3-Across in a Subaru Ascent

The Ascent is one of our top picks for mid-size SUVs – in particular because it offers advanced seat belt technology (pretensioners) in the 2nd row (2D + 2P) and superior crash prevention technology.

However, 3-across in the 2nd row and 3rd row is more challenging than we’d like – so there’s definitely room for improvement. The trickiest part for 3-across in the 2nd row is fitting 2 seats in 2D and 2C. The Ascent’s 2nd row bench is very unevenly divided and 2P is nearly half of the back seat, leaving a little more than half for the remaining two seats (2D and 2C). Therefore, we focused on what two seats can install securely in 2D and 2C, and did the seat in 2C prevent 2P from moving for 3rd row access.

3-across in the 3rd row is even more challenging as 3rd rows are narrower (because they sit over the wheel well) and they’re shallower (less leg room, less room for rear-facing seats). 

We spent many, many hours installing lots of car seats in the Ascent to give you “recipes” for how to fit 3-across (or 2-together) in this vehicle. There are certainly additional combinations that work… but we’ve given you quite a few combos to choose from. Our recommendations below start with the 2nd row and then as you scroll you’ll find 3rd row recommendations.

3rd Row Access

If you need 3rd row access and will have a car seat in 2P, the car seat will need to be installed with LATCH in order for 2P to slide. Some seats can be installed with LATCH to a higher child weight than others. The Graco Extend2Fit is an ideal choice for a rear-facing seat (can be installed up to a child’s weight of 45 pounds with LATCH) and the IMMI Go for forward-facing (up to 55 pounds with LATCH). 

What's Missing?

You won’t see any combinations with 3 RF Convertibles or 3 FF seats across either the 2nd or 3rd rows as we couldn’t find a combination that worked (where all 3 seats installed securely). We also could not get 2 RF convertibles in 2D and 2C (even 2 Cleks did not work).

Ascent Models

This information applies to all 8-seater Ascent models (because you can’t do 3-across in the 7-seater since it only has 2 seats in the 2nd row). There’s an error in our pictures – they should say 2019, not 2018 (as the Ascent was introduced for the 2019 model year). The Ascent has not changed since its introduction in 2019.

Why Did We Choose These Car Seats and Boosters?

We know you’ll want to learn more about how and why we chose these car seats and boosters. You’ll find in depth explanations about each one of them here including links where you can purchase – so you can be sure you’re getting the exact model shown. We’ll also explain why you don’t see some of the seats you may have expected to.

Abbreviations Used:

2D: 2nd Row Driver’s Side || 2C: 2nd Row Center Seat || 2P: 2nd Row Passenger’s Side

RF: Rear-facing || FF: Forward-facing || HBB: High-back Booster || NBB: No-back Booster

Seat Back Recline Trick

We used the seat back recline trick for every car seat installation shown below. It allowed us to get a tight installation in some really tight spots. Therefore, be sure to watch this video to learn what it is and how to do it. For some of the forward-facing car seats, we also used the double seat back recline trick - which you can learn about here.

2ND ROW

1 RF + 1 FF

2D: Clek Foonf (seat belt + anti-rebound bar + Q-tether)
2C: IMMI Go (Lower Anchors + Tether Strap)

3rd Row Access from 2P: Yes!
Notes: IMMI Go tether must be routed as shown here.
An IMMI Go in 2C is an exceptionally ideal choice in this vehicle for preserving 3rd row access. The IMMI Go in the center gives the forward facing child the best view out the front window - while also keeping them far from a direct side impact.
Many of our narrow car seat + booster recommendations will fit in 2P and preserve 3rd row access when installed with the Lower Anchors.

1 RF + 1 FF

2D: Clek Liing  (seat belt + load leg)
2C: IMMI Go (Lower Anchors + Tether Strap)

3rd Row Access from 2P: Yes!
Notes: IMMI Go tether must be routed as shown here.
Liing carrier locks into base in the more reclined ranges (won't lock into base in the more upright settings - which are never required).
The Chicco Fit2 infant seat + base also installs securely in 2D with the seat belt.
An IMMI Go in 2C is an exceptionally ideal choice for families looking to keep a forward facing child in the center of the Ascent - especially those looking to fit additional kids/adults in back.
Many of our narrow car seat + booster recommendations will fit in 2P and preserve 3rd row access when installed with the Lower Anchors.

