https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:16:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv/page/2#post-2889793 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 13:44:49 +0000 Pumuckl 2889793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nwm: yeah I was surprised too how it easy it was to get the three across and my 2.5 year olds just climb in themselves over the other seat to the middle seat. (We still have three rear facing seats in the second row and big brother is in a high back booster in row no. 3). . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv/page/2#post-2889656 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 15:05:59 +0000 nwm 2889656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pumuckl: oh no worries, thanks for the info! it's funny you should mention it because we literally just got a Q7 loaner today to try it out. overall it is niiiiice. even though it nicely has three front tethers in the back, you absolutely cannot fit our monster clek convertible seats in the third row. you can fit our three seats across the middle seat way more easily than anticipated, though, so it's remaining a front runner for us. thank you!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2889577 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 02:24:08 +0000 Pumuckl 2889577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nwm: Hi, I am sorry, I should have subscribed to the post :( I guess it depends on your carseats. You can move the second row back and forward a bit and if you move the second row forward and the convertible is small it might work. I know that our dealer wouldn't mind if we just tried it out though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2882687 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 18:59:48 +0000 mrsbookworm 2882687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 2018 Pilot with three forward facing car seats and it’s a bit of a pain. There isn’t much room between the two car seats in the middle row for someone to sit. I mean, you can squeeze someone in, if necessary, but it’s certainly not comfortable. The only way to get to the third row is through the trunk. The five year old I have in the back row can’t unbuckle herself so I’m always climbing through the trunk or contorting myself in the middle row to reach. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2882678 Tue, 30 Apr 2019 17:48:08 +0000 birdofafeather 2882678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we had two cleks, the oldest is FFing in the middle with a seatbelt install. she can climb in and buckle herself and i just have to turn around and tighten her in. the other clek was RFing with the seatbelt install to get it as close to the door as possible otherwise, it crowds the middle seat too much. the infant bucket seat base was also a seatbelt install for the same reason and now we have two RFing convertible seats with the oldest in the middle. the oldest is very helpful giving baby what she needs and didn't bug her. it was the oldest and middle that "fought" the most but an even fight. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2882520 Mon, 29 Apr 2019 14:33:57 +0000 SouthernGothamCityMama 2882520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@birdofafeather: We will potentially 3 across (if we don't get a 3rd row suv or a minivan before baby#3 comes in August) in our Outback. Can I ask how you do it? </p> <p>I'm wondering if we tried it whether this makes the most sense: FF kid in middle flanked by RF and bucket seat to each side? Or something else?</p> <p>Any issues with older two dropping stuff on the baby (We have a dog who generally tolerates having toys and sippee cups dropped on him since right now that space between the two carseats is “his” but I worry that my newborn would be injured if a sippee cup was flung on top of him)? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2880274 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 15:50:02 +0000 birdofafeather 2880274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Ms. RV: we've had 3 across in our outback for a year and the only issue we're running into now is that i want to get my oldest into a booster, but there's not enough space for her to reach her hands in to buckle herself. so she's staying in her 5-point until we can get a van. i saw the ascent and it was awesome, but it killed the trunk space so it's not worth the cost for me. i need to haul people and gear if i'm getting a bigger car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2880177 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:24:35 +0000 lilyofthewest 2880177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The Car Seat Lady site has diagrams of the lower anchor and top tether locations for most vehicles. Just search "car seat lady" and the vehicle to find it. You need a top tether for any harnessed front-facing seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2880176 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 10:21:50 +0000 MamaBear87 2880176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@QBbride: they do have captains chairs, but it isn't space between them it's a console thing like you would find in between the front seats. We want captains chairs as a pass through so this made them useless to us </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2880166 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 09:19:08 +0000 nwm 2880166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@QBbride: please update what you decide! This is a great list, I’m thinking captains chairs may make sense for us as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2880164 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 09:18:05 +0000 nwm 2880164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pumuckl: wow that is great to hear. We have an Audi now and both love the drive so I was disappointed when reviews suggested it wasn’t that roomy. Do you think you could get a forward facing convertible in the third row or just the high back booster? Car seat lady seemed to suggest not, would really appreciate your input! