3 Car Seats - GLE

[DanMorgan]

Good Evening,

I am expecting a third in the summer and am looking to change my current W213 to a GLE or a Q7.

Ideally, I want to have three car seats in the second row to maximise boot space. By the time the newborn is here, the other two will be 4 and 2.

The big question: I prefer the GLE overall, but can it accommodate 3 car seats in the middle row? If anyone has any experience, I would be grateful to hear about it!

Cheers

 

[markjay]

I don't know the answer, and for sure some child seats are narrower than others, BUT just to say that if you intend to use the ISOFIX points, then there won't be any available for the centre, because fitting a child seat in the centre isn't officially supported.

Also, regarding ISOFIX, if that's important to you, then note that not all MB models had these fitted as standard - on many models it was an option that had to be specified by the first owner. So check rather than assume that it will be there.

 

[DanMorgan]

I don't know the answer, and for sure some child seats are narrower than others, BUT just to say that if you intend to use the ISOFIX points, then there won't be any available for the centre, because fitting a child seat in the centre isn't officially supported.

Also, regarding ISOFIX, if that's important to you, then note that not all MB models had these fitted as standard - on many models it was an option that had to be specified by the first owner. So check rather than assume that it will be there.

One of the big points for me is that the GLE only has two outer ISOFIX points on the side seats, whereas the Q7 has three across

 

[markjay]

One of the big points for me is that the GLE only has two outer ISOFIX points on the side seats, whereas the Q7 has three across

This answer your question....

 

[Will]

Surely GL/GLS is the answer.

Much more flexibility, and importantly enough boot space for a family of five even if you’re not using all of the seats.

Four ISOFIX seats on these too, middle row splits 60/40 but the 3rd row each seat can be raised/lowered electronically.

Three car seats across is going to be a pain to live with as an everyday vehicle - ISOFIX or not it will be too snug and when they’re older they’ll be fighting to get to the seat belt buckles!

 

[DanMorgan]

Hi Will,

Funnily enough, my Dad has an 18-plate GLS, great cars, but I have a budget of around £35K, and that'll get me a 2020/21 GLE/Q7 - whereas the GLS's of the same year are 50/60K. I say this because I find my Dad's quite dated inside when compared to the newer style (personal preference, I know).

I agree with the three seats across being a pain, but my partner has a VW Tiguan for a lot of the dropping to nursery, etc. For long road trips/family day outs, it will be giving up my W213 for the bigger car (I should've explained this tbf!)

Cheers,

 

[Will]

Hi Will,

Funnily enough, my Dad has an 18-plate GLS, great cars, but I have a budget of around £35K, and that'll get me a 2020/21 GLE/Q7 - whereas the GLS's of the same year are 50/60K. I say this because I find my Dad's quite dated inside when compared to the newer style (personal preference, I know).

I agree with the three seats across being a pain, but my partner has a VW Tiguan for a lot of the dropping to nursery, etc. For long road trips/family day outs, it will be giving up my W213 for the bigger car (I should've explained this tbf!)

Cheers,

That’s fair enough, I wasn’t aware of your budget (and I’ve no idea on current prices, as I haven’t been looking).

Surprising to hear that a comparative GLE is so much cheaper than the same age GLS though - obviously the GLS is a more expensive car but I wouldn’t have thought it would be 50%+ more at five years old.

 

[MSG2004]

You can get made to measure three in a row car seats - a youtube blogger had one in his x5. Something else to consider?

 

[Will]

‘Multimac’ I think they’re called?

 

[fabes]

Dadcars (Ben) reviews and uses them.

 

[DanMorgan]

That’s fair enough, I wasn’t aware of your budget (and I’ve no idea on current prices, as I haven’t been looking).

Surprising to hear that a comparative GLE is so much cheaper than the same age GLS though - obviously the GLS is a more expensive car but I wouldn’t have thought it would be 50%+ more at five years old.

The latest GLE's also come with 7 seater options too - although the rear is only suitable for toddlers whereas the GLS, even I (6 foot 5) can get in the third row

 

[DanMorgan]

Dadcars (Ben) reviews and uses them.

Indeed - I have seen these and also met the guy who invented them (Kevin - really nice and into his 129s like myself). However, the issue here is that I don't want the MultiMac installed all-year round in the new car.

There are also safety concerns regarding the multimac for those that are interested (I think they should address them) - Multimac Car Seat experience | Mumsnet

 

[ALFAitalia]

Kids today eh?...child seats and isofix eh? Soft the lot of them. We had no child seats... of course not...because we had no rear seat belts at all! We used to climb about... and when dad had an estate we used to climb over into the boot and sit facing backwards... something we HAD to do when my dad has his mates in the back! I also still remember my baby sister in my mums arms in the fromt...no seat belt on! Ahh good times....you tell that to kids today.......

......would I or did I do any of that with my son....of course not. But I don't ever remember hearing about any kids getting injured in car crashes. No social media combined with lower speeds and far less traffic I guess.

 

[Will]

The latest GLE's also come with 7 seater options too - although the rear is only suitable for toddlers whereas the GLS, even I (6 foot 5) can get in the third row

Yes the GL/GLS models have full size seats throughout with decent leg and head room.

Aside from that, with all seven seats in use, there is still a reasonable sized luggage area. Could fit a double and a single buggy in there are the same time - and if you use it as a five seater, the luggage area is huge!