Minivan and Infant Car Seat

I can't answer for sure with the newer models, but I have 2007 Odyssey, and NO, the middle jump seat is not approved for car seats in our car. You can find the answer to this question in the car manual, (and often in the carseat manual as well) so ask the dealer to let you see the manual the next time you go to look at cars.

What we have done is removed the jump-seat completely and spaced the right-hand bucket seat over to the middle. This allows for easy access to the back row of seats from the door, so perhaps your son could go back there, as well as one seat in the middle, but it does not allow for three seats across in the middle.

I love our Odyssey, though. The biggest difference between the Odyssey and the Sienna is how the van handles, so make sure you test-drive one of each and get a feel for which style you prefer.

Our Sienna has no middle front seat, so no, not possible for us.

The newer Odyssey models (2011 up, I believe) allow for a middle seat in the middle row, not the older ones. Go to car-seat.org and you can ask your specific questions.
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=146517

We have an Odyssey and love it! It is wonderful to drive and plenty of space.

We have a 2012, so it may be slightly different, but in ours there is a LATCH set in the middle seat and we have put the base there when needed. It's not the "permanent spot" because it's hard for me to reach over to put the bucket seat in if there's a booster in the chair seat.

My husband and I test drove the Sienna, the Odyssey and the Town & Country. The T & C looks nice, but overpriced for "cheap" accessories. The Sienna was really nice, but the trunk didn't fit our stroller with the 3rd row "popped up" and I really didn't want a DVD player "standard". The Odyssey is great and as long as there is a LATCH in the center seat of the model you are looking at, no problem with an infant seat!

I have an Odyssey - love/do not like relationship with it. Love that it is reliable and handles well....do NOT like that my cup holders do not ratchet therefore I have to hold cups while driving in order to keep them from falling over.

I have not owned an Odyssey while using car seats. So I can't answer that. Both of my minivans had the captains chairs in the middle row and that's where I put my car seats when my kids were in them.

When my Odyssey was in the shop for repairs (someone side swiped me in a parking lot) I had the 8 passenger Sienna and loved it. I admit - I am torn about trading my Odyssey in for a newer one with cold holders that work for me - I know!! Don't say it! :) and the rear camera back up...mine does not have that...and some of the other things that the newer models have...

rent one of each for a weekend and live in it. i don't know what your family does, how much you use the car, etc. so drive each for a weekend and find out which one fits your family better.

GOOD LUCK!

I have a 2008 sienna and I love it! I leased it but my lease is up in a couple months and I will be buying it out. It's been a great car for us. I usually keep the 3rd row down for more space. Our middle row does not have a middle seat. It just has the 2 seats with the isle down the middle. We have had to replace the brakes twice since we have had it (got it new), and to me, that seems like a lot, but I don't know how often standard vans and stuff are supposed to need new brakes. We don't have a DVD player either. We just got the basic model. I never had to put an infant seat in it, but I did have 2 convertable car seats in it with no problems.

if it were me i would put the 4 year old in the far back. the baby on one side and grandma on the other side.