Tag Archives: 3across

3 Across Installations: Which Car Seats Will Fit a Chevrolet Equinox?

The “Chevy” Chevrolet Equinox is one of the best-selling mid-sized SUVs in the United States, competing with SUVs like the Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot, Dodge Journey, Ford Edge, Honda CR-V, and Subaru Forester. With 5 seats, a choice between a 4-liter and 6-liter engine, and an impressive array of safety scores, it’s frequently chosen by parents interested in safe transportation and hatchback utility. But how does it do when it comes to fitting car seats in 3 across installations? I borrowed a few this weekend to try try my hand installing 3 car seats in a Chevy Equinox.

Before we talk about what what works, it’s a good idea to review some principles of best practices for car seat use. I recommend keeping children in rear-facing infant or convertible seats as long as possible (ideally until 4!), then keeping them harnessed in forward-facing seats for several years more (ideally until 8!), and then only switching them out of booster seats when they pass the 5 step test (which typically happens between 10 and 12). These suggestions help keep children as safely restrained as possible until they’re physically and emotionally ready to sit without car seats.

After several hours of testing with all of the car seats I had on hand, I have what I believe to be the most detailed 3 across guide for the Chevy Equinox on the Internet, covering every model year of the SUV so far. 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.

You can access the complete 3 across guide for every vehicle here and the complete list of recommended seats here. The Canadian car seat guide is here. 3 across car seat images are courtesy of Wikipedia.

equinox-2010-publicdomain2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Chevrolet Equinox

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Graco Size4Me 65 (x3).

Britax Frontier G1.1 / 90, Graco Snugride 30, Graco Size4Me 65 / Contender.

Graco Contender (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Diono Radian / RXT (x3).

Chicco KeyFit 30, Diono Radian / RXT, Chicco KeyFit 30.

Tips and Tricks:

This generation of the Chevrolet Equinox is 188 inches long and 72 inches wide, which means you’ll have a comparable amount of space for 3 across installations as what you’d find in the average mid-sized SUV or car. As usual, to maximize the available amount of space for your installations, you’ll want to make use of seat belts instead of the LATCH anchors.

The way the seat hinge is oriented in the back seat, you might have trouble installing multiple Radians rear-facing. I was able to do it, but some folks have had trouble with it. The center Radian can definitely be installed rear-facing, but you might need to install the outboard seats in forward-facing configurations.

In the Frontier / Snugride / Size4Me installation, I had the outboard seats forward-facing and all three seats were seat belted, of course. It’s possible that I’d have been able to get all three rear-facing, but I didn’t have time to try that setup. The Snugride was particularly difficult to click in each time.

equinox - older - publicdomain2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Chevrolet Equinox

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Graco Size4Me 65 (x3).

Graco Contender (x3).

Diono Radian / RXT (x3).

Graco Contender / Size4Me 65, Graco My Ride 65, Graco Contender / Size4Me 65.

Diono Radian / RXT, Chicco KeyFit 30, Diono Radian / RXT.

Harmony Defender, Graco Contender / Size4Me 65, Graco Contender / Size4Me 65.

Tips and Tricks:

This initial generation of the Chevrolet Equinox is 189 inches long and 71 inches wide, which means you’ll have slightly less left-to-right space for 3 across installations than what you’d find in the average mid-sized SUV or car. That said, you can still fit a number of seats into it, especially with seat belt installations across all seats.

If you’re installing multiple Graco convertibles next to each other, you might need to alternate RF / FF to ensure that the cup holders don’t bump into each other.

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If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

3 Across Installations: Which Car Seats Will Fit a Ford Fusion?

The Ford Fusion (known as the Ford Mondeo overseas) is one of the best-selling mid-sized cars in the United States, competing with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Malibu, and Volkwagen Passat among families interested in affordable midsized sedans with modern styling. I borrowed multiple generations of it in order to see how it does when it comes to fitting 3 car seats across in a Ford Fusion. The good news is that the basic combinations worked, as well as a few I had not expected to have success with.

When it comes to using car seats, I’m a big believer in extended rear-facing (ideally until 4!), extended harnessing while forward-facing (ideally until 8!), and booster use until the 5 step test for seat belt use is passed (which typically happens between 10 and 12). There’s no need to jump stages, and the longer our kids stay at each stage, in general, the safer they are.

With best practices in mind, it’s helpful to know which car seats in particular ill help you practice them. Several bruised knuckles and heavy car seats later, I’ve got what I believe to be the most thorough 3 across car seat compatibility list for the Ford Fusion on the Internet. 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.

