good vehicle for 3-4 carseats?

atomik_momma · Dec 10, 2007

so right now we're a one vehicle family. an '02 impala with a regent and a ff decathlon. however, we have another one due in '08 so that will add a chico key fit 30 and it wouldn't surprise me at ALL if we had another in '10 or '11. i had no idea that minivans didn't have latch and tethers on all of their seats. i just assumed they would since they are family vehicles and families use carseats. we won't be buying a new vehicle for the family (dh will be getting a cheap commuter car) till early '09, so i have some time to really look around. can anyone recommend me a vehicle that's going to handle four carseats and possibly NOT suck gas like it's free?

Defrost · Dec 10, 2007

The Kia Sedona has 4 LATCH positions; two in the center row and two in the rear. Plenty of room for a stroller in the cargo area, too. Gas mileage is decent for a minivan, and it has great safety ratings.

The Mazda 5 only seats 6; there are two seats in the center row with LATCH and two seats in the rear row with top tether anchors(no LATCH). It gets considerably better gas mileage (24/28) than a minivan, but the rear-row shoulder belts are considerably forward of the seats and make for a poor fit with booster seats. Carseats install fairly well back there, though, and hopefully they'll fix those stupid seat belts by the time you're shopping. It hasn't been crash-tested in the U.S. yet, but it's expected to do very well based on how it performed in European tests. There is little-to-no cargo room in the back, however - room for an umbrella stroller and not much else!

Those are the two I'm familiar with. Happy hunting!

CDNTech · Dec 10, 2007

Both the Odyssey and the Sienna will have a minimum of 4 top tethers for child seats.

If you are looking for an older vehicle... check out this thread for vehicles with more than 4 top tethers...http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=30239&highlight=most+latch+positions