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Kia Sportage 3 car seat configuration?

30 replies

Emmykins2023 · 24/01/2023 10:46

📌car seat configuration 🤷‍♀️

Hello all. Please help. We have a 4 year old, a nearly 2 year old and newborn.

We currently have two joie 360s and are trying to figure out how to configure a third car seat in our 2014 Kia Sportage. Anyone have success fitting 3 car seats in the back of this car? If so which ones have you got? We are happy to buy new ones so we can get them all fitted in but it’s challenging to know which ones to get 🤷‍♀️ any advice is welcome 🙏 we really don’t want to change car too! TIA xxx

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Lavender2021 · 24/01/2023 11:12

www.facebook.com/groups/1376541652674823/permalink/3197043533957950/

You may have to join the group to see it.
Your joie are pretty space hungry seats someyou may need to change them to something thinner and belt fitted.

Lavender2021 · 24/01/2023 11:14

Just read car manuals before buying as some cars don't allow car seats in the middle or front (only safe for rear facing with airbag off).

popopop · 24/01/2023 11:18

We sold our Sportage for this very reason. I'm pretty sure it doesn't take 3 car seats across the back. At least not the sizes we needed which were for a 4 yo, 2 yo and newborn.

trevthecat · 24/01/2023 11:20

Have a look at a multimac

GreenCereal · 24/01/2023 11:20

We’ve managed to do it with two Graco Slimfits - one rear facing for newborn in the middle (annoying to lean over and get her out each time, but the only way it works!), and one forward facing for the toddler, and a Maxi Cosi booster for our 6 year old.

Emmykins2023 · 24/01/2023 12:04

Lavender2021 · 24/01/2023 11:12

www.facebook.com/groups/1376541652674823/permalink/3197043533957950/

You may have to join the group to see it.
Your joie are pretty space hungry seats someyou may need to change them to something thinner and belt fitted.

Thank you! I’ve requested to join x

OP posts:
Emmykins2023 · 24/01/2023 12:05

popopop · 24/01/2023 11:18

We sold our Sportage for this very reason. I'm pretty sure it doesn't take 3 car seats across the back. At least not the sizes we needed which were for a 4 yo, 2 yo and newborn.

Oh dear. We really don’t want to 😖

OP posts:
Emmykins2023 · 24/01/2023 12:07

GreenCereal · 24/01/2023 11:20

We’ve managed to do it with two Graco Slimfits - one rear facing for newborn in the middle (annoying to lean over and get her out each time, but the only way it works!), and one forward facing for the toddler, and a Maxi Cosi booster for our 6 year old.

Not ideal with newborn in middle, but thank you so so much for the e advice! If it’s the only way then so be it!

OP posts:
popopop · 24/01/2023 12:07

@Emmykins2023 I know it's a total pain in the arse. Tbf we got a very good price for our it and it lost barely any value. Might be worth looking at other car seats as pp suggested. Ours are Maxi Cosi.

Emmykins2023 · 24/01/2023 12:58

popopop · 24/01/2023 12:07

@Emmykins2023 I know it's a total pain in the arse. Tbf we got a very good price for our it and it lost barely any value. Might be worth looking at other car seats as pp suggested. Ours are Maxi Cosi.

oh 💯it’s frustrating! Me and my husband are well and truely scratching our heads. Do you have 3 maxi cosi seats then? If so what models?

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 24/01/2023 13:49

Graco Slimfit isn't actually that slim either, as it's a multi-group one. So if somebody has fitted 2x Slimfit with a third seat then you potentially have space to do what you like :) But not every combination of 3 random seats will fit, so it's worth checking.

You want belt fitted usually, because isofix isn't flexible enough in fit and you want single stage because these tend to be slimmer. Forget spin because even if you can fit them in, you won't be able to use the spin function so it's pointless. Not so bad if forward facing but the Joie spin is a pain to use RF without the spin. However, it is helpful to try and use what you have so you could try one with 2 other seats to see how you get on.

Check your manual to see if you can put a seat with support leg in the centre seat.

Other than this it is basically going to a car seat warehouse or independent ERF type specialist and doing trial and error, because the width of the seats for example is not as important as the shape of them and how that interacts with the other 2 seats, with the position of the seatbelts, with the angle of the seats that you have.

The 4yo could potentially go into a Swedish rear facing style seat, (Axkid Move, Britax Max Way, Avionaut Sky etc) which would last another year or so until the baby is out of the infant carrier and then they could go into a high backed booster.

