Baby seats

[Alonso]

I'd love to purchase a 3.2 V6 Passat - however I need to fit 3 baby seats in the rear. Can anyone tell me if this is possible? If not I may need to make do with 2 baby seats and 1 booster cushion. I have 3 bubs all under 3.

[h100vw]

I'd love to purchase a 3.2 V6 Passat - however I need to fit 3 baby seats in the rear. Can anyone tell me if this is possible? If not I may need to make do with 2 baby seats and 1 booster cushion. I have 3 bubs all under 3.

That would be a push I think.

Take the tribe down to VW and see if the seats fit.

Gavin

[R36 Dreamer]

That would be a push I think.

Take the tribe down to VW and see if the seats fit.

Gavin

You can also get integrated booster seats in the 3.2 V6 - I think they are a $500 option?

I wanted them, but the R36 had different seats so no dice.

I agree that 3 baby seats would be difficult in the rear....

[Alonso]

Thanks for the reply guys - I guess I may try putting a booster cushion(the ones that have a base only to sit on - no back support) with an additional harness for the eldest of my 3. I'd slot this in between the other 2 baby seats. Friends of mine have done this with their Liberty. Please feel free to add more comments. Otherwise its a Ford Territory which is hardly a Passat now is it.

[passatpout]

OK, I've just had a play with baby seats in my Passat wagon, and here was my methodology:

1) Put one baby seat in the rear centre seat.
2) Put the other baby seat onto the near side rear seat.
3) Check position of middle baby seat with doors open and closed (no movement before or after).
4) Swapped outer seat from near side to off side seat.
5) Checked centre seat position again with doors open and closed (again, no movement).

So, without actually being able to put in 3 seats, and depending on the exact shape and size of the seats used, I'd say it would be possible, but a tight squeeze. The seats I used were a Mother's Choice Black Diamond (rated from birth to 18kg) and a Safe-n-Sound Hi-Liner, rated from 14-25kg.

Thanks to the nephews for providing reasons to have the seats in their grandparents' house...

Hope that helps.

[Alonso]

Thanks so much Passatpout - I appreciate you going to so much trouble.

[guthrie]

I have got the integrated child seats in my Passat. You wont fit a child seat in the centre position if either of the integrated seats are used.

Your only option is to try to put in three child seats / boosters... but i think you will struggle. The passat seems to be about 5cm narrower across the back than other large cars ..

[tinto]

I was under the impression that narrower baby seats existed for this specific purpose?
...at least that's what I've been told (have a 1.5 week old boy)
Talk to your baby seat retailer.

[Alonso]

Thanks for the reply guys - Im taking all your comments on board. More comments are welcome. Cheers.

[richdave]

IIRC there are new laws regarding kids and boosters that come into effect Jan 09 (in VIC anyway) All children under 7 must be in an approved seat. I dont think a booster w/o back will cut it for a 3yo.

[ope126]

With Bub no.3 due in January, we now have to ensure 3 baby seats will fit also.

The following are my findings as I am going through the same thing at the moment trying to source 3 baby seats for the Passat;

Passat Exterior width: 1820mm
Interior (rear) usable width (inner door handle to inner door handle) i.e. narrowest part from door to door: 1333mm

Here are some other cars I am now considering (Comparable interior widths);
1500mm Toyota Torago
1480mm Ford Territory
1450mm Falcon Sedan
1420mm Toyota Kluger
1420mm Holden Sportswagan
1370mm Toyota Aurion / Camry
1320mm Ford Mondeo Wagon
1300mm Holden Captiva LX

Considering that a safe n sound Compaq is 440mm wide, to fit 3 = 1320mm

So things are looking to now be a squeeze.

I have taken our two baby seats out; Safe n Sound Meridian and Maxi Rider AHR.
We are going to a baby shop tomorrow to conduct a test fit of suitable baby seats.

If we can't make it fit, looks like I will need to sell up and get a Falcon...

Will keep you up to date on the outcome...