What's the best car for 3 child seats?

Question

I don't want a Minivan or a SUV with a third row - I'm looking for a way to fit 3 kid seats into a standard-sized car.

Answer 1

If all "kid seats" were the same dimensions, this might be an easier question to answer...unfortunatly they are not.
The only way for you to determine if YOUR kid seats will fit, is to actually put them in a vehicle (& try to close the doors...don't forget about armrests attached to doors)

Generally speaking, with minivans, the 2nd row of seats only seat 2 passengers & the 3rd row accomodates 3 passengers
With "normal sized" SUV's it's just the opposite (2nd row=3 passenger, 3rd row=2 passenger.

Typically most sedans (mid-full size) are designed for 3 passengers in the rear but not neccessarily 3 child seats (which all vary in dimensions).

All of that being said, I'll give you some ideas & dimensions of Ford products (I am a Master Certified Ford product salesMAM)

2nd row 'hip room' (in inches)
Fusion (replaced Taurus) = 53.4"
Five Hundred (mid size sedan) = 53.7"
Crown Victoria (full size sedan) = 57.1"

Personally, If you were my customer, I would direct you to a "Crossover" vehicle.
Freestyle (like a Volvo wagon on steroids) = 55.8"
(has a 'fold into the floor 3rd row seat' ...2nd row available as a bench ..or 2 buckets...you need the bench)

Edge (not out yet, but coming to dealerships mid-December) = 56.1"

If none of these work for you.....an Expedition will give you 59.9"
(I know you said NOT an SUV, but yours IS a tough question)

I hope this helps, but you will have to actually bring your carseats to a dealership & test them in a vehicle.
If you're in the Chicagoland area, I'ld be happy to help.

Answer 2

ISOFIX - when you slide a modern child seat under the seat, it slides and lock.

tether hook - a child seat, at the back, has a hook (that looks like a seat belt) attaches to the tether hook to the top back seat of the car.

A modern car now has 2 ISOFIX, and 3 "tether hooks". Tether hooks are required in Canada before USA required them so. I never heard of a third row with a ISOFIX or a tether hook on a third row. The reason I said that, most of the vehicles I saw, the third row seat folds flush to form a flat surface (magic seat).

You can fit three child seats using one tether hooks (and a seat belt), because they are 3 tether hooks on a regular car.

A better alternative and the best, 2 child seats using the ISOFIX, tether, and the seat belt. It holds the child seat firmly.

The best child (car) seat must have the ISOFIX point and a tether belt with a hook. All cars are required that. When they start putting ISOFIX on cars? My guess after year 2001.

Answer 3

I would say maybe a station wagon or a big car like grand prix.

Answer 4

dont be cheap be safe look out for your children dont put them in the middle please