3 Across in 2008 Mazda Tribute (Ford Escape)

Marn13 · Apr 8, 2011

Ok, so here is the deal. Dh and I are expecting our first in November and have found a 2008 Mazda Tribute (basically the Ford Escape) that we are thinking of buying. We will be wanting to do 3 across occasionally when we have our 2 DSDs 7 (riding in Graco HBB) and 4 (in Frontier XT (85)). I'm trying to figure out what infant seat will work best if any. I'm open to going straight to a Radian, figure that might be whats best for middle seat?
DH and I are both tall, he is just over 6ft and I am 5'10 so the seats will have to be pretty far back...
We do live in Canada so the CC and other seats are out, I posted here because this side seems to get more traffic.
TIA!!!

ketchupqueen · Apr 11, 2011

Bumping for you; have you checked the 3-across thread?

cookie123 · Apr 11, 2011

If the 08 is the same as the 05, I find the Radian unusable behind the driver. It works okay in the middle but protrudes between the front seats. A short person can sit in the passenger seat with the Radian behind it. It does not install ff well in my car - leather seats. They always have more than an inch of movement front to back at the belt path.

I've used the Chicco Keyfit in a 3 across with a Marathon and a Graco Cargo. With boosters, I've used the Turboboosters outboard and the Radian in the middle. It's difficult getting the kids into the TBs. They have to sit down, then you have to pull them over and get the belt buckled, then slide them back over and get the belt tight. It isn't fun. I've hurt my back a couple of times.

Things I don't like about the Tribute - the back is kind of noisy, also there's a lot of wind noise - I have to turn my book on CD way up. I'm sure people think I'm deaf!