Yes, you can fit three car seats in a Ford Explorer, but the arrangement is tight and requires careful planning. The third-row seat is not practical for regular car seat use due to its small size and difficult access. The most common and functional setup involves utilizing all three seats in the second row. The key is to use a specific combination of seat types: a narrow, rear-facing infant seat or convertible seat installed in the center, flanked by two forward-facing harness seats or boosters on the outboard positions.
This configuration works because the Ford Explorer’s second row is a 60/40 split bench, not individual captain’s chairs. The LATCH anchors (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren), which are standardized metal bars in the seat crevices for easier car seat installation, are only available for the two outboard seats. The center seat must be secured using the vehicle's lap/shoulder belt, which is a perfectly safe method if done correctly. The main challenge is the narrowness of the center position; not all car seats will fit without overlapping with the outer seats.
| Car Seat Configuration Factor | Ford Explorer (2020+ Model) Consideration |
|---|
| Second Row Width (Shoulder Room) | Approximately 61 inches |
| LATCH Anchor Availability | Outboard seats only; center uses seat belt |
| Recommended Setup | Narrow rear-facing seat in center, forward-facing seats on sides |
| Third-Row Usability | Cramped; best for occasional use by older children |
| IIHS Ease of Use Rating (LATCH) | Acceptable (for outboard positions) |
Before purchasing seats, measure their widths and test the installation. Some parents find that installing the center seat first, then the outboard seats, yields the best fit. While it’s possible, accessing the third row with two car seats installed in the second can be challenging, as the fold-and-slide function of the second-row seats may be blocked. For families that need constant third-row access, a minivan with wider sliding doors might be a more convenient long-term solution.
