I always want to be at the right side of the law so I do the right thing by carrying the right amount of people per time especially in the front seat.So I always go with the 3 at the back and 1 in front ratio and I think the arrangements is just the best.In my country it an offense to carry overload like what you just described above,with such an arrangement one will be asking for issues with either the police or the Federal road safety corps,so to avoid all the stress of that it's better one just do what is right.
But normally driving the appropriate number of persons is for our own good,it's first and foremost for our safety and security,it always wrong to give the vehicle more weight than it is necessary,the manufacturer knew the normal weight the car can carry per time correctly for safety and as such this must be strictly followed.