We tested the 2025 Honda CR-V’s second row with two ISOFIX/LATCH child seats and a center booster, focusing on anchor access, belt routing, and rear-door opening angles to see if a realistic three-across setup works for family duty.
Our test vehicle was a 2025 Honda CR-V EX-L AWD (1.5L turbo, 190 hp CVT). Key cabin dimensions that matter for car seats: 41.0 inches of rear legroom, about 55.9 inches of rear shoulder room, and a bench with two full LATCH positions outboard plus three top-tether anchors on the seatbacks. Cargo remains at 39.3 cu ft behind row two, handy for strollers even with seats installed. Testing conditions: two outboard installations using lower anchors and a center-position booster.
Seats used were a rear-facing Graco SnugRide 35 base (LATCH) behind the passenger, a forward-facing Britax One4Life (LATCH) behind the driver, and a narrow backless booster in the middle. All installs followed both vehicle and seat manuals; torque checks and seat movement checks (less than 1 inch at the belt path) were performed. Access and hardware: rear doors open nearly 90 degrees (approx. mid‑80s), which materially improves the angle for loading infants and tightening straps.
Lower anchors sit in the seat bight behind plastic guides; they’re easy to see and grab—no fishing required. The center seat has no lower anchors, so it’s belt-only. Top tethers are clearly labeled on the seatbacks and reachable from the cargo area without digging under trim. Buckles are short and semi-rigid, minimizing “buckle crunch” with most convertibles.
Install results: the rear-facing base clicked to the passenger-side anchors in under a minute; no pool noodle needed using the base’s recline. With the infant seat in, a 5'11" front passenger fit comfortably after sliding the seat one notch forward. The forward-facing Britax anchored cleanly on the driver side, and its top tether path was unobstructed. With both outboard LATCH seats snug, the center backless booster fit, but it’s tight.
The CR-V’s roof-mounted center shoulder belt routes cleanly across the torso, but the overlapping buckle geometry means smaller hands may struggle to latch without assistance. Three-across nuance: swapping one outboard seat from LATCH to seat-belt install freed a crucial 0.5–0.8 inch of lateral play, making the center buckle more accessible. Narrow models (e.g., Diono Radian 3-series or Graco SlimFit3) improve the odds materially; a high-back booster with a narrow base worked, but the child couldn’t self-buckle reliably due to crowding. The center headrest is adjustable; ensure the booster’s head support requirements are met.
Belt paths remained flat with no contact-sensitive belt twists, and retractor lock-offs functioned as expected. Everyday usability: for occasional three-across, the CR-V is workable with careful seat choice and at least one belt-installed outboard seat. For daily use, expect to help a child buckle in the middle. Anchor access and door swing are excellent; ride height aids loading toddlers.
Observe weight limits for lower anchors and switch to seat-belt installs as directed by both manuals. If three-across is frequent and stress-free buckling is a priority, consider narrower seats or a wider cabin SUV.
