Is 3rd row worth it?
- Thread starter runnaz
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Jaker
New member
If you don't have small kids, it really isn't worth it. You lose vertical cargo room. See this post for pics of both upright and folded down seats.
WhiskeyCop
New member
Jaker
New member
Add that thread title to the list of reasons why I sometimes hate internet forums. Worthless thread titles like that are terrible for the purpose of searching down the road.
WhiskeyCop
New member
Awynt
New member
Unless you plan on shuttling soccer teams around all the time, I'd say no, they aren't worth it.
A lot of factors will play into it: How many kids do you have? How often do you find yourself "shuffling" people around to other vehicles ("We have to take 2 cars"). How often do you find yourself packing a lot of stuff (traveling, camping, etc).
Personally, I prefer the cargo space, and I love my cargo deck. I can fit 4 adults and the car seat in mine with no 3rd row, and I've never wished I had another row. All in what you need! Hope that helps.
A lot of factors will play into it: How many kids do you have? How often do you find yourself "shuffling" people around to other vehicles ("We have to take 2 cars"). How often do you find yourself packing a lot of stuff (traveling, camping, etc).
Personally, I prefer the cargo space, and I love my cargo deck. I can fit 4 adults and the car seat in mine with no 3rd row, and I've never wished I had another row. All in what you need! Hope that helps.
kingpin748
New member
3rd row is great to have as an option. I had to bring a couple of extra people back from the park the other day so the kids went into the 3rd row and everything from the cargo area went onto my Baja rack. It's basically useless for adults though.
I wouldn't necessarily say that. I wouldn't make my 70 year old mother climb back there, but I made it 1.5 hours on the highway (by myself) without any undue stress, just to see what it was like. For the record, I'm 6' and 200#. In essence, short trips are doable for able-bodied persons (climbing in and out of there is the biggest issue), but I wouldn't want to be stuck back there for a real long time, especially with someone else.
3rd row leaves future options
I gut my 4Runner in Jan 2011. I had a hard time getting what I wanted with a 3rd row, but I was stubborn and finally got one. Third child was born in November 2011. I am REALLY glad I got the 3rd row. Think about your needs now and during the lifetime of the vehicle.
Glenn
I gut my 4Runner in Jan 2011. I had a hard time getting what I wanted with a 3rd row, but I was stubborn and finally got one. Third child was born in November 2011. I am REALLY glad I got the 3rd row. Think about your needs now and during the lifetime of the vehicle.
Glenn
Works for me
I have two girls aged 3 and 6. They love riding in the back and I usually set them up there on the weekends. Party mode is ON and Kids Place Live tuned in on Sirius when they ride back there.
It is useful if you have two kids but from time to time need to pick up a friend or cousin, or need to put another adult in the 2nd row.
It is worth it. The down side is the elevated cargo floor when the seats are folded down, and next to no cargo room when both are deployed. But you can use one at a time, and keep half of your cargo space free.
I have two girls aged 3 and 6. They love riding in the back and I usually set them up there on the weekends. Party mode is ON and Kids Place Live tuned in on Sirius when they ride back there.
It is useful if you have two kids but from time to time need to pick up a friend or cousin, or need to put another adult in the 2nd row.
It is worth it. The down side is the elevated cargo floor when the seats are folded down, and next to no cargo room when both are deployed. But you can use one at a time, and keep half of your cargo space free.
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I have 2 young kids (3 and 6), so the flexibility a third row offers does offset the loss in cargo space. And I have a large roof box, and a popup camper for our outdoor excursions, which helps. But just recently, we had friends come in from out of town. I was working the day they went sightseeing, but they fit my wife, her friend, her 21 year old daughter, 2 teenage sons, an 8 year old, and my 2 kids in the 'Runner. I don't know how they set it up, but it worked. It also is great when my parents come out to visit, and we have to move the kids to the 3rd row, and not worry about a 2nd car bopping around in our travels. As a previous poster astutely stated, it's all about your needs. But if you have kids, or expect some down the line, the 3rd row is where its at.
DigableKid
New member
It's been worth it to me...
And even more so now that I'm on kid #2. My brother-in-laws are about 5' 8" and always ride with us - they say they surprisingly sit comfortable back there.
Put it this way... it's better to have it than to not.
And even more so now that I'm on kid #2. My brother-in-laws are about 5' 8" and always ride with us - they say they surprisingly sit comfortable back there.
Put it this way... it's better to have it than to not.
