[drdavidge]

Hey, debating between an 18+ X3 or a 2016 X5. Question for people who may do this - can you fit a small adult between 2 car seats in the back of the new X3? We don't really have a use for a 3rd row more than a few times a year, but having the ability to have an adult in the back between 2 car seats every once in a while would be great. Can you pull that off?

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by drdavidge

Hey, debating between an 18+ X3 or a 2016 X5. Question for people who may do this - can you fit a small adult between 2 car seats in the back of the new X3? We don't really have a use for a 3rd row more than a few times a year, but having the ability to have an adult in the back between 2 car seats every once in a while would be great. Can you pull that off?

I've got two car seats in the back of my X3 currently and I would highly doubt any adult would be comfortable sitting between them. One car seat is still rear facing while the other is forward facing. Even if both were forward facing I still don't think there'd be enough room.

Of course this is all kind of depending upon which car seats you have since some are larger than others but even with ones on the smaller side I don't think it would work.

[DW_x3m40i]

I have mine setup with a front facing car seat on rear passenger side, the rear facing car seat in the middle, and the adult behind the driver side.

Seems to give the most space and easier for the adult to get in and out but can get cozy at times.

Will try to do the same setup when I switch to two front facing car seats.

[MechX3M40i]

Haven't used any car seats for a while... But based on past experience, a front facing car seat was very hard to squeezed into the back center seat position, even in a mid size SUV like the X5. The base of those seat are typically too wide for center if you already have another one on the passenger side.

Maybe you can look for and get a car seat with a very slim profile, and take them to car shopping and check for size before you buy?

[LostX]

Often have both car seats in mine (I only put them in when I need them). Having an adult sit between them is unlikely. Young teenager may fit though.

[nyalpine90]

NO!

[skier219]

I think it would be tough. And depends on the size of the child seats -- if the larger size for toddlers and up, then no way. I have one in the passenger rear and it completely fills that and then some. If there were two of them, you'd only have about a 12-14" strip left in the middle, and I don't picture an adult fitting in there.

[verysideways]

My wife can squeeze in the back between the kids car seats - but she's a whole 110lbs soaking wet at 5'4", and she's only comfortable in there for 30 minutes tops.

[teaston]

Yes you can, we did it a couple of weekends ago! Wouldn’t want to drive hundreds of miles though.

[nyalpine90]

with the x5 you might be able to squeeze "small" person in middle but not in the X3.
the center is relatively small and the carseat takes up a lot of space.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

with the x5 you might be able to squeeze "small" person in middle but not in the X3.
the center is relatively small and the carseat takes up a lot of space.

I am talking about British people, I guess the average American wouldn't fit!

[chicagofan00]

Here are a few photos of our setup. Sorry for the low light as it's pretty rainy and cloudy and the garage lighting sucks. Also for reference you'll see the folded up Covercraft sunshade in between the two seats in the one photo.

[Kozumasbullitt]

The space between my two seats is enough for a very small adult. The biggest issue is with shoulder room between the two seats and the secondary issue is getting in and out. I have enough space to fold the middle rest down.

[nyalpine90]

Originally Posted by teaston

I am talking about British people, I guess the average American wouldn't fit!

That's low blow lol

[nyalpine90]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

Here are a few photos of our setup. Sorry for the low light as it's pretty rainy and cloudy and the garage lighting sucks. Also for reference you'll see the folded up Covercraft sunshade in between the two seats in the one photo.

i have same setup, theres no way a person can fit in between unless its a small child
i have same seat protection lol

[nvestr]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

Here are a few photos of our setup. Sorry for the low light as it's pretty rainy and cloudy and the garage lighting sucks. Also for reference you'll see the folded up Covercraft sunshade in between the two seats in the one photo.

We have the exact same car seat as you (Costco!) and for what it`s worth, those are huge compared to a lot of car seats as they are like 3-in-1 convertible car seats. That being said, I would still say no to an adult sitting between them. With 2 small booster seats on either side, sure you can could make it work, but with 2 large seats as pictured, no.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

Here are a few photos of our setup. Sorry for the low light as it's pretty rainy and cloudy and the garage lighting sucks. Also for reference you'll see the folded up Covercraft sunshade in between the two seats in the one photo.

Wow that red & white seat is huge, I guess it doesn't work with that type!

[MechX3M40i]

Originally Posted by teaston

Wow that red & white seat is huge, I guess it doesn't work with that type!

We Americans love our kids and give them the most comfortable and secure 'Captain' style car seats!

[bmath]

We have two diono radians which are on the smaller end of front facing car seats and I still would not put an adult between them.

I actually was able to fit three radians across the back but it was SUPEERR tight and I lashed out into 1000 expletives while installing them.

We now use one as a booster, one as a highback harnass and sometimes my third kid sits in between.

[speeddeacon]

Would the X5 offer any usable difference though? We sat in both and felt they were basically the same in the width department. There is a tad more legroom headroom in the X5 but side to side it didn't feel any wider. Looking at the specs on the 2019 X5 there might be an inch or so difference but I'm not sure on the previous generation.

[Ge0rge]

It is definitly possible depending on seat choice.

My 169cm (normal-sporty) wife fit in between out baby capsule and toddler seat < 4 years facing forward -both maxi cosy, very safe but not oversized designwise.
3 hours drive was ok.
We changed the capsule now for a 3 year+ seat - one of the not so large ones on the shoulders, the other one is facing now backwards and it is less comfortable but still manageable to sit fairly straight.

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by teaston

Wow that red & white seat is huge, I guess it doesn't work with that type!

It is! The other one is the exact same size too. They are 3 in 1's though so we will have them for a while instead of having to buy several different ones.

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

We Americans love our kids and give them the most comfortable and secure 'Captain' style car seats!

Lol!