2012 Mazda5 with infant and child seats question

[krisztoforo]

Hi,
We're considering buying a 2012 Mazda5 and would appreciate some real life feedback. We have 2 small kids so we would need to install one rear facing infant seat (with base) and a forward facing child seat in the second row. My main concern is how one would access the 3rd row of seats in such configuration as the seat backs in the 2nd row would need to stay upright seemingly preventing access to the 3rd row. I know there is a small gap between the seats in the 2nd row, but is that enough for someone (child or adult) to climb back to the 3rd row?
Anyone with babies and toddlers please share your experiences.
Thanks,
Krisztian

 

[SuperJETT]

Our kids 9/7/5 go to the back row between through the middle. They have never done it any other way. You can slide the front seats forward a little to give more room to get around the middle seats.

It's not an issue at all.

Actually, 2 weeks ago I took our daughters on a trip without our youngest and they were surprised to see the flip-out tray out of the seat since we were able to use it for once.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Do you plan on leaving the rear facing seat in the car (as in never moving it under any circumstance), and does this seat have a detachable base? If so, the easiest way to let passengers in is to ‘quick’ release the infant seat and you have a wide opening to let someone in.

With a forward facing toddler seat, there is still more than enough space for someone (avg size adult or child) to get in from the 2nd row, in front of the seat. Think of it this way, forward facing seats don’t take up an additional foot space. Or the kids can jump in from the back via the hatch! It’s fun and exciting for them but a bad habit.

This is assuming your family is average height/weight and would not apply if you are a family of giants

Btw, I have a rear facing infant seat (with base) and forward facing toddler seat on the 2nd row, both latched in. I have not tired and don’t see any use in trying to squeeze someone behind the 2nd row chair, esp if seats are latched in… I have never seen the middle tray now make use of the space underneath 2nd row chairs..

EDIT: We all climb to the 3rd row seats all the time without any problems.

 

[DKaz]

My 2 year old sits in the 3rd row and 7 week old right in front in the 2nd row. Makes the 4th and 6th rows nice and accessible. My eyes are always on the rear view mirror while braking however.

 

[krisztoforo]

Do you plan on leaving the rear facing seat in the car (as in never moving it under any circumstance), and does this seat have a detachable base? If so, the easiest way to let passengers in is to quick release the infant seat and you have a wide opening to let someone in.

Yes, it has a detachable base and we do take the infant seat out as we use it in our stroller. So what you mean is to take the infant seat off the base and lean the seat-back forward, right? That sounds doable

With a forward facing toddler seat, there is still more than enough space for someone (avg size adult or child) to get in from the 2nd row, in front of the seat. Think of it this way, forward facing seats dont take up an additional foot space.

I see what you mean, that should work for us as well.
Thanks!

 

[flcruising]

I think Silentnoise713 was referring to squeezing in front of the infant base to access the third row in both of those paragraphs. I don't recall the infant base allowing the seatback to tilt forward like you hope. But when we were shopping for our van, we placed the car seats into them to see if this vehicle would work...and well, you know. I have 2 forward facers myself now, but on the occasion that just 1 small 3rd row seater is on board, they can in/egress through the hatch easily.

 

[Wishmaster]

Best piece of advice you'll hear all day is this: Bring the seats (and maybe the older child) and any strollers you'll want in tow, to the dealership, load them all up and start playing around. If it works for you then great, if not, at least you figured it out before you bought! Just keep telling the sales person that you don't really like the way it's arranged and it would be a compromise to buy this vehicle... but at the right price, anything is possible.

FYI - I've got 6 month old twin boys... bought our 2007 used before they arrived, but also before they arrived and before before I bought the car, I took our giant double stroller and both rear facing detachable car seats and installed them in the car just to make it sure I was satisfied with the fit... I was, in case you couldn't figure that out.

Anyway, have fun!

 

[Wishmaster]

My 2 year old sits in the 3rd row and 7 week old right in front in the 2nd row. Makes the 4th and 6th rows nice and accessible. My eyes are always on the rear view mirror while braking however.

4th and 6th rows?? Wow, that's one long-ass modified Mazda5! Curious since you only have two kids and so don't really need to use the 3rd row why you don't just put both kids in the second row, and then leave the 3rd row folded use the entire back area for cargo/strollers/groceries etc...?

 

[petitevan]

LOL~ i think he meant the 4th and 6th seats? with the driver's seat being the 1st. curious too if the 2-year-old exits through the back?

4th and 6th rows?? Wow, that's one long-ass modified Mazda5! Curious since you only have two kids and so don't really need to use the 3rd row why you don't just put both kids in the second row, and then leave the 3rd row folded use the entire back area for cargo/strollers/groceries etc...?

 

[mpvue]

we have 3 kids (11, 8 and 2); the 2yo has his seat behind the driver since birth (rear facing up until he was big enough to get a forward seat). the 11yo sits next to him, and the 8yo climes in the back. although I have shown them (and prefer) they slide th seat forward, she still climbs over her brother to go between the seats.
when we take someone with us, we send the 11yo to the rear and he also climbs through the middle.
the Mazda5 is a great little car for families living in the city. it just takes some creative packaging solutions if you do any big shopping (we try to keep accumulated junk to a minimum, minivans can collect a lot of stuff!)

 

[krisztoforo]

Thanks for the replies guys, we're going to take our infant and toddler seats for the car shopping as recommended Then we'll see...

 

[pkthomas]

We have three car seats in our 5, 3 and 6 year old kids are in the 3rd row. 9 month old is rear facing on drivers side in second row not in an infant carrier. 3 year old is drivers side so I can buckle and unbuckle with out getting in. The 6 tear old can do it if needed. The best thing is the passenger side 2nd row is empty so the 2 older kids can get in and out without a problem. Worst issue is with all three rows on drivers side used I have a little less leg room.

 

[diane21]

I need to get baby car seats!

Hi all, I need some baby car seats, but before I would like to know How many baby Car Seats can fit in the back seats of a fiat bravo? I have 3 kids age 4 yrs, 2 yrs and 6 months.

Thanks for your time!