[HiHoStevo]

Hi I did a search of the forum and found several discussions about whether the 3rd row seat actually functioned... but not one about adding the factory 3rd row seat to a Rav that was delivered without one.

I am looking for a replacement for my wife's 2003 Honda Pilot. The Pilot is a great vehicle and she loves it dearly.... all except for the gas mileage.

Hybrid Highlanders offer the room she wants (not really "needs" as all the kids are grown) and the economy she desires, but the buy-in is just a bit too steep for me.

"She who must be obeyed" has decreed that the Smart Key System is now as necessary as food and water (we also have a Prius) as she quickly adapted to that system and cannot understand why her Pilot does not simply recognize her when she walks up to it as the Prius does!!

So I am looking for an '09 or newer RAV4 Limited (I am given to understand that the Smart Key system was is only available on the '09 models and newer), with the 3rd row seat.

My wife feels the 3rd row would be very nice to have when the grand-kids visit and she would like to carry more than 5 people.... I am trying to talk her out of this position, but as she is a red-head... I may be fighting a losing battle.

So dear reader... if I am lucky enough to find a gently used '09 Rav4 Limited without the 3rd row seat.... have any of you folks successfully added the factory 3rd row seat to your RAV4?

I have seen an after market seat... but the wife does not like it as it is not split like the factory version.

Thanks for your assistance...........

 

[chup]

Why not find a used one with a third row? Third row Rav4's have upgraded suspension and tow prep.

 

[FilCanRT]

Yes find a RAV4 with built-in 3rd row. There are too many things to buy and
install that it will end up more costly than buying one with the built-in.
I'm not even sure if the 3rd row seat belts can be installed plus
those with built-in 3rd row have stiffer suspensions at the back. There
is even an added aircon vent on the floor for RAV's with 3rd row.

 

[HiHoStevo]

I would like to find one with the 3rd row already installed..... However, to date all of the Limited versions I have found have not had the 3rd row seat.

Toyota for some bizarre reason has chosen that if you opt for a Leather interior you are not allowed to have the 3rd row seat..... and if you wish to make the most economical purchase of a new Limited model... most come equipped with either Option package 1 or 2, which both also include Leather interiors... thus prohibiting the 3rd row seat.

Personally I would love to have a Limited with the QZ package (Nav, etc.) as well as the 3rd row seat, but that seems to violate one of Toyota's notions of propriety. One salesperson tried (in vain) to convince me that it was a matter of weight... until I pointed out to him that you could order the Limited separately with NAV and/or Sunroof along with the 3rd row seat... and surely the weight of the sunroof or the NAV system must weigh considerably more than a leather interior... so if they can be ordered separately with the 3rd row... are they suddenly unavailable when you include a leather interior.

As I have found several possible candidates for purchase...., but none of them possess the 3rd row seat... I thought perhaps the only solution was to install one after purchase...., but I agree that would be considerably more difficult than installing a NAV system after the fact.

So should you folks hear of a "gently" used '09 RAV4 Limited with the 3rd row seat... please send me an email... until then I will keep looking.

 

[RAV N US]

Have you and Red actually tested a 3rd row, Limited or not? If the comfort/logistics are not going to be favorable, your search may not be necessary.

 

[HiHoStevo]

Yes my wife and I found a base model with the 3rd row... and she tried several different combination's to see if she felt it was worthwhile.

We have several grandchildren that are under 10 years old that would fit in the back... although 10 to 11 is about the maximum depending on child size of course.

 

[Mother Pooty]

I am also a redhead and I wanted the third row of a Limited in leather, thank you very much. The dealer took care of it for me for some amount -- $600? I'll look up the amount in the files if you would like to know it with some certainty. Like you found before, mine doesn't have the split-seat version.

I don't know why Toyota made it so difficult to combine different options. I couldn't get the Nav with the third row, either. I tried asking the sales guy about it but he knew less about the available options than I did.

 

[area201]

Interestingly, I had same problem back in 2006 - finding a new rav4 with 3rd raw, silver. I had NJ dealer ordered it all the way from west PA! No extra cost what so ever and remote start was free!

Regarding who will fit into 3rd row: My rule is anyone under 5 feet can!

 

[HiHoStevo]

Thanks for those comments.........

Where did you purchase your NAV system... the installation looks great... in fact it looks just like the one in our 2010 Prius IV.

 

[ic]

... are they suddenly unavailable when you include a leather interior.

...

When I ordered mine, leather seats and 3rd row cannot be ordered together from the manufacturer. However, leather seats can be installed by the dealer after you order the 3rd row. And the leather with 3rd row was shown in the showroom.

 

[HiHoStevo]

Yes that is the bizarre thing about it.... Toyota will not build a Rav with the 3rd row seat and Leather interior........

So my problem is finding an '09 Rav4 Limited (wife wants the Smart Key System) WITH the 3rd Row seat already installed.

So far I have not had a lot of luck looking for one. Most all the "Limited" models have been optioned out with one of the packages that make the extra options more affordable. Unfortunately all of those packages also include the Leather Interior... which then eliminates the 3rd Row possibility.

 

[m0ng00se]

I am also a redhead and I wanted the third row of a Limited in leather, thank you very much. The dealer took care of it for me for some amount -- $600? I'll look up the amount in the files if you would like to know it with some certainty. Like you found before, mine doesn't have the split-seat version.

I don't know why Toyota made it so difficult to combine different options. I couldn't get the Nav with the third row, either. I tried asking the sales guy about it but he knew less about the available options than I did.

Interesting. Toyota will leather a 3rd row factory cloth for nesr $1600-$2000 provided it alrady has 3rd row. An eBayer does work for Toys on OEM seats in my home state of NJ and talks at $950 cash installed.
Someplace here was a thread or two of installing 3rd in a 2 row. Sounds like a band of gypsies. No split-no good. Resale will kill you.
G/L

m

 

[m0ng00se]

Interestingly, I had same problem back in 2006 - finding a new rav4 with 3rd raw, silver. I had NJ dealer ordered it all the way from west PA! No extra cost what so ever and remote start was free!

Regarding who will fit into 3rd row: My rule is anyone under 5 feet can!

Interesting... NJ's tri-state area for swaps is limited to NJ, NY, and CT, as is their data base, and a max of 300 miles. You are very luck if in fact that happened. I did NJ's... no 3rd row. Next on my GPS was a store in PA. No 3rd row and none in his tri-state, and an asshole. Went to the next one and bought it before it got off the truck. One day, one RAV 2/08. Did the 09 in 12/08, same place, great salesman, leather. "Discussion" stages on 3rd row leather now. She says she doesn't need it, I said its a mod and she does. Ain't over yet.

m

 

[ThePointblank]

You know, you might have to go up to either a larger SUV like the Highlander, or even my personal favourite in the 7/8 person crossovers; GM's Chevy Traverse or Buick Enclave or GMC Acadia. I can vouch for the GM models as I had access to these vehicles at my previous job.

 

[Mother Pooty]

Correction: My third row -- which came in canvas but I had the dealer swap out for leather to match the rest of the interior -- is indeed split.

HiHo, it sounds like I should sell you mine! Limited, all-leather including third row, and Smart Key. You'd have to replace the JBL stereo system with a nav system, though. It's tempting - those Chevy Traverses look kind of nice...