The Ultimate Car Seat Challenge: 3-Row SUVs
Can I fit a car seat in there? How about three?
If you’re in the market for a 3-row SUV and have little ones, the car seat thing may be on your mind. For families with littles, safety, comfort and convenience are top priority when it comes to car seats. You may not know where to begin your research (or even have time for it!) but not to worry, we’ve done the digging for you. We put car seats to the test in these 3-Row SUVs at all price points, and this is what we discovered. Hopefully you can decide which the best car for you will be when it comes to adding a car seat (or a few).
Related: Which Luxury 2 Row SUVs Are Best For Child Car Seats? We Put Them to the Ultimate Car Seat Challenge
So Which 3 Row SUVs Passed the Test?
We bought 6 of the most popular car seats from Target (two infant carriers with bases, two toddler seats, and two high-back booster seats) and installed them into a variety of popular 3-row SUVs.
What We Tested
- The number of LATCH systems – the anchor and tether
- The ease of installing the seats
- When installing a rear-facing child car seat impacts front-seat passenger space
- The ability to install three across a middle row and still get the doors closed
- We also noted:
- Lower anchor locations – these are U shaped metal loops built into the seat bight (space where the seat and seat back meet) for attaching the car seat anchor clip which can be used INSTEAD of the vehicle’s seat belt
- Tether locations – tethers are a metal hook built into the seat back or shoulder for attaching the car seat tether strap; these are used IN ADDITION to the anchor or seat belt and help to prevent whiplash or snapback in the event of a crash
Tip: Take a car seat with you when taking a test drive; try installing it and placing your child in the seat if possible.
Which is Best: LATCH Systems or Seatbelts?
All child passenger car seats can be installed using a vehicle’s seatbelt; LATCH systems can be used instead for easier installation and a tighter fit. They should not be used in addition to a seatbelt –use one or the other but not both. LATCH systems are also only to be used when the weight of the child PLUS the weight of the car seat is less than 65 lbs. combined; otherwise, a seatbelt must be used. Last, keep in mind that a tight squeeze in the middle seat may compromise a child’s ability to buckle his or her own seatbelt when using a booster seat. When installing child car seats, make sure seatbelt buckles are accessible to passengers who need them.
Related: Which 2 Row SUVs Are Best For Child Car Seats? The Ultimate Car Seat Challenge
How the Most Popular 3-Row SUVs Stacked Up
We installed car seats or evaluated car seat accessibility in the most popular 3-row SUVs. We also included our full review so you can get there whole story. Here is what we found:
Acura MDX
- Second row all three seats have LATCH system
- Rear-facing infant seat fits in the middle eat
- Legroom in the second row is good
- Minimal third-row legroom with 2 tethers but no LATCH anchors
Related: The Performance Family 3-Row SUV; 2019 Acura MDX A-Spec
Audi Q7
- Three carseats will fit across the center row
- All rear seats have LATCH anchor and tethers
- Center row captains chairs make 3rd row more accessible
- LATCH anchors are covered by an upholstered bolster in the second row
Related: The Biggest Surprise in the Audi Q7 3-Row Luxury SUV? How Much You Get for the Price
BMW X7
- Four seats with LATCH anchors and tethers- two in the second row and two in the third row
- Third row legroom may make installing car seats a challenge
- Third row is more accessible with captains chairs in the second row
- Three car seats can fit in the second row; the middle seat requires a seat belt for installation
Related: BMW X7: The New Go-to For Red Carpets, 5-star Valets and the After-School Pick-up Lane
Cadillac Escalade
- Captain Seats in the second row
- LATCH and tethers are easily accessible
- Legroom is no concern
- Car seats can be installed in the third row with tethers
Related: The All New 2021 Cadillac Escalade: The Tech in This Classic-Looking Caddy Will Wow You
Cadillac XT6
- LATCH in second-row outboard seats only
- Two tethers in third row
- Center seats are on a rail so you can adjust forward or back, space between the second and third-row gives you a lot of room to install seats in the 3rd row if needed
- A tab on the seat shoulder of the center row seats slides and tilts them forward, they can slide forward with a car seat installed via LATCH system; if the car has a center row bench, only curbside seat tilts and slides so passengers are not getting out of the car and into traffic
- Second-row seats can move closer to the front give more legroom for a third-row passengers
- 3 seats fit across the center row easily
Related: Yes, it’s a Cadillac. Meet the sporty, family-friendly Cadillac XT6
Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon
- The Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL, which while different cars have the same framework, both have space for four car seats (two full LATCH systems in the center and two tethers in the third row)
- With nearly 10″ more legroom in the third row than the standard Yukon or Tahoe there is ample space to install car seats and help kids buckle in
- Tahoe or Yukon both have two LATCH systems in the second row and twos tethers in the third row but space to install car seats is limited
Related: Used: Why I Chose to Buy the 2017 GMC Yukon XL Denali
Chevrolet Traverse
- LATCH systems in the two second row outboard seats; he two third row seats have tethers
- Captains chairs in the center make reaching the third row easier
- Limited legroom in the third row make installing car seats a challenge
Related: 2019 Chevrolet Traverse: The SUV for When Carpooling Kids is your Life
Ford Explorer
- The third row has LATCH anchors and the space is best for a booster seat; accessing the third row to install a seat or buckle up a kid is tight.
