Need a Car That Can Accomadate 3 Car Seats

We have a Honda Odessey mini-van and while I know it is classified as a mini-van (not cool) I really enjoyed the space. It easily fits the car seats and we can easily move around the car. It is also extremely easy to get the kids out of the car seats due to the height, seat positions and the buckles don't tuck in the seats.

We drive a Toyota Sequoia which we love. I don't know what the MPG but we have all three car seats in the third row - the car seats are Evenflo Titans. It's tight but they all fit.

our dodge durango (2002) does three sseats across and has a third row when needed or a LOT of cargo space...not sure of the mpg

We have a Ford Freestyle, which I think is now called the Taurus X. It has LATCH connectors all the way in the back, therefore room for 3 car seats. My husband says he's been getting 17-18 MPG in the city and about 21 on the highway.

I have a Chevy Equinox and it has a huge back seat, I know that it surely would fit 3 car seats. I get 20 MPG in the city and up to 26 on the highway. I have no complaints about it. The equinox isn't as expensive as some other crossovers as the Ford Edge or the Hondas out there. I got mine last year fully loaded (I didn't care to have it that way, but all the bells and whistles came like that) and I only paid $21,000 (with change) for it.

We love our mazda CX9, we have two radians and a graco snugride in the 2nd row. Very fun to drive and tons of cargo space. Love it!

I love my Honda Odyssey. :)

I'm sorry about your totaling your Dodge Magnum. :(

Funny that you have 3 car seats and a Toyota Sienna, since I do too. I love our Sienna, but I primarily drive our other car (I kept both cars when my husband left), which is a Toyota Matrix and which - and I never would have guessed this - also holds 3 car seats. I'm sure it gets great gas mileage because it's such a little car, although I don't know what it gets.

One of our car seats, though, is an infant carrier with base, which I put in between the toddler seats on either side. I'm guessing that you have 3 toddler seats, but maybe they'll fit since I'm guessing that an infant carrier base is at least as wide as a toddler seat. Or, I saw another mom's reply to you giving you links to toddler car seats that are narrower than most. It might be worth the investment to purchase narrower car seats in order to be able to buy a smaller, more gas-efficient car that is relatively inexpensive to purchase.

I assume you know this, but if you are considering a vehicle where you don't know for sure that all 3 car seats will fit, take the seats with you to the dealership and try them first before even wasting your time on a test drive.

If you are interested in a Matrix, I would strongly encourage you to check it out. I love it, and the hatchback has a suprising amount of storage space, plus the back seats can be put down for additional hauling capacity - either 1/3 or 2/3 of the back seat, or the entire back seat, can be put down since it splits to give you that option.

Good luck, and be sure to tell us what you end up getting!

The radian is a low profile carseat that you could fit 3 across in even the skinniest of vehicles (as long as there were 3 seatbelts in the back seat that is.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Da...

another skinny carseat that will work 3 across is this one http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Da...

This will widen your car options considerably.
N.

I loved my Chevy astro van - email me and I can give you more info. It has 2 bench seats and can accommodate 8.

M. in Elk Grove Village
____@____.com

I love love love my Cadillac SRX! Its a crossover and gets pretty good mileage. I am a nanny of five and have one of my own. I have four carseats in there and its a nice fit. All seven of us fit comfortably!

Hi, J.! I can't drive so am no expert on this, but my 21 year old son just bought a 2005 Jeepp Cherokee which I'd bet would hold three car seats. Don't know about mileage. I feel relieved for him as it has 4 wheel drive. Good luck and I'm glad all of you are safe. He got it at Carmax, by the way. I've been with him on other car ventures but not this one. He said this one was fine. He went to the one in Glenco.
Good luck and happy holidays!
S.

Hi J.,
My brother has 3 seats in his Chevy Impala and they work just fine. I have a Chevy Uplander (of course it is a mini-van) but hands down my next car will be the Chevy Traverse! My Mom has one and bay far it is fantastic! It is a cross-over but it is WAY nice!
Good luck on your search!

We have a Saturn Outlook, which has three rows of seats. I love it (but then again, I only have one car seat to contend with at the moment, regardless you should check it out). Good luck on your search. :)

I also needed to get a new vehicle to fit three car seats lately, as we have 2 year old twins and another on the way in March. I sent a similar request here & did research, etc. We ended up giving in and getting the dreaded minivan: A Honda Odyssey.

