3rd row for child seats

[JHende1]

Has anyone used the third row for forward facing child seats? I looked in the manual, but there is no metion of this.
I know they have no LATCH. But is it safe, recommended? I assume I would use the normal seatbelts to strap the seats in. Any special considerations?
thanks

[vsansal]

Originally Posted by JHende1

Has anyone used the third row for forward facing child seats? I looked in the manual, but there is no metion of this.
I know they have no LATCH. But is it safe, recommended? I assume I would use the normal seatbelts to strap the seats in. Any special considerations?
thanks

I don't like that idea that much. I don't think it is safe enough to handle a rear impact.

[luck123]

Originally Posted by JHende1

Has anyone used the third row for forward facing child seats? I looked in the manual, but there is no metion of this.
I know they have no LATCH. But is it safe, recommended? I assume I would use the normal seatbelts to strap the seats in. Any special considerations?
thanks

Would never put my child in the 3rd row, even if I could...just not safe in the event of a rear-end collision. When using our 3rd row, adults are placed in 3rd row for short trips....believe it or not, it's not that bad, and I'm 6'4".

If you have only one child seat, safest spot is center, 2nd row. Next best, from what I have read, is 2nd row behind driver. But suggest you do your own research. Our 12 year old still sits behind me or in center of the 2nd row.

[vsansal]

Originally Posted by luck123

... from what I have read, is 2nd row behind driver...

The reason for that is the driver will instinctively veer their side of the car away from danger.

[05Moose]

x3...or is it 4 already(?) on not using the 3rd row. We won't use the 3rd row unless absolutely necessary after our friend was rear ended on the freeway in her Acura MDX. Rear end was pushed in so far it was almost touching the 2nd row seat backs! Instant death in that rear seat...

[tagheuer]

interesting logic here...

So, you all must believe the following:

a) sitting in the third row is dangerous;

b) no one should sit in the third row, if its not safe for children it can't be safe for adults;

c) why do automakers build vehicles with third rows?

d) why would anyone buy a vehicle with a third row?

e) all vehicles with third rows have less room for impact between the third row and rear bumper, some more then others;

f) why aren't the third rows in minivans dangerous? All have significantly less amount of space between the 3rd row and rear bumper as a typical four door sedan...which can usually be measured in FEET.

g) we should be seeing an abnormally high rate of injury/death of passengers sitting in the third row, are we? Does anyone have any data to support this belief?

h) what are you to do if you have more then two kids? Many, many families put children in the 3rd row of minivans every day. Should this be illegal? Are these parents unfit and/or not responsible?

i) the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Town and Country have relatively small amounts of space between the third row seats and the bumper

Of course, simple physics dictates that the second row is safer then the third in a catastrophic rear end collision....but by that logic the front row is safer then the second row in such a collision. So maybe we should all be deactivating the front passenger airbag and putting our kids there....oh wait, then they would be at higher risk in a frontal collision and the passengers in the third row would be safest....

[vsansal]

Originally Posted by tagheuer

interesting logic here...

So, you all must believe the following:

a) sitting in the third row is dangerous;

b) no one should sit in the third row, if its not safe for children it can't be safe for adults;

c) why do automakers build vehicles with third rows?

d) why would anyone buy a vehicle with a third row?

e) all vehicles with third rows have less room for impact between the third row and rear bumper, some more then others;

f) why aren't the third rows in minivans dangerous? All have significantly less amount of space between the 3rd row and rear bumper as a typical four door sedan...which can usually be measured in FEET.

g) we should be seeing an abnormally high rate of injury/death of passengers sitting in the third row, are we? Does anyone have any data to support this belief?

h) what are you to do if you have more then two kids? Many, many families put children in the 3rd row of minivans every day. Should this be illegal? Are these parents unfit and/or not responsible?

i) the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Chrysler Town and Country have relatively small amounts of space between the third row seats and the bumper

Of course, simple physics dictates that the second row is safer then the third in a catastrophic rear end collision....but by that logic the front row is safer then the second row in such a collision. So maybe we should all be deactivating the front passenger airbag and putting our kids there....oh wait, then they would be at higher risk in a frontal collision and the passengers in the third row would be safest....

