So I’m looking for a car to put three kids in the back. I am desperately averse to three row cars and anyway, I’ve wanted a G-Class for a while now, so I’m trying to make a case to get one.

Has anyone put three kids in the back? The arrangement would need to be one child seat near the window, rear facing infant in the centre and older kid at the other window. Is this a recipe for disaster? I’m considering retrofitting the rear sideways bench seats for great amusement but I don’t want to relegate the older kid into the trunk either, heh.

Help me convince the wife I’m not crazy. Pics preferred

 

Sorry to say, two child seats and a bigger child won't cut it. I know what you mean about third row seats but there aren't many alternatives. Try a GLS 63 if you want the best of both worlds. Good luck.

 

I just ordered this for our G. It specifically allows 3 across and is one of the most space Saving options. They offer it in the same frame with infant inserts as well.

 

Frankly - that's the Best Advice - in this case I would recommend the 6-Seat Configuration - easy to reconfigure to match your "passenger's".

The G-Wagen is not the right fit for what you need to do - especially with "3-Child-Seats"

 

I was always the 3rd kid stuck in the middle, and in retrospect, the trunk would have been my choice (lol). With 3 kiddos, I'd buy an F150 crew-cab and remind them the dog is lonesome by himself in the pickup bed.
Seriously, 3 row seating doesn't mean minivan - Lexus, MB and BMW have classy spacious SUVs that I would choose over a G for a family of 5.

 

Yeah, I know, there are the "reasonable" choices. I agree. I kind of want something I would enjoy, though... I managed to get by with two kids and snowboards and skis in a 911 for a few years, and that was great fun... so I'm not averse to some "creative arrangements", but I am afraid there might be limits to how far I can take this creativity, and this might be one of them, heh.

 

I have a 2005 LWB G55.

I've fit 3 kids in the back. 2 with large size car seats (aged 2 an 4), and the biggest kid in the middle with a full size booster seat (aged 6). There are only ISOFIX seat anchors on the side seats, so the middle will have to be secured with the normal shoulder seat belt. (This may have changed in the later years)

It does get a little cramped for the middle kid if the 2 full sized seats on the sides are larger (I have a Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max for reference). I've only done this for short trips under 30 min, as by that time, the kids are all hitting and throwing stuff at each other anyway.

A rear facing seat in your case will have to go in the middle since there's no way a normal sized infant seat would fit reversed behind one of the seats (there's not enough room, unless you or your passenger sit really far up). Your issue will be securing the middle seat as there are no ISOFIX points. It probably wouldn't be that difficult to fab something up for this though, if you're ok with the safety aspects of that. Also, loading that infant rear facing seat into the middle of the truck that is already pretty high off the ground to begin with, would be pretty difficult, not to mention having a booster seat in the way. The doors also do not open that wide, so getting a rear facing seat all the way to the middle would be additionally tough. (There are extended rear door hinges you can get for the W463's that allow the rear doors to open to a full 90 degrees)

Bottom line, it is possible, pending a proper way to mount the middle seat, but will be difficult and not all that comfortable for the kids during longer drives.

Here's a bad picture of the setup. (Excuse the headliner, it's on my long list of things to do) As you can see it's a bit tight, but does fit. Also the kids (my son and 2 cousins) love riding in the G since the rear bench seat is high up and they can see out the windows, it's loud, and they love the acceleration/roller coaster ride.

 

What does a LWB G55 look like as opposed to a regular WB? Just curious.

 

Get a GLS, G is not very practical for three kids in the back. Can get tight. Not really a "fun" family SUV IMO.

 

Just a regular WB since they never made an M113k 2dr SWB. Although if they did make one in a rag top, I would be opening the bank account!