[marcoKA]

Hi EVeryone,

ORdered a pilot touring even before prices released in the fall - expecting delivery in a few weeks.
the demo models arrived in Ontario this week - first drive was today. (ELITE US model equivalent - touring in canada)

Very sad to learn today - that the 2nd row seats can't slide all the way forward without being folded!
so if two child safety seats are installed you can't access the third row without taking out 2nd row middle seat - massive inconvenience.
SHocking.

Does anyone if its possible? i tried but couldn't find any latches to make it happen. If you press anyone of the easy slide button then it easily folds and slides ALL the way forward. the under latch only lets you slide it forward maybe 4 inches - not all the way to touch the back of the front seats.

the Subaru ascent has huge door opening so when you slide seat forward - easy to access third row without folding leaving car seat in place.
Similar story in the kia telluride SX with the bench seat.

 

[Hogan773]

Hi EVeryone,

ORdered a pilot touring even before prices released in the fall - expecting delivery in a few weeks.
the demo models arrived in Ontario this week - first drive was today. (ELITE US model equivalent - touring in canada)

Very sad to learn today - that the 2nd row seats can't slide all the way forward without being folded!
so if two child safety seats are installed you can't access the third row without taking out 2nd row middle seat - massive inconvenience.
SHocking.

Does anyone if its possible? i tried but couldn't find any latches to make it happen. If you press anyone of the easy slide button then it easily folds and slides ALL the way forward. the under latch only lets you slide it forward maybe 4 inches - not all the way to touch the back of the front seats.

the Subaru ascent has huge door opening so when you slide seat forward - easy to access third row without folding leaving car seat in place.
Similar story in the kia telluride SX with the bench seat.

Probably true

If lots of access to the 3rd row is needed and you also need to have 2 car seats in the 2nd row then you may need to remove the middle seat and leave it in the garage (or carry it around in the storage in the trunk). Or look at other brands. My sense is that the tracks for the 2nd row seats aren't super long on this car, so it slides forward some, and then needs the folding to open up the room for someone's butt to pass by getting in the back

 

[andiethelab]

if that is a huge requirement, this is not the correct vehicle for you right now. there are plenty of other models that have this feature

 

[idubbz]

yeh that is why ppl like captains chairs. or leave a booster in 3rd row and leave one main second row seat open . I have two kids in boosters but not deals breaker for me. my dealer still didn't call me about test drive or demo and I also pre ordered before pricing released. are you in Ontario?

honestly don't need new vehicle at moment so will prolly wait for grand Highlander pricing (pre ordered that but seems shady that one dealer suggested I won't get car until 2025 considering I put deposit before reveal lol)

 

[no1cub17]

Hi EVeryone,

ORdered a pilot touring even before prices released in the fall - expecting delivery in a few weeks.
the demo models arrived in Ontario this week - first drive was today. (ELITE US model equivalent - touring in canada)

Very sad to learn today - that the 2nd row seats can't slide all the way forward without being folded!
so if two child safety seats are installed you can't access the third row without taking out 2nd row middle seat - massive inconvenience.
SHocking.

Does anyone if its possible? i tried but couldn't find any latches to make it happen. If you press anyone of the easy slide button then it easily folds and slides ALL the way forward. the under latch only lets you slide it forward maybe 4 inches - not all the way to touch the back of the front seats.

the Subaru ascent has huge door opening so when you slide seat forward - easy to access third row without folding leaving car seat in place.
Similar story in the kia telluride SX with the bench seat.

Just want to clarify - Telluride SX comes with captains chairs, no bench option right? Unless Canada is different...

Great observation though. We have kid #2 due in a few months so am also pondering the two carseat issue. Does seem like a massive PITA if would have to remove one carseat to allow 3rd row access. I think the Pilot just has one too many flaws for me to drop 50K on at the moment.

