Question second-row seat

T

tn2006

New member
Hello everyone,

I am considering to buy a 2008 4RN. Have a few questions about the second-row seats.

I have two kids, 4 and 1 years-old and I want to sit them in the second-row seats, the small rear facing will be in the middle. The question is is it big enough to place a rear facing carseat?

The third-row is opt or standard in 4RN?

How about the ride. My wife doesn't want the ride to stiff. We're thinking Highlander but I like the look of 4RN better?

Any input will be appreciated.

Thanks
 
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The ride in the highlander will be more car like than a 4Runner. Who's the primary driver? The only way to find out for sure is a test drive of both back to back.
 
Third row are optional on SR5 and Limited. It is not available on the Sport Edition. The Highlander's third row is probably more usable than the 4Runner's due to the fact the Highland is uni-body and the 4Runner is body on frame.
 
tn2006 said:
The question is is it big enough to place a rear facing carseat?

The third-row is opt or standard in 4RN?

How about the ride. My wife doesn't want the ride to stiff. We're thinking Highlander but I like the look of 4RN better?
Click to expand...

I have a 14 month old. We used Peg Perego Viaggio rear facing until baby out-grew it and then switched to Britax Marathon also rear facing. Britax is HUGE, but still fits. Now we re-positioned the seat forward facing. So the answer to your first question is YES, it IS big enough for a car seat facing either way.

Third row seat is optional. IMO - waste of money. My wife's GX470 has a 3rd row seat, we used it twice in 2 years. Not comfortable nor big enough for adults. You would not want to seat there for a long time. Also, even when in the storage position they take up a lot of space. I usually remove them when we take GX for a long trip with a lot of stuff.

Ride is awesome. My SR5 does not have XREAS and I enjoy driving it. I travel for business and spend a LOT of time in my T4R.

If possible, get the truck with Michelin Cross-Terrain tires. They provide great handling on dry, wet, AND in snow. They will also last. Dunlop Grandtrek AT20s, while lasting about the same as CTs, provide inferior handling.

And don't buy the Highlander - it has SOCCER-MOM written all over it. :biggrin2:
 
tn2006 said:
Hello everyone,

I have two kids, 4 and 1 years-old and I want to sit them in the second-row seats, the small rear facing will be in the middle. The question is is it big enough to place a rear facing carseat?

How about the ride. My wife doesn't want the ride to stiff. We're thinking Highlander but I like the look of 4RN better?

Thanks
Click to expand...

to understand the first question - is the 4 year old in a booster seat or similar. If the 4 year old now sits in the regular seat (no booster or car seat) then the infant seat in the middle is no problem. You can pretty easily have a large adult beside a middle rear facing seat.

If your 4 year old still uses a supplemental seat, and you want the infant seat in the middle, then the answer is probably. My fit worked, but it is tight. I have a britax marathon beside a graco snugride.

If you are cross shopping the highlander, make sure that the 4r is the right vehicle for you. I've heard many people describe the 4R as "too much suv" for their needs.


J
 
The second row should satisfy your requirements quite comfortably. I am very impressed with second row comfort and space in the 4Runner. Leg, shoulder, and headroom are all excellent, and the seat height is very good for a 2nd row.

The optional 3rd row seat is a total waste of money. It, along with the GX470, is probably one of the worst 3rd row executions in the industry. Absolute garbage and a total after thought.

If you want truly usable 3rd row seats in a SUV (not crossover) you need to look at the LR3, Pathfinder, and even Explorer. If a crossover is what you prefer then the new Highlander is a pretty amazing package and has an awesomely spacious interior, and great car-like ride.
 
We have 3 kids and the third row, but only use the 3rd row when carrying extra passengers. We've had multiple combinations of car seats and boosters (with and without backs) with car seats in either direction and it's always fit fine.

What really surprised me was that we were able to fit 3 across in my corolla when the kids had to get carted around in my car for a weekend.
 
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