Well, we've had it for about 6 weeks now, and I confess I do love it! It's sooo much easier to get the kids in and out without having to go around to both sides in a parking lot. I love the sliding doors when we're in our garage so I can park close to the wall on one side & not hit the other car on the other side with the door. It's got a ton of room in the back, gets great gas mileage...

We did end up splurging & getting the DVD & navigation. I have used the nav. a lot & it's been helpful. While we haven't even tried the DVD yet, we are going on a 5 hour drive in the next few weeks, and I look forward to having the DVD as a distraction option.

I don't know about now, but Honda had 2009 and 2008's, and so we had gotten a good deal by taking one of the 2008's off of their hands.

Good luck!

We love our Toyota Highlander. We wanted a small crossover SUV, and being that my husband's Asian, we had to go Toyota. We just bought a 2005 with 4 cyl engine. Supposed to get 19/25 MPG but we have observed more like 20-21. Still good though for it's size. Not sure if it will fit the 3 car seats, but with my daughter's huge Britax in the middle, there is still room for an adult on either side. I have also put my nephew's seat next to hers, and it fit easily. Also the cargo area is huge, plenty of room for groceries and the big stroller.
I know the newer highlanders also come with optional 3rd row seating and bigger engines, but the 4 cyl is powerful enough for the way we drive. Good luck!

J., I love, love, love my new car. It is a Honda Pilot and it seats 8. The middle row and the back row have bench seats that split and fold, etc...but the best part is shoulder belts that hide in the ceiling for the center seat, or can be used. It is all very easy and convenient and the best thing is 4 wheel drive! I finally ditched my mini-van and I love this car. The brand new ones have back up cameras and everything. I got mine used, last April, with 14,000 miles on it for around $23,000. We have 3 children and are always carting them and their friends all over! Good luck to you.

Hi everyone ,

I love my 2008 grand caravan minivan , It seats 7 with ample room . 2nd row is bucket seats and the 3rd row is a bench seat . Storage is ample as well , I can put my triple stroller (tantum with a seat )and have room for 6 after that . If Im not mistaken it gets around 20mpg and it also comes with 2 dvd's sirus radio/tv (nick, disney and cartoon network)I also have a rearview camera ( I believe is a must with little one's ). I felt it wasnt to expensive considering the option I have . I know what your probably thinking a minivan , but my husband loves driving it and that's coming from a big suv . Good luck on finding a new car .

Happy Holidays everyone
K.

I know the Toyota Highlanders are nice with the 3rd row seating and I have a Subaru Tribeca with 3rd row and carted around 3 kids in car seats, worked good for us, though I drove a Highlander too as a rental and thought that was a bit more roomier. They also have the hybrid model.

I also LOVE my Honda Pilot. I have had mine for almost 6 years. It has a ton of space and lots of cup holders, which you cannot get enough of. They have them with lots of options. Great car!!!

Hi J.!
Sorry to hear about your accident, glad everyone was ok.

I love my Dodge caravan. I know its not cool to have a mini van, and trust me I fought it. But I am so glad I have one. It comes with 2 build in car seats, which is the best feature. So if I am out with friends, I do not have to drag out 2 car sets, simply push the cars seat up, its custom fit into the seat. I car pool and have to have 3 car seats at all times.
Also the room is amazing. I can get up from my seat and walk to the back if my kisd need me, ex for a vacation. The under seat storage is awesome. I keep blankets, extra clothes, toys, jumper cables, and still have an entire side left. Again, on long trips this comes in handy.

I myself just got in an accident last weekend, I was rear-ended with 4 children in the car. they were all fine, only damage was to the bumper and a little bit on my rear door.

Good luck to you!

Hello J.

Sorry to hear about your accident. Glad that everyone was alright tho.

So I only have to content with two carseats, and drive the Volvo XC90- we recently just went on vacation to Florida for Thanksgiving and rented a Toyota Sienna. I have always been anti-mini-van until I actually drove one. I know want one BAD but am kind of stuck for the time being with the Volvo. It seats 8 very comfortably. Good luck with your search!