Advice needed - new to US / wide middle seat
Hi all.
I am moving from the UK to the US later this year. In the UK I have a Ford S-Max (same wheelbase as the Galaxy) which allows me to fit three kids (8, 6 and 3) across the second row. Youngest is in an infant seat, middle is in a high-backed booster with a harness, and oldest is in the middle seat using the seatbelt he buckles himself.
I am struggling to reliably identify used cars that would replicate this set-up—not only fitting three across, but also ensuring the oldest has enough room to reach and buckle his own belt.
I initially looked at the Odyssey, but the middle seat on that looks pretty narrow and I'd like to avoid putting a child in the third row. I've considered the VW Atlas, Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90, though the latter would be tight unless it had the integrated booster. The Telluride & Palisade seem worth considering. But it seems that by far the widest second row is in the Kia Carnival, especially measured by hip room. Is that right?
I'd appreciate advice on this, since I can't see or test many of these cars in the UK for myself. Am I overestimating the middle-row width that I need, given that these cars are mostly wider than my S-Max? I'd like to spend under $40,000, though I appreciate the hybrid XC90s are mostly a little higher than that.
Thanks in advance.