REAR FACING ONLY child seats in M3- which ones have you used if you're over 6' tall?

[katbc]

Please read whole post before answering. We have a Model 3 (2021 yr). We have tall front seat drivers (over 6 foot) and are expecting a baby soon. I have read so many threads and am struggling to get exact car seat model names for REAR FACING infant/child safety seats with tall front passengers. Please, if you have a Model 3 and have used rear facing child seats and you are tall - I'd love to know what model you have and how it fit.
We'd like a seat that lasts at least two years - not one of those tiny ones that you can lift out and attach to a stroller, they only last up to 1 year (often much less!).
Bonus points would be for seats that are also on the more narrow side, but I think that's a bit too much to hope for.

So.. Model 3, tall front passengers, rear facing infant/child seat needed so we don't have to drive with our knees up under our chins. Please and thank you!

 

[EVJAutoJunkie]

I am assuming you plan on putting the seat in the rear middle seat?

At any case, I would suggest an All-in-one car seat like Britax One4Life. You'll have some breathing room and longevity with the purchase.

On the other hand, the second safest spot to place it is behind the passenger seat. I'm which case, you'll have no concern over the driver's seat position restrictions.

The last case scenario is to install ski racks and give your little one the joy of riding with mother nature.

 

[FauxOperator]

You're not getting an infant car seat?

I'm confused - 4 kids in, I couldn't imagine having a new born without an infant car seat that pops out. I don't think I know of anyone who hasn't utilized an infant car seat.

I feel like you're going to regret that decision. What happens when you go to the grocery store and your baby is sleeping? Popping the seat out and putting it in the shopping cart letting them sleep is what you're gonna want to do. I don't know what alternative you're planning, and that's just one of many examples when they come in handy.

I can't give advice on specific car seats for the M3 but I don't think it'll be that bad. Just don't cheap out.

 

[RipVanFinkle]

I can't fit rear facing car seats/carriers in the M3. There's not enough clearance. That, and my M3P is pretty low to the ground. Even if I did get the carrier to fit, it would be hell on the back getting it in and out. Dealt with that once before and will never do it again. I gave up and only use our van when transporting kids.

 

[EVJAutoJunkie]

Minivans were built for the purpose of hauling around kids because space is essential. Unless this was an unplanned family expansion and the M3 came first, there is no reason to keep it. You may end up saving yourself the headache by upgrading it to an MY asap. Used car prices will give you a good return on a trade in.

 

[katbc]

I am assuming you plan on putting the seat in the rear middle seat?

At any case, I would suggest an All-in-one car seat like Britax One4Life. You'll have some breathing room and longevity with the purchase.

On the other hand, the second safest spot to place it is behind the passenger seat. I'm which case, you'll have no concern over the driver's seat position restrictions.

The last case scenario is to install ski racks and give your little one the joy of riding with mother nature.

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check out the Britax One4Life, is this one you've used in a Model 3? We'll use either the middle seat or behind passenger - whatever will fit best for the driver.
I didn't think about the ski rack option but will consider that if the frunk option doesn't appeal to my partner!

 

[katbc]

You're not getting an infant car seat?

I'm confused - 4 kids in, I couldn't imagine having a new born without an infant car seat that pops out. I don't think I know of anyone who hasn't utilized an infant car seat.

I feel like you're going to regret that decision. What happens when you go to the grocery store and your baby is sleeping? Popping the seat out and putting it in the shopping cart letting them sleep is what you're gonna want to do. I don't know what alternative you're planning, and that's just one of many examples when they come in handy.

I can't give advice on specific car seats for the M3 but I don't think it'll be that bad. Just don't cheap out.

I've used them before for infants and I know I don't like them, we prefer to carry babe on us, but more importantly for me - as a health care professional who specialises in muscular skeletal development, I can confidently say I don't want my baby in an infant carrier more than is absolutely necessary - just when actually driving, so I would not use, or want to be tempted to use one that pops in and out, so no need for us to purchase one and then replace it as they grow out of it quickly.
BTW - I know many people who don't use the infant seats that pop in and out - you sound very surprised that there might be other people in the world who don't make the exact same decisions as you, lol.

 

[EVJAutoJunkie]

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check out the Britax One4Life, is this one you've used in a Model 3? We'll use either the middle seat or behind passenger - whatever will fit best for the driver.
I didn't think about the ski rack option but will consider that if the frunk option doesn't appeal to my partner!

I used it behind the passenger seat. It fits well and I can lean driver seat as far back as I need.

 

[katbc]

I can't fit rear facing car seats/carriers in the M3. There's not enough clearance. That, and my M3P is pretty low to the ground. Even if I did get the carrier to fit, it would be hell on the back getting it in and out. Dealt with that once before and will never do it again. I gave up and only use our van when transporting kids.

Aww man, I was hoping not to hear that. Were there any models you tried that were close? Perhaps we can have the closest fit possible behind the passenger seat and sacrifice a little leg room for that front passenger. We may only have the M3P for another year max and then can transfer whatever we have over to the next vehicle, or buy the smallest one possible for M3P and then we'll have the luxury to get a bigger one next year when we have more vehicle room.

