I've posted this before but it might be helpful to someone new....Having the same issues with baby seat access and also being a little worried about getting to my kid in the back in the event of an accident or fire i decided to put him in the front passenger seat like in my old wrangler jeep.

To do this safely and legally though you have to have a passenger side air bag disconnect switch. First contact the NHTSA who regulate air bag use, you fill in a form requesting permission to install an airbag disconnect stating why, they give you written permission then contact Airbag solutions online and order the switch. Its a key operated switch with led display lights that has to be installed in view of the driver and passenger. The switch basically just interrupts the two wires to the airbag, comes with full instructions and after crimping on two connectors just plugs in and can be removed easily.

Took me about a week to get permission, cost $199 for the switch kit and about an hour to install. Now my kid rides upfront with me most of the time, in the back when i have other passengers, I use a Cosco seat that can be installed very snugly in about 30 seconds, i move it back and forth between the VX and the boring family astro wagon thing. (my kid prefers the VX though ...good taste at 2 1/2 !!

As well as the ease of getting in and out i beleive he is safer in the front seat, researchers say you should position the child as close to the center of the vehicle as poss for safety, the front seat is nearer the cennter than the rear too.

Pete