New-parent paranoia combined with a complete lack of space consciousness resulted in the Jacquot family owning the world's largest convertible baby seat (pictured here). As a result, my litmus test of any sedan's value has now been dramatically redefined to include this criteria: Will it fit without forcing the wife to eat the airbag?
This is the front seat position with about an inch between the baby seat and the front passenger seatback. Obviously, more leg room can be had by leaning the seatback into a more vertical position, but this is the best compromise which keeps the wife from a needing a chiropractor.
It's not ideal, but honestly few sedans are. Even the Cadillac CTS, which I drove last weekend, offers only marginally more space between the seat bottom and dash. For perspective, the driver's seat is set to accommodate my 32-inch inseam and preferred Herman Munster vertical driving position.
Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor @ about 10,850 miles
joefrompa says:
03:15 PM, 02/ 9/09
Interesting you mention the CTS. I had only been in the front seat prior to the auto show ~10 days ago. I found the backseat surprisingly small for a car that fits between the 3 and 5 series in overall size.
My in-law's bought a new impreza wagon (2007 model year) before they had their son. They hated it. It couldn't fit their (over protectively massive size car seat) needs. Luckily for them, we were all having dinner in a 4th floor co-op when a older model Subaru Outback slammed into their Impreza and did $12,000 worth of damage.
So they bought an Outback :)
Joe
jederino says:
03:48 PM, 02/ 9/09
Do they recommend putting those baby seats backwards? What age can you turn them forward?
subytrojan says:
03:52 PM, 02/ 9/09
Did the MR get new shoes yet, Josh?
altimadude00 says:
04:27 PM, 02/ 9/09
When I adjusted the driver's seat in the CTS at a local Cadillac event recently, the bottom of the seat was an inch away from the rear seat.
Not my idea of family friendly.
And this article reminds me of a previous conversation of how a Mazda3 is a family sedan. With a car seat like this in a Mazda3, it would make anyone uncomfortable in the front seat. This is why I think of mid-size cars (Fusion or bigger) as family-sized. Anything smaller would be a tight squeeze. And no, I'm not ignoring the fact that many people use these compact cars for family vehicles. Ideal world, ideal vehicle blah blah.
Nice looking baby. Is that a cast on his/her arm?
jjacquot says:
05:44 PM, 02/ 9/09
It just happens that this baby seat spends most of its time in my wife's 2007 Mazda3. And yes, it's tight when the kid is in the back. But the wife is small and we make it work. Clearly, turning the seat around (converting it) would give us some extra room, but we're keeping her rear facing until she hits the weight/size maximum for that position.
Not a cast. Just an overexposed white shirt sleeve.
Josh
kingkhalas says:
10:07 PM, 02/ 9/09
We have the same seat and couldn't fit a passenger in our Audi A4 when it was rear facing.
dougtheeng says:
06:47 AM, 02/10/09
Looks like one happy baby. I'd be happy too if I was in an EVO.
joefrompa says:
08:29 AM, 02/10/09
FYI, the Legacy GT fits such car seats with a comfortable comfort seat adjustment for the front passenger. My wife and I brought her sister's car seat to the test drive. Surprising amount of back-seat room in the LGT compared to things like the 3-series, Lexus IS (ACK!), G35 (pretty similar), Audi A4 (at least the last generation), and the Caddy CTS (which lies somewhere between the A4 and IS for some reason).
blueguydotcom says:
09:07 PM, 02/10/09
We're going through this. The 3 series and CTS do not offer much space at all for rear-facing seats. The G35 gives you tons of space but the car isn't much fun.
The Passat CC gives you a good deal of space. Here's the kicker - the GTI. Yep, the 4 door GTI offers astounding space (good headroom too) with its upright cabin. I got the baby seat in the back and my wife had a ton of space in front. too bad the GTI is end of life cycle...
mikeebear says:
05:12 AM, 02/11/09
Pardon my ignorance, but doesn't the Evo offer a center seat in the rear? Is it not recommended to place the baby seat there? That's what I see most folks do.
-- No kids yet :-)
dharbin says:
03:46 PM, 02/16/09
Oh come on, helios. Kids are part of normal life...you were one too. I think she's a cute kid.
subytrojan says:
09:37 AM, 02/19/09
helios1, your comment = EPIC F41L!