How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2026 Ford Expedition?
Editor’s note: This Car Seat Check was written in October 2025 about the 2025 Ford Expedition; little has changed for 2026. See what’s new for 2026 or check out a side-by-side comparison of the model years.
What Shoppers Need to Know
- The 2025 Ford Expedition performed well in our Car Seat Check and earned A and B grades.
- We tested the mid-level Platinum trim with second-row captain’s seats and a third-row bench for a capacity of seven.
- The three-row SUV’s second row does not fit three car seats because we tested a model with second-row captain’s seats.
Take a look at how the Latch system and each car seat scored below in our Car Seat Check of the 2025 Ford Expedition.
Related: Search Car Seat Checks
Latch: Grade B
In the second row, the two sets of lower anchors sit just between the seat bight, where the back and bottom cushions meet. They’re easy to use with our infant seat’s rigid connectors but tough to use with our convertible seat’s skinnier connectors. The anchors are set up against the upholstery, so there’s not a lot of clearance around them to connect. Two top tether anchors sit halfway down the seatback; they’re clearly marked and easy to use.
Infant Seat: Grade A
The infant seat was easy to install because its chunky Latch connectors could push past the seat upholstery and access the anchor. Our 5-foot-6-inch front passenger had enough legroom in front of it to be comfortable.
Rear-Facing Convertible: Grade B
Installing the convertible in rear form was trickier than the infant seat because the placement of the lower anchors was tough to access with the convertible seat’s skinnier, hooklike connectors. As with the infant seat, however, the rear-facing convertible did not negatively impact our front passenger’s legroom.
Forward-Facing Convertible: Grade B
Again, we struggled a bit to connect to the lower anchors for the installation. However, the seat fit well once we removed the head restraint to situate it flush against the seatback. We had no trouble accessing the top tether anchor on the seatback.
Booster Seat: Grade A
After raising the head restraint, the booster fit well. The Expedition’s sturdy, tall buckles should be easy for kids to grasp and use independently.
Third-Row Entry: Grade A
Accessing the third row is easy thanks to a seatback button that springs the seat forward quickly to create a wide opening. This can also be done while a forward-facing car seat or infant base is already installed, which is very convenient. Passengers can also use the pass-through between the seats to access the third row.
Third-Row Latch: Grade A
The two sets of lower anchors are exposed for easy access; they’re easier to find and use than the second row’s lower anchors. Three top tether anchors on the seatbacks are also exposed and easy to use.
Third-Row Forward-Facing Convertible: Grade B
Connecting to Latch was easy. However, the fixed head restraint pushed the convertible off of the seatback; it should sit flush against it.
Third-Row Booster Seat: Grade B
The fixed head restraint interfered with the booster’s fit, as well, pushing it off of the seatback. The third row has a floppy buckle on the driver’s side, which might be hard for kids to grasp and use independently. The middle and passenger seats have firm, tall buckle stalks that should be easier for kids to use. Note that in the middle position, the buckle comes down from the ceiling, interfering with the driver’s rear visibility when in use.
Grading Scale
A: Plenty of room for the car seat and the child; doesn’t impact driver or front-passenger legroom. Easy to find and connect to Latch and tether anchors. No fit issues involving head restraint or seat contouring. Easy access to the third row.
B: One room, fit or connection issue. Some problems accessing the third row when available.
C: Marginal room plus one fit or connection issue. Difficult to access the third row when available.
D: Insufficient room, plus multiple fit or connection issues.
F: Does not fit or is unsafe.
About Cars.com’s Car Seat Checks
Editors Jennifer Geiger and Jennifer Newman are certified child safety seat installation technicians.
For the Car Seat Check, we use a Chicco KeyFit 30 infant-safety seat, a Graco Contender 65 convertible seat and Graco TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted for a 6-foot driver and a shorter passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant and convertible seats are installed behind the front passenger seat.
We also install the forward-facing convertible in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and infant seat in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit; a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. Learn more about how we conduct our Car Seat Checks.
Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat, and that Latch anchors have a weight limit of 65 pounds, including the weight of the child and the weight of the seat itself.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
