C70 S70 V70: 3rd row seats, good or bad?

[volvo2001]

Thinking about buying a V70 with 3rd row seats.

Would be using them rarely so don't really need a proper 7 seater.

Are these seats any good or practical?

[mikealder]

Only really any use for the kids and should be fitted with a thin space saver spare wheel, from memory there is a height restriction of something like 1,2M so any taller than this and they shouldn't be sat in the back - Mike

[volvo2001]

But then again you cannot put too young children there as they need their safety seats?

[mikealder]

Originally Posted by volvo2001

But then again you cannot put too young children there as they need their safety seats?

Also correct, I had a "tail gunner" seat in my old 740 which both kids used to really enjoy using for about two years, once one of them was too tall it was pointless trying to use it so the seat and belts/ trim etc was removed.

Big plus point from the drivers perspective is lower noise as the racket the kids made when in the tail section used to stay in the rear of the car, these days I have headrest monitors for them to watch DVD or freeview with wireless headphones which also makes loger trips easier for the kids - Mike

[green van man]

My problem with the seats being in the load area is are they not also in the crumple zone in the event of being tail ended?

Paul.

[volvo2001]

Originally Posted by green van man

My problem with the seats being in the load area is are they not also in the crumple zone in the event of being tail ended?

Paul.

But if you look at some 7 seaters like Zafira. Head is very close to the rear window. Is there any crumble zone?