Which are the best and worst child car seats of 2019?

Which are the best and worst child car seats of 2019? Now, child restraint systems are rated with stars, just as Euro NCAP tests do.

The latest Child Restraint Systems Assessment Report brings a new development. For the first time, CRS, better known as child car seats with stars, are being rated, just as happens in the Euro NCAP safety tests.

This time, 35 child seats have been put to the test. These tests analyse and evaluate the safety, ergonomics and comfort of child restraint systems. The study was carried out by the main European motoring clubs, including the RACE.

It is important to highlight that the Bebé Confort Jade+3 wayFix seat was the only one to achieve the maximum score of five stars in the latest 2019 CRS Assessment Report. At the opposite end, four CRS obtained the worst scores. These results were described as “generally satisfactory” by the RACE.

How to choose the best CRS for the youngest members of the household?

The main aim of this report is to help parents with the difficult choice of the most suitable CRS for their child. We asked ourselves whether the perfect child seat exists. Josep Vallés, president of the Fundación Smart Baby, answered briefly and emphatically: “No”. He explained that “no two cars are the same, nor two families, nor two children, nor two lifestyles”. For this reason, he considers it essential when choosing a seat to first think about the vehicle, the child’s needs and the family’s needs.

Bebé Confort Jade+3wayFix

This is a car seat installed transversely to the direction of travel, with an Isofix base, occupying two seats. The base can remain fitted in the vehicle, and different Group 0 seats can be attached to it. According to the report, it has a “very low risk in frontal and side collisions. High weight. Easy installation“.

Which are the CRS with the lowest scores?

Babystyle Oyster Carapace infant+Duofix i-Size Base

Carrycot. High risk in frontal collision. In the test it came loose from the Isofix base and was thrown forward together with the dummy. However, if installed with the seat belt, it provides good safety and protection in the event of an accident. Simple fitting but deficient instructions. Requires a lot of space.

Chicco Oasys i-Size Bebecare+i-Size base

Heavy carrycot. High risk in frontal and side collisions. During the test, the seat belt buckle came undone and the dummy was thrown forward. Easy installation, deficient instructions and somewhat uncomfortable because the handle must be fully unfolded before fitting the seat. It is important to highlight that the manufacturer will offer a new version.

Giordani Galaxy 012

Seat that, if used without the seat belt harness, cuts into the dummy’s abdominal area in the event of a frontal collision. Complicated installation, deficient instructions. Fastening the safety harness on the child is difficult. The 3-point seat belt in some vehicles does not retract automatically if the child leans forward.

Maxi-Cosi TobiFix

Heavy seat. Low risk in side collision and moderate in frontal. Only with Isofix; it cannot be installed with the seat belt. The fabric cover contains flame-retardant TCPP in an amount that exceeds the limits set by EU regulations applicable to toys.