Can three car seats fit in the 2026 Subaru Ascent for daily life near Perry Hall, MD?

Jones Bel Air Subaru - Can three car seats fit in the 2026 Subaru Ascent for daily life near Perry Hall, MD?

Parents weighing a three-row SUV want more than a spec sheet — they want to know if day-to-day life gets easier. One of the most practical questions for growing families is whether the 2026 Subaru Ascent can comfortably accommodate three car seats across the second row and still leave room for third-row access.

The Ascent offers two second-row configurations: a bench for eight passengers or captain’s chairs for seven. If your priority is fitting three seats across in the same row, the bench layout is your best bet. Wide rear door openings help you maneuver bulky bases, and the cabin’s generous overall passenger space makes buckling less of a wrestling match. On the seven-passenger setup, parents often choose to place two seats on the captain’s chairs and keep the third-row side seat open for an older child, maintaining a clear aisle through the middle.

LATCH anchor availability and top tether access are central to your plan. The second-row bench provides multiple lower anchors and top tethers for flexible placement, and the third row offers top tethers for forward-facing seats. For infants and toddlers, rear-facing installations typically go behind the front passenger for easier loading. Older kids using high-back boosters can move to the third row without compromising comfort thanks to the Ascent’s notable third-row legroom compared with several competitors.

Beyond seating, the Ascent’s standard EyeSight® Driver Assist Technology adds important support on hectic school-day routes. Even with a cabin full of conversation and snacks, adaptive safety features help maintain space ahead and provide gentle steering assistance to keep you centered. Available Blind-Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert further assist during drop-off lanes and busy lots, while available Automatic Emergency Steering can help in sudden situations. These layered systems complement parent vigilance without getting in the way.

• Start with the layout: If you need three across, select the 8-passenger bench; if you want a clear aisle, go with captain’s chairs.
• Map your anchors: Identify lower anchors and top tethers in the second and third rows before installation day.
• Test the buckle zones: Bring your seats to a showroom appointment to check belt access and hand clearance between seats.
• Prioritize access: Place the most frequently buckled child where the door swing and step-in height feel easiest.
• Plan for growth: Leave flexibility to shift positions as kids graduate from rear-facing to forward-facing to boosters.

Families often discover that mixed-row placement leads to the least daily friction. For example, a rear-facing infant seat behind the passenger, a forward-facing seat in the middle, and a booster on the second-row outboard can work well on the bench. On captain’s chairs, two younger children ride in the 2nd row while an older child enjoys the third-row outboard seat, preserving aisle access and quick exits.

To make this easy, schedule a hands-on fitting. Jones Bel Air Subaru can reserve time for you to bring your specific seats and walk through second- and third-row options, including tether routing and quick-fold techniques for third-row access. Our team is serving Newark, DE, Parkville, MD, and Perry Hall, MD, and we are happy to tailor a test-drive route that mirrors your daily routine — school, daycare, and after-practice pickups included.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does the 2026 Ascent have enough room for rear-facing seats without cramping the front passenger?

Yes. Thanks to generous passenger volume, most common rear-facing models fit behind the front passenger with comfortable legroom remaining. During a demo, we can position the front seat and verify your exact car seat clearance.

Is it easier to reach the third row with captain’s chairs?

For frequent third-row access, captain’s chairs provide a convenient walk-through aisle. However, the 8-passenger bench still folds and slides for access — we will show both methods so you can decide which works best for your family.

Can a high-back booster fit securely in the third row?

Yes. The Ascent’s third-row design accommodates many high-back boosters with proper belt fit. We recommend a test fit with your specific model to confirm comfort and buckling ease.

What safety tech helps with school traffic and parking lots?

Standard EyeSight® suppothe rts following distance and lane positioning. Available Blind-Spot Detection and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert assist during merges and backing out between taller vehicles, while available Automatic Emergency Steering can help avoid certain low-speed hazards.

Request more 2026 Subaru Ascent information