The Best Car Seats for the RAV4
Whether you’re currently car shopping for a RAV4 or trying to imagine having three kids in the backseat of your current RAV4, you’ll be happy to learn that this vehicle can comfortably hold three car seats safely.
As a sporty all-terrain vehicle, the Toyota RAV4 is a popular car for families who love to explore the world, go on adventures, and share memories together.
The RAV4 is undeniably smaller and more narrow than other full-size SUVs, trucks, and standard minivans. Still, it has so many of the same capabilities and functionality as a full-sized SUV, like the Chevy Tahoe, Kia Sorento, or Ford Explorer.
Most families love the RAV4 for its practicality, efficiency, and comfort and don’t want to trade it in for something larger, less fuel efficient, and more expensive. You may be unsure if the RAV4 can comfortably fit three car seats in the backseat, and we’re here to prove that it’s possible!
Whether your children are rear-facing or forward-facing, there are quite a few car seat options that work three across in the RAV4. When shopping for a compact, lightweight car seat that is narrow enough, it’s important to find brands that are known for their space-saving designs.
Keep reading for our recommendations on the best narrow and safe car seats that are ideal for compact vehicles like the Toyota RAV4.
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Graco SlimFit3 LX
If you need car seats to fit three across in your RAV4, this Graco convertible seat is a top choice for families with multiple children.
Designed as a space-saving car seat with all the bells and whistles, Graco will never sacrifice safety or quality to fit in a vehicle. This gives parents and caretakers the peace of mind that their child is still safe and secure in their seat while fitting three car seats in the back row efficiently.
In addition to being a convenient and comfortable convertible car seat, the Graco SlimFit3 LX can also fit three across in the second row of the RAV4 if you have children within the recommended age and weight range.
Rather than having to research various car seats that will fit in their vehicle, parents can purchase this Graco car seat, knowing it will fit all three of their children safely.
Why We Like It
- 3-in-1 car seat grows with your child, from 5 pounds to 100 pounds
- 16.7 inches wide for a slim fit in your backseat
- Rigorously crash-tested to ensure safety in frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes
- 10-position harness system to support your child’s growth
- Maximum height recommendation 57 inches
- 4 reclining positions
- Weighs 19 pounds and is a great lightweight option
- Removable cup holders provide extra space if necessary
- Over 40,000 5-star reviews — trusted and loved by parents everywhere
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Stokke PIPA by Nuna
If you’re looking for an infant seat that can be tightly secured using the LATCH anchor system in the RAV4, the Stokke PIPA by Nuna is a safe option for babies up to 32 pounds.
While Nuna remains one of the more stylish brands on the market, baby safety is still the brand’s first priority. Providing superior comfort and protection regardless of the vehicle, the Nuna car seat will keep infants safe throughout their first year of life.
Why We Like It
- Holds babies up to 32 pounds
- Easy installation in any backseat in a few seconds
- 5-point safety harness
- The car seat base is included
- Side impact protection
- Green safety indicators and dual bubble-level indicators
- Mesh fabric helps with ventilation to keep the baby cool in the car
Related post: Best Car Seats For Tall Babies and Kids
Cosco Onlook 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat
Since the 1970s, Cosco has offered safe, affordable baby products for families who can’t spend a small fortune on car seats, strollers, and other items.
The Cosco Onlook 2-in-1 convertible car seat is narrow enough to fit comfortably and safely in any position in the RAV4’s backseat while protecting your child in the car. While it does have less padding to make it a more narrow fit, we’re confident your child won’t notice a difference and will be happy as a clam in the backseat with their siblings.
Why We Like It
- 5-point safety harness
- Machine washable seat padding
- Seats babies rear-facing from 5 to 40 pounds
- Can safely seat children forward-facing from 22 to 40 pounds
- LATCH-equipped for extra safety and security
- Built-in side-impact protection
- Features six heights and three buckle locations
- Weighs 12 pounds
- Safely accommodates children up to 43 inches tall
You may also want to check for Integrated Baby Car Seats!
Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35
The Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 offers a tight, secure installation in the RAV4, and the tension power allows parents to install this car seat closer to the door to make room for two other seats in the back row.
