SUV with a usable 3rd row recommendations??

candyfisherman · May 2014

Hi Ladies!

Wondering if anyone can recommend a mid size SUV that has a third row u can actually get a car seat in? Just started looking for a new one as ours cannot fit a third car seat:( not having much luck so far..

checked out the nissan pathfinder..theres no way i could fit my 4 yr old in that 3rd row in his car seat..his feet would be so squished:( checked out the ford explorer..looks like a possibility size wise (but we've heard the engines arent great??). going to check out the toyota highlander and the GMC Acadia this weekend..Any others we should check out??

Thanks so much for any help u can offer!!

missnacholover · May 2014

I have a 2013 Pilot and my MIL has sat in the 3rd row. I don't think it'd be comfy for an adult for a long trip, but I think there is definitely room for a 4 year old.

kaimom2 · May 2014

I know you said mid-size, but we have both a Pilot and a Sequoia, specifically for the 3rd row seats. I have a teenage boy and girl and will now have 2 car seats. The third row in both of these allows for plenty of room in the third row. I drive the Pilot and it doesn't feel much bigger than my Murano did. Hope this helps!

DoubleUp8 · May 2014

What about a Chevy Traverse? If you got a car that had two seats in the middle with a space in between to get to the third row could you put your son in the middle of the third row so he would have extra leg room?

mommymeg143 · May 2014

Yes, I was going to say a Chevy Traverse. DH and I are looking at purchasing one. The Traverse was also voted to have the most cargo room of all SUVs.

pennyandandy · May 2014

My sis has a GMC Acadia, and we have put my DS' car seat in it many times. It very comfortably fits a 2 year old, 5 year old in high back booster and 8 year old in booster in any spot in the last two rows. HTH!

krgriffin26 · May 2014

I have the Kia Sorento with a 3rd row seat. I put my best friend in the back for kicks and she fit just fine. She 5'6'' ish.

CountryMama1114 · May 2014

I have an older explorer. It's an 05 and the last one they made before they changed the body style.

I LOVE it. Seriously. Worth the buy. And as far as the engine goes, it's like any other car, take care of it and it will take care of you.

The only downside is mine is a v8 and uses a lot of gas.

My dad has a Chevy trail blazer with a third row. He has fit my DD, a front facing full car seat, a RF car seat and both my sister and I (we are both grown) comfortably in the back rows and he gets much better gas mileage than I do.

SarahHeck · May 2014

My cousin has a ford flex and fits 3 car seats comfortably and has room for there dog in the back.

abbyful · May 2014

Dodge Durango is another one to consider that hasn't been mentioned yet.

SugarSnap83 · May 2014

I LOVE my Traverse!

jillybean7582 · May 2014

We have an Explorer. I think there would be plenty of room in the third row for your 4 year old but getting him in and out would be tricky. You have to fold down the seat behind the driver to acess the third row which means that your other two carseats would have to go in the middle and passenger side.

There was a thread yesterday I think about 3 carseats in vehicles.

Personally I would buy new carseats to accommodate your current vehicle if that is an option. The Diano Radian will fit three acrossed in most vehicles. I have put 2 Radians and one infant seat in one row without issues. They are a bit expensive but I would think spending $600-700 dollars on two new seats for your older two would be cheaper than a down payment on a new vehicle. Unless of course you were already in the market for a new vehicle then just ignore me!

cyndi1439 · May 2014

We have a Honda Pilot that we LOVE!!! The biggest selling point to me was the third row seating that was USABLE!

ColtiersMom · May 2014

I have a GMC Acadia-love it with tons of room:)

sAAmFam · May 2014

I have an Acadia. I like the room for passengers but wish I would have bought a Yukon. There isn't a lot of room for groceries in back. There's no way I can just keep a stroller back there. Wish I had a honda odessy

Carebella · May 2014

We recently picked up an 07 highlander hybrid and while you don't want to stick anyone too big in the third row it "seems" fine for kids. I say seems simply because we have yet to have to deal with car seats or having someone ride in the third row. But when we tested it out I made sure to get in the back and try it. It's a nice compromise in that you don't have to go huge and you get better fuel efficiency with the hybrid engine. Also, I HATE how most large vehicles drive, I love how well it handles and that it has enough power when you need to punch it.

karas2008 · May 2014

I love my GMC Acadia! My 4yr old and 7 yr old love it as well. People sit back there at times and plenty of room. Will be having our 3rd child and will have the 7yr old sit in the back! Drives awesome and good gas mileage. Good luck!

erinwithtwins · May 2014

I have a 2011 highlander hybrid and love it. My nephews were in the back for 10 days last summer and it was great

Tallahassee · May 2014

Have you seen the Hyundai Santa Fe? They do a longer version with a third row - it's got captain chairs in the second row almost like a mini van (ie you can walk between them to access the third row) so it's super easy to access (no flipping up seats in the second row). The third row was fairly spacious when I sat in it so I'm sure a 4 year old would be no problem.

Acedit · May 2014

We have a Volvo XC90 and the third row is good size, I am 5'8 and have sat back there for a few hour car ride and been fine, we hae also had friends 7 & 9 year old sit back there many times for longer car rides and they hav been plenty comfy.

Natedawg71 · May 2014

Just wondering what car seats you have? Maybe you can look into narrower ones? There's a group on fb called car seats for the littles. They can suggest seats that could fit. Beware they are a little "extreme", lol. That said i have Mazda cx9 which i love but i never use the 3rd row. It's just extra trunk space now!

Rhall2088 · May 2014

Dodge Durango I can get three car seats in

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