8 Great Cars With Captain's Seats
Source: Pixabay
Normal car seats are fine - until you know what you’re missing. While captain’s chairs might limit the number of passengers that can fit in a vehicle, they more than make up for it with comfort and accessibility.
Captain’s seats are like upgrading your car rides to a first-class ticket - more space, more comfort, and more cup holders. However, despite all of their benefits, captain’s seats tend to be a bit uncommon - here’s a list of the 8 best cars with captain’s seats.
What Are Captain’s Seats, And Who Needs Them?
Captain’s seats are singular, high-backed chairs with adjustable armrests on either side. The traditional middle-row configuration for captain’s seats sets two, with either an aisle or a center console between them.
This seating design is popular among families with young children as it cuts down on sibling drama by allowing the kids a little elbow room. (Captain’s seats have been shown to reduce the occurrence of “quit touching me” scenarios.) Additionally, captain’s chairs are more accessible and often safer to strap car seats into.
This more spacious configuration also optimizes passenger loading and unloading by doing away with raising and lowering seats every time someone needs to sit on the way back. Higher seating means elderly passengers have an easier time entering or exiting the vehicle.
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8 Great Cars With Captain Seats
Ford Explorer
The Explorer has standard bench seating in the second row but allows you to replace them with captain’s seats. The “PowerFold” third row also allows you to easily accommodate additional passengers OR extra cargo – up to 87.8 cubic feet.
The 2021 model also offers five different massage modes for the driver’s seat to help with comfort on those long hauls.
Honda Odyssey
Honda will forever be known as the champion manufacturer of endlessly-practical family vehicles. And the Odyssey is likely the first vehicle car enthusiasts think of when asked to name pragmatic cars with captain’s seats.
Basic 2021 Odysseys come standard with the captain configuration or can be upgraded to bench-seating if your commute requires you to accommodate seven additional passengers. And beyond being the ultimate soccer-mom car, Odysseys make ideal rides for staying comfortable on group vacations, offering 38.6 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk alone.
Tesla Model X
Tesla probably isn’t the first car that pops into your head when you think “family vehicle.” But these wonders of technology have a super-high safety rating, an entertainment system to suit the tastes of any passenger and optional second-row captain’s seats.
The 2020 models have a range of 340 miles and a back-seat wireless gaming console so you can take the whole family on a road trip and not hear a peep the entire drive.
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chevy describes the Tahoe as an “iconic SUV,” and we cannot help but agree. The Tesla may take us into space, but the Tahoe is firmly rooted to the ground, with optional 4WD, 420-brake horsepower, and standard second-row captain’s seats.
The 2021 model includes a power-sliding center console, so mid-car passengers experience the convenience of cupholders without the center aisle needing to be blocked. And there’s a Tahoe for everyone: Chevy offers six trim options loaded with special features ranging from standard chrome roof racks to programmable, hands-free liftgates.
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Honda Pilot
Reviewers don’t love the Honda Pilot. And to be fair, when you compare the 2020 model to other makes of a similar genre, this boxy family SUV is pretty middle-of-the-road in terms of technology and unique features. But this no-frills vehicle is there to do what Hondas do best: be a reliable and practical rock when you need it most.
Captain’s seats come standard on the Elite and Touring trims and fold down easily and conveniently to allow easier access to the third row. And your second-row passengers are guaranteed to be cozy on a cold winter’s day, as the Pilot’s captain seats are heated.
Audi Q7
If you’re looking for an SUV with captain’s seats that doesn’t scream “mom car,” the Audi Q7 is a stylish luxury SUV that’s sure to turn heads.
One reviewer recommends shoppers with young children go for the bench model (you can fit three car seat side by side!). Still, if you need to reach the third row regularly, the captain’s chair option is best.
BMW X7
Another in the lineup of surprisingly pragmatic luxury SUVs. 48.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row captain’s chairs means you can quickly and comfortably accommodate your aging relative and their mobility device in the back of this endlessly stylish vehicle. And to make your life a little easier, the hands-free liftgate is standard for 2021 models.
Toyota Sienna
The ever-sensible Sienna stepped up its game in 2021 with an all-hybrid lineup of the classic minivan. Captain’s seats are standard and, unlike other minis, cannot be removed - but they DO slide on a 25” inch track so that the third-row leg space can grow with your passengers. 36 MPG on both the highway and around town makes this attractive vehicle a super-practical choice if you want to upgrade your carpool game.
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The Pros and Cons of Captain Chairs
Captain chairs are just one of the many choices when buying a new SUV. Like many additional features, there are pros and cons to having captain chains in your SUV.
One of the top benefits of captain chairs is comfort. Captain chairs are typically more comfortable than bench seats since they have better cushioning, support, and materials. Since these chairs are designed for a single passenger, it also offers better lumbar support. Furthermore, captain seats have many different configurations, allowing the passenger to adjust the seats for optimal comfort.
Another obvious benefit of captain seats is easier access to the third row. With captain chairs, there’s a gap where passengers can easily access the third-row seats.
However, there are also several disadvantages to having captain chairs. Perhaps the largest caveat is that they cut down the seating capacity by one. For instance, your 8-seater SUV becomes a 7-seater with captain chairs. Thus, the common dilemma for SUV buyers is whether to get better comfort or more seating capacity.
Also, many captain chairs aren’t foldable. This becomes an issue if you want more luggage space since you can’t fold the second-row captain seats to make more room for your stuff.
Captain Chairs in SUVs: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are captain’s chairs in SUVs?
A: Captain’s chairs are individual seats usually found in the second row of large SUVs. They are designed to provide more comfort and space than a traditional bench seat. In some models and makes, captain chairs are optional add-ons.
Q: Can you replace a bench seat with captain’s seats in an SUV?
A: It depends on the specific model of the SUV. Some vehicles are designed to allow for the interchangeability of bench seats and captain’s chairs, while others are not. Your best bet is to ask the dealership personnel for specific details.
Q: What are the advantages of having captain’s seats in an SUV?
A: Captain’s chairs provide more comfort and individual space for passengers. They often come with armrests and can recline independently. In addition, the space between the two chairs can provide easier access to the third row in three-row SUVs.
Q: Are there any disadvantages to captain’s chairs?
A: One potential disadvantage is that they usually reduce the seating capacity of the vehicle, as a pair of captain’s chairs takes the place of a three-person bench seat. This might be a consideration if you need to maximize passenger capacity.
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