This was a big problem for me back when my first son was born in 2017. The issue is the shape of the back of the front seats. The upper part comes out too far and interferes with the child seat. For fitment of the child seat, it cannot be touching the seat in front of it.

I ended up getting a Britax infant car seat but was forced to place it in the middle due to these issues.

Later did get a convertible one (bigger as kid grew) and it does fit much better behind the passenger seat in rear facing mode but the seat must be moved up a few inches. Might be uncomfortable for taller people. This one is also a Britax.

Now do keep in mind that the infant seats are generally safer than the convertible ones as they have a steeper incline for the child.

I chose Britax because they're well known to fit smaller cars. Is there a store you can visit that will let try fitting them? We have babies r us here but I don't think you have those where you are? Regardless, test fitting is the best way.

Sorry for your pain that I know all too well. Getting a child seat for these cars is terrible. The shape of the front seats was revised in later years to correct this problem. 2016 I think, maybe 2017.

 

This was a big problem for me back when my first son was born in 2017. The issue is the shape of the back of the front seats. The upper part comes out too far and interferes with the child seat. For fitment of the child seat, it cannot be touching the seat in front of it.

I ended up getting a Britax infant car seat but was forced to place it in the middle due to these issues.

Later did get a convertible one (bigger as kid grew) and it does fit much better behind the passenger seat in rear facing mode but the seat must be moved up a few inches. Might be uncomfortable for taller people. This one is also a Britax.

Now do keep in mind that the infant seats are generally safer than the convertible ones as they have a steeper incline for the child.

I chose Britax because they're well known to fit smaller cars. Is there a store you can visit that will let try fitting them? We have babies r us here but I don't think you have those where you are? Regardless, test fitting is the best way.

Sorry for your pain that I know all too well. Getting a child seat for these cars is terrible. The shape of the front seats was revised in later years to correct this problem. 2016 I think, maybe 2017.

The closest babies r'us is an hour away so I'll probably do as much research as I can online. Upon further reading , I see that a lot of people recommend the Graco extend2fit convertible seats for the mazda3 as they are compact enough to fit.

When you say that infant seats have a steeper incline, do you mean that they sit taller? Aren't infants supposed to be more horizontal since they can't support their own head?
Thanks for your input!

 

My son is now five and in a booster seat, but I used a Graco click type rear facing seat when he was first born. You only use it for about six months, so we didn't go super high end on it. He was our second child.

https://www.gracobaby.com/strollers/travel-systems/fastaction-se-travel-system/SP_227040.html

We then got a Britax car seat around six months of age. It was a cousins hand me down, but we had used the same brand for his sister and they make a good product.

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Then around two and a half years of age we got the following convertible booster from Graco, which he still uses. Neck support, shoulder straps, cup holders, and the back part comes off.

Get a seat cover before putting one in. They sell liners that go under the seat and strap to the headrest to protect things.
CK

Graco Transitions 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat

Graco Transitions 3-in-1 harness booster car seat is designed to grow with your child and go with you, wherever your journeys take you - from car to carpool and beyond. This lightweight car seat transitions seamlessly from harness booster (22 - 65 lbs) to highback booster (40 - 100 lbs) to...

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I got the older boy in the booster seat. So much easier! Can't wait until the youngest is in one.

I found that we used the infant seat for about 10 months myself, but he was definitely getting a little big for it by the end. Now it's going to a friend. No more babies here.....I hope.

 

Looking at Diono seats once ours is past the rear facing phase.
There is a particular model that is very popular for families that need 3 car seats in the 2nd row, so they're one of the narrowest ones while still being safe.

Only thing I have to add is that a Uppababy vista absolutely swallows up all the trunk and front passenger space in a 3rd gen sedan. Wife sits in the backseat for anything longer than a 30 min drive. Packing for overnights.. need to be efficient and well thought out.

 

We got an uppababy mesa and it fits nicely in the rear-center position of our 2016 mazda3 sport. I normally sit somewhat close to the wheel (for someone 6”2) and didn’t need to adjust my driver’s seat. My wife can sit quite comfortably in the back as well.