TrueX5er:

I appreciate your concerns and was very close to not ordering it but I thought about resale, and also more importantly I like the idea of the seats reclining.
Also the middle armrest folds down into a more sophisticated cupholder/armrest in the 3rd row opted vehicle...if that makes sense....take a look:
http://carad.ebayimg.com/i20/01/a/000/77/4e/0df0_4.JPG

In the non third row, the armrest is the actual back of the middle seat and it is plain ugly when folded down with the cupholders hidden in the back of the headrest....hard to describe but easy to dislike when seen.

The middle seat in the 2nd row being set back compared to the remaining seats means that this gives also more legroom.

In anycase we will not be using the 3rd row at all ( I have only 1 son ) and so I will have peace of mind that when family with kids ever visit, I will have room for 2 more !!