You can access the complete 3 across guide for every vehicle here and the complete list of recommended seats here. The Canadian car seat guide is here. 3 across car seat images are courtesy of Wikipedia.

fusion-2013-publicdomain 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Ford Fusion

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Chicco KeyFit 30 (x3).

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Graco Contender (x3).

Graco Size4Me 65 (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Britax Frontier 90, Diono Radian / RXT, Graco Connext.

Graco TurboBooster, Diono Rainier, Britax B-Safe 35.

Graco TurboBooster, Diono Rainier, Britax B-Safe.

Tips and Tricks:

This generation of the Ford Fusion is 192 inches long and 73 inches wide, which means you’re going to have a relatively straightforward time in 3 across installations in the Fusion, especially when compared to other midsized cars it competes with like the Camry and Accord. Remember that seat belt installations will give you more room for wider seats and easier installations than what you’ll get from LATCH installations.

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If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

3 Across Installations: Which Car Seats Will Fit In a Ford Flex?

The Ford Flex is Ford’s retro-SUV-minivan-alternative that’s designed to compete with vehicles like the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona, and Dodge Grand Caravan for hauling entire families without skipping a beat, as well as with other 7-seater SUVs like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. It has a unique, boxy look that adds a touch of style while retaining a lot of practical, family-friendly touches on the inside. I borrowed one this past weekend in order to see how it does when it comes to fitting 3 car seats across in a Ford Flex. The results were encouraging!

However, before looking at the seat combinations, let’s review best practice principles when it comes to car seat safety. For me, that means rear-facing children as long as possible (ideally until 4!), and then forward-facing our kiddos as long as feasible (ideally until 8!), and then placing them in booster seats until they’re capable of using a regular seat belt (which typically happens between 10 and 12). I believe these are the best guidelines for child safety, as they keep our children restrained in the most protective orientations as long as possible with current car seat technology.

That said, if you’re going to use best practices, it helps to know which seats will and won’t work in your Ford Flex, which is why I put this guide together. I dug out all of my favorite car seats, heated up the garage, and after several hours of note-taking have what I believe is the most complete list of 3 across combinations possible in the Ford Flex.  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.

You can access the complete 3 across guide for every vehicle here and the complete list of recommended seats here. The Canadian car seat guide is here. 3 across car seat images are courtesy of Wikipedia.

flex-2013-publicdomain2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 Ford Flex

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Graco Contender (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Diono Radian / RXT (x3).

Britax Boulevard ClickTight, Diono Radian / RXT, Graco TurboBooster.

Britax Boulevard G4.1, Diono Radian / RXT, Graco TurboBooster.

Britax Boulevard G4, Diono Radian / RXT, Graco TurboBooster.

Britax Marathon ClickTight, Diono Radian / RXT, Graco TurboBooster.

Britax Marathon G4.1, Diono Radian / RXT, Graco TurboBooster.

Britax Marathon G4, Diono Radian / RXT, Graco TurboBooster.

Evenflo Nurture, Graco Nautilus, Cosco Scenera.

Evenflo Triumph, Graco Nautilus, Cosco Scenera.

Tips and Tricks:

This initial generation of the Ford Flex is 202 inches long and 80 inches wide, which means you’re going to have a rather easy time installing most seats you can think of in 3 across installations, and that you also won’t have much to worry about when it comes to space for front-to-back installations.  This, of course, only applies to the 2nd row bench seat in a 7-passenger Flex, as there are only 2 seats in the 3rd row.

The 3rd row also has one set of LATCH anchors along with a top tether anchor, which means you won’t want to install more than one forward-facing seat in the 3rd row if you can help it, since it’s always a good idea to tether while forward-facing.

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If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

3 Across Installations: Which Car Seats Will Fit In a Mazda 3?

The Mazda 3 (known in Japan as the Mazda Axela) is one of the fastest-growing small cars in the United States today, providing a stylish counterpart to more established models like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, and Toyota Prius, while competing directly with newer models like the Chevy Cruze, Hyundai Elantra, and Kia Forte. Its distinctive looks and marketing toward young professionals have made it a popular choice among small families interested in safe transportation without sacrificing style. I borrowed a few models this past weekend to see which car seats fit well in a Mazda 3, and in particular, to look at which car seats fit well in 3 across combinations in the Mazda 3.

