I’m thinking about getting a used second generation Yaris (2005-2011).
The back seat is too small for my three dogs, so I’m considering folding down the seats and adding some padding to make it more flat. But I’m unsure how to tether them since the seat belts won’t be accessible. Their harnesses can attach to the seat belt buckle or the child seat isofix bars.
Can anyone tell me if isofix bars are reachable with the seats down and if so, how many of them are there? Are there any other safe anchor points I could use to tether them securely in case of an accident?
@Quill
Yes the 3rd generation has excellent safety features As someone who has owned both generations, I personally found the 2nd generation to be a more comfortable ride with fantastic cup holders Both models are super reliable as long as you keep up with maintenance I guess I’ve grown fond of the 2nd generation since it served me well for 12 years The 2nd generation has a better steering wheel and the seats are comfier.
I’m pretty sure my 2010 Yaris has two or three isofix anchor points at the back of the rear seat and they should still be reachable when you fold the seats down. You might want to check out some videos on removing the rear seats of 2007-2011 Yaris to get a closer look without checking the car itself. I have two dogs and we got a Toyota Avensis as a second car to accommodate a variocage. Unfortunately, the variocages don’t fit in the Yaris, which is my biggest issue with the car otherwise it’s very reliable I hope you find a good solution!
@SolomonMark
Great idea I found a seat removal video that shows the isofix points behind the seats!
I had never heard of a variocage before - they look incredible My dogs are too old and unwell to get used to something new now but I will definitely keep that in mind for the future I always worry that their seat harnesses aren’t enough The variocage seems so sturdy!
@Quill
Happy to hear that you found the information Understandable about your dogs, I’m glad you care about their safety and I’m sure their harness is much better than having them loose in the car Safety harness is what I used before getting the cage. The variocage is truly impressive I’ve been a fan ever since it has an emergency escape door, it’s crash-tested, and it can compress without breaking in a crash which convinced me to get one It took me 10 years to finally buy it, but I’ve never regretted it Here’s a great review on variocage and its safety features for anyone interested. Here is a review link.
