Cars/ SUVs that hold 3 carseats in the back seat?

[TheLittleRoo]

I am pulling out all the stops to avoid a mini-van! We recently bought an Infiniti I30 and discovered it can't accomodate three kids in the back seat. I'd like to find something that will hold 3 carseats across the back row (third row seating would also be acceptable).

I'd like to get something smaller rather than larger, to increase fuel efficiency. I'd like it to be snazzier than a base model Toyota Highlander, or similar pared down interiors.

Can anyone recommend a good car or SUV that is big enough in the back? Which model and what's the gas mileage like? I like a 3rd row seat, but I'd prefer nice and wide second row so I can get them all in and out without resorting to the 3rd row.

Thanks!

 

[Minniemouse07]

I would go check out http://www.car-seat.org/ before you get a new car!

They have a great group of people, mostly car seat techs and geeks that are "into" car seats, that may be able to help you figure out a car seat configuration that will fit in your car.

Good Luck!

 

[T. Lynn]

I have a suburban and can fit 3 car seats if need be. It also gets better gas mileage than my jeep did.

 

[Benducci]

Our Ford Taurus folds 3 carseats & my mom's GT Cruiser holds 3 carseats. Tight but they work - but not boosters - those don't fit -

 

[duma]

Our 2004 Honda Odyssey can do three car seats.

 

[maggiew]

Why do you want to avoid a minivan?? I would rather be comfortable with more space in a minivan than crammed into a smaller car???

We love our 8 passenger Toyota Sienna. I think it will hold 3 car seats, but we only have 2 kids so haven't ever tried.

Maggie

 

[JoBird]

I love my Acura MDX. We have three kids as well.

Jo

 

[PEANUT1]

I have a buick rendezvous and it holds 3 car seats in the back. I have 2 kids but have had 3 seats back there when driving friends kids. I have to tell you though, I kind of wish I had bought the chrysler pacifica. It looks like an SUV but inside it is roomier like a minivan. It has the 2 bucket seats and then the bench in the back. This would definitely hold 3 car seats. Oh well. My car is paid off in 6 months so I will live with it until it dies. By that time hopefully the kids will be out of car seats.

 

[tlbwriter]

I have to tell you though, I kind of wish I had bought the chrysler pacifica. It looks like an SUV but inside it is roomier like a minivan. It has the 2 bucket seats and then the bench in the back. This would definitely hold 3 car seats.

I was going to suggest that. Our neighbors had one and really liked it (at least they did when it was new; they've moved and I don't know if they're still happy with it 2 years later). It would definitely be easier to deal with the 3 seats, since they wouldn't all have to be in the same row and there's an "aisle" so you can easily get to the back.

 

[DebMcDonald]

I have a dodge durango and I do daycare, so carseats are a must for me. I also went from a minivan to the Durango. I also do have a third row seat, but I routinely put three car seats in the middle seat. If you do not have to buckle them all the times it would be easier. I'm constantly taking my seats in and out of the car, so I find it a little difficult to get them all buckled in and tight and then that afternoon I take them all out.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

Did the Pacifica get orphaned though? I thought I read somewhere Chrysler stopped making it. I'm always leery of buying an orphaned model car, though I LOVE the design and look of the Pacifica.

Not to get into a debate about minivans, but I just feel dowdy in one (same as I'd never drive a big honkin' pick up truck either...) and I refuse to drive one! It's totally psychological for me - - I'll drive a 4 dr SUV that looks like a van in every other way... but that boxy sliding door van... not me!

 

[TheLittleRoo]

Gas mileage for the Pacifica and Durangos? I used to have a Durango (V8) and loved, loved, loved it! But the gas mileage eventually drove me to sell it. I got a little zippy Acura CL and promptly got pg with unexpected #2! Sold that car and got a Lexus LX450 which we love, but it gets only about 14 mpg. Terrible... Even the I30 only gets about 18 mpg - we were expecting 23 city.

 

[T. Lynn]

I always said...I will NEVER be a minivan mom. Hate them with a passion.