Or you could look at slimmer high backed boosters now - Britax, Maxi Cosi and Joie tend to be slimmer than most. The benefit of HBB seats is they don't need a support leg. Isofix is also optional in all of them, even the newer ones.

Or if you want forward facing with a harness (or if 4yo is still under 15kg) you'll be looking at 123 seats, but these tend to be a bit wider plus you have the isofix issue. But this would be your one isofix seat, I would say, if you have to do one isofix. Look for something with a low base so that whatever else you put next to it can potentially rise above it.

The 2yo should almost definitely go into a Swedish rear facing type seat - they are brilliant for 3 across because with the combo of tethers and seatbelt you can fit them flexibly without compromising on the sturdiness. However if you desperately want forward facing for them, I'd look at something like Maxi Cosi Priori or Joei Steadi R129 - these are slimmer belt fitted options with no support leg. Maxi Cosi Beryl is a belt fitted/isofix option with support leg. Possibly good for the centre.

Newborn will be easiest if you can belt in one side seat - but you could potentially put a belt fitted base in the centre seat, if it allows a support leg. That works OK because you can lean over/around the other child seat to click the baby's seat onto or off the base and means you're not fiddling with any seatbelt or harness in the middle seat. Be aware of the combination of seatbelt buckles in the back - you don't want an enthusiastic 4/5/6yo undoing the centre car seat instead of their own seatbelt. It might be worth getting a seatbelt lock that you have to open by pushing your car key into it if you end up with this setup (to protect the belt fitted car seat from accidental unplug)

This is a useful resource with some ideas/seat combos (some quite old so the seat models may no longer be available unfortunately).

erfmission.com/car-seats-3-across-in-the-backseat/

UnbeatenMum · 24/01/2023 13:55

I changed mine too, sorry, although at the time I had a baby, an 8yo and an 11yo so 1 RF, 1 HBB and 1 without a car seat. I have a Kia Carens now which has 3 separate back seats which I think would work with 3 seats even though it's not much bigger than the Sportage.

Emmykins2023 · 24/01/2023 13:58

BertieBotts · 24/01/2023 13:49

Graco Slimfit isn't actually that slim either, as it's a multi-group one. So if somebody has fitted 2x Slimfit with a third seat then you potentially have space to do what you like :) But not every combination of 3 random seats will fit, so it's worth checking.

You want belt fitted usually, because isofix isn't flexible enough in fit and you want single stage because these tend to be slimmer. Forget spin because even if you can fit them in, you won't be able to use the spin function so it's pointless. Not so bad if forward facing but the Joie spin is a pain to use RF without the spin. However, it is helpful to try and use what you have so you could try one with 2 other seats to see how you get on.

Check your manual to see if you can put a seat with support leg in the centre seat.

Other than this it is basically going to a car seat warehouse or independent ERF type specialist and doing trial and error, because the width of the seats for example is not as important as the shape of them and how that interacts with the other 2 seats, with the position of the seatbelts, with the angle of the seats that you have.

The 4yo could potentially go into a Swedish rear facing style seat, (Axkid Move, Britax Max Way, Avionaut Sky etc) which would last another year or so until the baby is out of the infant carrier and then they could go into a high backed booster.

Or you could look at slimmer high backed boosters now - Britax, Maxi Cosi and Joie tend to be slimmer than most. The benefit of HBB seats is they don't need a support leg. Isofix is also optional in all of them, even the newer ones.

Or if you want forward facing with a harness (or if 4yo is still under 15kg) you'll be looking at 123 seats, but these tend to be a bit wider plus you have the isofix issue. But this would be your one isofix seat, I would say, if you have to do one isofix. Look for something with a low base so that whatever else you put next to it can potentially rise above it.

The 2yo should almost definitely go into a Swedish rear facing type seat - they are brilliant for 3 across because with the combo of tethers and seatbelt you can fit them flexibly without compromising on the sturdiness. However if you desperately want forward facing for them, I'd look at something like Maxi Cosi Priori or Joei Steadi R129 - these are slimmer belt fitted options with no support leg. Maxi Cosi Beryl is a belt fitted/isofix option with support leg. Possibly good for the centre.

