Third Row Downside?

[Threev8s]

I have never seen a 5th gen with the third row in person. From looking at pictures, it is clear that the cargo floor is higher. Otherwise, I am not aware of any other differences. I have searched this forum extensively, but cannot find answers to the questions below. I would like to see a third row in person, but have not had the chance, and was hoping for feedback from the good people of this forum. I will be buying a Limited within the next few months, if not this month, and want to be ready to pull the trigger if I come across the one we want. Our plan has been to get one without the third row and get a three row vehicle down the road if needed (most likely a Sequoia). But, I want to make sure that I am making the right decision in sticking with the standard two rows, as I have a two-year-old and another one on the way.

Some questions:
Does the addition of the third row decrease legroom, etc. in the second row?

Can you access the third row with child seats in the second row? In the ‘14s, does the second row seat need to fold in order to use the sliding feature?

Are there any other downsides that I should be aware of?

Thank you,

Brian

 

[corcoran]

I used to have a 2012 SR5 with 3rd row seat, i don't want it but it came with it because I want the option if navi. With a 2 years old and one on the way (congrats) I think you will need more cargo room, for the stroller and bb's stuff. With the 3rd row seat folded it make the floor much higher and it cuts down a lot of cargo space. With my my family we never use the 3rd row seats (I have 15 and 14 years old). This is just my experience, hope it will help.

 

[DannyLlama]

I can't speak to the loss of cargo as I haven't seen them side by side.

I have an LE with 3rd row, I wanted it that away and it also only came that way with Navi, in fact I haven't seen too many LE's + Navi and no third row.

Anyway, you can put a child seat in the second row and get to the third row. If you place the child seat to the side and not in the middle. The second row seats split 50/50 so you can leave half up and half down.

I like having it, in the event that I need it. Which I have used a total of 3 times I think. You will lose a ton of space when you use the third row. I think you end up with something like 4-6 inches of width space in the back if you put up both third row seats. Good thing is you can only put one up and not the other, if that helps your cause.

You mentioned something about a sliding tray with third row seats. Its one or the other, never both. It's not even physically possible because the configuration inside is different between the 2. So much so that if you buy the wrong weather tech mat (or any rear mat) it wont fit properly.

Lastly, I think the biggest loss with a third row seat is losing out on the hidden cargo tray ... Which is something I just found out about thanks to [MENTION=85512]eddiebx[/MENTION] :sniper:

"Secret" compartment behind the 2nd row seats (don't ask me how I didn't know about it for almost half a year of ownership, lol)



Naturally, I must fill ever unused nook and cranny so I gathered this:


And fit it all in like a true packaging engineer would:

 

[MikeDUBS]

I have never seen a 5th gen with the third row in person. From looking at pictures, it is clear that the cargo floor is higher. Otherwise, I am not aware of any other differences. I have searched this forum extensively, but cannot find answers to the questions below. I would like to see a third row in person, but have not had the chance, and was hoping for feedback from the good people of this forum. I will be buying a Limited within the next few months, if not this month, and want to be ready to pull the trigger if I come across the one we want. Our plan has been to get one without the third row and get a three row vehicle down the road if needed (most likely a Sequoia). But, I want to make sure that I am making the right decision in sticking with the standard two rows, as I have a two-year-old and another one on the way.

Some questions:
Does the addition of the third row decrease legroom, etc. in the second row?

Can you access the third row with child seats in the second row? In the ‘14s, does the second row seat need to fold in order to use the sliding feature?

Are there any other downsides that I should be aware of?

Thank you,

Brian

The third row isn't really accessible with car seats in the way. The second row has to fold forward to gain access to the third row. When my girls were in booster seats, I had to take them out to get into the third row.

You don't really lose leg room in the second row until you move the seats forward to give room for the third row. The third row is tight. I'm 5'9" and my head is almost always touching the ceiling (I rode back there once to get a feel for the experience, definitely not for adults on long trips).

I didn't really want third row seats but my wife did. It was either a 4Runner with third row, or get a CRV (I think I made the right choice).

Last thing, not sure how everyone else feels about them, but I think the third row is kind of a PITA to put up and down.

 

[philsey]

I've wondered how well the AC/heat reaches to the 3rd row. Also, I've read it is not well-suited to adults.

