There are many seven or eight-seat SUVs on the market today that you would presume you would be able to fit five child seats in, but as I have found in my testing this is not the case! Either the second row doesn't fit three child seats or the rear row doesn't have top tether points, or you can't access them without uninstalling the second-row child seats!!
Here is a list of all the seven and eight-seater SUV's, that I have reviewed so far, and found would fit five child seats in-
NEW 2021 Kia Sorento PHEV
The 2021 Kia Sorento is priced similarly to the Kia Carnival, ranging from $46,000-$63,000. A great seven-seat SUV the new Kia Sorento PHEV has four ISOFix points and five top tether anchorages and fits five Infasecure child seat really comfortably in the back. The central second-row seat is the only one to use the seatbelt instead of ISOFix for securing child seats. See the top 10 family-friendly features of the Kia Sorento here.
Mazda CX-9
The Mazda CX-9 really comfortably fits five child seats! It has FIVE top tether points and two ISOFix points in both the outer second-row seats too. The second-row seat, behind the front passengers, has a folding mechanism that allows it to fold and move forward with a child seat installed (if using the ISO Fix, not the seatbelt) and gives a big step-through access to the third-row seats. I managed to very comfortably fit five large Britax child seats into the CX-9, still with plenty of legroom in the front for a 184cm driver or passenger! Prices range from $46,000 – $74,000, watch the full review here.
The BMW X7 seven-seat SUV ranges from $119,000 to $168,000, it is a very practical and luxury seven-seater with some great family-friendly features. It has five-top tethers and four ISOFix in the back and I could fit five big child seats in easily!! WOO HOO!! It also has a fantastic mechanism for accessing the third-row seats with child seats installed. Watch my top four features of the BMW X7 and the full review here.
Ford Everest
The Ford Everest ranges from $53,000 to $74,000, it is a great seven-seater. It has five-top tethers and two ISOFix in the back and I could fit five child seats in!! WOO HOO!! It also fits a twin stroller in the boot when using all seven seats which a lot of seven-seater don't. The Everest is a good allrounder, has Apple CarPlay and good reversing cameras, good offroad and practical for a large family too. Watch my top three features of the Ford Everest here and the full Ford Everest review here.
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a luxury seven seat SUV that fits five child seats comfortably. It ranges in price from $102,000-$165,000. A great seven-seat SUV for families with lots of features and luxuries that make it practical as well as enjoyable to drive. The Audi Q7 has five ISOFix points and five top tether anchorages. See the top 3 family-friendly features of the Audi Q7 here.
Mercedes Benz GLB
The Mercedes Benz GLB is an affordably priced luxury seven-seat SUV ranging from $60,000-$89,000. It has four ISOFix points and five top tether anchorages fitting five child seats nicely in the back. See the top 3 family-friendly features of the Mercedes Benz GLB here.
2019 Land Rover Discovery
Five child seats fit in the 2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport!! FANTASTIC!! Two forward facing car seats fitted nicely in the third-row seats using the two top tether anchorages on the back of the third-row seats. And three child seats fit across the second-row seats using the two ISO FIx and three top tether anchorages. I also found with the central child seat removed I could sit comfortably between the two child seats in the second-row seats and I am 162cm. See full review here.
2019 Holden Acadia
The 2019 Holden Acadia LTZ-V has FIVE top tethers!!!! WOO HOO!! They are all in plastic guides in the rear seatbacks and it has Isofix in the two outer second-row seats. I could install five big child seats which is fantastic! Legroom was very good in the Acadia too and the boot was space is good when using only five seats I could fit 18 shopping bags in or when using all three rows of seats I could fit five shopping bags in or a single or twin stroller fitted.
Mazda CX-8
The Mazda CX-8 has FIVE top tether points?!! FANTASTIC!! They are all within plastic guides on the seat backs, apart from the central one in the second row which is right underneath the seat and I found I required an extension strap for the child seat. There are ISOfix points in the two outer second-row seats only too. Full review.
It's not an SUV but it holds five child seats and is definitely worth considering:
NEW K4 Kia Carnival
The NEW 2021 Kia Carnival is the ULTIMATE three-row family vehicle, with looks that straddle the SUV and people-mover fence! It has five top tether anchorages and five ISOFix and fits five child seats easily! It has air vents in the ceiling for both rear rows of seats too. Prices start at $47,000 for the base model New Kia Carnival up to $67,000 for the Platinum.
2019 VW Multivan Comfortline
Five child seats fit in the VW Multivan Comfortline. Wooo Hooo!!! There are two individual seats in the second row that both have ISOFix and top tether anchorages. In the third row, the bench seat is really nice and generous, plenty big enough for three grown adults to travel comfortably or three big forward-facing child seats fitted really easily or I could very comfortably travel between two child seats. See the full review here.
1. Will the 7 seat Captiva take 3 capsules across the second row? and
2. Is it law that there must be 3 across the second row before 1 can go in the 3rd row?
Thank you
Bob Mathieson
Sorry Bob the Captiva predates this website! Not heard that rule before.
Babies and children up to 4 years old must not sit in the front seat
Children aged 4 and up to 7 years can only sit in the front seat if all other seats are occupied by children under 7 years of age
Children 7 years and over can sit in the front seat