nc211

We are starting to look for a replacement for our 2013 Highlander and starting with the GLS450.

Question - on the second row seating - do the captain's chairs recline further than the bench seat option?

I am inclined to go with the bench seat this time around (Highlander is captain's), but not if it can't recline far enough. I saw a review on YouTube on the GLS and the commentator mentioned as a personal flaw that no matter how far back the bench reclines, it still feels quite upright. Got me thinking...

Thanks!

WI11C4S

The bench seats and the captains chairs recline the same amount, to my knowledge. However the bench seat has other practicality benefits over the captains chairs that make it the better choice. On the bench configuration both sides of the second row have the easy access feature to get into the third row while the captains chairs only have this feature on one side. The bench seat also allows for one touch folding of all three rows from the trunk whereas the captains chairs require multiple buttons. Also, if you think you will ever need to carry 7 people its a free option so there is no downside.

marchgroupinc

Here is another thread on the topic

https://mbworld.org/forums/gls-class...-6-seater.html

jbadger

Same recline. If you want more recline, consider the X7 with captain seats. I have a GLS with captain seats. Is it possible to DIY and make it recline more?

nc211

Thanks! I took my wife to look at one earlier this week and was able to check this out. It won’t be a problem for us, reclines far enough. We’re going with the 7 seater option. I like the ability to just lower the Center section back and it too can act like the center area when needed. Going to make a nice wood tray with Velcro to sit in place for it....

skim7x

The X7 captains chairs recline more than those in the GLS?? I'm having a hell of a time picking between these two. The biggest turnoff for me was when we were checking out the X7 in the dealership, our 2yo was trying to get from the middle row to the third row... AND COULDN'T FIT BETWEEN THE CAPTAINS CHAIRS of the X7... That's how narrow the space is between the captains chairs in the X7... Absolutely ridiculous. But I do like good reclining angles in the back seats for long trips for the passengers...

jbadger

Yes. When you push and hold the recline button, it goes to the normal recline (same recline as the bench seat). When you push and hold it one more time, it goes further down. It doesn't recline as much as the front seats but enough to sleep (for some people). I also don't like the small space between the X7 captain seats. The space between the armrests is too small. The space above the armrests is big enough but it is awkward to raise your foot so high in order to get to the 3rd row. GLS has decent space between the captain seats. If you want the family-room feeling in the 2nd/3rd row space, buy a GLS. If you want your passengers to sleep comfortably in a long trip, X7 may be better.

hyperion667

You didn't think it was cramped in the back seat?

nc211

In the bench seat arrangement of the GLS, I did think the 3rd row was a bit cramped on leg room....until the salesman moved the middle seat forward a little bit, then it was ok, all the way around for all 3 rows. With the middle row all the way back and no passengers in the 3rd row, the back seat legroom is beyond spacious. Felt like a Audi A8L, almost limo-like.

i like that analogy of living room in the back seat....

Jason08247

Hello, I’m debating the captain’s chairs also. Anyone with kids? What do you without cup holders in the 2nd row? That seems like a big design flaw. (The ones in the back of the front row center console seem nearly useless, or maybe good for one drink only.)

nc211

We bought with the bench instead of captain chairs. The armrest has two cup holders that pop out, but they’re not exactly the best design.

We bought one of these for road trips..

it’s not the most kid-friendly car though to be honest. Not a ton of storage spots. But what we found with our last car (Highlander), with kids, the more places to put crap, means crap that gets put into the car...

Collapsible Front & Backseat Car Organizer with Movable Dividers | Multifunction Seat Back Organization for Kids | Easy to Move and Clean & Large Capacity Kids Car Seat Organizer (Gray)

jbadger

I am in that situation (captain's chairs with kids). It is a problem (quite a common problem). The younger kid can't reach the cup holders and the child carseat doesn't have a cupholder... The older one (without child carseat) can reach it but it is inconvenient.