Car similar to a 2008 Rav4

[niccig]

We rented a Rav4 on holidays and we liked the size of it and how much cargo room it had. But I didn't like the seatbelt situation in the back. The seatbelt for the center position came out half-way into the driver outboard position. It seemed like you could have passengers in center and passenger outboard or passenger and driver outboard, but not 3 across. There was room for 3 passengers, I got family members to sit there to test it, but it seemed only 2 seatbelts would work at a time.

So any other suggestions that would carry about the same as the 2008 Rav4 but would allow for 3 secured passengers in the back?

Nicci

[Defrost]

Gypsy's dh rented a Chevy HHR (similar to the Rav4, right?) and we noticed the same issue with the back seats. Installing seats was a pain, but we did get 3-across the back - a TB, a Radian, and a Decathalong, all FF.

But yeah, the passenger-side rear seat had more space than the drivers. It was weird and annoying.

[DaniCPST]

The Honda CRV is similar in size.

[Defrost]

Oh, yeah, the CRV and the Vue! Those are the two we used while on vacation. The Vue is NICE for carseats. Three separate sets of LATCH! Overall seemed like a very nice vehicle, too. I also have a co-worker who is very pleased with his Vue.

I don't know as much about the CRV; dh rode in it more than I did. I just asked him and he said it was fine, he didn't notice any issues. Keeping in mind that we just had backless boosters in there, no carseats, though we did have 3 people riding back there at times.

[niccig]

I'll look into those cars.

The seat belt set up of the Rav4 seemed crazy to me. Our 13 yo cousin and I hoped in the back seat, the center seatbelt came out from behind me (driver outboard) and my seatbelt buckled half into his position. So we were both sitting on each other's seatbelt. I want the car to fit DS in carseat and 2 passengers, and the Rav4 won't do it to my liking. It must be safe, otherwise it wouldn't pass testing for 3 people in the back - but I didn't like it.

Nicci

[etoilech]

We rented a 2008 Rav4 we had a Marathon and a Roundabout in it and it was nearly impossible for me to sit in the middle and get the safety belt on. I am pretty small (5'2" and about 105lbs.). I am not sure you'd really be able to get three across in the Rav4.

[TXAggieTech]

My mom has a ford escape and I think it is pretty close in size. She has 5 people in hers quite often, or at least 4 and a car seat. People seem to have a hard time buckling their seat belts in it but DH and I don't. I think it is just her friends.....

[Niea]

The new CR-Vs also have 3 sets of LATCH in the back. I haven't had a need for 3 across but in theory it should be possible.

[niccig]

The new CR-Vs also have 3 sets of LATCH in the back. I haven't had a need for 3 across but in theory it should be possible.


I'm liking the sound of the CR-V even more. It's definitely on my list for a test drive.

[brightredmtn]

The new CR-Vs also have 3 sets of LATCH in the back. I haven't had a need for 3 across but in theory it should be possible.

One LATCH set uses one from the passenger side so you couldn't do three car seats across with LATCH.

[Niea]

One LATCH set uses one from the passenger side so you couldn't do three car seats across with LATCH.

Doh! You're absolutely right. So two LATCH installs and one with the seatbelt. At least there are 3 top tether anchors, though!

[mklanger]

We have a vue and love it! It has 3 sets of latch in the back, so you could have 3 car seats...might be a tight squeeze, but you could if you had too. :twocents: