heffneil

I am working on expanding the family. The wife just loves the GL450 and the lease is up December. Our third child will be due in August. The problem is with the big car seats (we will just have 3 under 4 years old) at the time there isn't room for 3 across and it isn't easy to get them all in this way. To get our daughter in the way back we have to open the back and pick her up to get in. This isnt ideal and with the car seats latched in the middle there isnt another way in. So! why no middle row buckets?

Neil

Max Blast

For me, going from three across to two buckets on the 2nd row isn't worth the easier access to the 3rd row. We'll see about that after a few times lifting the babyseat in and out of it, though.

Besides, someone's gotta ride b**ch, right?

heffneil

I just want the kids to be able to climb in the back row from the side doors and not the rear hatch. Especially if I have both seats in the rear up how does a kid get in there if you have latches seats in the middle. Kinda silly if you ask me... With two car seats in the back we have NEVER been able to get an adult in the middle row with them!

MKW

Larger families with the youngest still in fixed car seats and older ones independently buckling-up end up buying Suburbans/Denalis/Escalades or Acadias with optional captain's seats in row two for walk through access to row three .
I believe you can even order some of these with bench seats front ,middle and rear to seat 9 !

BlackSL

for easy access, the R-class layout would be more suited for you.

MKW

If you are svelte enough to squeeze through the 6 inches between the second row captain's seats vs 15 inches in the GM vehicles

heffneil

We have an escalade and we did a bench in the middle without the third on the way and with two little ones in fixed car seats.

Next one will be buckets. Too bad on the GL450 I think I need to reconsider that lease when this one is up. R class is too space shuttle. I might have to go minivan! booo!

Neil

StevethePilot

I think the easiest access with the greatest hauling capabilities would be the Mercedes Sprinter, which (IMHO) actually drives better than the R-type. (No, you do not have to have the high roof or the extra length and yes, it is a van which means total testicular removal, but it are good for big families.) However, the R's unpopularity is potentially a major bargaining chip, where the Sprinter's popularity might make that tougher.

And seriously, I test drove a Sprinter high-top before buying the GL, went to hit a corner at a decent speed to see body roll, and was absolutely amazed at how stable that sucker was. But the wife insisted on 4WD. (Okay, I did.)

MKW

Friends have a GMC Acadia with second row captain's seats for the little ones , BUT the third row holds three ( I can even fit back there ) , so total seating capacity is still 7 like a GL .
Interestingly, my youngest was VERY disappointed when we got the GL, as she loved to scramble down the " center aisle " in friend's Acadia to sit in the back with her classmate.
And as you know, it's so ridiculously difficult to access the third row in the GL ( lower the head rest /flip forward only the passenger side seat - which exposes the dangerous lacerating claws of the seat frame floor anchors-then squeeze through to exit w/o catching clothes/feet on said anchor or else you tumble head first to the street ) that I never use it unless have more than 5 in car.
I always worry about how difficult it would be for third row GL passengers to exit quickly in an accident , vs a set up like the Acadia's, esp if right side of GL is hit, how can third rowers get out when the driver's side of second row split bench seat doesn't flip forward ?Always thought it odd that a safety obsessed company like MBZ signed off on this design . It bugged me when I considered buying this vehicle and stills bothers me.

43221B

In an Acadia or Suburban with captains chairs, don't you still have to climb into the third row to buckle your kids up? Or do the 2nd row seats slide forward enough that you can buckle at least the side closest to the door while not getting in?

BlackSL

It amazes me why Toyota or Nissan hasn't released their MPVs into the states.
We use the Alphard to charter our american clients around and they love it.


comes in 7 or 8 seat configuration.

MKW

Minivan

BJ021

Alphard!!! hahaha, never even heard of it! Sounds like a kids way of calling someone a tard! What a dumb name

Franman

probably because it's ugly as sin!

Shellbmb

Has anyone found a combination of two car seats that can fit in the middle row while still being able to lower the "40" seat to get into the third row? My two are way too wide.

BlackSL

The japanese aren't what you say well known for their car names.

I see that you guys are missing out on a great transport car.
Should you ever travel to Japan, Hong Kong or some Asian countries you should check it out.

zam2000

For car seat, if you go with the "Sunshine" brand, you can fit 3 cross perfectly. I have them on my S. They're a bit pricey (around $300/each), but very safe/comfortable for the kid. Get the Manhattan version, support kid up to 80 lbs.

But I agree, having the captain chair in second row help a lot, especially if some adult need to be in the back to help the kids out. This is one of the reason why we didn't get the GL, and get the Escalade ESV instead. Not to mention the ESV still have lot of room behind the third row.

In term of quality, the Escalade is a joke compared to Mercedes. But in term of look, power, and room, it's hard to beat.