However, before looking at the seat combinations, let’s review best practice principles when it comes to car seat safety. For me, that means rear-facing children as long as possible (ideally until 4!), and then forward-facing our kiddos as long as feasible (ideally until 8!), and then placing them in booster seats until they’re capable of using a regular seat belt (which typically happens between 10 and 12). These guidelines are meant to keep our little ones as safe as possible by restraining them appropriately as long as feasible.

That said, if you’re going to use best practices, it helps to know which seats will and won’t work in the Mazda 3, which is why I put this guide together. I got out a lot of car seats and after several hours and bruised knuckles, have what I believe is the most complete list of 3 across combinations possible in the Mazda 3.  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.

You can access the complete 3 across guide for every vehicle here and the complete list of recommended seats here. The Canadian car seat guide is here. 3 across car seat images are courtesy of Wikipedia.

mazda 3 - axela - publicdomain2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Mazda 3 (BM)

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Chicco KeyFit 30 (x3).

Clek Oobr (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Advocate ClickTight, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Advocate G4.1, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Advocate G4, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Boulevard ClickTight, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Boulevard G4.1, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Boulevard G4, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Marathon ClickTight, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Marathon G4.1, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Marathon G4, Britax Frontier 90.

Tips and Tricks:

This generation of the Mazda 3 is 180 inches long and 71 inches wide, which means you’ll gain an inch in width over the previous generation, although you also lose an inch in length. You’ll still definitely need seat belt installations to have a chance of getting the Britax seats to puzzle well together, but it’s possible to do so with enough time and effort.

As with most small cars, you’ll also face a challenge in front-to-back space due to the short length of the 3. You’ll want to check out the front-to-back convertible leg room guide if you’ve got taller drivers or front-seat passengers.

10mazda32010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Mazda 3 (BL)

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Combi Cocorro (x3).

Diono Radian / RXT (x3).

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Advocate ClickTight, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Advocate G4.1, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Advocate G4, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Boulevard ClickTight, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Boulevard G4.1, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Boulevard G4, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Marathon ClickTight, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Marathon G4.1, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Marathon G4, Britax Frontier 90.

Tips and Tricks:

This generation of the Mazda 3 is 181 inches long and 69 inches wide, which means that any seats that work in the prior generation can be expected to work in this generation as well, and that you’ll have a bit more front-to-back room too, which is always enjoyable if you’re sitting in the front seats. You’ll want to check out the front-to-back convertible leg room guide if you’ve got taller drivers or front-seat passengers.

08mazda32004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Mazda 3 (BK)

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Combi Cocorro (x3).

Diono Radian / RXT (x3).

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Advocate ClickTight, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Advocate G4.1, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Advocate G4, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Boulevard ClickTight, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Boulevard G4.1, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Boulevard G4, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Marathon ClickTight, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Marathon G4.1, Britax Frontier 90.

Britax Frontier 90, Britax Marathon G4, Britax Frontier 90.

Tips and Tricks:

This initial generation of the Mazda 3 is 178 inches long and 69 inches wide, which makes it more challenging than the average car when it comes to puzzling a successful 3 across installation. However, with a bit of creativity, luck, and seat belt installations, you can still make several seats work.

In the Frontier-Advocate / Boulevard-Frontier installations, the outboard seats will likely tilt slightly inward once the installations are complete, due to how the outboard seats in the 3 are organized. However, it’s still a safe installation since the seats are independently tight and do not overlap each other.

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If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

3 Across Installations: Which Car Seats Fit a Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander (known as the Kluger overseas) is easily one of the most popular mid-sized SUVs available in the United States and Canada, competing with SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Edge, Dodge Journey, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Flex, Chevy Tahoe, Toyota 4Runner, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Volvo XC90. It’s a reliable SUV and one of the few mid-sized SUVs with an available 3rd row option. I borrowed Highlanders from all 3 generations as well as a Highlander Hybrid from some friends over the last week and set to work to find out which car seats I could install in 3 across configurations in the Toyota Highlander.

Before going into the details, however, let’s review some best practices in terms of car seat safety. For me, that means rear-facing children as long as possible (ideally until 4!), and then forward-facing our kiddos as long as feasible (ideally until at least 6!), and then placing them in booster seats until they’re capable of using a regular seat belt (which typically happens between 10 and 12). These guidelines are meant to keep our little ones as safe as possible by restraining them appropriately as long as feasible.

