Which SUVs or minivans have second-row seating designed such that someone can easily access the third row without having to remove either of two car seats in the second row (i.e. captain’s chairs or chairs that slide without affecting car-seat installation)?
The majority of minivans, larger SUVs and crossover SUVs have the option of captain’s chairs, which are great for getting straight to the third row. Below are some examples:
Crossovers
Minivans
Full-Size SUVs
There is an alternative on a few select models if you don’t want dedicated captain’s chairs or a full-size SUV: The Honda Odyssey minivan and Toyota Highlander crossover SUV have unique second rows with a removable center section. The center section on each can act as a seat, but also folds away when not needed. With the center section removed or folded down, there’s a path to the third row. With the seat up or the section replaced, there’s room for one more passenger. This feature is standard on entry-level Highlander models but only available on the higher trim EX and EX-L Odysseys.
Our friends at Mother Proof have tested the 2008 Toyota Highlander; in her review, Colette Fischer had this to say: “Listen up, Mamas: The second row comes with an extremely groovy feature. It can be converted from a three-seat row into two captain’s chairs, with the removable middle seat storing neatly into the rear of the center console.”
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Tony, the Sienna is probably about even with many other minivans. That bench seat is a 3-passenger split bench. It flips and folds to ease access, but other minivans can do that to (though that doesn't automatically mean it's easy to get to the 3rd row.
And in GM's Lambda SUVs (Enclave, Outlook, Acadia, Traverse), they have a low, flat floor for the 2nd and 3rd rows passenger areas. They are pretty close to a minivan in that regard.
From the list they gave, the Kia Sedona (and Hyundai Entourage) both have mediocre 3-row access. The space between the second row captains chairs is on the narrow side, and even when flipped-and-folded the space is fairly narrow.
For the most part, though, the list is accurate. Also note that in the Sienna and Odyssey, the passenger's side 2nd row captain's chair can be taken out and placed closer to the driver's side 2nd row seat, making a sort-of bench seat and easier to get to the third row on that side.
We have a 2006 Honda Pilot and our kids (age 14 and 11) have a relatively easy time getting into the third row seat! This 3rd row is also fairly room for legs.
I have a Mazda MPV which they no longer make new, and the 2nd row has two captain chairs like most others. The difference here is that the captain chair behind the passenger seat can slide toward the middle making it right next to the other captain seat with no space between leaving the extra walkway right next to the door and making easy access to the back row for older children. We don't have to do anything with the seat for the kids to get in the 3rd row when it's in the "middle" position. On long trips we put it back next to the door and leave the isle in the middle so I can walk to the back when necessary. The MPV is not a full length van though, so now that we are having our 4th we are looking at the Honda Odyssey which has 8 seats and when the smaller 8th seat is out of the 2nd row you can do the same thing with the captain chair behind the passenger seat, sliding it over for room at the door or leaving it apart with room between them down the middle. Those are the only two that we have found that have this feature but feel it is a must with all the carpooling we do. I hate to have 3 kids go past a toddler and down the middle and then again for later carpool 3 different kids, it's just a pain and get's it a lot more messy in the van.
I have a Mazda MPV which they no longer make new, and the 2nd row has two captain chairs like most others. The difference here is that the captain chair behind the passenger seat can slide toward the middle making it right next to the other captain seat with no space between leaving the extra walkway right next to the door and making easy access to the back row for older children. We don't have to do anything with the seat for the kids to get in the 3rd row when it's in the "middle" position. On long trips we put it back next to the door and leave the isle in the middle so I can walk to the back when necessary. The MPV is not a full length van though, so now that we are having our 4th we are looking at the Honda Odyssey which has 8 seats and when the smaller 8th seat is out of the 2nd row you can do the same thing with the captain chair behind the passenger seat, sliding it over for room at the door or leaving it apart with room between them down the middle. Those are the only two that we have found that have this feature but feel it is a must with all the carpooling we do. I hate to have 3 kids go past a toddler and down the middle and then again for later carpool 3 different kids, it's just a pain and get's it a lot more messy in the van.
This left out a very important but overlooked little fellow - the Mazda 5. From the outside it looks like a smallish crossover, but fits 6 surprisingly well and has the 2nd row captain's chairs. Kind of a micro-minivan, certainly worth looking at :)
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The real answer here that no SUV or Minivan has super easy access to the third row. At least nothing like getting into the second row.
The best option of getting to the third row is probably in Toyota Sienna with optional second row bench. Other then this, minivans a easier to get into third row then SUV's because space between floor and roof is taller in Minivans and sliding doors help as well. In any SUV you basically croll into the third seat.