 

[marcoKA]

hi Yes canada different. the telluride SX has bench in canada, and is quite loaded ( doenst have HUD, digitial rear view mirror or heated 2nd row seats) but has ventilated front seats, 360 cam etc.
I Agree no club1. - in canada the touring we orderd is 72000 CAD! all in - a massive amount of money. we like the bench set up for many reasons with 2 kids, and to have remove the middle seat to access the 3rd row is a no go - as my wife cant do that easily on her own in a few min - what is the trunk is full?

With 2 kids we have settled now on the subaru outback! its 20k cheaper in canada, and has a better AWD system than the telluride ,lower gas usage, better insurance.
UNless we are accessing the third row on a weekly basis, we aren't doing it at the moment. We may consider the new grand highlander in a few years or the redesigned toyota 4runner - if it has a small 3rd row for short trips around town!

 

[BC504]

You could do one car seat in the 2nd row drivers side and one in the 3rd row passenger side to mitigate the access issue and keep your center seat in place. Granted ours are 4yrs and 4mos so the 4yo jumps to the back and we just reach back with the 2nd row seat folded to check he's strapped in.

 

[yellowbalt]

yeh that is why ppl like captains chairs. or leave a booster in 3rd row and leave one main second row seat open . I have two kids in boosters but not deals breaker for me. my dealer still didn't call me about test drive or demo and I also pre ordered before pricing released. are you in Ontario?

honestly don't need new vehicle at moment so will prolly wait for grand Highlander pricing (pre ordered that but seems shady that one dealer suggested I won't get car until 2025 considering I put deposit before reveal lol)

I pre-ordered end of January black touring. ETA is end of March to April 1st week. Yesterday while walking, i saw one , black, being driven just outside my dealership with dealer license plate.

 

[no1cub17]

hi Yes canada different. the telluride SX has bench in canada, and is quite loaded ( doenst have HUD, digitial rear view mirror or heated 2nd row seats) but has ventilated front seats, 360 cam etc.
I Agree no club1. - in canada the touring we orderd is 72000 CAD! all in - a massive amount of money. we like the bench set up for many reasons with 2 kids, and to have remove the middle seat to access the 3rd row is a no go - as my wife cant do that easily on her own in a few min - what is the trunk is full?

With 2 kids we have settled now on the subaru outback! its 20k cheaper in canada, and has a better AWD system than the telluride ,lower gas usage, better insurance.
UNless we are accessing the third row on a weekly basis, we aren't doing it at the moment. We may consider the new grand highlander in a few years or the redesigned toyota 4runner - if it has a small 3rd row for short trips around town!

Interesting - did you look at the Ascent also? I'm also not sure how often we'll need a 3rd row, but we've never had a 3 row SUV so may as well get one now and regret it later I guess lol

 

[Ruturaj]

I assume the middle seat is not wide enough to fit a child seat and still be able to slide adjacent seat? Someone should make crossover with as much hip room as minivans.

 

[marcoKA]

Interesting - did you look at the Ascent also? I'm also not sure how often we'll need a 3rd row, but we've never had a 3 row SUV so may as well get one now and regret it later I guess lol

WE did - the ascent is proably what we would have gotten. its not the prettiest but at 60k all in for the LIMITED TRIM its quite nice. the AWD system destryoes the telluride ( on demand system only)> its a bit smaller than the telluride. but the access to 3rd row is easier because ethe 2nd row door opening is HUGE - without folding the seats - just sliding forward.

IN the end - we went with 2 row - outback .
one advantage for me personally of the 3 row was - with the longer trunk space with 3rd row folded, we could fit our skis diagnolly acorss the floor, as my skis are less than 64 inches in length. haha

 

[marcoKA]

I assume the middle seat is not wide enough to fit a child seat and still be able to slide adjacent seat? Someone should make crossover with as much hip room as minivans.

this is likely possible in the pilot - we have the diono slim setas, and if u push them a bit u could do it think. in the end at the price of hte pilot and the enormous insurance premium - didnt go for it.