I know this type of video has a very limited audience, but it is super valuable for those of us that need it. Thanks for this. People that don’t have young kids don’t seem to understand how gigantic child seats are, although I can’t imagine keeping a kid rear facing that long. It would be torture for everyone.
Great video, Alex! Thanks for doing this style of review! I think 1 last point that would’ve made this video even more helpful is seeing how you fit in the front passenger seat in front of the massive convertible car seat in the 2nd row.
Seems like we need to re-think seat design if we're going to keep kids rear facing for that long- like some kind of seat back that can reposition to both sides. You see these on Japanese Vans, public transit, and other places. And much longer sliding seat rails.
One way if you want to have both car seat in the middle seat and make third row accessible with captain chair is to have one of the car seat to be a rotatable one, you can rotate it to front facing position when trying to get in the car and get to the third row via the middle gap between the captain chairs
You can clearly see that the constructors are stretching the SUV type but let's all be honest, a minivan will always be more useful... lower step for young kids, sliding doors, space to go to third row...
Thank you for an interesting and informative review! Are you also planning to test drive the Grand Highlander, particularly on different road surfaces?? Would also be interesting to hear your comparison of it's ride comfort with the Lexus TX..
It’s worth mentioning that there is good reason for the guidance-the stats show pretty clearly that children are much safer in rear facing child seats in collisions up to the age of about four when the effect levels off. There are bigger seats that go more upright that are more comfortable for children that size but they tend not to be of the removable carryable type like you have there
That recommendation on keeping your child rear facing that long....GOOD LUCK! I'm pretty sure I would have a revolt on my hands with both. Even the 4 year old has no desire for rear facing.
As a father of 3 still in child seats I have complaint on this video, the 2nd row infant seat needs to be behind the front passenger for access to the child. We are looking at the grand highlander coming from a Pilot. My 8 & 9 yo are in 3rd row with a 5 point harness seat forward facing and my 4yo who is 100%+ percentile in height and weight(he’s estimated to be close to 6’10” at full growth) is the 2nd row forward facing 5 pt convertible seat, he’s out grown it and needs the next stage like his brothers. None the less the 2nd row car seat needs to be behind the front passenger , I’m 6’2” and 375 and I need the seat all the way back in the pilot and still barely have enough room . If the grand is designed anything like the 2014 highlander I had for work then I will be excited to buy as I had tons of comfort and room in that .
4:00 Only minivans can practically seat 3 across in the third row, regardless how many seat belts they advertise/ offer. So a child seat + adult is equally practical in Pilot or Highlander.
Unfortunately you're not well versed on carseats. That's a load leg on the liing, not an anti rebound bar. The chicco seat is not approved to 65lbs rf, that's the limit for forward facing. The max limit for any rf seat is 50lbs but children usually outgrow by height first.
I am so limited to certain vehicles, I need that tilt action 2nd row w car seat. I have a bench and have 3 full size car seats in it. While having a 4th car seat in the 3rd row. I need that tilt action, grant it I can use the bottom lever to move seat up in this vehicle.
I have a 15 month old and 2 twins coming in early June. Do you think this is still a reasonable option? Obviously cars like the sienna would be the best choice no doubt, however just weighing all my options.
That’s a little tight. Since you’ll have three rear facing at the same time, I’d recommend a minivan for sure and honestly, a Chrysler since it is the only one that will let you leave seats in place and easily access the third row once they go forward facing.
The GH scores one tier below the top for just the small overlap test by the IIHS. It’s worth noting that this is a very recent result so I would not say nobody is talking about it. This video was recorded before the IIHS results were announced. In general we drive new vehicles long before crash test results are available
FR tho why not just buy a Sienna, Oddyssey Elite or even a Pacifica for 10-20k less? I just don't understand massive 3 row SUVs from a utility or value perspective.
can I fit a slimfit car seat such as graco Contender Slim in the middle seat of third row and put two shorter adults in the remaining two seats of the third row?
Why on God’s green earth you didn’t put that car seat facing forward?!? Don’t you have a friend with a Gracco 3 in 1/5 in 1 you could have borrowed for a more common forward facing car seat! Seeing that seat move with the fwd car seat would have won you the best video in the history of all YT videos! There isn’t A SINGLE video out there showing that middle seat moving w/ a fwd facing car seat! 😩😩😩😩😩
6 year olds in a child seat and rear facing? I was sitting in my dad's lap steering the car at that age! Probably best that I never had any kids of my own because I'd probably get CPS called on me just for letting my kids do cool, fun things.
I do not own one, but, I like the Kia Sorrento design. It has only two third row seats both with lower anchors so you could put two child seats there and one in the second row and still be able get in and out of the third row. I am looking forward to your Hyundai Santa Fe review since it has a similar design.
