SUV/Crossover and Carseat question...

Vandy05 · May 2009

We are going shopping for a new car this weekend...most likely an SUV. I am looking at the Toyota Higlander and it looks like the 2nd row has kind of bucket seats with a fold up middle seat that can stow away and then a 3rd row bench seat which I wouldnt think I would use alot b/c it ameks the back too small. Can I put a car seat on the bucket seat thing? That seems weird like it could topple from one side to another.... or would I put it in the fold up middle? or does it have to go way back on the 3rd row? I dont like that and would probably lookat a different car if she had to be wayyyyy back there. See...that middle thing folds down and that seems unsafe.

Highlander interior shown in Sand Beige

dmsmth · May 2009

I would read the manual. It may just be the carseat has to go in one of the side seats and not in the middle. That was the case with my friends car. The back seat folded down as 2 pieces. The middle and side seat and than the single side seat. Her carseat had to go on the side and not in the middle. And I;m pretty sure that we have to install our carseat like that in our car too.

ceramsey · May 2009

What other cars did you look at? We looked at the Highlander but went with the Chevy Equinox instead. That middle seat is so tiny! :-) But like pp said, I'm sure the manual will be helpful. GL!

LAT37 · May 2009

I can't answer your question about the seat but I wanted to tell you that I just bought a Hyundai Santa Fe 2 months ago & I love it. I had a 2004 and traded it in for a new one. If you decide that you don't like the Toyota I highly recommend the Santa Fe.

tiffanylaw06 · May 2009

The backseat in the highlander is only slightly bucket like. It's very similar to the backseat in most cars and other suvs/cuvs. I personally do not have one but I cannot imagine it would be a problem installing a carseat on one of the 2nd row side seats. In fact, I think the seats have the clips in them for carseats (what's the term?). GL and happy car shopping!

Vandy05 · May 2009

We also looked at GMC Acadia but it has bucket seats so she would have to go in the back and I dont want her to be that far away!

soontobemrs.boulet · May 2009

It should be perfectly fine in one of the bucket seats. I have a Honda Pilot and our carseat had to be installed behind the passenger seat because our middle seat does not have latch. Ask the sales person at the dealership. Each dealership should have someone that is carseat certified and will be able to help you!

Vandy05 · May 2009

soontobemrs.boulet:
It should be perfectly fine in one of the bucket seats. I have a Honda Pilot and our carseat had to be installed behind the passenger seat because our middle seat does not have latch. Ask the sales person at the dealership. Each dealership should have someone that is carseat certified and will be able to help you!

Really!? That makes me feel better that someone will know what they are talking about! I have never bought a new car and I got mine 7 years ago... I dont remember this process too well, but want baby to be safe. Thanks girls!

kristin7701 · May 2009

I would make sure if you trust someone at the dealership, they are actually certified. The certification process is a multi-day course, plus testing. I would frankly be surprised if all dealerships had a certified tech.

I'm sure you can put a carseat in the second row of a Highlander. I'm 90% sure DS's carseat has been in FIL's car. You may even be able to install it in the middle seat. All you need is a seatbelt. You don't have to have LATCH to install a seat -- it was just intended to make installation easier. But like the others said, definitely check the manual.

If you google it, somewhere there is a website that lists cars and their compatibility with specific carseats.

tiffanylaw06 · May 2009

Latch. That's the word! And as another recommendation, I love my Acura MDX. I was trying to decide between the MDX, Highlander, and Pilot and went with the MDX.

ArcticFox · May 2009

I would check the manual and see where the carseat LATCH system is too.

soon-to-be-MrsT · May 2009

We have the Acadia and the car seat can go in one of the bucket seats. They both have the LATCH system. Car seat "experts" say the safest place for the car seat is in the middle but if there is no middle (as in the Acadia and many mini vans), then car seat is fine in one of the middle row bucket seats.

I love my Acadia!

CPSTmama · May 2009

kristin7701:

I would make sure if you trust someone at the dealership, they are actually certified. The certification process is a multi-day course, plus testing. I would frankly be surprised if all dealerships had a certified tech.

This. I am a certified tech and very few dealerships have techs and very few dealers know anything about carseats.

You can install a carseat in the third row, I have done so at multiple carseat checks. In the highlanders I have dealt with the middle seat could have a child restraint in it however I have only been able to get one seat correctly installed in the position. The middle seat is narrow and most carseats don't fit well there. However it is easy to get a nice solid install in both of the outboard positions with both LATCH or the seatbelt.

CPSTmama · May 2009

soon-to-be-MrsT:

Car seat "experts" say the safest place for the car seat is in the middle but if there is no middle (as in the Acadia and many mini vans), then car seat is fine in one of the middle row bucket seats.

This is only partly true. The safest place for your carseat to be is where it installs the best. If you have to chose between a rocky install in the middle and a nice solid installation on the side then you would go for the side everytime. The most important thing is to read you manuals, both the car manuals and carseat manuals and follow them.

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