3 Child Seats Across Vehicles

But First Snide's Remarks: Hey Ladies, I know you vowed back in high-school to never be “that girl” who drove a mini-van no matter what, but listen to old Uncle Milton and have enough self-confidence to break your SUV shackles and enjoy the many benefits and practicalities of a minivan, the No Excuses Vehicle!
Come'on Mom it's time to put aside your misguided vanity and get over the childish memories of the derogatory high school yearbook and admit that minivans are good for you; like flats instead of heels, sports bra's or no bra's instead of pushups, yoga pants instead of tights that show every bump on your ass, washing machines, dishwashers, microwaves and robot vacuums...tools that make your life easier and less crazy (if that is possible)...it's time to be a big girl, trade-in that "can't even see over the steering wheel" SUV and start living with a minivan, a no excuses vehicle that the whole family will enjoy. Inside is what matters for a minivan. It has to change, often quickly, between passenger and cargo duty, has to have easy access for everything and everyone, and has to be comfortable enough to prevent family discord on long trips.

Here at The Auto Channel we believe that your vehicle is an appliance (that may also offer a bonus of emotional benefits)that most of all must provide for your practical driving needs and only a minivan will meet those needs. If you have a large family or drive carpool or enjoy family road trips or need to move some furniture or make monthly trips to Costco or like antiquing or flea-marketing or need take your kid to college, or or or...choose a minivan...

CUV's and SUV's are not a minivan substitute but a come-in-second choice as the family hauler...when you REALLY need your family car to have the space and flexibility, no SUV can compete with the assets a minivan provides.

Be Careful Out There - Make Good Decisions You Have Precious Cargo On Board
Milton Snide, Guardian of truth and family way. msnide@theautochannel.com

CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023 -- Car-shopping marketplace Cars.com™ found more than 40% of parents purchased a new vehicle as a result of welcoming a third child to the family.¹ Cars.com released its 2023 Car Seat Fit Report Card to help current and expecting parents navigate the challenges of buying a vehicle that easily and safely accommodates car seats for their growing family. This in-depth resource identifies vehicles that best fit car seats for infants, toddlers and young children.

"As a mom of three — which includes twins — I absolutely understand the need for the right vehicle that can easily fit multiple car seats and the whole family for years to come," said Jennifer Geiger, Cars.com news editor and certified child passenger safety technician. "Cars.com has tested over 700 vehicles for car seat fitment to help inform parents about the best family-friendly vehicle options available to them on the market today."

Making the Grade

Out of the 56 model-year 2022-24 vehicles evaluated in Cars.com's 2023 Car Seat Fit Report Card, only six vehicles earned straight A's — all of which are SUVs. The complete list of vehicles tested can be found at Cars.com/News/Car-Seat-Check. This year's valedictorians include:

New Cars That Will Fit 3 Child Seats In Middle Row

2023 Acura RDX
2022 and 2023 Audi E-Tron
2023 Chevrolet Equinox
2023 Kia EV6
2023 Volkswagen ID.4
2023 Volkswagen Tiguan

Used Vehicles That Will Fit 3 Child Seats In Middle Row

As we come across more cars, trucks, vans and SUVs that fit three child-safety seats, we’ll add to this list. For now, here are the cars from our Car Seat Checks that can fit three car seats in the second row:

Minivans

2022 Honda Odyssey

2011 Honda Odyssey

Sedans

Coupes

SUVs

Trucks

Vans

2015 Ram ProMaster City Wagon
Reign of the SUV

SUVs dominated this year's Car Seat Fit Report Card. The Cars.com Editorial team found the top-performing SUVs allowed for simple and quick car seat installation and were spacious enough to provide ample legroom for the rest of the family. Further, data show the most popular vehicle choice for current parents is an SUV, with over half of respondents saying they own one.²

Trying Before Buying

Car seat installation is a notable pain point for parents, with 60% reporting they have incorrectly installed a car seat and about half admitting it took more than a week to notice their error — and some did not notice until more than six months later.² This is why parents are vetting their new car purchase more than ever before. Prior to purchasing a vehicle, nearly half of parents brought their car seat to the dealership to test it in-vehicle — a 15% increase from 2022 data, showing parents likely want to make an informed choice on how their car seat fits and determine if the vehicle is large enough for their growing family.²

Methodology

The Cars.com Car Seat Fit Report Card compiles 12 months (July to July) worth of comprehensive Car Seat Checks conducted by Cars.com's team of experts. Each Car Seat Check is performed by a Cars.com certified child passenger safety technician who installs three types of car seats — infant, convertible and high-back booster — into each new vehicle and evaluates the vehicle's Latch system, as well as how the vehicle accommodates the different car seats. Cars.com tests vehicles as they are made available by automakers.

"In order for a vehicle to earn an 'A' rating, the vehicle must have sufficient room for the child and car seat, but not impact legroom for the driver or front passenger. The vehicle's car seat Latch system also must be conveniently accessible and easy to use," adds Geiger.

To learn more about how Cars.com performs its Car Seat Checks, or to see how well a car seat will fit in your family vehicle or a vehicle you are considering purchasing, visit www.cars.com/news/car-seat-check.

¹ Cars.com consumer survey; July 25-26, 2023; 139 responses ² Cars.com consumer survey; July 10-12, 2023; 1,046 responses

ABOUT CARS.COM

CARS is the leading automotive marketplace platform that provides a robust set of digital solutions that connect car shoppers with sellers. Launched in 1998 with the flagship marketplace Cars.com and headquartered in Chicago, the Company empowers shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers. In a rapidly changing market, CARS enables dealerships and OEMs with innovative technical solutions and data-driven intelligence to better reach and influence ready-to-buy shoppers, increase inventory turn and gain market share.

In addition to Cars.com™, the Company's brands include Dealer Inspire®, a technology provider building solutions to future-proof dealerships with more efficient operations and connected digital experiences; FUEL™, an advertising solution providing dealers and OEMs the benefit of leveraging targeted digital video marketing to Cars.com's audience of in-market car shoppers; DealerRater®, a leading car dealer review and reputation management technology solution; CreditIQ™, digital financing technology and Accu-Trade™, vehicle valuation and appraisal technology. The Company's portfolio of brands also includes Auto.com™, PickupTrucks.com™ and NewCars.com®.

The full suite of CARS properties includes Cars.com™, Dealer Inspire®, FUEL™, DealerRater®, CreditIQ™, Accu-Trade.com™, Auto.com™, PickupTrucks.com™ and NewCars.com®. For more information, visit www.Cars.com.

SOURCE Cars.com Inc.