Car seats for small cars

RelativeChaos00 · June 2016

We already have two children, one forward facing and one currently rear who will probably be forward by the time our third arrives this November. The problem is; our cars are not all that big! My husband drives a Ford Focus and my Jeep Compass isn't much wider. A third seat will fit front to back without much issue, but I found out the hard way when trying to bring my nephew with us that the doors on my Compass wouldn't shut with his seat hooked in. I'm really hoping to avoid having to buy more than one new car seat and if I can find one small enough to fit that would be wonderful. If not, I'd better start budgeting soon! Anyone else have suggestions on an infant compatible seat that isn't very wide? Most reviews I've found for small car compatible seats are more concerned with the space between the back and front seats, which doesn't appear to be our problem. Thank you, ladies!!!

hellopartyof5 · June 2016

Have you tried installing without a base? I see that being a solution a lot of the time.

seven6five · June 2016

I don't have this problem yet (or hopefully ever) but I saw this article on pinterest that might help!

https://blogs.babycenter.com/products_and_prizes/02052015-13-car-seats-that-fit-3-across-in-most-vehicles/

atcwag · June 2016

Are you a member of Car Seats for the Littles on FB? They have CPST's that will help. Just join and post each child's stats, current seats, car make/model/year and any other pertinent information and they'll give you options.

shevaCC · June 2016

What are your current two seats? Some giant seats will be nearly impossible for 3 across (Britax, for instance), but others are reasonably doable. And it's obviously cheaper to get new car seats than a new car. I bet you can come up with something that works!

Here are some other opinions on seats that are good for 3-across:
https://thecarseatlady.com/fitting3across/ some recommended seats by age
https://www.thecarcrashdetective.com/3-across-car-seat-guide-html/ information by car
https://csftl.org/three-across/ by seat and car

TheBorg7of9 · June 2016

Yes, as PP said, you should definitely join car seats for the littles on Facebook and ask your questions!

RelativeChaos00 · June 2016

I will check them out, thank you!!! Our current seats aren't (I think) ridiculously huge.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Graco-Baby-Nautilus-3-in-1-Car-Seat/21192344 is my son's seat and my daughter has

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Safety-1st-Guide-65-Sport-Convertible-Car-Seat-Oceanside/26845788

I'll go through and look at all the links posted, but I wanted to answer with what we had first. Thank you!!!

Meether · June 2016

Try the clek foonf or Diono Radian. Those are super narrow. Otherwise, could you move up to a full back booster? There is a website that you can input your car info and it will let you know what combos of 3 across you can get.

atcwag · June 2016

Meether said:

Try the clek foonf or Diono Radian. Those are super narrow. Otherwise, could you move up to a full back booster? There is a website that you can input your car info and it will let you know what combos of 3 across you can get.

Depending on the age and stats of the oldest child, a booster may not be a safe or effective choice at this time. OP didn't state child's ages, but if child isn't booster-ready, then that's not a safe option.

shevaCC · June 2016

Also those are both $300-400 car seats and may not be within the OP's budget.

hellopartyof5 · June 2016

I've heard Graco Mysize65s are also good for 3 across and in the $180 range rather than the $300 range. Still, Car seats for littles will give you the best information.

TheBorg7of9 · June 2016

shevaCC said:

Also those are both $300-400 car seats and may not be within the OP's budget.

Diana Radian R120 is only about $200.

fiscally3 · June 2016

We had 3 across in DHs focus and my kia Rondo(54" to fit all 3 seats in the Rondo). We a gracious snugride 22, and two harmony defenders. Infant seat wise a Chicco Key Fit and a Phil & Ted's Alpha would work too. I hate our Diono Radian, and wish I would have done more research before purchasing it-i find it annoying to install correctly, especially if you need to do a RF seatbelt install, and I really struggle to adjust the straps tightly enough. If you have two forward facing the Defenders are great($100), easy to install, convert into high & low back boosters. I'm currently looking at a Combi coccoro for baby, it has smaller limits for weight & height, but my kids tend to be on small side of average so I think it will work.

Side note, I hate the car seats for littles page, I've found them to be very condescending if you don't want to follow their ideal car seat usage perfectly. I had a lot more success contacting the different car seat manufacturers directly about how to puzzle together 3 seats.

Meether · June 2016

atcwag said:

Meether said:

Try the clek foonf or Diono Radian. Those are super narrow. Otherwise, could you move up to a full back booster? There is a website that you can input your car info and it will let you know what combos of 3 across you can get.

Depending on the age and stats of the oldest child, a booster may not be a safe or effective choice at this time. OP didn't state child's ages, but if child isn't booster-ready, then that's not a safe option.

And that's why I specifically asked if she COULD move up? Obviously it's a no if her child does not meet the requirement.

Meether · June 2016

https://www.thecarcrashdetective.com/2015/08/3-across-installations-compass.html/

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Jeep Compass

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Clek Fllo, Diono Radian / RXT, Diono Radian / RXT.

Clek Fllo, Graco Size4Me 65, Diono Radian / RXT.

Chicco KeyFit 30, Clek Fllo, Chicco KeyFit 30.

Meether · June 2016

https://www.thecarcrashdetective.com/2014/11/3-across-installations-focus.html/

2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Ford Focus

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Chicco KeyFit 30 (x3).

Clek Oobr (x3).

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Graco Size4Me 65 (x3).

Graco Contender (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Cybex Aton 2, Diono Radian / RXT, Diono Radian / RXT.

Graco Snugride 30, Diono Radian / RXT, Diono Radian / RXT.

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Car seats for small cars

Re: Car seats for small cars

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Jeep Compass

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