The Audi Q7 is one of a handful of large, luxury 3-row SUVs sold in the United States. It competes with other large luxury crossovers like the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, Buick Enclave, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and Cadillac Escalade. Drivers interested in large 3-row SUVs on smaller budgets are likely to look into SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, Dodge Durango, or Toyota Sequoia instead. However, if you’re interested in the Audi experience and need 3 row seating, the Q7 is your only option.

Despite the shockingly high repair costs of the Q7, it remains a popular vehicle among a small crowd of parents due to its storage capacities, extensive safety features, and abilities to carry their children everywhere without compromising the luxuries they’re used to. And let’s face it; the Q7 looks more stylish than a Honda Odyssey or Toyota Sienna. But there aren’t many guides online regarding which car seats you’re likely to be able to stuff into a Q7, and there are even fewer guides on things to watch out for in terms of 3 across installations and tips to make the process easier. That’s why I decided to add the Q7 to my extensive 3 across car seat guide project, in which I aim to provide guides to the most popular 100-or so vehicles sold in the US today. Before looking into car seat combinations likely to work in the Q7, however, let’s take a look at some best practices in car seat safety and usage.

First of all, car seat safety starts with rear-facing from the day your child leaves the hospital, and for many years to come, due to the safety advantages it provides over forward-facing. Rear-facing is the way to go even if it takes you through the preschool years (ideally until 4!). Once you can’t fit your child in a rear-facing seat anymore, forward-face him or her in harnessed convertible or combination seats (ideally until 8!). Once your children outgrow their harnessed seats, it’s best to keep them restrained in high-back boosters until they’re physically and psychologically ready to use adult seat belt systems (which typically happens between 10 and 12). The overriding goal is safety, which comes from using certain kinds of seats at certain times.

With that in mind, here’s the list of car seats you’re likely to get to work in 3 across configurations in the Audi Q7. If you’re in a hurry, just by 3 Clek Fllos or 3 Clek Foonfs. They’re narrow enough to fit in any vehicle without struggle 3 across, and they have the highest weight limits on the market. When purchased with infant inserts, you’ll be able to use these seats to rear-face your children from birth until 5, and then you’ll get another year out of them forward-facing before needing to look into booster seats like the Frontier G1.1 or Pinnacle G.1.1 that will work until they no longer need booster seats. If you’d like more details or are on a tighter budget, read on.

The list isn’t complete, but it’s my goal to make it as complete as possible over time. If you find the list helpful when shopping for car seats, you can shop through my Amazon link below. I’ll add more seats as I test them over time.