I have a 98 V70 AWD and three kids. We only had one in the kiddy seat so we didn't have to use the third row for anything other than their friends when they tagged along. That is the best way to view the third row seat anyway. My daughter could never sit in the rear facing row because she gets motion sickness and the rear facing seat makes it worse. I have found that around 10-11 years old, the third row is good for 5 minutes of travel or else it would become very uncomfortable for larger kids. If you have babies, use the V70 for the next 5-6 years and you shouldn't have any issues.

Is your oldest big enough for the booster seat stage yet? If not, you've got what, another year? Once they're tall enough for the booster, they should be able to safely occupy the 3rd row, thus freeing up a space in row 2 for the youngest kid.

Volvo mentions a minimum weight of the kid regarding sitting in the 3rd row. I think the more determining factor would be if the kid is tall enough to allow the shoulder harness to safely cross the chest. Let your child test drive the 3rd row.

good luck on avoiding the minivan purchase. Another choice might be the new Chrysler Pacifica, but those might be a little spendy and difficult to find used for now.
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-Fred, black '00 V70R

If one of your kids is above 4 you could get a V70 with the integrated child seat in the rear arm rest. You can fit 2 other seats on the back seat as well. I've done this - no problems. The rear facing seat is not suitable for child seats.

I have a 98 V70 and like you, three Kids. The car seat in the third seat is a NO NO says Volvo. Major safety issue. Minumum weight is 55lbs to sit in rear and max 90lbs. My saving grace is I have one in that weight class.

Having gone the Volvo route with three kids and the third seat, I should have bought the Honda Minivan. Don't get me wrong, I love my V70. It just isn't that practical with 3 kids. Even with one out of a car seat, the third seat removes all your luggage space when in use. Long trips become a problem. My solution is a Thule ski box, but when that long trip is a ski trip it is a problem again. I have taken to borrowing my business partner's toyota van for a week each March when we go sking. Check out the Honda

I'm not sure the 3rd row seat is intended for car seats. We've got a third row in our '02 2.4T, and I'd have to look at the manual to see if it is or isn't recommended, but I wouldn't put a car seat back there. For one thing, the whole rear-facing thing would be weird, having to go through the tailgate to get to it would get annoying, I don't know if the seatbelts auto-lock, and there is a whole lot of glass with no airbag curtains back there if you ever got in a wreck. Also, the seat base is pretty small, I'm not sure it would properly support a car seat.

I hate to say it, but if you really need a usable 3rd row (forward facing), you have to look at vans, minivans, or SUVs.

Good luck
Mike