In Toyota when you have 2 rear facing seats locked on 2nd row, there is no way people can get into 3rd row. I only saw Honda can do so because of the 2nd row seats can slide left or right after removing the mid seat on 2nd row.
@@arhamkhakwani5851 You could be right. We bought a regular Highlander in May and I was doing research all day back then but could not remember all details. We are quite regret of buying a Highlander, especially got rear ended once, the Highlander is like a piece of plastic, not considered to be a safe car. I would trade in for a new gen Odyssey next year, with the fact Sienna is no longer a car but an investment asset that impossible to buy in Canada.
Just like cars have increased in size due to ever more stringent safety regulations, I suspect child seats too have undergone that type of growth for the same.
Much appreciated video, I wouldnt ever consider a mini van, 3 row crossovers should design a side to side forward and back track system for their seating
3 row SUVs most overrated vehicle ever made. Seating for 5 is more than enough with a bench seat for the front row if 6 Is Enough be the mandate. Do like split gates in the back tho.
I know this type of video has a very limited audience, but it is super valuable for those of us that need it. Thanks for this. People that don’t have young kids don’t seem to understand how gigantic child seats are, although I can’t imagine keeping a kid rear facing that long. It would be torture for everyone.
Great comment, what is your take on rear facing timeline?
It does seem excessive for sure, I know it seems like most people give up much earlier than the new recommendations
Great video, Alex! Thanks for doing this style of review! I think 1 last point that would’ve made this video even more helpful is seeing how you fit in the front passenger seat in front of the massive convertible car seat in the 2nd row.
Thanks for this! Truly helps. This might work for me as one is in a backless booster, one in a highback booster, and one infant car seat.
Alex, Wow just wow, that child seat is huge! 🤣
Ordered a Sienna back in September - looking forward to getting it in hopefully 9-12 months…
Seems like we need to re-think seat design if we're going to keep kids rear facing for that long- like some kind of seat back that can reposition to both sides. You see these on Japanese Vans, public transit, and other places. And much longer sliding seat rails.
I have that HUGE Chicco seat and definitely agree that finding adequate hip room is something that's been recently important
One way if you want to have both car seat in the middle seat and make third row accessible with captain chair is to have one of the car seat to be a rotatable one, you can rotate it to front facing position when trying to get in the car and get to the third row via the middle gap between the captain chairs
You can clearly see that the constructors are stretching the SUV type but let's all be honest, a minivan will always be more useful... lower step for young kids, sliding doors, space to go to third row...
Thank you for an interesting and informative review! Are you also planning to test drive the Grand Highlander, particularly on different road surfaces?? Would also be interesting to hear your comparison of it's ride comfort with the Lexus TX..
It’s worth mentioning that there is good reason for the guidance-the stats show pretty clearly that children are much safer in rear facing child seats in collisions up to the age of about four when the effect levels off. There are bigger seats that go more upright that are more comfortable for children that size but they tend not to be of the removable carryable type like you have there
That recommendation on keeping your child rear facing that long....GOOD LUCK! I'm pretty sure I would have a revolt on my hands with both. Even the 4 year old has no desire for rear facing.
This is super helpful. The second row is tiny!
Great info we had the same question. Conclusion for us just get a sienna.
THANK YOU for this.
As a father of 3 still in child seats I have complaint on this video, the 2nd row infant seat needs to be behind the front passenger for access to the child. We are looking at the grand highlander coming from a Pilot. My 8 & 9 yo are in 3rd row with a 5 point harness seat forward facing and my 4yo who is 100%+ percentile in height and weight(he’s estimated to be close to 6’10” at full growth) is the 2nd row forward facing 5 pt convertible seat, he’s out grown it and needs the next stage like his brothers. None the less the 2nd row car seat needs to be behind the front passenger , I’m 6’2” and 375 and I need the seat all the way back in the pilot and still barely have enough room . If the grand is designed anything like the 2014 highlander I had for work then I will be excited to buy as I had tons of comfort and room in that .
Looking forward to the full review
This is such a helpful video!
4:00 Only minivans can practically seat 3 across in the third row, regardless how many seat belts they advertise/ offer. So a child seat + adult is equally practical in Pilot or Highlander.
Unfortunately you're not well versed on carseats. That's a load leg on the liing, not an anti rebound bar. The chicco seat is not approved to 65lbs rf, that's the limit for forward facing. The max limit for any rf seat is 50lbs but children usually outgrow by height first.
I am so limited to certain vehicles, I need that tilt action 2nd row w car seat. I have a bench and have 3 full size car seats in it. While having a 4th car seat in the 3rd row. I need that tilt action, grant it I can use the bottom lever to move seat up in this vehicle.