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2880140 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 07:06:34 +0000 Pumuckl 2880140@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have an Audi Q7 and have 4 carseats in it. 3 in the second row (all rear-facing) and one forward facing high-back booster which is top-tethered in the third row. </p> <p>Only issue is the cargo space which will hold a week load of groceries but it'll get a bit of a squeeze when you have a stroller in there too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2880134 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 05:43:14 +0000 catgirl 2880134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm mostly just following along because I think we will be looking at three row SUVs in the next few years. </p> <p>Things I would pay attention to:<br /> Many fords now have inflatable seat belts which many car seats can not be used with. </p> <p>Many third rows do not have any or only have one top tether. All forward facing seats should be installed with a top tether with either the seat belt or lower anchors.</p> <p>Look at headrests in the third row, many are shorter than the second row and some do not adjust. All passengers need head protection to at least the top of the ears. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2880130 Wed, 10 Apr 2019 05:18:39 +0000 psw27 2880130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@QBbride: yes that's true. My big guy is so close to the weight limit for LATCH that it wasn't a huge factor for us. The Q7 might be a better choice if you need tether and/or latch on all seats. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2880120 Tue, 09 Apr 2019 23:55:36 +0000 QBbride 2880120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MamaBear87: the sales guy told us that 2016 onwards you could get captains chairs?! I think we saw one today. He said they’re harder to find though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2880119 Tue, 09 Apr 2019 23:53:49 +0000 MamaBear87 2880119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@QBbride: just FYI we've also been looking and as far as I know the mdx has captains chairs but also has a console in between them so you can't walk between the 2 chairs. We ruled it out for that reason. We are looking at a few model years old so maybe they've changed that with the current year </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2880111 Tue, 09 Apr 2019 22:31:55 +0000 QBbride 2880111@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are in the exact same position. We’ve narrowed it down to:</p> <p>-Volvo XC90<br /> -Acura MDX (captains chairs)<br /> -Honda Pilot (captains chairs)<br /> -Subaru Ascent (captains chairs)</p> <p>We looked at the Toyota Highlander today and have ruled it out. It was almost exactly the same price as the Ascent and the Ascent was a lot nicer. </p> <p>@psw27: there are no top tethers in the third row, so you wouldn’t be able to put a kiddo in a five-point harness back there. Actually I don’t know where you live but in the US i don’t think it’s a requirement? In Canada it is a requirement! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879860 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 20:18:58 +0000 nwm 2879860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@psw27: thanks, i would love to hear! our oldest DS is just over 3 so headed for fwd facing soon but definitely not ready for the booster yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879859 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 20:17:01 +0000 psw27 2879859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nwm: I think a convertible would fit in either third row actually. The seats are decent leg room. (they said they were designed for adults 5'7"). Plus the seats in front can slide forward if you needed a little more room. I think a forward facing convertible would be fine. I can let you know this weekend when I pick up the new car! We have the 4 year old in the Graco Pioneer forward facing and the 2 year old rear facing in a Chicco nextfit zip. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879855 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 20:10:03 +0000 nwm 2879855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: @Shantuck: @bees_knees: @misolee: @psw27: @nana87: thank you!!! so many helpful points to consider.</p> <p>@psw27: thanks, i love both these cars, but i had heard that the Q7 basically doesn't fit any convertible seats in the third row and sounds like the XC90 definitely wouldn't either even with a seatbelt install, is that right?</p> <p>@agold: i would consider it! would love to hear what you think when you've looked at both! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879804 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:53:50 +0000 agold 2879804@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nwm: Would you consider a Kia Telluride? We are going to be looking at that soon, along with the Atlas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879803 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:53:15 +0000 misolee 2879803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@foodnerd81 </p> <p>Seriously it’s high definition surround sound 😂 In the minivan, not only are they farther away but they’re also not sitting right next to each other. </p> <p>Oh and you’re right about carpool. My oldest does carpool for her elementary school on the right side of car, and my middle for preschool does his on the left side. We have more options and room in minivan for my oldest to climb between seats to get out whereas in my husbands suv it’s impossible to with the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879800 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 14:39:16 +0000 nana87 2879800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Highlander with captain's seats and I cannot imagine having 3 car seats in it, it's so cramped already with 2 if we try to use that back row! (we have 1 forward facing and 1 rear facing seat on the captain's seats, so it's hard to climb over them, plus there is very little legroom in the back). Maybe if one was in a booster and/or able to buckle themselves in the back....We really use the back row mostly for the dogs when we take them on trips, or to fold down the seats for extra storage... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879739 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 09:10:59 +0000 Foodnerd81 2879739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@misolee: you may have just sold me on a minivan with the whining being further away! The surround sound comment is too real. </p> <p>I’m just following along because I think we will get a third row when we get a new car. Our midsize, 2 row suv is fine for our family with two kids, but you really can’t fit a fifth person. I’ve squeezed between the car seats in a pinch when MIL was visiting and it sucks, and I can’t carpool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879736 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 09:06:44 +0000 psw27 2879736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just got the Volvo XC90. We are hoping to put the almost 5 year old in the back if we have a third baby. There are not latches in the third row of the XC90 but he's over the weight limit anyway. We also got the built in booster seat, so he can technically sit in the middle seat but we prefer to keep him in a 5 point harness as long as possible. </p> <p>We also looked into the Q7, which does have latches in all 5 back seats. A little bit of a more sporty ride and we were very close to picking the Q7. </p> <p>For us, it came down to safety and price. The Volvo was better for both. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879724 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 07:31:35 +0000 misolee 2879724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I loved our Highlander but we switched to minivan after our second for several reasons (not captain chairs)</p> <p>1)we had convertible and infant seat and in order to access the second row you had to crawl through the trunk and with 3rd row up there was no space for a regular stroller (we didn’t even have a double). </p> <p>2)it might have been our car seats (both britax ) but the middle seat in between car seats was so small that a middle schooler didn’t fit. We tried. We needed a seat where grandma could occasionally ride. </p> <p>3)there were only two latches available in the middle. We eventually had a third and although my daughter was 5 and could have moved to a booster seat with seatbelt, she’s on the smaller side and needed a latch option. </p> <p>My husband recently got a suv that can fit all 3 across, and there’s some clear disadvantage to minivan. The oldest is usually good about opening doors and buckling herself in but she can’t get door open. The middle one needs a little extra help climbing in. The doors don’t close by themselves and they are so close to the driver that I feel like I’m driving in surround sound fighting and whining. With the minivan, they’re further away :wink: </p> <p>Oh my friend has triplets and drives the Pilot. They have 3 latches. Still need to climb through trunk if they want to use the 3rd row. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879707 Sun, 07 Apr 2019 23:29:14 +0000 bees_knees 2879707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I might be an outlier, but we have three in carseats and I actually wish we had a middle bench (we currently drive a Yukon XL with captain chairs). </p> <p>Be sure you check out where latch/tethers are located before you make any purchases! There is only one tether in our third row so we can only have one FF seat back there...which is so friggin annoying. Like...who do they think drive these things? Single young men? Currently in the process of upgrading to (I think?) a new Ford Expedition. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879691 Sun, 07 Apr 2019 21:06:21 +0000 Shantuck 2879691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a Buick Enclave but had looked at the suburb ascent. The biggest factor for me was having captains seats in the second row or else it’s too hard to access the third row with car seats in the second row. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879666 Sun, 07 Apr 2019 14:18:27 +0000 MrsSRS 2879666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another vote for a flex. I regularly have 3 or 4 carseats in mine. Love it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/recommend-me-your-three-row-suv#post-2879644 Sun, 07 Apr 2019 09:30:54 +0000 nwm 2879644@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>thank you all for the great tips!!! @SweetCaroline: ha yeah the yukon might be a bit large, but my SIL has a highlander--i'm going to check it out next time we see them! it does seem to be the only one with a hybrid option which is nice.</p> <p>@youboots: nice! will add that to the list.</p> <p>@PinkElephant: hmm those are all helpful points, maybe we want something that's a bit tighter but shorter. to @Littlebit7: point, we do sometimes need to parallel park on the street. though most of the time our car is in a garage that i think will charge us the same absurd rate regardless of which enormous car we drive, so that part may not end up mattering too much. </p> <p>@charm55: @Ms. RV: ooh this is definitely going on our list, i honestly hadn't really noticed it existed. i always love the outbacks but thought the forrester would be too small.</p> <p>@Mrs. Champagne: @ElbieKay: awesome, that is great to hear, that's what i've heard about the third row. some of these third rows seems like you can't even get a car seat into them! </p> <p>@LCTBQE: yess!! :shocked: surprise third baby seems to be on the way in november! :heart: </p>