With that out of the way, I wrote this guide so you’d know which car seats would work well in your Highlander, regardless of whether you were interested in using infant seats, convertibles, combination seats, or boosters. The list isn’t complete yet and I’ll keep on adding to it, but I think it’s off to a good start for now. I definitely think it’s the most complete guide to 3 across installations for the Toyota Highlander on the Internet. If you find it helpful when shopping for car seats for your Highlander, you can show your support by shopping through my Amazon links below. I’ll add more seats as I test them with newer and older Highlanders.

You can access the complete 3 across guide for every vehicle here and the complete list of recommended seats here. The Canadian car seat guide is here. 3 across car seat images are courtesy of Wikipedia.

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Toyota Highlander (XU50)

highlander - 2014 - publicdomain

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Clek Oobr (x3).

Peg Perego Flex 120 (x3).

Maxi-Cosi RodiFix (x3).

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Chicco KeyFit 30 (x3).

Britax B-Safe 35 Elite (x3).

Britax B-Safe 35 (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Graco Snugride 30, Diono Radian / RXT,  Recaro Performance Sport (2nd row).

Clek Foonf, Combi Coccoro, Diono Radian / RXT.

Clek Fllo, Combi Coccoro, Diono Radian / RXT.

Tips and Tricks:

This generation of the Toyota Highlander is 191 inches long and 76 inches wide, which means it is the most friendly Highlander for 3 across installations yet in terms of width. You’ll be able to install most seats without issue as long as you use seat belt installations. The 2nd row is significantly easier to achieve 3 across installations than the 3rd row, which is narrower than the 2nd row, so try the 2nd row if at all possible instead of the 3rd for better luck.

Unfortunately, there is only one top tether anchor in the 3rd row, located behind the center seat. There really should be more for forward-seating safety; hopefully this change occurs in the 2016 Highlander. There aren’t any LATCH anchors in the 3rd row either; you’ll want to look toward the Honda Odyssey or Pilot if you’re interested in more spots.

These 3 across installation setups apply equally to the Toyota Highlander and Toyota Highlander Hybrid, or HiHy, as it’s known in a number of online forums.

Something else to keep in mind is that Toyota prohibits a passenger’s sitting in the 2nd or 3rd row center seat if a car seat is installed in the passenger outboard position. The same restriction also applies to using booster seats in the 2nd or 3rd row center seat; you can’t do it, per Toyota, if you have an adjacent seat on the passenger side. This is to prevent a potential issue of the passenger seat blocking the center seat belt and preventing it from retracting.

2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Toyota Highlander (XU40)

highlander-2008-publicdomain

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

 

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Chicco KeyFit 30 (x3).

Britax B-Safe 35 Elite (x3).

Britax B-Safe 35 (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Recaro Performance Sport, Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Frontier 90.

Recaro Performance Sport, Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Pioneer 70.

Britax Marathon ClickTight / Marathon G4.1 / Marathon G4,  Diono Radian / RXT, Graco Snugride 30.

Tips and Tricks:

This generation of the Toyota Highlander is 188 inches long and 75 inches wide. The width would suggest most 3 across installations would be a straightforward affair, but that’s unfortunately not the case, as the center seat in the 2nd row is ridiculously narrow. You’ll really want a narrow seat in the center position if you want a 3 across installation.

Something else to keep in mind if you’re thinking of using the 3rd row is that there aren’t any top tether anchors there, which is a no-no considering how you should always use a top tether when forward-facing.

2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Toyota Highlander (XU20)

highlander-2001-publicdomain

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Clek Oobr (x3).

Peg Perego Flex 120 (x3).

Maxi-Cosi RodiFix (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Graco Nautilus, Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Marathon ClickTight / Marathon G4.1 / Marathon G4.

Graco Nautilus, Chicco KeyFit 30 (baseless), Graco My Ride 65.

Chicco KeyFit 30, Graco Nautilus, Diono Radian / RXT.

Britax Frontier 90, Diono Radian / RXT, Graco Nautilus.

Chicco KeyFit 30, Diono Radian / RXT, Evenflo Triumph.

Tips and Tricks:

This initial generation of the Toyota Highlander is 184 inches long and 72 inches wide, which is significantly smaller than the current generation. That said, it’s quite versatile when it comes to 3 across installations. You’ll want to use your seat belt with each seat instead of LATCH to maximize your available space in the 2nd row.

If you find my information on best practices in car and car seat safety helpful, you can do your shopping through this Amazon link. Canadians can  shop here for Canadian purchases. Have a question or want to discuss best practices? Join us in the forums!