Does the Prius have center LATCH?

[brightredmtn]

Does anyone know?

TIA

[Jeanum]

While all Prius models ('01 to '08 model years, just to cover all the bases :)) have top tether anchors for all rear seating positions, only the outboard seating positions have lower LATCH anchors. Toyota doesn't currently allow borrowing of the outboard lower anchors to do a center LATCH installation, either.

[crunchierthanthou]

No, Toyota does not allow borrowing outboard anchors for center LATCH.

oh, Jean's faster than I am. She doesn't even have to look this stuff up anymore. :)

[brightredmtn]

Thank you guys! A woman in a mom's group I'm in just said that she has her car seat installed in the center with LATCH and that just didn't seem right to me. I let her know it wasn't.

Thanks again!

[Jeanum]

You're welcome. :)

How are you liking the new LATCH manual, Crunchier? :) You'll have it memorized in no time. ;) The Prius and Toyota specs are kind of emblazoned on my brain because I seriously wanted a Prius for a looongg time, but it lacks the headroom for freaky torsoed DH to fit in one. :(

[merjmo]

bump -
Jeanum: can you tell me where you got the information that center seats cannot use LATCH in the Prius? I find the Owners Manual confusing, the Toyota representative I spoke with on the phone couldn't tell me (she could only read to me from the Manual), and we've had the seat inspected by a CPS Tech.

FWIW, we have a Graco SnugRide installed with LATCH in the center seat. If LATCH isn't allowed, would you recommend a center seatbelt installation or a sideseat LATCH install? THANKS!

[bensmom]

Not Jeanum, but she used a reference book called the LATCH Manual. It's one of the "bibles" for techs. It's published by "Safe Ride News," based on input/responses from contacts at all of the manufacturers. It often is more accurate and specific than the vehicle owners manual.

I would go for center with a seatbelt if you can get a good installation. Otherwise, I wouldn't feel bad about an outboard installation.

[sfeitler]

Not Jeanum, but she used a reference book called the LATCH Manual. It's one of the "bibles" for techs. It's published by "Safe Ride News," based on input/responses from contacts at all of the manufacturers. It often is more accurate and specific than the vehicle owners manual.

I would go for center with a seatbelt if you can get a good installation. Otherwise, I wouldn't feel bad about an outboard installation.

:yeahthat: Also, I think center latch is a sort of "not allowed unless it says so specifically" thing. That is, since the manual does not say you can borrow the side latch anchors for the center, you cannot.

-Sarah

[merjmo]

OH thanks so much ladies! That really helps - but now I'm all annoyed that the CPS Tech didn't tell me that we should have done it with the seatbelt! :)