JimA:

Wow, who knew dogs had car seats ?? Fascinating ....

Mine just track mud all over the seats and hunker down on the floor when things get bouncy.

Good to know !

 

My salesman 5'5 (my same height) jumped back there with the 2nd row a bit forward and the 2nd row is also cramped in the forward position. I imagine it's for sub 16yr olds who have not other choice with a loaded car then to sit back

 

Yea I"m viewing this as a kid's jump seat instead of real seats. For me that's OK, as I have kids of that age.

 

Related question -- does the 3rd row reduce the legroom in the 2nd row when the 3rd row is tucked away, appreciating that the 2nd row slides forward and back? The tilt in the 2nd row by having a 3rd row is also intriguing. But I would miss the storage space.

Content: found a really nice CPO 3.0L HSE that has everything else I want. Realistically I'd never use the 3rd row.

 

I think we have to accept options we wouldn’t want or use unless we’re ordering to suit as new. For example I would not have ordered the three row air filtration system in my defender, but accepted the overall build because it had most of what I did want.

 

for 6 ft person there's enough room.
You will loose boot storage under cover for 3 row model.
2nd row does not fold flat, not a significant angle, but not flat.

 

“utility” is subjective. The third row might add two extra seats for small people, but at all other times it comprises the ability of the 2 row seats to lay flat. In other words, you will not have a perfectly flat floor with 3rd row option installed. One has to weight what is more important to them before ticking the Option box.