Option to convert a seven seater to a five seater ourselves?

[aijunli]

I ordered a five seater, but was told that seven seaters have production priority right now. I only need five seats 99% of the time, but okay with a seven seater if the third row can be taken off / put on ourselves. For those who already have seven seaters, would you be able to tell if this is doable? Thanks in advance!

 

[jered]

I ordered a five seater, but was told that seven seaters have production priority right now. I only need five seats 99% of the time, but okay with a seven seater if the third row can be taken off / put on ourselves. For those who already have seven seaters, would you be able to tell if this is doable? Thanks in advance!

There are very few connection points for the 3rd row seats, but they are not trivially removable. While I suspect it would not be difficult with some basic disassembly, this may interfere with safety systems that verify the seats are latched/belted.

 

[aijunli]

There are very few connection points for the 3rd row seats, but they are not trivially removable. While I suspect it would not be difficult with some basic disassembly, this may interfere with safety systems that verify the seats are latched/belted.

Thanks. Good point about safety systems. No sure if it’s easy to tell if there are wires going into the seats. It would be nice to drive a five seater with longer range and a seven seater when needed. Had a Honda Odyssey many years ago, the bench third seat fold down just like the Gravity and the middles seats can be easily taken off, giving a huge cargo space.

 

[jered]

Thanks. Good point about safety systems. No sure if it’s easy to tell if there are wires going into the seats. It would be nice to drive a five seater with longer range and a seven seater when needed. Had a Honda Odyssey many years ago, the bench third seat fold down just like the Gravity and the middles seats can be easily taken off, giving a huge cargo space.

If your concern is just range, the extra seats really don't make much of a difference. The big range difference between 5 and 7 is an artifact of how EPA range is computed: https://lucidowners.com/threads/20-...n-5-seat-and-7-seat-gravity.10848/post-271276

 

[WeighingGravity]

I agree that the range penalty appears to be overstated and the space gained from a 5-seater is only a few feet essentially equivalent to the under-floor stowage space. Removing seats will not be that straightforward and adding them back even less so. If you are NEVER going to use the extra seats, I guess I can concede that a 5-seater is the right choice (though I'm questioning why you'd even be in this vehicle class) but for the trade-off, I think 7 seats is the clear winning choice for 99% of people.

 

[Neilnaples]

I agree that the range penalty appears to be overstated and the space gained from a 5-seater is only a few feet essentially equivalent to the under-floor stowage space. Removing seats will not be that straightforward and adding them back even less so. If you are NEVER going to use the extra seats, I guess I can concede that a 5-seater is the right choice (though I'm questioning why you'd even be in this vehicle class) but for the trade-off, I think 7 seats is the clear winning choice for 99% of people.

Actually according to the tracker in this forum only 62.1% of the people are buying 7 seats not 99%. We also preferred 5 seats. The extra space in the back is useful and I have no need for extra seats. They are making 5 seats as well. I have a VIN. And the car was produced 4 weeks ago….