1 FF + 1 HBB

2D: Maxi Cosi Rodifix (seat belt)
2C: IMMI Go (Lower Anchors + Tether Strap)

3rd Row Access from 2P: Yes!
Notes: IMMI Go tether must be routed as shown here.
The Rodifix does not have enough room to LATCH in. Remove the vehicle head restraint in 2D for the Rodifix to fit best. Many of our narrow car seat + booster recommendations will fit in 2P and preserve 3rd row access when installed with the Lower Anchors.

1 Infant + 1 RF Convertible (+ 1 FF)

2D: Clek Foonf (seat belt + anti-rebound bar)
2C: Chicco Fit2 (seat belt)
2P: IMMI Go (Lower Anchors + Tether Strap)

3rd Row Access from 2P: Yes!
Notes: Foonf in recline 2 - must use seat back recline trick.
Many of our narrow car seat + booster recommendations will fit in 2P and preserve 3rd row access when installed with the Lower Anchors.

1 Infant + 1 RF Convertible (+ 1 FF)

2D: Clek Foonf (seat belt + anti-rebound bar)
2C: Clek Liing (seat belt + load leg)
2P: Clek Fllo (Lower Anchors + Tether Strap)

3rd Row Access from 2P: Yes!
Notes: RF Foonf in Recline 2 - must use vehicle seat back recline trick.
Fllo may be installed FF with Lower Anchors until child weighs 40lbs (after 40lbs, 3rd row access will not be possible with a FF Fllo). Many of our narrow car seat + booster recommendations will also fit in 2P and preserve 3rd row access when installed with the Lower Anchors - for example the Chicco MyFit and FF Diono Radian 3R or 3RXT (Lower Anchors allowed until child weighs 40lbs).
The Clek Q-Tether (not shown in picture) may be added to make the RF Clek Foonf even safer.

1 Infant + 1 RF Convertible (+ 1 FF)

2D: Maxi Cosi Rodifix (seat belt)
2C: Clek Liing (seat belt + load leg)
2P: Clek Foonf (Rigid LATCH + Tether Strap)

3rd Row Access from 2P: Yes!
Notes: The Rodifix does not have enough room to LATCH in. Remove the vehicle head restraint in 2D for the Rodifix to fit best.
Foonf may be installed FF with Lower Anchors until child weighs 35lbs (after 35lbs, seat belt gets added, and 3rd row access will not be possible with a FF Foonf in 2P).
Many of our narrow car seat + booster recommendations will fit in 2P and preserve 3rd row access when installed with the Lower Anchors.

1 Infant + 1 RF Convertible (+ 1 FF)

2D: Nuna Rava (seat belt)
2C: Clek Liing (seat belt + load leg)
2P: Clek Foonf (Rigid LATCH + Tether Strap)

3rd Row Access from 2P: Yes!
Notes: We showed a Rava here as for families with a very tall driver, the RF Clek Foonf may not leave enough room when in 2D and Rava takes up less room into the front seat (but Rava gives the child less room and doesn't have an anti-rebound bar or Q-tether). The Rava is installed in the most reclined position.
Foonf may be installed FF with Lower Anchors until child weighs 35lbs (after 35lbs, seat belt gets added, and 3rd row access will not be possible with a FF Foonf in 2P).
Many of our narrow car seat + booster recommendations will fit in 2P and preserve 3rd row access when installed with the Lower Anchors.

1 RF Convertible + 1 FF

2D: Clek Foonf (seat belt + anti-rebound bar)
2C: Chicco MyFit (seat belt + tether)

3rd Row Access from 2P: No!
Notes: The MyFit overhangs just a smidge into 2P, preventing 3rd row access.
RF Foonf in Recline 2 - must use vehicle seat back recline trick.
The Clek Q-Tether (not shown in picture) may be added to make the RF Clek Foonf even safer.
Many of our narrow car seat + booster recommendations will fit in 2P.

1 RF Convertible + 1 FF

2D: Maxi Cosi Rodifix (seat belt)
2C: Chicco MyFit (seat belt + tether)
2P: Clek Foonf (rigid LATCH + seat belt + tether strap)

3rd Row Access from 2P: No!
Notes: The MyFit overhangs just a smidge into 2P, preventing 3rd row access (regardless of what car seat is used in 2P). All 3 seats shown with their head rests in the highest positions.
The Rodifix does not have enough room to LATCH in. Remove the vehicle head restraint in 2D for the Rodifix to fit best.
Many of our narrow car seat + booster recommendations will fit in 2P.

1 FF + 1 NBB

2D: Cosco Rise (seat belt)
2C: Radian 3RXT (seat belt + locking clip + tether)

3rd Row Access from 2P: No!
Notes: We've chosen to show this as it highlights several issues we encountered.
1. Car seats in 2C forced boosters in 2D to sit off-center, such that the child's head would not be protected by 2D's head restraint in a crash. This child in 2D is at risk for severe whiplash as the head will slide off the head restraint.
2. The forward-facing Radian was a very challenging installation in the center seat - requiring the buckle stalk to be twisted and a locking clip to be added in order to yield a secure installation (+ the seat back recline trick, of course). We tried lots of car seats in 2D, and all of them pushed the Radian in 2C just a smidge into 2P, blocking 3rd row access from 2P.
We would not recommend installing a FF Diono in the center of this vehicle - the installation was too challenging to get correct.

3RD ROW

2 FF + 1 NBB

2D: Chicco MyFit (seat belt + tether strap)
2C: Graco RightGuide (seat belt)
2P: Chicco MyFit (seat belt + tether strap)

Notes: MyFit installed in Recline 1.
With 2nd Row all the way back, there was only 4 inches between MyFit and back of 2nd row seat (where child's knees bend).
MyFit head rest, in highest position, grazes the side of the Ascent.
RightGuide barely fit - so child will need to climb in/out of a buckled booster. The child in the RightGuide will need to be very narrow to fit between the MyFits.

1 RF + 1 FF + 1 NBB

2D: Graco Extend2Fit (seat belt)
2C: Graco RightGuide (seat belt)
2P: Chicco MyFit (seat belt + tether strap)

Notes: Extend2Fit positioned so that it touches Ascent's side wall. Installed in recline 3 with most of foot extension used. MyFit installed in Recline 1.
With 2nd Row all the way back, there was only 4 inches between MyFit and back of 2nd row seat (where child's knees bend).
MyFit head rest, in highest position, grazes the side of the Ascent.
RightGuide barely fit - so child will need to climb in/out of a buckled booster. Due to the cupholder on the Extend2Fit, some kids may not fit in 3C.

1 FF + 1 HBB + 1 NBB

2D: Graco RightGuide (seat belt)
2C: Nuna Rava (seat belt + tether strap)
2P: Maxi Cosi Rodifix (seat belt)

We included this set-up to show a dangerous situation that can happen in this (and other vehicles). Here, the RightGuide is forced over towards the wall of the vehicle, leaving the child's head unprotected by the vehicle head restraint - and therefore at significantly increased risk for whiplash injury. Always make sure for kids in NBB and adults in seat belts that the head is centered against the vehicle head restraint. In this set-up, 3D will need to remain empty.
Notes: Rodifix touches Ascent's side wall when head rest in its highest position.

1 RF + 1 FF + 1 NBB

2D: Diono Radian 3RXT (seat belt + tether strap)
2C: Graco RightGuide (seat belt)
2P: Graco Extend2Fit (seat belt)

Notes: Radian installed using double seat back recline trick (otherwise it did not install securely).
Extend2Fit positioned so that it touches Ascent's side wall. Installed in recline 3 with most of foot extension used.
RightGuide barely fit - so child will need to climb in/out of a buckled booster. The child in the RightGuide will need to be very narrow to fit between the Radian and Extend2Fit.

1 RF + 1 FF + 1 NBB

2D: Nuna Rava (seat belt)
2C: Graco RightGuide (seat belt)
2P: Chicco MyFit (seat belt + tether strap)

Notes: RightGuide barely fit - so child will need to climb in/out of a buckled booster. The child in the RightGuide will need to be very narrow to fit between the Rava and MyFit.
MyFit installed in Recline 1.
With 2nd Row all the way back, there was only 4 inches between MyFit and back of 2nd row seat (where child's knees bend).
MyFit head rest, in highest position, grazes the side of the Ascent.

A big thank you to Subaru for loaning us a 2019 Subaru Ascent for a few days so we could complete this project! Subaru did not reach out to us – rather, we reached out to Subaru and asked them if we could borrow an Ascent. Subaru had no say in any part of this project. This project, like all that we do, is completely independent of manufacturer input. As always, our opinions are our own – based on our experience & expertise.

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FTC Disclosure: Affiliate links are included in this page. No monetary compensation was provided, however, a few of the reviewed products were supplied by the manufacturer or distributor to help facilitate the review. All opinions are those of The Car Seat Lady, LLC.