Never. It works better folded down.

 

The wife didn't care for a 3rd row. But now she loves it as she leaves it up always to keep groceries from moving around. We also have a cargo net to keep stuff from falling out.

 

Good question! In my case probably a couple of times a year when my kids return during the holidays that's as far as carrying people is concerned. My 3rd row seats are general in their up-right position for two reasons, to keep small cargo/groceries from flying around and allowing the vinyl seat &use at-back to air instead of sandwiched together.

One thing does bother me a little is the way the OEM cargo cover positioned acrossed the 3rd row seat (left to right), it's in the way of 3rd row seat-back from going up/down and it does Not cover the entire cargo section when the 3rd row seat-back is down leaving a wide gap from the 2nd row seat-backs... Perhaps Toyota has its reason(s) for such placement of the cargo cover, but, it looked to me an oversight - a sloppy one!

 

I think the gap allows 2nd row to recline all the way back. If I could afford a chauffeur, I'd definitely enjoy the back space on some road trips.

 

Been using a lot. Have sister in law, her friend and my niece and nephew....plus my wife and our two kids. She's been getting around town with the third rows seats for the last two weeks. Without it she would need another car.


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2016 Black on Black Highlander Limited

 

Mine remain folded down and my dogs use the rear area. I have a rubber sort of cover and a full size fitted heavy padded pet bed on top of that.

 

Our Highlander will be two years old next month. :surprise: We've used the rear seat perhaps a half-dozen times. They work well enough for one or two "normal" sized adults for short trips (<30 minutes) if we slide the middle bench seat a notch or two.

Regards,
Jim / crewzer

 

Potential 2017 HY buyer. How do you find the rear noise changes, when the third row seat is down? My Venza booms a bit with the second row down; expected I guess.

 

Our HL has less rear road noise than our old 2010 Venza.

 

"booms"?
I don't think there is a difference in noise levels in the HL..

 

My Venza has hollow sound from the back, nothing serious just different to when 2nd row seats are up. Good to know there is no difference in the highlander; with 3rd row seats up or down.
Thanks Kiseliok.

 

Mine is hanging on a chain from my garage ceiling soooo.......yeah.......



Never needed it, and wouldn't put my worst enemy in the 3rd row of these "3 row" SUV's.

 

Ours have always been folded down and they're covered by a WeatherTech cargo liner; our camping stuff goes there.

I'm thinking that a total seat removal might be a good option down the road ( so to speak ;^)

 

I totally get it that people have no problem putting the 3rd row seat down and being done with it, but for me it goes beyond simple pragmatism. I think of mileage too, and people often as me how I get such good mileage in my Highlander, and part of the reason is I don't want or need to lug around a bunch of useless weight, and so by removing my 3rd row seat (55 pounds) and also the 2nd row middle seat/divider/cup holder (20 pounds) from the 1st row center console storage bin, right there I've removed 75 pounds of weight which absolutely helps with mileage. Just food for thought. :dunno:

 

Mine went down the day i drove it away from the dealership in early June 2014 and it has stayed down since !

 

The third row seat(s) in my 2012 Sport HY have never seen the light of day.

 

The 6 & 8 year old grand kids love the 3rd row seat.

 

Crumb crunchers need a spot as far away from the adults as possible. :lol:

 

I'll say this. I recently BOUGHT my HL due to the 3rd row. Needed to upgrade from a sedan that couldn't house all kids car seats. Was looking at maybe 4-Dr full-size truck or Grand Cherokee. Wife saw HL does 2nd row captains and has 3rd row. Now all 3 kids are at least arms length away and have plenty of room. and could (if I didn't like you) stick an adult back there (or 2 smaller ones) if need be.

 

My 3rd row seat has been used 3-4 times in the year I've had my HL. Other than that it stays folded down, but it is very handy when I need to lug kids and friends around. I really like the toyota cargo mat back there, allowing me the flexibility of either configuration and some spill coverage, although certainly not as much as the other options. I do have weathertech mats everywhere else.