So my wife and I ordered a 6-seater Model X because we'd imagine that it would be great to get our two toddlers in the second row seats into their car seats, as well as leave ample room to get back and forth to the third row for any adults.
After driving a friend's Model X with 7-seat option over the weekend, we began to think if we made the right choice.
Does anyone here have any insight to how they use their 6-seat or 7-seat configurations for their kids?
Chances are, the 6 & 7 seat owners are going to tell you their respective configuration is the way to go.
I had a 7 seat, have a 6 seat, and considered a 5 seat configuration. Here's why I went the way I did...
**when I say kid/child, I'm referencing a kid who requires a car seat or booster.
1. The 7 seat configuration is much better than a lot of people say. If you have only 1 kid, or if you have 3 kids. This is the configuration to get. It allows you to keep the 3rd row down almost permanently. With 1 kid, you place the car seat in the middle and adults still fit on both sides. With 3 kids, you can place them all side by side and still have the full trunk space for Costco, the beach, or whatever else you need to haul. The major disadvantage is the difficult rear view. Yes, you'll get used to it; but it really does block out the middle of your rear view.
Why 1 & 3 kids, and not 2? Because chances are if you have 2, you're going to put them in the outer most seats. It will be unlikely for you to put the 2 seats side by side. If you do, then you purposely went out of your way to find narrow car seats that fit 3 across so your kids can fight/annoy each other.
Once you take up the outer seats, it is a royal pain for an adult to squeeze into the middle, keep in mind you have the FWD hinges in the middle to deal with.
2. Which brings us to the same problem in a 6 seat configuration. Could you theoretically have an adult go down the middle "aisle" like a minivan? Yes..you could. But it's a pain. It's more likely they squeeze in the size just like they would on a 7 seat configuration. Once back there, an adult fits the same (we've fit 5'10" adults in both 6 & 7 for hour long trips) The leg room is really about the same. The perception of the 6 seat is that it's bigger though because adults have the ability to see through the car instead of just glossy or matte seat backs.
The advantage of the 6 seat is that it allows extra floor storage, and the ability to buy things like electric conduits, extra long pool noodles, and like shaped items. In my opinion, it's perfect if you are carrying around 2 kids and the occasional adult.
If you have 3 kids, I think you're still better off with the 7 seat, especially if you carry around adults occasionally, or the 5 seat if you don't carry any additional adults. Otherwise, while you may not have a favorite kid; you definitely have a least favorite. This also eats into your trunk/cargo carrying ability. The one exception is if you have 2 babies and an older kid. You may have a need to sit back there to tend to the babies, in which case you'd be sitting with the 3rd child; and have easy access to tend to the two babies.
3. The 5 seat configuration is best for no children, 1 child, or multiple children w/o a need to carry additional adults. It allows you to maximize utility in the best ways. It should also be lighter weight, and simpler as there's less parts to break down the road. Unfortunately if you're carrying multiple kids with additional adults, this just isn't an option.
It's a long post, but hopefully it helps you out. For your described situation, I think you'll be fine with 6 or 7. Of course if you have any specific questions, feel free to post or message me.