Third row in HL is optional (standard on some models). It is mainly kept closed and used if needed. When you open the third row the headrest is almost touching the rear window. So yes it is also not safe for adults in the case of a rear impact. But the impact an adult can handle vs a child in a car seat is different. The minivans on the other hand are designed as 3 row vehicles. It has much more gap between the third row and the tailgate. I am sure it will get better safety ratings cuz the vehicle is designed that way. If you have more than two kids I think a minivan is better than a HL.

If you feel comfortable putting your children on the third row, thats your decision. What
I am saying is I wouldn't. For some things you don't need detailed statistics but simple logic.

[05Moose]

Originally Posted by tagheuer

interesting logic here...

We didn't want the 3rd row seat, but it's standard equipment. I would rather have had Toyota build a storage unit under the floor where the 3rd row is to store extra stuff. But I think 3rd row seating is the current "buzzword" in the auto industry. I bet less than 1 percent of owners use the 3rd row seat (aside from us, I know two others personally that own a HL and none of them use it...including the friend who has 3 kids). Anyway, when you see for yourself how the 3rd row is gone in a rear-ender, you'll be giving the same advice.

Originally Posted by vsansal

Third row in HL is optional (standard on some models). It is mainly kept closed and used if needed. When you open the third row the headrest is almost touching the rear window. So yes it is also not safe for adults in the case of a rear impact. But the impact an adult can handle vs a child in a car seat is different. The minivans on the other hand are designed as 3 row vehicles. It has much more gap between the third row and the tailgate. I am sure it will get better safety ratings cuz the vehicle is designed that way. If you have more than two kids I think a minivan is better than a HL.

If you feel comfortable putting your children on the third row, thats your decision. What
I am saying is I wouldn't. For some things you don't need detailed statistics but simple logic.

x2.

[grandpapa]

Originally Posted by luck123

....believe it or not, it's not that bad, and I'm 6'4".

I am only 5'9 and avg weight I can't stand the 3rd row myself. Only my 6 years old wants to seat on the back. I just can't put anyone there, I feel bad.

I really think 3rd row is useless. Wish they go back to 5 seater. Those who really need more than 5 seat should get either a full size SUV (if they like SUV image and towing need) or just settle with minivan.

3rd row for child in HL is a no no even that child is not my own.

[vsansal]

Originally Posted by grandpapa

I am only 5'9 and avg weight I can't stand the 3rd row myself. Only my 6 years old wants to seat on the back. I just can't put anyone there, I feel bad.

I checked almost every SUV available in the market at the Washington DC Auto Show past January and compared to other SUVs I think HL has one of the best, if not the best, 3rd row seat setup. Some larger SUVs like AUDI Q7 cant even come close.

[luck123]

Originally Posted by vsansal

I checked almost every SUV available in the market at the Washington DC Auto Show past January and compared to other SUVs I think HL has one of the best, if not the best, 3rd row seat setup. Some larger SUVs like AUDI Q7 cant even come close.

+1. It is by far the roomiest 3rd row I was able to find when I was shopping for an SUV. Now, I'm not saying the HL 3rd row is perfect by any means, but it certainly is manageable for a 20-30 minute drive.

We don't use it often, but it is nice to have for few times when we have a full load of people.

[Tysdad]

I actually do use the 3rd row for a carseat(a Britax Frontier and Boulevard) for long trips. After doing enough research to never want to drive on the highway again, I came to the conclusion that it was the most appropriate spot for our needs.

I only use the third row for long trips(700+ miles) when more room in the second row is needed so that my wife can work, and get to the kids to feed, change movies etc.

The construction of the car is very similar to a minivan whereas the spare tire is actually a part of the rear crash structure. Contrary to previous comments the extra few inches that you will get in a minivan won't actually make a difference due to the lower bumper height.

Using the previous thought process any parent with a smaller car is a bad parent and we should all drive armored cars. Ultimately it comes down to the fact that no car is 100% safe and that the best that you can do is install the carseat(and kid in it) correctly, and drive safely.

[luck123]

Originally Posted by Tysdad

Using the previous thought process any parent with a smaller car is a bad parent and we should all drive armored cars. Ultimately it comes down to the fact that no car is 100% safe and that the best that you can do is install the carseat(and kid in it) correctly, and drive safely.

to TN.

I admit that if you have no choice but to use the 3rd row, or the 2nd row in a 2 seater, then so be it. However, I think the point some of us make that if given a choice, the safest spot by far is center, 2nd row....the furthest point from sides, front or rear. Ultimately, it comes down to risk....and personally, I will do anything to reduce any risk of harm to my child.

Cheers.