The SnugLock base is more narrow than other Graco infant seat options, making it an excellent choice to keep your baby safe and secure while comfortably fitting three children in the RAV4.
For decades, Graco has offered safe, quality car seat options for families with babies, toddlers, and children of all ages. Invest in a brand that has earned the trust of families all over the world for a reason.
Why We Like It
- 4-position recline adjustable base
- Helps protect in frontal, side, rear, and rollover crashes
- Fits children up to 35 pounds and 32 inches long
- Includes newborn head and body support
- LATCH-equipped for extra safety assurance
- Easy-to-read level indicator for easy, efficient installation
- Lightweight option at just 14 pounds
Related post: Smallest Car Seats
Britax Marathon ClickTight Convertible Car Seat
For a safe, secure rear and forward-facing convertible car seat that fits easily into the backseat of a RAV4, you’ll find the Britax Marathon ClickTight convertible car seat checks every box.
While it’s not the most narrow car seat you’ll find, it makes up for its standard width by offering one of the most secure and tight installations on the market, called ClickTight. The steel tensioner tightens the car seat into the backseat, removing the likelihood of the seat moving after installation.
Why We Like It
- A 2-in-1 convertible car seat that grows with your baby
- Steel-reinforced frame and side impact protection
- Machine washable seating pad
- Quick-adjust headrest with 14 positions and perfect-fit harness
- Fits infants from 5 pounds up to preschool-age kids at 65 pounds
- 7-position recline options
- Easy-to-read level indicator for quick installation
- V-shaped tether for guaranteed safety and security
Related post: Best Car Seats for Big Babies
Chicco KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat
Featuring smaller external dimensions for a more convenient fit in the RAV4, the Chicco KeyFit30 will keep your rear-facing baby safe while accommodating your other children comfortably.
Chicco offers families a variety of infant, convertible, and booster seat options that grow with children, making it a great brand to invest in for your current and future family members.
Why We Like It
- Simple and accurate installation every time
- Two bubble-level indicators and spring-loaded leveling
- Premium LATCH connectors for easy attachment
- EPS energy-absorbing foam for impact protection in the event of a crash
- Designed for children between 4 and 30 pounds and up to 30 inches tall
- Machine washable seat pad
- A lightweight option at just 16 pounds
Related post: 4-in-1 Car Seats
Clek Liing Infant Car Seat
If you’re looking for a brand that guarantees a fit in more narrow back seats, Clek is a great contender. Their infant, convertible, and booster seats all fit seamlessly together through each seat’s space-saving design.
Additionally, the Clek Liing infant car seat is designed to take up less space front to back, so the driver and front seat passenger will have more leg room.
Why We Like It
- Accommodates children from 4 to 35 pounds and 32 inches tall
- 7 recline positions for perfect angle and comfort
- Compact design is ideal for narrow back seats
- The car seat base is designed with a Rigid-LATCH system and a belt-tensioning system for secure installation
- Lightweight carrier weighs 15 pounds
- Adjustable metal load leg increases stability and significantly reduces the risk of injury
- Advanced side impact protection
- Free from halogenated flame retardants
Related post: The Best Car Seats for Pickup Trucks
Final Thoughts on Compact Car Seats for the Toyota RAV4
Even with a compact backseat, fitting three car seats in the Toyota RAV4 is possible without sacrificing safety, comfort, or quality. The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) anchors in the RAV4 make installing three car seats a breeze; you may have to adjust the recline positions as well as shuffle any rear-facing seats to sit behind the passenger seat (particularly if the vehicle driver is taller than 5’10”), but it’s certainly doable.
It’s essential to confirm the safety of any infant and convertible car seats, along with any booster seats, that you purchase to fit in your RAV4. Check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the best tips on finding the right car seats for your growing family.
Every state has different regulations, so it’s important to be informed of the current laws and recommendations to avoid getting a ticket or unintentionally putting your child in harm’s way.
The convenience of being able to fit the entire family in one vehicle for any type of outing is invaluable, especially if you have an infant along for the ride. Toyota’s RAV4 may be more compact than other vehicles in its class, but the roomy back row allows for three car seats to fit comfortably and, most importantly, safely.
You may want to keep on reading for tips on how to save money on car seats!
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