Cars that dont work well with 3 kids

Rm2000hg

New member
I remember reading on here that there are a few cars that don't allow three car seats because the buckles overlap. Can anyone remind me which car or cars has this problem?

Also, do most/all new sedans have tethers on all three back seats?

Thanks!
 
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Dillipop

Well-known member
The rav4 has overlapping belt. I think some newer fords are coming off the production line with overlapping belts, too.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Newer Corollas, I think, have a significant overlap. Possibly some of the Prius models?

The Nissan Sentra is just too tiny to fit three without extraordinary measures.
 

aeormsby

New member
Regarding the tethers, I think vehicles are required to have 2 full sets of latch and at least one additional tether (as long as there are at least 3 seats in the back). So all sedans should have 3 tethers.
 

Rm2000hg

New member
Thanks! I'm not necessarily in the market for a new car but I was in an accident & now two months and over $7000 later, my car is still being fixed. I may impulsively decide I don't trust my car anymore and need a new one & need to restrict myself to 3 car seat friendly vehicles.
 

jwilliams

New member
Something I found super helpful was The Car Seat Lady's graphic of cars with the "most ideal" back seat. Meaning, you get three usable seating positions, with a middle seat that isn't so picky about what can go on it and no overlapping belts.

ForumRunner_20150109_134339.png
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Regarding the tethers, I think vehicles are required to have 2 full sets of latch and at least one additional tether (as long as there are at least 3 seats in the back). So all sedans should have 3 tethers.

Yes. Except exempt convertibles, and vehicles so heavy they are exempt, all current vehicles will.
 

DawgDad

New member
Yeah, some have overlapping belt problems, others have very stiff stocks that are too close together, some are too narrow in the middle seat making it impossible to install a seat in the middle... Then, the ones that pass usually have caveats on the puzzle of what seats work and ones that don't.
 

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