I was watching a Youtube video about 25 things cars could no longer have due to legal requirements, and I was surprised to hear that rear-facing third-row seats were one of them. We now have our second MB wagon with third-row seating, so I was wondering whether the all-terrain wagons no longer have the rear-facing third row. On both of our wagons, you couldn't get one (at least in the U.S.) without the third row even if you wanted. On our first wagon, we only use the third row once and on our S213 wagon (which is now 8 years old), we've never used the third row.

 

My 2024 All Terrain does not have it. I had two different 2019 E450 wagons and they both had it. I never used it and don't miss it - but it was a cool retro feature.

 

So, when you don't have a third row, I guess you get a panel under which you have more storage.

 

I have used them a few times. Kids get a kick out of being back there. Once it was a drunken buddy who make poo-poo in his pants.....(it did not help to remove us from the odor).

 

My '21 AT wagon has rear facing seats. I wish there was a way to remove them and retrofit a spare tire.

 

I guess you could buy the panels for a 2024 AT wagon (assuming they will fit your car) and use the under-panel space to store a spare-tire kit with a storage bag for the temporary spare and its tools (https://modernspare.com/product/2017...re-kit-options), but I'm sure it won't be cheap.

 

I have the modern spare - no way it fits where the third seat used to be. The well is shallow and not large enough in any dimension. My spare rattles around in the cargo area in the bag it came with.

 

So I guess you wouldn't gain much space if you removed the rear-facing third row.