Newborn will be easiest if you can belt in one side seat - but you could potentially put a belt fitted base in the centre seat, if it allows a support leg. That works OK because you can lean over/around the other child seat to click the baby's seat onto or off the base and means you're not fiddling with any seatbelt or harness in the middle seat. Be aware of the combination of seatbelt buckles in the back - you don't want an enthusiastic 4/5/6yo undoing the centre car seat instead of their own seatbelt. It might be worth getting a seatbelt lock that you have to open by pushing your car key into it if you end up with this setup (to protect the belt fitted car seat from accidental unplug)

This is a useful resource with some ideas/seat combos (some quite old so the seat models may no longer be available unfortunately).

erfmission.com/car-seats-3-across-in-the-backseat/

You are amazing! Wow! So much information and support! Thank you so so much for all your kind advice. I’ll share all this with my husband and hopefully we can arrange car seats comfortably. We have 2 isofix ms available but middle will have to be seat belt. So I think your right in terms to figuring out what will fit for less of a payout. I agree I think the luxury of the spin has vanished. Shame. It certainly saves back ache!

OP posts:
Mummysgonetobed · 24/01/2023 14:18

I never managed to find a configuration that worked and ended up selling for a 7 seater. There’s so few cars that can take 3 car seats across the back, it’s really frustrating!

Crumpledstilstkin · 24/01/2023 14:22

We went to a shop and tried them but a combo of Graco high back boosters and joie everystage rear facing worked for us. It's not ideal strapping everyone in, mind, as seats get in the way of belts.

Tantastic12 · 24/01/2023 14:28

I have a kia sportage and had an axkid minikid, a britax two way elite and maxi cosi cabriofix belted, all rear facing. In Car Safety centre are very helpful.

Emmykins2023 · 25/01/2023 16:57

Tantastic12 · 24/01/2023 14:28

I have a kia sportage and had an axkid minikid, a britax two way elite and maxi cosi cabriofix belted, all rear facing. In Car Safety centre are very helpful.

I’ve booked an appointment with them. Thanks for sharing 👍

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 25/01/2023 17:57

The problem you'll often find in Isofix is that even if you have a fairly spacious back seat, if the Isofix points are positioned quite a distance from the doors, it means the Isofix seats are pushed towards the centre which reduces space there. We have the same problem in our car.

Lavender2021 · 25/01/2023 20:06

Do watch the in car safety centre as they have been known to give bad advice saying seats will not fit when they do.
If you asked in the extended rear facing group they may have an independent specialist seat seller in your area. Or look on Axkid online as they have a list of retailers and most will do a range of brands.

Sotired22 · 25/01/2023 20:13

There aren’t many cars at all where you can safely and comfortably fit 3 in a row. We had to sell our car and get a Ford S-Max. Ideally you need 3 full size seats you see. Not a half-size middle seat which so many cars have, even quite big cars. Just be careful not to squash the seats in so much that they’re pressed against each other as I read that that’s quite dangerous in an accident. They can be lightly touching but shouldn’t be squashed together.

Petrolheadmom · 26/01/2023 15:32

Have you looked into Multimac?

So much cheaper than upgrading to a new car and means you can fit all three in the back safely, it’s made of aluminium too so can’t go wrong in terms of safety!

Emmykins2023 · 26/01/2023 20:05

Petrolheadmom · 26/01/2023 15:32

Have you looked into Multimac?

So much cheaper than upgrading to a new car and means you can fit all three in the back safely, it’s made of aluminium too so can’t go wrong in terms of safety!

Yes, it’s a preferred option, just mega expensive. It really does look incredible and solves all the problems for sure though 🧐

OP posts:
GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 26/01/2023 20:32

This is a good group too OP

www.facebook.com/groups/CSAUK/?ref=share

There's various posts from people struggling with the Sportage, but this one particularly looked informative.

Kia Sportage 3 car seat configuration?
Lavender2021 · 26/01/2023 21:07

Please don't use a Multimac no fully trained person would sell you one, only the company themselves. If you do join car seat groups just search in them for the Multimac none of the trained sellers would recommend due to safety concerns.

SHAharn · 05/02/2023 15:26

We are currently working around this. We bought the 2023 Kia Sportage last year before we found out we were expecting a third. The only thing I have found so far is the diono radian 3R slim fit since each one is from birth to booster. My oldest is almost 8 so we switched her to a graco booster though but it would be easier if I would have gotten another diono. My middle child's seat is getting here today. The only thing is that these are longer car seats so it will restrict driver and passenger room to be rear facing. When I install it tomorrow, I will try to update. I refuse to trade in this car at this point.