Dergel

Hello everybody from Germany!

Since our old station wagon is getting older and more space is needed, we consider to buy a first generation GL-Class. There are not that much around here in Europe and finding a dealer with one of those isn't really easy. We are wondering if it is possible two put two child seats on the outer seats of the second row (using latch or isofix as it is called here) and put an adult in between. Anybody here who has experience with this setup? That would be great. Thank You so much!

Max Blast

Yes entirely possible, but since I also run with my seat all the way back when I’m driving so the seat behind me is limited to a short infant. I found that me, 188cm long with the seat elk the way back precluded a rearward facing infant seat to fit safely behind me.

Usually I isofix my forward facing 3yo to behind the passenger seat and let the six-year-old with her long legs gets to sit in the rear middle on a booster seat. My thirteen yo long legged beauty queen fits nicely behind me with my seat all the way back due to the cutouts in the rear. Sometimes when they fight I put up the third row and each small child has their own row.

A GL is quite possibly the largest car you can have in Europe, but there are better cars for transporting kids - like a minivan. If you had an R class long there are no issues with any space

xsramo

I run this exact setup - it's possible to fit an adult between the two seats but it is tight and getting in and out is sort of a pain, not great for long trips but doable for short trips. What I have done when needing to haul 3 adults and two kids is put the forward facing car seat in the third row. It's actually not hard to put a 3 yr old back there and mine thinks it's fun to crawl back there to get into the carseat. The GL has been a great kid hauling machine IMO.

Max Blast

Yes, the back back is a big hit with the little kids.

Dergel

Gentlemen, thanks a lot for your fast, nice and useful responses!

Thanks for your ideas, but we're searching for a car that also comes with AWD and a certain clearance as we consider travelling a lot of rough terrain. The R is a apart from that a very nice car though.

91stealthes

Not the specific question, but may help others in the future.

I just has family visiting from out of state and I had the following installed in the second row:
Infant car seat with base attached through LATCH on the driver side
Full back booster seat attached with belt in the center seat
Infant car seat with base attached through LATCH on passenger side.

Left 1 seat down of third row and teenager climbed through back to get in.

Good luck with your vehicle search.

Max Blast

With this setup you also have room for a dog cage or activities in the baggage compartment.