 

[katbc]

I used it behind the passenger seat. It fits well and I can lean driver seat as far back as I need.

Good to know - and if there's a 6' person in the front passenger seat, how cramped do you think they might feel? We just have to get through a year of sacrifice, then we'll have a larger model and it wont be an issue.

 

[katbc]

I used it behind the passenger seat. It fits well and I can lean driver seat as far back as I need.

Thanks to you having a specific model recommendation, I was able to find some pictures online of a britax one4life in a model 3 and it looks like the front passenger will only have to give up a little leg room! Thank you!

 

[Nyshocka]

Please read whole post before answering. We have a Model 3 (2021 yr). We have tall front seat drivers (over 6 foot) and are expecting a baby soon. I have read so many threads and am struggling to get exact car seat model names for REAR FACING infant/child safety seats with tall front passengers. Please, if you have a Model 3 and have used rear facing child seats and you are tall - I'd love to know what model you have and how it fit.
We'd like a seat that lasts at least two years - not one of those tiny ones that you can lift out and attach to a stroller, they only last up to 1 year (often much less!).
Bonus points would be for seats that are also on the more narrow side, but I think that's a bit too much to hope for.

So.. Model 3, tall front passengers, rear facing infant/child seat needed so we don't have to drive with our knees up under our chins. Please and thank you!

I get my 3 in few weeks, and have a Britax marathon that I'll setup and report back.

I bought it because it is one of the best designs for safety for infants.

One thing I can say is the diono radian is popular but terrible rear facing design.

The marathon is very easy to get a secure install.

 

[firstkill]

Baby stage. I used uppababy Mesa. (Not what your looking for but it fits)

Then switched to
Graco extend to fit rear facing. I had it on the passenger side. Fits fine. But I didn’t use it on maximal rear facing tilt.

Will compromise space for tilt back on the front seat but leg room should be okay.
Obviously not for long trips but around town is fine.

It’s now forward facing.

 

[BigNick]

A minivan would be an ideal platform for a BEV.
The closest thing I've seen to one would be the VW ID.Buzz and it's not coming until 2023 (?)

 

[katbc]

I get my 3 in few weeks, and have a Britax marathon that I'll setup and report back.

I bought it because it is one of the best designs for safety for infants.

One thing I can say is the diono radian is popular but terrible rear facing design.

The marathon is very easy to get a secure install.

Thank you! Yeah we really wanted the Diono Radian but definitely wont fit. Are your front passengers tall? If so, and you can get the Marathon in, that would be great.

 

[katbc]

Baby stage. I used uppababy Mesa. (Not what your looking for but it fits)

Then switched to
Graco extend to fit rear facing. I had it on the passenger side. Fits fine. But I didn’t use it on maximal rear facing tilt.

Will compromise space for tilt back on the front seat but leg room should be okay.
Obviously not for long trips but around town is fine.

It’s now forward facing.

That's good to know, thank you for sharing your experience. I had a feeling the Graco would only fit it it was more upright than reclined, which doesn't work for a newborn. We just received a Chicco Keyfit 30, and while it's not what we want, it should hopefully be usable for the first few months until we can source a good convertible rear facing seat. We are both taller and were both long babies ourselves so we are expecting that this little nugget wont fit in the chicco for long.

 

[firstkill]

I’m 6ft. My wife’s. 5ft 8. But she takes up more rear seat space because she leans back a lot.

If you use the middle seat rear seat. No issues with most rear facing seats. But you will lose access to the seat belt buckle for the left and right rear seats.

Good luck with your lower back if you decide to use the middle seat. Exponentially tougher the taller you are.

 

[Nyshocka]

Thank you! Yeah we really wanted the Diono Radian but definitely wont fit. Are your front passengers tall? If so, and you can get the Marathon in, that would be great.

No we are not tall, actually on the short side, but I will move the seats all the way back and let you know. Unfortunately no car yet, I was told to expect it next week.

 

[Nyshocka]

That's good to know, thank you for sharing your experience. I had a feeling the Graco would only fit it it was more upright than reclined, which doesn't work for a newborn. We just received a Chicco Keyfit 30, and while it's not what we want, it should hopefully be usable for the first few months until we can source a good convertible rear facing seat. We are both taller and were both long babies ourselves so we are expecting that this little nugget wont fit in the chicco for long.

Speaking as a parent, not a car person. The chicco is the best car seat. It is safe, light and easy to install. I had it 5 years 2 kids, mine just expired, which is why I got the marathon. It will last until baby is about 24 inches. Also it's better for newborns so If they fall asleep in the car you can transfer. An installed car seat will result in a woken sleeping baby which is parent taboo 1!

 

[Jack Red&White]

Front facing seats for newborns is extremely dangerous.

Look into putting a more narrow seat into the middle position. All child seats work well with a seatbelt.

At about 3 minutes in you'll see what I'm taking about.