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Can't access the third row when car seat is installed in second row...really?!

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24K views 21 replies 16 participants last post by  plannertc  
#1 · (Edited)
Hello everyone. I just bought a 2016 Pilot EX on Monday. I traded our 2011 GMC Acadia, which had bucket seats in the second row. So, kids could still easily access the third row by walking through the middle of the second row.

The Pilot has a bench in the second row and I have 2 car seats installed on each side. From what I can see, the second row seats will not slide and tip since the car seats are installed. I didn't really think of this issue when we bought the car.

We car pool our kids and their friends to school and how the heck are the kids supposed to access the third row now? From what I can see, the only way is to open the back hatch and have a kid climb into the vehicle from the rear hatch. This seems ridiculous.

Is anyone else in a similar situation? Any other suggestions?
 
#3 ·
No, not really. The car seats are both on the nicer end of car seats and are each pretty wide. Plus, I don't want to have them in that configuration even if they did fit. I'm a little bummed with the pilot right now over this. Seems like a major design flaw to me. My fault for not checking this when I bought it.
 
#4 ·
I'm going to guess that it will be easier to find two smaller child seats for the carpooling days than to replace the Pilot. You can still use the larger seats when it's just your family in the car. What about putting the child seats in the third row when you're on carpool duty?
 
#12 ·
We climb over the 3rd row when needed (not often). For one kid in the 3rd row only fold one side up and then the kid can crawl up on the flattened side and “slide” over into the seat in the upright position.

There’s not a chance I’d buy new car seats (I like them too much) and I don’t want the kids next to each other in the 2nd row.
 
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#14 ·
One of the main reasons I went for the elite (and the pilot actually) - The easy access to the 3rd row with 2 car seats installed. Now in my case I have one forward facing car seat (smaller) and 1 rear facing (large). Even with the elite I can only sneak through the side with the smaller seat. I have this side set at a position where it is has enough space in front to allow me access into the car without having to slide the seat back, and still privides enough space so I can sit comfortably once I get to the 3rd row. But it is a life saver, and the 7 seat arrangement makes for a good open feeling when you are relegated to the 3rd row. Once the kids go to boosters, your problem should vanish. Till then smaller car seats are the only solution.
 
#15 ·
Saw someone said it already, The diono seats are very slim and go 3 across in most vehicles. They are top of the line car seats that can last from very young to when they are done needing them. We were looking at the Elite for the bucket seats but have decided we can keep the bench seat and do the same thing we have been doing. We have 2 kids together and one in the back 3rd row.

The highlander has the option of getting bucket seats in the second row along with the gm comparable suvs.
 
#19 ·
It's nice that on the Atlas you can fold the 2nd row seats and access the 3rd row with the car seats installed. I too have had this issue and my workaround is to have one car seat installed in the 2nd row passenger side, and the other installed in the 3rd row passenger side. This way, you can get into the 3rd row from the driver's side, using the push-button.
 
#22 ·
We have just purchased the Graco Slimfit carseat; and I will let you know how it works out. We have one grandchild (still rear facing) on the 2nd row, with another one on the way. The older grandchild has a booster and likes riding in the 3rd row. We are hoping the two rear facing ones will fit on the larger side of the 2nd row, still allowing normal access to 3rd row. This will also allow us to ride more adults without having to move the kids' seats all the time.