- Two seats fit comfortably in the second row. It was tight with the third seat
- Plenty of legroom for maneuvering to install the seats
- LATCHes are easily accessible
Related: 2020 Ford Explorer: With Hot New Features and a New Look, This is Not Your Daddy’s 7 Seater SUV
Honda Pilot
- Second-row seats can move the forward (at the push of a button!) to get into the third row
- Two LATCH in the second row and tethers in the third row
- Captains chairs without a center console make reaching the third row easy; if a center console is added, sliding the seats forward is the only way to reach the third row
- Third row leg room is good but not huge, making car seats tough to install
Related: 2019 Honda Pilot: This Full Size SUV is the Perfect Minivan Alternative — and Rocks Off-Road Trails
Hyundai Palisade
- Three LATCH systems in the center row; two tethers in the third row
- Three car seats can fit across the second row bench, but seats need to be moved to access the third row
- Center seats will not tilt with a car seat in the second row
- With captains chairs in the second row 4 car seats will fit
Related: Kia Telluride vs. Hyundai Palisade: These Brand NEW 3-row SUVs Are Hot
Kia Sorento
- Two LATCH systems (second row) and two seat tethers (third row)
- No ability to get into the third row if two car seats are in the second row outboard seats
- Overall less legroom with only room for two car seats total overall
Related: 2019 KIA Sorento SXL AWD: 3 Row SUV That Does It All
Kia Telluride
- Three LATCH systems in the center row; two tethers in the third row
- Three car seats can fit across the second row bench, but seats need to be moved to access the third row
- Center seats will not tilt with a car seat in the second row
- With captains chairs in the second row 4 car seats will fit
Related: 2020 Kia Telluride SX 3-Row SUV: Bespoke Details at an Off-the-Rack Price
Land Rover Discovery
- Four LATCH anchors and tethers
- Third row legroom may make installing car seats a challenge
- Three car seats across in the second row if you use a seatbelt in the middle seat
Related: Land Rover Discovery HSE Luxury Diesel SUV Review: It’s All You Want and More
Lexus GX460
- Two easily accessible LATCHes in the second row
- One tether in the third row
- Tethers are on the back of seats
- Third row legroom is tight and installing car seats can be a challenge
- Second row legroom is plentiful for installing car seats
Related: Lexus GX 460 4WD Review: The Mama Bear of Luxury SUVs
Lexus LX570
- Three car seats can fit across the center row
- Center row seats have LATCH systems in outboard seats only
- Velcro straps cover anchors when not in use
- There’s plenty of room for installing seats in the second row
- The third row seats do not have tether or latch
Related: Just a Little More Fancy: The Lexus LX570 Got a Makeover
Lexus RX350L
- Center row best for two car seats
- Two LATCH systems the center row
- Captain seats allow car seats in the third row
- The third row has tethers but car seats will block the third row control panel that allows passengers to control music
- Third row legroom is very limited
Related: Talk about Style! The Newly Updated Lexus RX350 Luxury SUV Is All That and More
Lincoln Aviator
- Second-row captains chairs make accessing the third row easier
- Four total LATCH systems two in the center and two in the third row
- There is room to maneuver between captains chairs in between the front seat and rear seat to install car seats
- Center row seats slide and tilt for 3rd-row access; they can slide and tilt with a LATCH attached car seat but access area is small
Related: 2020 Lincoln Aviator Review: The Innovative, Thoughtful Luxury 3-Row SUV That Considers How You Live
Lincoln Navigator
- Great for three or four car seats
- Center row slide and tilt seats work with a child car seat installed in either of the center outboard as long is it’s latched with the LATCH system (it won’t work if the seatbelt is used)
- Center row seats are on a rail so seats can be adjusted forward so you can reach children from the front seat
- Access to the third row: slide center row seats forward, space is huge
Related: 2018 Lincoln Navigator Luxury SUV Review: The 3 Row SUV That You’ll Never Want to Leave
Mazda CX-9
- The third row has one car seat LATCH system
- The second row allows for two seats with LATCH system.
