It has been almost 17 years since we have used a car seat. What I would like to add though is our Highlander has the captains seats. My daughter would prefer the bench so she could lay down when the car is parked. When we don't have any passengers and the captain seats are folded down to have a larger cargo area, there is the gap between the seats. From what my wife has told me, she would prefer a bench seat if we had to do it again.

Maybe this video will help...

 

I have a 014 and the captain seats are a pita. I prefer a bench. For starts, when we have a 5th passenger that poor soul has to be relegated to the 3rd row which is only meant for kids. The Highlander is a wide vehicle and a rear bench is not only roomy but more useful. When I toss things into the back things fall onto the gap between the captain chairs. There are items I want to keep clean and prefer to stay off the floor. The captain chairs seat backs can also rattle. If I have choice, and I didn't back in 014, I would most certainly take the bench and have a comfortable vehicle for 5 people with a generous cargo area. With a bench I would seldom activate the 3rd row which gobbles up most of the cargo space.

 

1. Yes an adult can sit next to car seat and fasten seat belt.
2. You can flip down 40% part of bench however you'll have to push and hold car seat (in center) towards passenger side with one hand while sliding 40% seat forward.

I have two narrow Diono seats on bench (passenger side and center) and don't quite need third row yet, but it is accessible if need be even if not a smooth operation.
Ultimately I'll have three car seats in second row with third row folded down most of the time and flipped up only when rarely needed.

 

I think one thing you have to stress is the type of car seats. We have Diono Radian RXTs which is one of the few car seats where you can fit 3 seats across in the 2nd row as well as seats and adults, most car seats are equivalent to a seat and a half wide so I'd imagine it wouldn't be to comfortable sitting in between, (most likely couldn't get the car seats side by side on the bench).

 

I have captain seats, and carseats in both in the 2nd row.
If I need to get to the 3rd row, I just walk through the middle (a bit narrow, but do-able, but we're skinny asian family), no need to push forward/fold-down anything.
If I had gotten benches, getting to the 3rd row would be more difficult, if it's possible at all.

 

^this (except the skinny part). Between 2 kids seats in 2nd row and a dog that would constantly hop the bench seat, we opted for captains. I have often put adults in the 3rd row; 2nd row seats slide forward and the kids don't need much leg room (their feet are always on the top of the front seats anyway) so it's not the worst back there (very much depends on how long you're in there, our trips like that are usually under 20 minutes). Also, to me infant seat means the bucket style probably with the base that stays in all the time (won't be able to fold up that part of the seat up, I assume that's the reason for the fold 40 section inquiry). Also for your consideration, your kid's in an infant seat for what, 6 months to a year? Make your decision based on how the majority of your time with the car will be, not for less than 10% of it's life.


Another also, I learned after the fact, but in my last truck (Xterra) the manufacturer stated infant seats were not supposed to be mounted in the middle of the bench, it had a bit of a hump to it. I never had an issue, but thankfully never had to test how well it was latched in. YMMV depending on how closely you want to follow the safety rules (can't snap 2 seats to 1 LATCH hoop mount point).

 

I have no idea as we don't have any convertible seats.

 

You guys are bringing back so many memories! We had 2 young sons when we bought our 2001 Highlander (5 seater with 2nd row bench). We still have it and have many great memories of our family road trips.

Now, one is about to graduate college and move out-of-state for grad school, and his brother will soon graduate high school and move away to college. I just wanted to say enjoy these precious years with your young family in your new Highlander - they were the best years of my life (so far, anyway!).

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We opted for the bench seat. Its nice to have room for 3 in second row. Its rare to need seating for 8 but its nice to know we have the option. Our car seat days are over:wink:

 

We chose the bench for 2 reasons.

First we have a child, the bench allows 5 people to ride with the 3rd row down for storage (ie long trips).

Second, We have a child and I can see that tray thing being broken constantly...

 

The Highlander has a flat floor which makes the bench seat that much more useful because there would be more leg room comfort for the 3rd person sitting in the middle of the bench. Such a waste to have captain seats. One main reason I would trade in my 014 Limited Platinum is for that bench seat of a 017. That's what I think after 2.5 years.

 

I struggled with this choice but settled on the captain's seats. In less than 2 years we'll be an empty nest and don't need to carry 3 children or adults in the rear seat. We really like the look of the captain's seats and my teenager really likes the comfort and sporty/luxurious/adult feeling the seats provide.

The gap between the seats has been useful for carrying some items without having to put down a seat. After having the Highlander since November I still like the bench seats and would get them again.

 

Toyota manual says that if a car seat is installed in the second row, that the row should be slid all the way back. Any reason for this? Asking since it makes the third row very cramped. If you can slide the second row up a bit, it makes the third row much better.

 

I have captain seats and they're also slide all the way back.
The practical reason would be.....so the kids don't ruin the back of your front row seats.:|

 

I've flipped my 40 with a regular car seat FF. I can imagine an adult can sit very easily and comfortably next to an infant seat on the bench. I came from a Jetta sport wagen that I did three across in - the bench in my 17 Highlander feels massive! It's one reason we chose the Highlander since we often take my elderly parents places and end up with 5 people. Which used to feel like doing yoga in the Jetta but feels downright comfortable in the Highlander.

I love the bench- but I mostly keep the 3rd row down to have cargo space for my dogs. I like them staying out of the passenger part of the car.