[M40i4me]

So my wife wanted to wait for the third row to be available for our grandson so we could all go on trips in one car. My question is will a child seat placed in the middle of the back seat allow an adult to sit on either side of it comfortably? If this works than we would not wait for the third seat option and keep the storage space for the family trips.

[russelldav]

Originally Posted by 3284me

So my wife wanted to wait for the third row to be available for our grandson so we could all go on trips in one car. My question is will a child seat placed in the middle of the back seat allow an adult to sit on either side of it comfortably? If this works than we would not wait for the third seat option and keep the storage space for the family trips.

I have two car seats in mine (second row) and there is plenty of space for an adult in between. I imagine with just one seat there would still be enough room for two adults back there.

[nocturnal]

Originally Posted by 3284me

So my wife wanted to wait for the third row to be available for our grandson so we could all go on trips in one car. My question is will a child seat placed in the middle of the back seat allow an adult to sit on either side of it comfortably? If this works than we would not wait for the third seat option and keep the storage space for the family trips.

There are no isofix anchors in the middle of the 2nd row, only the 2 doorside seats. Would you just use the middle seat belts?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by nocturnal

There are no isofix anchors in the middle of the 2nd row, only the 2 doorside seats. Would you just use the middle seat belts?

The manual says to use the seatbelt and not any of the outer anchors.

[ppagiga]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

The manual says to use the seatbelt and not any of the outer anchors.

Never in any car should use the anchors for the outboard seats for a seat in the middle. The manual is correct and you are also for following those instructions. You can also tether it by the way.

To your question, a slim car seat will allow for two comfortably situated passengers on the sides

[M40i4me]

Originally Posted by nocturnal

There are no isofix anchors in the middle of the 2nd row, only the 2 doorside seats. Would you just use the middle seat belts?

Yes

[Stinkyxy]

Originally Posted by russelldav

I have two car seats in mine (second row) and there is plenty of space for an adult in between. I imagine with just one seat there would still be enough room for two adults back there.

I would say you struggle with the middle seat with 2 car seats, 1 at each door. But if the kids are small then having them in the third row is not really a good option. I think around the age of 5 you are good to keep them back in the third row.

Having said that, there are no iso anchors in the third row and the depth of the seat is shallow in comparison to the second row. At any rate, the safety tests show that seatbelts perform better than anchors and there is a 60lbs limit on anchors, which includes the weight of the seat.

As a side note, I believe the X3 has the same shoulder width as the X5 in the second row.

So I found the third row more useful when the kids were in boosters rather than car seats.