I want my 4WD suv that sits up high. Actually, now I have a stretch limo (my suburban) and love it. Great for grocery shopping or hauling DD's toys (she buckles her 3 American Girl dolls into the 3rd row seat - although they don't use car seats...haha)

 

[4greatboys]

I have a suburban. I know it will fit 3 in the second row of seats. It might on the 3rd row as well but that row isnt as wide at the 2nd one. However it is not gas friendly.

 

[nhpooh]

I have a dodge durango and I do daycare, so carseats are a must for me. I also went from a minivan to the Durango. I also do have a third row seat, but I routinely put three car seats in the middle seat. If you do not have to buckle them all the times it would be easier. I'm constantly taking my seats in and out of the car, so I find it a little difficult to get them all buckled in and tight and then that afternoon I take them all out.

I too had a Durango, I would put two car seats in the third row. I also do daycare, I would put the older kids back there. The infants would go in the middle row. I have put three car seats in the middle row. But it's easier to use the third row, that way I can leave them in there all week. At the end of the week I would take out most if not all of the car seats. I have one daughter and she's 19 now, so she doesn't need a car seat. I really miss the Durango just because of all the room it had. I now have a Vibe, and only have two daycare kids.

 

[nhpooh]

Gas mileage for the Pacifica and Durangos? I used to have a Durango (V8) and loved, loved, loved it! But the gas mileage eventually drove me to sell it. I got a little zippy Acura CL and promptly got pg with unexpected #2! Sold that car and got a Lexus LX450 which we love, but it gets only about 14 mpg. Terrible... Even the I30 only gets about 18 mpg - we were expecting 23 city.

Yes you are right about the gas mileage, that's another reason why I am glad I don't have it anymore.

 

[TheRatPack]

We have a Suburban but we can't fit 3 seats in the 2nd or 3rd row We have HUGE carseats though (Britax Regents). I know on the carseat.org? site they have a lot of great posters who have figured out which carseats you can configure to get 3 side by side....would be cheaper than a new car

My husband has threatened me with a cargo van if I have anymore kids....they are UGLY! LOL They have a 9 seater Suburban too, benches on all 3 rows. I think that if you got a Yukon or something like that you'd be able to fit 3 side by side, depending on car seats.

 

[solfan68]

I've never had to do it, but I'm pretty certain that I could do three kid's seats in the back set of our Chevy Avalanche.

 

[tycopj]

Not to get into a debate about minivans, but I just feel dowdy in one (same as I'd never drive a big honkin' pick up truck either...) and I refuse to drive one! It's totally psychological for me - - I'll drive a 4 dr SUV that looks like a van in every other way... but that boxy sliding door van... not me!

I understand what you are saying. I had a minivan and I didn't like to drive it. It just wasn't me. (at my high school reunion, cars came up somehow and an old friend looked at me and said "You are NOT a mini van driver" ) Luckily my mini van had serious engine troubles soon after that and I got my Tahoe! Most of my friends have mini vans and LOVE them, just not for me.

We did look at the Toyota Highlander and the backseat is too small. It would work for a child up to about 7, my DD 9 at the time was too tall for it and she is not tall.

My SIL has the Durango and really likes it, but I think it's about the same size as the Tahoe.

Our Tahoe has the bucket seats and then the third row seats. The third row seats aren't as roomy as the bucket seats, but they aren't bad. I've sat there when we take in-laws out and I have enough room.

The bucket seats are great because it allows passengers to walk through the center of the Tahoe to get to the third row. It's nice not to have to move/fold down seats to get to the third row.

I love, love, love my Tahoe, it is so roomy inside. The third row seats fold down easily and it is split so you can fold down the whole row or just one seat. There isn't much storage room behind the third row, but it's enough room for groceries and such. For road trips we usually fold down one seat and that leaves plenty of room for suitcases.

The gas mileage is a bummer, and that is why we started looking for something similar to the Highlander, (looking was DH idea, not mine) but what we found was that they were just too small and didn't offer a huge difference in gas mileage.

Did I mention that I love my Tahoe

 

[tiff211]

We have a Ford explorer and it seats a carseat and 2 boosters.