 

[DannyLlama]

I've wondered how well the AC/heat reaches to the 3rd row. Also, I've read it is not well-suited to adults.

not at all!

You would have to sit with your knees sideways if you are anything over 5'5

 

[Ducmonsta]

I will try and weigh out the pros and cons for you. A good friend of mine has the exact same truck as I do only a year newer [MENTION=64864]GotMo37[/MENTION]. We both have limiteds, mine with 3rd, his without. His kids are older (8ish and 12ish). Mine are currently 4 and 6.

Pros-
Obviously a 3rd row. When it comes to children, they love to sit in the way back back (as every child will call it).

Cons-
As Danny as already mentioned, loss of cargo space. You will also lose the [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] "side" storage in the 3rd row "armrests". The armrests are different between the packages. With the 3rd row there are more compartments/trays to fill in that void.

The 3rd row does not have a child latch system for car seats.

The 2nd row seats are not 50/50 as [MENTION=75328]DannyLlama[/MENTION] mentioned. They are 40/20/40. The seat backs can drop in this configuration.
However, when it comes to sliding forward they are 60/40. And that's the other thing. You'll be able to slide the 2nd row seats forward similarly to the way you can adjust the front seats.

You will not be able to access the 3rd row if both of your children are in rear facing seats. If you use the latch system, it will also make it very difficult to use the 3rd row without removing the child seats.

Here's the versatility. You can have one child in the 3rd row and one in the second. This is how I use mine with children and an extra passenger (read mother in law/grandpa/grandma/etc). I usually keep one in the left 2nd row seat and left 3rd row seat. The passenger 2nd row is the one that allows access to the 3rd row by tilting and sliding forward. But I usually put my 3rd row child in through the tailgate.

With all that said, the 3rd row is only intended for small children and hobbits.

 

[MikeDUBS]

With all that said, the 3rd row is only intended for small children and hobbits.

Truer words have never been spoken

 

[DannyLlama]

Antman[/MENTION] "side" storage in the 3rd row "armrests". The armrests are different between the packages. With the 3rd row there are more compartments/trays to fill in that void.

The 3rd row does not have a child latch system for car seats.

The 2nd row seats are not 50/50 as [MENTION=75328]DannyLlama[/MENTION] mentioned. They are 40/20/40. The seat backs can drop in this configuration.
However, when it comes to sliding forward they are 60/40. And that's the other thing. You'll be able to slide the 2nd row seats forward similarly to the way you can adjust the front seats.

Thanks for the correction, I was thinking about going in to details but I figured he would see it once at the dealership.

 

[ArnavG544]

I have never seen a 5th gen with the third row in person. From looking at pictures, it is clear that the cargo floor is higher. Otherwise, I am not aware of any other differences. I have searched this forum extensively, but cannot find answers to the questions below. I would like to see a third row in person, but have not had the chance, and was hoping for feedback from the good people of this forum. I will be buying a Limited within the next few months, if not this month, and want to be ready to pull the trigger if I come across the one we want. Our plan has been to get one without the third row and get a three row vehicle down the road if needed (most likely a Sequoia). But, I want to make sure that I am making the right decision in sticking with the standard two rows, as I have a two-year-old and another one on the way.

Some questions:
Does the addition of the third row decrease legroom, etc. in the second row?

Can you access the third row with child seats in the second row? In the ‘14s, does the second row seat need to fold in order to use the sliding feature?

Are there any other downsides that I should be aware of?

Thank you,

Brian

Well, first off, the 3rd row seats are actually terribly uncomfortable. It also gets rid of the storage drawer you might get in certain models. Also, if you put the 3rd row seats up, there is basically no space whatsoever. Also, you can probably manage to get in if you move the second rows all the way in if you have child seats, but if you have an adult accessing the back seat it will be a struggle. You also have to decrease lots of the second row legroom to get sufficient room in the 3rd row. Also the cargo floor, yes, is higher and stuff will spill out when you open the trunk. If you need it, then get it, but I really don't know why I did...

As stated earlier, the 3rd row seats are made for maltese puppies..

 

[kenski]

Anyway, you can put a child seat in the second row and get to the third row. If you place the child seat to the side and not in the middle. The second row seats split 50/50 so you can leave half up and half down.

