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!!
- Or are you looking for 7 seat SUVs that can fit 3 child seats?
- Looking for which 5 seat cars will fit 3 child seats across the back row?
- Looking for 7 seat SUVs that can can fit 4 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 the back-
Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento is available as both a Hybrid and Plug In-Hybrid and ranges in price from $51,380-$86,000. This is a great all-round seven-seat family SUV the new Kia Sorento has four ISOFix points and five top tether anchorages and fits five 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. Full family review of the Kia Sorento here.
Ford Everest Tremor
The Ford Everest ranges in price from $59,000 to $83,000. This is a great crossover seven-seater for families who like off-road and adventuring as well as those that stick to the bitumen. It has five top tether anchorages and two ISOFix in the second-row seats and I could fit five child seats in. It also fits a twin stroller in the boot when using all seven seats which a lot of seven-seater don't. Watch the full family review of Ford Everest review here.
Volvo EX90
The Volvo EX90 ranges in price from $124,990 to $134,990. The Volvo EX90 is a great fully electric seven-seater family SUV. It has top tether anchorages in all five rear seats and ISOFix in the two outer second-row seats. I could fit five child seats in the rear seats which is excellent. It fits a single stroller in the boot when using all seven seats. Watch full family review of Volvo EX90 here.
GMC Yukon Denali
The GMC Yukon Denali is an eight seat large family SUV, priced from $174,990. The GMC Yukon Denali has very generous interior space, It has top tether anchorages five of the six rear seats and it is one of the few family SUVs with ISOFix in all three of the second-row seats. Five child seats fit really easily in the rear seats which is great for large families and gives smaller families the flexibility of where they position their child seats. It fits a double pram or twin stroller in the boot when using all seven seats. Watch the full family review of GMC Yukon Denali here.
Mazda CX-90
The seven-seat Mazda CX-90 ranges in price from $68,900 to $86,900. The Mazda CX-90 is a more spacious seven-seater family SUV than it's younger sibling the Mazda CX-80. It has top tether anchorages in all five rear seats and ISOFix in the two outer second-row seats. Five child seats fit really comfortably in the rear seats which is great for large families and gives smaller families flexibility around seating positions. It fits a double pram or twin stroller in the boot when using all seven seats. Watch the full family review of Mazda CX-90 here.
NOTE: While BabyDrive testing confirmed five child seats physically fit across the Mazda CX-90’s two rear rows, Mazda does not recommend installing three child restraint systems simultaneously in the second row. See our full investigation here.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai Santa Fe ranges in price from $53,000 to $76,000. The Hyundai Santa Fe is a practical seven-seater family SUV. It has top tether anchorages in all five rear seats and ISOFix in both the third-row seats and in the two outer second-row seats. I could fit five child seats in the rear seats which is great for large families and gives smaller families flexibility around seating positions. It fits a tandem pram in the boot when using all seven seats. Watch the full family review of Hyundai Santa Fe here.
Mazda CX-80
The Mazda CX-80 ranges in price from $54,990 to $87,990. The Mazda CX-80 is a practical seven-seater family SUV. It has top tether anchorages in all five rear seats and ISOFix in the two outer second-row seats. I could fit five child seats in the rear seats which is great for large families and gives smaller families flexibility around seating positions. It fits a single stroller in the boot when using all seven seats. Watch the full family review of Mazda CX-80 here.
NOTE: While BabyDrive testing confirmed five child seats physically fit across the Mazda CX-80’s two rear rows, Mazda does not recommend installing three child restraint systems simultaneously in the second row. See our full investigation 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.
2024 Hyundai Palisade
Five child seats fit in the eight-seater 2024 Hyundai Palisade. There are two ISOFix in the second-row seats and top tether anchorages in all three. In the third row, there is ISOFix for one of the three seats and top tether anchorages for two of the three. Two child seats fit well in the third-row.See the full Hyundai Palisade family review here.The 2026 Hyundai Palisade review is coming soon!
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.
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.
It's not an SUV but it holds five child seats and is definitely worth considering:
Kia Carnival
The 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 in the back seats! Twin and double prams fit easily in the boot with all three rows of seats in use. Prices start at $50,500 for the base model Kia Carnival up to $76,600 for the top spec model.
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