bench seat or captains chairs for 2nd row?

Ladies i need help. #3 is due in October and right now i have a jeep commander with a 3rd row (bench seat in 2nd row).

My husband and i want a car with captains chairs in the 2nd row, with a 3rd row (we're thinking the dodge durango). We think it would be so much easier to get in and out of.

however some are telling us the bench seat is better and then you'll have that extra spot.

Can you share your opinions with me or what you find to be better/easier?

Re: bench seat or captains chairs for 2nd row?

I absolutely love the idea of captains seating and am presently looking for a new truck. I took the Durango and Explorer out of the running because the third row only seats 2, leaving the seating capacity at only 6. It seems like a waste to have a truck when you can only seat one more person then in a car. I think if you want the captain seating and a 3 seater third row you should look at the Chevy Traverse, the GMC Acadia and the Buick Enclave- I listed them from least to most expensive.

bench seat or captains chairs for 2nd row?

agree w/ pp. that is the only vehicle i know of (besides mini van) that has the captains seats and then the third row bench.

Re: bench seat or captains chairs for 2nd row?

I have the Chevy Traverse with the captain seats. I definitely think this is the way to go. With a bench seat it would have been much more difficult to get to the third row, plus this way the children each have their own seats and cannot touch each other.

bench seat or captains chairs for 2nd row?

I have an Acadia with a bench as my second row. I fit all 3 carseats in one row which leaves an entire row of seating still. However, I don't use it very often for seating but insead leave them down so I have lots of trunk space. I would base it on how often you would be using the 3rd row for passengers.

Re: bench seat or captains chairs for 2nd row?

I have a suburban with captains chairs in the second row. I previously had the same car with a second row bench. I chose the captains chairs this time because with 4 dc, someone always has to sit in the third row even if there was a second row bench and now there is no argument-both older boys sit in the third row, and they dont mind it. (I have 2 carseats in the captains chairs.) Also, I found it difficult to climb into the third row with the bench- the seat didnt bend very far forward. In the event an adult needed to climb back there, I wanted it to be accessible. It is a little bit of a sacrifice losing a seat, but overall we are very happy with the configuration.

Re: bench seat or captains chairs for 2nd row?