With the 3rd row option, the 2nd row is actually 60/40 (60 on the driver's side), not 50/50. Accessing the 3rd row needs to be from the passenger side, as the 40% section will lean and slide forward on a track whereas the driver side will only lean forward. If you want to use the latch anchors for child seats, you will probably want to use the driver side latches. Installing the car seat in the center seat will require latching between the 2 sections, and will inhibit the slide forward feature of the passenger side. Similarly, installing the car seat on the passenger side will also impede that.

I wouldn't call the 3rd row an actual row. It's 2 jumper seats that are uncomfortable for anyone larger than your average teenager. I've had adults ride back there for short trips, but would never subject anyone to anything longer than that.

One alternate option... if you open up only 1 seat in the 3rd row, it can be accessed via the tailgate, so you wouldn't have to mess with the 2nd row.

 

[jspagna1]

I purposely was looking for one without the 3rd row. I actually looked at two trucks side by side at the dealer and I wanted as much cargo space I could get. Decision made. Good luck.

 

[Stream2Stream]

The one rule that my wife had when we bought my 4runner was that it had a 3rd row. Our other car is an 08 Element and it can only fit 4 people. If it makes her happy, then it makes me happy! :happy:

I think our long term plan is buy something with a legitimate third row like a Sequoia. We don't have any kids right now (starting the adoption process in January) so it isn't like we have a pressing need for 7 seats, but eventually we might need it.

My advice would be: If you see yourself consistently using 7 seats for full sized humans (or teenagers), then you need to look at a larger vehicle. But, if you see yourself only using the back two seats with younger kids, and even then only sporadically, then it isn't bad to have.

 

[dekeman]

47.2 cubic feet of cargo behind second row without 3rd row.
46.3 cubic feet of cargo behind second row WITH 3rd row.

That's at least a 24 of beer.

 

[N2GLOCK]

Well, I'll probably get lynched for this one...but here goes. I like the 3rd row. When I bought my 4R that was one of my criteria. The salesgirl tried talking me out of it and i didn't budge. The 3rd row on mine has been used on several occasions. When we travel and the 3rd row is down my 100 lbs. Rottweiler fits back there with our gear w/ relative ease. If I were to buy another 4R tomorrow, I'd again ask for 3rd row seating. I guess I see it as owning a gun. Better to have it and not need it as opposed to needing it and not having it.

 

[Ducmonsta]

47.2 cubic feet of cargo behind second row without 3rd row.
46.3 cubic feet of cargo behind second row WITH 3rd row.

That's at least a 24 of beer.

You just have to put it in your kids' lap.

 

[philsey]

This thread just confirms (again) that if you really need three rows of real seating, you belong in a big-assed van, or a Sequoia-type.

Besides, I don't want no stinky, whiney, annoying rug rats in my truck anyway. Bah!

 

[chitown40]

All good info up above. Third row seats are more trouble and PIA than they're worth. You usually sacrifice other cargo area amenities to gain something you'll be annoyed using most of the time.

The common sense approach is this. If you have kids and you tend to haul them around quite a bit, especially with a lot of in and out of the vehicle, do yourself a favor and bite the bullet and get a mini van for the kid hauling duties. Your life will be so much happier and joy and bliss will surround you everywhere you go. Let's face it, you've got two kids and car seats up the wazoo. Nobody is going to be scoping you out trying to pick you up at a stoplight or at the mall anymore. Buy the Sienna or Odyssey and enjoy your time with your kids and all the amenities that come with the mini van.

I've had tons of Land Cruisers, most with 3 rows, and the truth is, I'll take my current Honda Odyssey any day over them. I can pull out the seats in less than 3 minutes and fit twice the amount of cargo in it without scratching a panel. 4x8 sheets of anything fit flat.

Get the van, then go buy yourself a nice sporty SUV or luxury sedan for the other times when you get a break from the kids or for your daily commute.

My unsolicited $.02

 

[Stream2Stream]

Besides, I don't want no stinky, whiney, annoying rug rats in my truck anyway. Bah!

"I'm sorry honey, I can't take the kids to school because they won't fit in my truck…looks like you'll have to do it." :noidea:

 

[Ducmonsta]

This thread just confirms (again) that if you really need three rows of real seating, you belong in a big-assed van, or a Sequoia-type.

Besides, I don't want no stinky, whiney, annoying rug rats in my truck anyway. Bah!

OH GAWD!!! You have offspring?!?:behindsofa: