Question Trying to pick car for three car seats - CX9, MDX, pilot

U

Unregistered

Guest
I am considering buying a new 2011 Mazda CX9. Right now, we have two car seats, a FF Boulevard for our almost three year old and a Chaperone for our five-month old. We are foster/adoptive parents, and we were just told to expect a new baby in Aug/Sept from our children's biological mother. So, that means we will be in need of three car seats in the new car.

Here are some questions I would love to have answers to: 1. On the CX9, I know there are no official tether points for the third row, but there are two hidden bolt holes that are part of the steel/metal frame for the back liftgate. You lift a little piece of plastic to get to them. I only noticed them because they are in the exact same location/layout as the Acura MDX rear seat tethers. Are these potentially approved tethers in Europe or somewhere else as I have read? Or could they be used as thether attachments since they would fit the clip and are part of the metal body of the car? They are not flimsy like the tie-down clips, and are right behind where the seats would be, so angle wouldn't be a problem. The manual does not mention them and says there's no tether in the back.

2. If not, has anyone had a CX9 retro-fitted for tethers in the back? I wonder if there is a part that could be bolted into these holes to serve as a tether anchor.

3. The other cars we were considering were the Acura MDX and the Pilot, but we like the Mazda better all around and prefer to go with it if we can make it work. With that said, anyone have experience with a FF convertible, RF convertible and an infant seat all in any of these three cars? Would they all fit potentially on the second row of any of these? The MDX has three LATCH sets on row 2, but not sure if it's wide enough to fit 3 across. Could use the back row in it, though, for FF convertible.

Just seeking info, particularly on using something other than an "official" tether spot as long as it is lined up/angle ok and it is very strong. Thanks!!
 
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EmmaCPST

CPST Instructor
I'm not sure about retrofitting or the strange hooks you're referring to, but a good friend of mine has an 08 CX9 and the 3rd row is SHALLOW. I've sat back there myself, and it's ok, but there's not much leg room at all. It also takes up most of the cargo space too... it's really not very usable IMO, and it wouldn't be my first choice for a vehicle if you're going to really use the 3rd row for more than the occasional extra person in the car. I've also tried to fit numerous RF seats back there and haven't been successful with any of them, there's just not enough front to back space.

The CX9 2nd row is pretty roomy though, the seats you have are pretty huge but a Radian installs very easily - I bet you could put the 5 month old in a RF Radian, put the new baby in your Chaperone and be able to fit everyone in the 2nd row.
 

Kaitsmom

New member
I rented a 2012 CX-9 and the manual said no ffing car seats could be installed in the third row. Just a heads up on that. I didnt love it, it was okay but we had leather seats and it was HARD getting my Marathon installed, took me 3 tries and a couple of hours.
 
U

Unregistered

Guest
I am curious as to what you all did here. We are in the same boat with a FF Radian in the third row, and I'd really like to tether.

Thanks.
 

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