How is space compared to 2nd gen sequoia? I believe it was more but lacked anchors.
Is it possible to safely have 2 rear (in 3rd row) and 2 forward facing car seats in the platinum trim (captains chairs?)
I have a 15 month old and 2 twins coming in early June. Do you think this is still a reasonable option? Obviously cars like the sienna would be the best choice no doubt, however just weighing all my options.
That’s a little tight. Since you’ll have three rear facing at the same time, I’d recommend a minivan for sure and honestly, a Chrysler since it is the only one that will let you leave seats in place and easily access the third row once they go forward facing.
Can you do a car seat video for the 23/24 sequoia limited with a 2nd row bench
Can a stroller for 2 still fit in the trunk with 2 car seats installed?
Nice review!
Our odyssey works great!!
The main hit against this vehicle which nobody talks about is the safety ratings are not good versus other vehicles
The GH scores one tier below the top for just the small overlap test by the IIHS. It’s worth noting that this is a very recent result so I would not say nobody is talking about it. This video was recorded before the IIHS results were announced. In general we drive new vehicles long before crash test results are available
@firewire stop spewing BS man. stop looking at clickbait headlines and actually read the articles
Alex, do you think there will be a new (regular) Highlander? theres rumors that there wont
Had to end up with the Atlas due to ridiculous Toyota delays on this.
Honda odyssey second row seats can slide left and right , it might be the better answer.
FR tho why not just buy a Sienna, Oddyssey Elite or even a Pacifica for 10-20k less? I just don't understand massive 3 row SUVs from a utility or value perspective.
Because not everyone wants a minivan.
can I fit a slimfit car seat such as graco Contender Slim in the middle seat of third row and put two shorter adults in the remaining two seats of the third row?
Why on God’s green earth you didn’t put that car seat facing forward?!? Don’t you have a friend with a Gracco 3 in 1/5 in 1 you could have borrowed for a more common forward facing car seat! Seeing that seat move with the fwd car seat would have won you the best video in the history of all YT videos! There isn’t A SINGLE video out there showing that middle seat moving w/ a fwd facing car seat! 😩😩😩😩😩
Gonna wait for the next Sienna .... Hopefully with hybrid max and a wayyyyyyy better interior
Agreed on both points. And also hopefully the ability to actually find one at a dealer, and not pay a markup.
@@Johnny_Socko got mine... No markups... Kept for 2 years and 20000km... Sold for the same price
6 year olds in a child seat and rear facing? I was sitting in my dad's lap steering the car at that age!
Probably best that I never had any kids of my own because I'd probably get CPS called on me just for letting my kids do cool, fun things.
I do not own one, but, I like the Kia Sorrento design. It has only two third row seats both with lower anchors so you could put two child seats there and one in the second row and still be able get in and out of the third row. I am looking forward to your Hyundai Santa Fe review since it has a similar design.
Lacking a purse/diaperbag spot in the front is unbelievable for a quasi minivan
In Toyota when you have 2 rear facing seats locked on 2nd row, there is no way people can get into 3rd row. I only saw Honda can do so because of the 2nd row seats can slide left or right after removing the mid seat on 2nd row.
I think your referring to the Honda Oddysey because I don’t recall the function being in the Pilot. Your comparing apples to oranges; minivan to suv.
@@arhamkhakwani5851 You could be right. We bought a regular Highlander in May and I was doing research all day back then but could not remember all details. We are quite regret of buying a Highlander, especially got rear ended once, the Highlander is like a piece of plastic, not considered to be a safe car. I would trade in for a new gen Odyssey next year, with the fact Sienna is no longer a car but an investment asset that impossible to buy in Canada.
That’s just the Odyssey, not the Pilot
Modern car seats are almost unreasonably large. My wife has a full sized K5 and the seats barely fit behind the driver
Just like cars have increased in size due to ever more stringent safety regulations, I suspect child seats too have undergone that type of growth for the same.
Much appreciated video, I wouldnt ever consider a mini van, 3 row crossovers should design a side to side forward and back track system for their seating
Not being an ageist but near me they are everywhere and all i see is old ladies & few mid age ladies driving them.. i mean i see them everywhere
Buy a minivan oooor! Make fewer babies :)
With a 10k price difference than the Sienna...C'mon Toyota.
minivan
3 row SUVs most overrated vehicle ever made. Seating for 5 is more than enough with a bench seat for the front row if 6 Is Enough be the mandate. Do like split gates in the back tho.
Is it possible to safely have 2 rear (in 3rd row) and 2 forward facing car seats in the platinum trim (captains chairs?)