Hi everyone, I’m casually looking at the Santa Fe and leaning toward the Calligraphy for the extra features and nicer leather. But I’m not sure how I feel about the captain’s chairs in the second row instead of a bench seat. For example, we have a dog, and I’m not sure she’d stay in the third row or fit comfortably in a captain’s chair. For those who have the Calligraphy, do the captain’s chairs ever feel like a downside in real life?
We’re a family of 4, and the captain’s chairs have been great for us. Our kids used to fight all the time in the back, but now they each have their own space, which has helped a lot. We keep the third row folded flat most of the time and use it for luggage storage instead.
@Vale
That makes sense. I can see kids really appreciating their own space, especially as they get older. We have younger grandkids who need car seats and boosters, though, so I’m thinking the bench might be more practical for now.
@Jules
I’ve got the Calligraphy and travel with a Border Collie/Lab mix and a Dachshund. I use a cargo cape between the captain’s chairs to keep them in the back. For road trips, the kids love having their own space, and we store their backpacks and snacks in the floor area between the chairs. If you’re thinking about long drives, the tech in the Calligraphy is awesome—digital mirror, panoramic roof, heated seats, and Waze on Android Auto. It’s made traveling so much easier for us.
I’ve got a Lab and prefer the bench seat. I didn’t care much for the extra tech in the Calligraphy and wasn’t a fan of the blacked-out wheels. The bench works fine for us most of the time, and we fold down the third row when we need extra cargo space. That said, I do miss the digital rearview mirror from my old car—it was super useful.
@Val
Thanks for sharing! I think I’m leaning toward the Limited at this point.
Jules said:
@Val
Thanks for sharing! I think I’m leaning toward the Limited at this point.
I was set on the Calligraphy too but ended up with a Limited. Honestly, I have no regrets—it’s been perfect for us.
Following this because I’m in the same boat! We have a dog too, and I really like the idea of the captain’s chairs. I think my dog would stay in the third row, but I’d love to hear what others think.
Captain’s chairs are the best! I have two young kids who love sitting in them, and our 50-pound Bernedoodle fits comfortably in the space between them. Pro tip: let the kids climb in through the trunk—it’s their favorite thing ever.
@Vine
That’s a great tip! I think I could use that idea for our dog by putting a small bed or blanket between the seats.
Captain’s chairs work for us. I use a seat protector to cover the gap between them and keep the space clean for our pets. I also keep a small electric cooler between the seats on long trips—it’s super handy for drinks and snacks.
@Andi
That’s a great idea! Do you have a link to the cooler you’re using?
Our Corso just curls up between the captain’s chairs or sprawls across one. She doesn’t even bother with the third row.
Caden said:
Our Corso just curls up between the captain’s chairs or sprawls across one. She doesn’t even bother with the third row.
Is there enough space between the seats for a dog bed?
I have the bench seat, and I just wanted to mention that the middle seat isn’t very comfortable. It works fine for my needs, but if you plan to have three people in the second row often, it might be worth considering.
We’ve got the captain’s chairs and two massive Dobermans. They fit just fine with the third row folded down and a mat in the back for extra space.
This is what I bought to span across the captain’s chairs, and it works perfectly:
We took a 2,000-mile road trip in our Calligraphy, and it was a game-changer. My mom, who usually complains about long drives, loved the captain’s chairs and all the comfort features. The tech made driving in NYC and bad weather stress-free, and I felt super confident even on long stretches of road. If you can make the space work for your dog, I’d highly recommend it.
For dogs under 50 pounds, the third row or a captain’s chair should work fine. Bigger dogs might fit in the space between the chairs, but it’s a tight fit. If your dog is large, the bench seat might be the better choice.
How big is your dog? We have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and they sit in the captain’s chairs just fine. Larger dogs might be more comfortable lying on the floor between the seats.