The Ultimate Car Seat Challenge: 3-Row SUVs

Car Seat In The Back Seat Of A 3 Row Hyundai
The 3-ROW Hyundai Palisade makes installing car seats easy!

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

Blue Acura Mdx In Front Of Cherry Blossoms

  • 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

White Audi Q7 On Top Floor Of Parking Garage

  • 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

White Bmw X7 In Front Of Amargosa Opera House

  • 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 

Black Cadillac Escalade With Hatch Up

  • 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

Cadillac Xt6 With Kiddos Hanging Out The Sun Room And Back Seat Window

  • 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

White Gmc Suburban In The Woods

  • 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

Pearl White Chevy Traverse In A Parking Lot In Front Of Bushes

  • 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

Blue Ford Explorer In National Forest

  • 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 SU

Honda Pilot

Green Honda Pilot In Front Of Trees

  • 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

White Hyundai Palisade Waterside

  • 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 on ?

Shop for a New SUV Today!

Kia Sorento

Kia Sorento In Front Of Lavender Bushes

  • 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

Kia Telluride In Front Of Trees

  • 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

Orange Land Rover Discovery Under The Cover Of Changing Fall Leaves

  • 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

Lexus Gx460 Driving In The Forest

  • 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

Car Seat Challenge Lexus Lx 570

  • 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

Lexus Rx350L Nestled Among The Palm Trees

  • 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

Lincoln Aviator In Front Of Green Trees

  • 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

Red Lincoln Navigator Sitting Water Front

  • 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

Mazda Cx9 Car Seat Challenge

  • 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

Blue Mercedes-Benz Gls 450 With Oceans And Mountains In The Background

  • 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

Blue Nissan Armada Among Fall Changing Trees

  • 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

Red Nissan Pathfinder On Brick Driveway

  • 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

Black Subaru Ascent Down On The Farm

  • 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

White Toyota 4Runner 3 Row Car Seat Challenge

  • 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

Red Toyota Highlander Sits Outside Of Businesses

  • 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

Grey Toyota Sequoia At Sunset

  • 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

Blue Volkswagen Atlas Among Fall Colored Trees

  • 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

Silver Volvo Xc90 Parked On A City Street

  • 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. 

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Connie Peters
Connie Peters

Connie Peters is a mother of 3 girls in suburban Vancouver, Canada and has been an online entrepreneur since 2008. Entrepreneurship, social media, cars, fashion, and travel are her passions.

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