I think I'm going to test drive a TL after work today, and there's something very important I know before I go:

how wide is the rear seat?

I now have three kids, so I need to fit three car seats. Unfortunately, many car manufacturers list seat dimensions without taking into account any overhangs like arm rests - it can greatly influence exactly how much room you have to shoehorn stuff into.

There should be enough room, as the TL is about 8cm wider on the exterior, but I need to be sure, and I didn't bring my tape measure to work.

Thanks in advance.

 

MDX

I'm not sure of the dimensions but the kid in the middle is gonna have a heckuva time getting out...

 

+1 on MDX - 1st class safety btw.. and an outstanding performer for a SUV.

the TL is spacious but you're not going to fit 3 car seats in it.. you're not going to fit 3 car seats in any car.. you my friends need 3rd row seating.

 

how old are the children? My local acura dealer helped one woman get her 3 car seats into the back of a TL loaner when she brought MDX for servicing, one must have been an infant, the one about 1.5 years old, the other maybe 2-2.5 years old...

 

It just depends on your opinion on inconvenience. You probably be able to fit three car seats, but it will or may be a pain in the ass for you to get them 3 out, nonetheless, if they start to whine you'll have noone in the back seat instead you have to direct them in front side of the car which is a pain in the ass when you have to turn around. Just like others said, MDX would be your best choice. MDX is similar to the TL besides size. MDX is a mix of luxury and performance and has spacious room for any family which is why MDX, to me, is the best car in its class and the same with the TL especially with the price falling with the economy and the 4G that came out.

Good luck!

 

+2 on the MDX. Obviously getting them in, especially the one in the middle will be fun times too!

And like Champ said, tending to them in a TL will be a pain since you will only be able to do that from the front seat and preferrably the passenger front as the driver will be busy.

 

Uh, thanks...but that's not what I asked. I'm not in a market for another SUV. The three car seats fit fine in my CR-V, and as I said, it's smaller than the TL.

The twins are 3 and there's a newborn. This won't be the full-time parenting mobile.

 

You'll be fine... but you should get an MDX

 

If it doesn't have a clutch, it doesn't get bought.

 

It can be done. But, it will be a squeeze. Presumably, the newborn will be rear-facing for a while and their seats tend to be somewhat wide. My guess is the twins will be in boosters within 2 years, so that will change your requirements some.

I just measured and the distance from seat edge to seat edge is 53 inches. But, the way the seats are shaped you have significant changes in elevation so getting the seats to sit in there straight may be difficult, but not impossible.

That said, I have a 10 year old, a 3 year old and a 1 year old, and I've put all three of them back there...the 10 year old, obviously, doesn't use a car seat anymore, but we managed to squeeze him in between the other two.

Best of luck.

 

lol.. man trade in the CRV and get the X.. I love it.. I'm not in the new gen but the mileage is great.. and it's a 3.5.. economy & muscle.

Csmeance said it has been done so go for it. The only thing that stands out to me is the side buttress of the rear seat is raised.. meant more for two adults than three kids.

 

Arm rest to arm rest 52"

 

That's too funny.. I can imagine about a half-dozen AZine members going out to their car in the parking lot to measure the rear seat space.. I tried but when I got outside I remembered that I drove the X and my better half took the TL today..

 

Got up and opened the inside garage door which was about 3 feet away, picked up the tape off the shelf, opened the rear door and took the measurement.
Most exercise I've had today.

 

It should be fine...the infant seat will have to go in the middle, the big kid seats should flank the infant seat fine

 

Thanks. (To you and others) I didn't think to look up the search term 'hip room', it came up for both cars, and the TL beats the CR-V by about a half inch. So it can certainly be done with what I have now. And the twins will be in boosters as soon as they hit two more inches.


...


I understand the call for a more convienent vehicle. But the CR-V (cost us $1000) works great. We can easily get everyone in and out as it is, and when the boosters come into play it should be a bit easier. Perhaps in a few years we'll upgrade, but there's no sense to right now.

The upgrade I need is for the Accord. 2 door, 4 passenger. 12 years old. That's what the TL is replacing. I have a 400 mile-per-week commute, and really will only be using the car to haul everyone around in a couple times a week - mainly when my wife has to go to work on the weekends. Believe me, if my wife hadn't pointed out the need for a 5th seat, I was about to pull the trigger on a G35 Coupe. I'm making a bit of a sacrifice () in going with a saloon.

 

I'm in the same situation. Have 2 kids (3.5 year old, 1 year old) with another on the way in November. We have a Honda Pilot (similar, but not as nice as the MDX) which is the fucking cat's ass for moving kids.

For us the Pilot is the main vehicle and is the only car we use on weekends carting the kids around. I want to buy a TL to get myself to and from work, but may have to occasionally drop the kids off somewhere in it. I'm thinking by the time the 3rd kid comes the oldest will be 4 and able for just a booster. This should be fine, 2 car seats and a booster in the middle?

 

I've found that it really depends on what car seats you have. The very nice seats we had wouldn't fit along with the seat and base for the newborn in the CR-V, but some cheaper seats without very wide bases works with a snug fit (the arm rest hits the arm rest when I close the door). Just keep that in mind, but booster seats tend to be the most narrow.

Also, you probably won't be able to use the LATCH points. The seat belts allow you to position the outer seats a little more outboard and fit that third seat.