3 seats for Hyundai Santa Fe 2004

We are expecting Baby 3 soon. We are looking for a third seat for our family vehicle, Hyundai Santa Fe 2004. At this point, we have FF 3.5-year-old (about 37 lbs) in Diono Radian RXT. RF 1.5-year-old (about 28 lbs) in Clek fllo.

The 3.5-year-old sits behind the passenger, but the plan is to move her FF into the center. (This is something we should have done for her safety all along.) We can install a FF Diono in the center, correct?

We want to leave the 1.5-year-old RF (he's totally happy RF) behind the driver, but we are open to switching him to a Diono and moving him behind the passenger seat, if need be.

What seat and where (behind the driver or passenger) would work best for the newborn? My understanding is that Diono RXT or possibly another Clek fllo are our only two options. One of the concerns I see about the Diono is that it is tricky to get a safe angle for a newborn, especially in a smaller car like Hyundai Santa Fe. Would we be able to fit in another Clek fllo behind the passenger seat? This way, we would have 2 RF Cleks on the sides and a FF Diono in the middle? Any other suggestions (other than immediately purchasing another vehicle)?
Thank you!

Hi. The problem with the Diono and a newborn probably won't be getting the correct angle, it will be the space for it to fit front-to-back. I also haven't found Clek seats to be tremendously compact front-to-back, at least enough in the initial newborn stage.

Even though it seems like you like upper end seats, I'm going to suggest starting the newborn out with the Cosco Scenera NEXT if you want a convertible, which probably gives you the best shot at fitting 3-across. It's a bare-bones seat and sold at Wal-Mart, but it's narrow and small and just about guaranteed to fit. It's also easy to install. And it will buy you some time until the baby is older and can sit more upright and into a Diono or Clek that can then be installed more upright as well.

I haven't installed a FF Diono in the center of a Santa Fe, so I can't confirm it will fit there. Be sure to drop down the adjustable bottom on it to get a better installation.

You could also swap the car seats your kids are in: put the oldest in the Fllo forward facing in the center, and the 1.5 year old rear facing in the Radian. If you get an angle adjuster (about $10) the Radian is much more compact front to back than the Fllo.

Another convertible you might want to look at is the Combi Coccoro. It's super narrow and compact and fits newborns well. I actually prefer the Scenera NEXT in a lot of ways, but the Coccoro is really plush.

Thank you.
We will try both recommended seats in the Hyundai. I will keep the one that fits better, and the other one can go into the husband's vehicle.
It's not like we are particularly into the higher end seats ; it's just that Dionos and Cleks usually show up on the narrow base lists for 3 across.