Kia Telluride

Honestly, the third row we use mostly for storage and/or we put up one side of that back row for an adult to sit back there while I have my two toddlers in car seats in the two middle captains/bucket seats. Unsure if that’s the best thing, maybe as my older child turns 3 and forward facing I’ll be able to put her in the way back. But we got our car exactly 2 years ago and I love it. Wouldn’t change it. It’s a big debate because my husband always wants us to get a minivan. We’ve rented minivans a couple times when on vaca, and they are very nice and you can tell they’re made for that exact reason—families with kids. More convenient to get in and out, etc. But I just don’t want a minivan! This is “my” car while my husband gets to drive his Jeep Gladiator to work, so it’s easy for him to say “get a minivan.” Anyway, that’s my opinion but happy to answer any specific questions!

Oh and I have two kids (ages 1.5 and 2.5) and a black lab !

Also, the middle captains chairs do fold right up, like in a lift away style with one touch, and if I had a kid back there, that’s how I’d imagine we’ve buckle that kid in. So obviously there couldn’t be a car seat or person already in the middle seat in front of the back seat child. If that makes sense. But we’ll see if anyone that actually uses the third row for a kid has better ideas! I do love it and wouldn’t trade it in for anything else atm.

We got the bench seat for our Telluride and love it. We have a 6 year old in a car seat/ booster and a 2.5 year old in a rear facing car seat. The 3rd row is usually folded down for stroller/ groceries. To get people in the rear seat, I remove the car seat and fold it down. A little bourgeoisie bothersome but it's rare I have rear passengers. I got one of those grippy arm things that I use to reach back and pick stuff up that they drop. But I can still reach back if I'm in the front passenger seat and reach the kids or hand them things. I'm the person that mostly drives it and it doesn't feel like a huge SUV with blind spots. Drives like a 4-door sedan. I hate minivans and always hated driving my Mom's.

Not an answer to your question but I highly recommend watching The Car Mom on YouTube. She reviews cars from a mom’s perspective and shows how different car seats fit in

I have a 22 Telluride & absolutely love it. I’ve had it for 3 years now I have a 3 year old that’s in a rear facing car seat, lately he’s been wanting to sit in the way back, so I have him in the 3rd row. & i have my 6 month old in a infant car seat in one of the bucket seats in the middle row. Mind you we have fit my whole family in my car, 3 teenagers, my toddler, my infant, my husband and I… & honestly with the charging ports all over, I don’t ever hear a peep from the teens 😂 But for long trips we have an excursion to fit everyone comfortably & still have space.

I’m so glad you posted up about this I just started looking at the telluride!

Thanks for the feedback!! Any thoughts on getting captains chairs vs bench seat? Or AWD vs FWD?

BENCH!