. (No joke - read the amazing reviews!). They rave about the size and safety but also say that the manual is useless and it's very hard to adjust straps too. I saw that the Pria 70 can also rear face to 40 lbs and that it's "easy" to install. But the extra 5 lbs that the Diono offers makes me lean more toward that seat even though the installation really really terrifies me!!! (I'm tying to decide if that 5lbs is the deciding factor for me)</p> <p>Anyone have a Diono RTX in their car? What do you have that offers extended rear facing? </p>