The Primo Viaggio is the lowest profile rear facing convertible we found, and offers more room in our WRX than the Chicco Nextfit that sits next to it. I have 2 Nextfits rear facing in my 3 (center, and left rear seats), and have the drivers seat moved up quite a lot to make it work, but it's doable. I'm 5'9".

When we only needed 1 car seat, the Nextfit in the center was no problem in either car.

If I had to guess, I'd say that either seat installed in the center would be fine for you in the 3. If you have to install behind driver, get used to your knees hitting the dashboard for ~13months.

 

Thanks zerogravitas, I'll check out those two options. I will most likely put the child seat behind the passenger seat and let my wife deal with the cramped space, she's 5'9" and from that seat doesn't have to step on the clutch pedal or change gears.:biggrin:

 

I have the Britax 35 elite for my son. It is huge but has been great. My wife is 5-7 and she can sit the front seat. There is a video on you tube of some dude fitting three car seats in the back. The 3 has one of the widest rear ends in the class.

 

I saw that video but he put the seats all front facing so it didn't really help see the space in the passenger seat when it was installed. My daughter is only 9 months so I'll have her in the seat, rear facing for approximately the next year.

I hope I can find a child seat that fits behind the passenger seat. I hate driving like I'm the butler with my wife and daughter in the back.:thumbsdown 1:

 

I've got the Chicco Keyfit 30, though I haven't tried it on yet!
Wife will deliver in 10 days, and I'll let you know how it ends up on our way back from the hospital!

 

From a new dad to a future dad, a word of advice. Install it now or at least test it out. When the baby comes the last thing you are going to have time for is to be screwing around with the seat or going to the store to exchange it if it doesn't work or fit properly. Oh and your wife will think you are being proactive and helpful, always a good idea to stay on her good side while she's pregnant!:biggrin:

 

Anyone else with kids annoyed that the rear doors are not part of the Advanced keyless entry system? I was really surprised by that after I bought the car. When you're carrying a kid, going to the front doors to unlock is only somewhat better than dragging a key fob out.

 

No kids here(will never have them), but I carry a lot of stuff back to the car and yes, I'd like that too. Though, I've noticed that pretty much all manufactures do it the way mazda does.

 

Huh- our Odyssey works from both the front and the rear doors. I have not tried many others to find out.

 

Update with pictures

Just thought I'd give you guys an update and post some pictures.

I ended up buying and installing a Britax Boulevard Clicktight in my 2015 Mazda3 Sport GS.

Note:
Baby seat in the furthest recline position in these pictures (i.e.. taking up the most space possible installed but comfortable for my daughter to sleep). I have to move the seat to my S4 tonight so I'll try getting some more pictures with it in a more upright position.

The front passenger seat is in it's most upright position and is unusable by someone of my size 6', not only could I barely get my legs in the car, I had to crunch down because my head was hitting the ceiling. I don't have the moon roof but i suspect it would be even worse if I did.

 

:laugh2: I agree! I just had time to go back and check my notifications! Oh man... never imagined raising a baby to be so tiring! Went with you advice and installed it before delivery! fits well, although i had to move the front passenger seat to the front.

 

I'm 6'2" and have a rear facing Chicco NextFit in the middle. Works fine, but something in the base rattles around. At first I thought it was the car, but I haven't taken the time to chase it down yet.