Question Rental car, front seat recline w/car seat behind?

Unregistered · Jun 22, 2012

Hello, we are planning a long road trip to see family with our two year and two month olds. We have a 2003 CRV, but the passenger seat can not recline with the infant seat behind it. Or even go back all the way, which is tough when primary driver takes a break in that seat or either needs to sleep.

What we are looking for are suggestions on rental car experiences (or ownership that applies) for vehicles that are safest, less expensive than a full size SUV or minivan to rent and with better mileage, and allow the passenger seat to recline (at least partially!) with a Britax in back.

And as an extra bonus, if anyone has the rear legroom dimension at hand that would make that happen, that would be very helpful!

QuassEE · Jun 22, 2012

I always rent the Ford Escape. You can install just about anything in it with distance to spare, and I've never had difficulty installing any seat in one. You likely won't be traveling with an infant seat base, either, which tends to take up more front-back space.

Keep in mind that it's actually dangerous to recline vehicle seats while driving. Seatbelts don't function properly due to poor placement and increased distance between the occupant and belt. Vehicle manufacturers never intended recline modes to be used while in motion, and some manuals actually specify this. Obviously it may be okay to recline a click or two for comfort and correct spacing from the dash/airbag, but much beyond that could have harmful consequences in a crash.

Edmunds (www.edmunds.com) publishes interior dimensions on vehicles.

-N.

Question Rental car, front seat recline w/car seat behind?

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