- Infant seat not recommended for the second row center seat because it limits how far you can move the front seats back.
- LATCHes are easily accessible
- Third row legroom is limited making accessing car seats a challenge
Related: 019 Mazda CX-9 Review: A 7 Seater SUV Filled with Luxury at a Value Price
Mercedes-Benz GLS
- Two seats with LATCH anchors and tethers in the second row
- Captains chairs in the second row make third row seats easier to reach
- Third row offers two seats with tethers
- The third row has limited leg room making car seat installation a challenge
Related: Mercedes-Benz GLS 450: The Definition of Family Luxury
Nissan Armada
- The platinum model we tested has a middle seat center console option making only captain seats accessible for car seats
- The third row only has one LATCH anchor and even though it’s roomy, with the center console in the center row it was cumbersome to access
- LATCHes are easily accessible
- Legroom is plentiful in the second row
Related: 2017 Nissan Armada: Muscular, Military-Chic in a Luxury SUV
Nissan Pathfinder
- Second row seats can tilt and slide forward with car seats installed to give enough space to crawl into the third row
- Three seats can be installed in the second row
- Only two total LATCH systems
- No LATCH and only one top tether in the third row
- Third row legroom is limited making installing car seats difficult
Related: Get a Taste of Luxury in a 7-Passenger SUV: 2018 Nissan Pathfinder Review
Subaru Ascent
- The third row legroom makes installing car seats a challenge
- A rear-facing seat installed in the center seat blocks the seat from moving back
- LATCH easily accessible on two center row outboard seats
Related: Safety and Adventure in a 3 Row SUV: The 2019 Subaru Ascent Review
Toyota 4Runner Limited
- LATCH system includes lower anchors on outboard second-row seats and tether anchors on all second-row seats
- The third row was easily accessible with center seats folded down
- Three child seats fit easily in the second row
- Two car seats can be installed in the third row with the tether
- Third-row legroom is limited
- LATCH anchors are easily accessible
- Plenty of legroom in the second row
Related: Why the Toyota 4Runner is Great for Every Roadtrip You’re Planning This Year
Toyota Highlander
- Twos LATCH systems and five total tethers
- Seats do not tilt with car seats installed but will slide forward to allow for access to the third row
- Second-row bench seat allows for three across – one with seat belt, two with LATCH
- Third row is more easily accessible if captains chairs are selected for the second row
Related: 2020 Toyota Highlander 3-Row SUV: It Starts with 35 Amazing Hybrid Miles Per Gallon and Then, Gets Better
Toyota Sequoia
- The third row has one middle tether but no LATCH anchor
- The second row has LATCH systems on all seats
- Legroom in the third row is limited
- LATCHes are easy to access
- The model we tested had captain seats in the second row, making car seats easy to install and access
Related: The Perfect Family Car: Toyota Sequoia
Volkswagen Atlas
- Two seats with LATCH in the second row
- Third row (2 seats) has tether
- Three seats will fit across the center row
- Model tested had second-row captains chairs, which are easiest for reaching the third row
- Seat tilts forward to allow for someone to crawl into the third row EVEN WITH car seats in the second row!
Related: 2019 Volkswagen Atlas V6 SEL Premium: A 3 Row Family SUV for the Rockstar Mom
Volvo XC90
- Although the outer second-row seats flip and slide forwards and have LATCH, providing good access for children, the center one doesn’t move, making it difficult to get a child seat into the third row.
- Captains chairs (an option) in the center row don’t have arm rests making them both easier to install car seats and the third row easier to reach
- Three car seats across in the second row work if you use a seatbelt in the middle seat
Related: The 2020 Volvo XC90 Luxury 3 Row SUV Just Got More Elegant
Disclaimer: We are not certified car seat technicians. We are parents, caretakers and car reviewers. We looked at each SUV and how the manufacturer accommodated the car seat installation puzzle. We looked at the space we had to work with, the placement of a LATCH system and the ease of getting the seats in and out of each model. Also, we did not remove headrests, which owners may need to do to ensure that a forward-facing car seat or a booster seat fits against snuggly against the seatback.
Have a thought or comment? Share it with us on social media! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. And be sure to sign up for our email newsletter!
Categorized:Car Reviews SUVs
Read This Next
