Is it possible to "walk" between the captain's chairs to the 3rd row? I looks pretty narrow and I'm on the fence about this option.
Do you think the bench seat is better?

 

Even though our GX460 that’s coming to us soon has the Sport Package with captains chairs, I will say that I absolutely hate the idea of captains chairs in an SUV. It just goes against what an SUV is about and I believe it’s a stupid option. Why completely remove a spot for another passenger on a vehicle designed to carry lots of stuff and passengers? It’s just crazy to me. Having a third row option somewhat lessens the stupidity to me, but I still hate captains chairs in SUV’s.

Anyway, that being said - we have a 2016 Highlander Limited Platinum with captains chairs and kids can easily slide between them and get into the third row. Adults not so much, but if not too big it can be done. Can’t imagine the GX460 would be much different.

 

"Walk", no. "Wiggle", maybe for small kids. You are still going to want to access the third row by slide/tilting the second row seat.

I have the captain's chairs and I love them. They are very comfortable, functional and make the third row usable for small folks for a longer period of time.

I'm 5'9 and 160lbs and would not be able to sit in the third row for more than 3 minutes without the extra gap space and breathing room the captains chairs provide. I still wouldn't ride there but they make the third row usable for kids and short trips for smaller adults.

 

Only kids are sitting in the third row. And the gap is just fine for them

 

The gap is shimmable but not "walkable". I think the captain's chairs are beneficial for a vehicle this size. I know it is counter-intuitive but as Bob58 alluded to, the open space provides some relief for passengers in the third row, who might otherwise feel wholly cut off. For context, I'm 6'3-4" 215lb on a good day, and I've ridden in the third row for an hour plus before. It's not amazing, but if you slide the middle row seat up a touch, and stretch your leg(s) between the captain's chairs, it's not the worst place to be. I've had friends spend 3-4 hours back there, but they're much smaller than me. I think people have to accept that this isn't a suburban.

 

Hi thanks for chiming in, it's because I have 2 kids, kids need car seats into the pre-teens. In my case no one was ever going to seat in the middle of the bench seats.

it doesn't matter I have captain seats or not. In fact when I go camping, I could put my extra battery or some longer tent package between the two seats. Instead of resting them over the bench seat.

I am just wondering too about resale. When I go to sell it, it will be a more eco vehicle, and buyers might not want captains chairs, as they want to carry as many passengers as possible

 

Can someone post the measurements of the space between the captains chairs?

Thanks

 

Like my captain chairs. I have a built in excuse to only take three passengers with me. Unless of course I want to take some smaller folks, then I’ll set up the third row.

 

Once had a couple of skinny teens ( cousins ) in the 3rd row ( about 5'5 and 5'8 ) and they hated me the next 45 mins!
The 3rd row is.. crap!

 

10” with the arm rest down, 6.5” between arm rests in the up position.

 

I think some of you guys know the recent years popular style of tent is called hub tent, heavy but takes 30 seconds to put up. They are also really long, 57" to 62" depending on the size of it.

The width is around 8 - 9" wide. So I can see it can be put between the captain chairs.