There are many types and brands car seats for children on the market where prices vary considerably. For these top three recommendations*, we have taken safety as the absolute most important criterion, so factors such as installation, color, price, and brand are secondary. It is better to have a safe car seat in a color that might not perfectly match the color of the car than to compromise on your children's safety. The assessment also takes into account the use of high-quality materials in the production of the child seat.
Installing Isofix car seats in modern cars
i-Size car seats are always secured using the Isofix system. These car seats fit any seat with the 'i-Size ready' label. Cars manufactured from 2016 onwards have this as standard. Most i-Size car seats also fit in cars equipped with the Isofix system. For these cars, you must check the manual or online to see if you can use the i-Size car seat. Older cars, and certainly classic cars, do not have an Isofix system, so you are limited to using the seatbelt. In such cases, you can choose a seat that can be used with both Isofix and a conventional seatbelt.
Child seats in classic cars
These overviews are intended for classic cars and therefore not for modern cars, where an Isofix connection is increasingly available. However, for classic cars, it is also of great importance that the child seat is properly secured. In classic cars, it may occur that only a two-point seat belt is present on the rear seat, or that seat belts are even completely missing.
Simply drilling a hole and attaching an aftermarket seatbelt is not sufficient. The construction must be properly made so that it is sturdy enough to hold the seat and your child in the event of a collision or emergency stop. The enormous forces released are often underestimated. If proper attachment is not possible, we advise against transporting small children in a classic car at all. Booster seats may also seem like an easy and good solution for slightly older children, but the support provided in the event of a side impact is absolutely insufficient and therefore unsafe.
Read more here about the safety of children in a classic car.
Top 3 car seats – 0 months to 15 months
These approved seats are suitable for children from 0 to approximately 12 to 15 months old with a height of up to 75 to 83 cm and a weight of up to approximately 13 kilos (group 0 weight class). The seat is secured with a three-point seat belt.
Safe seat for children from 45 to 75 cm (0-12 months). The Maxi Cosi Pebble Pro is an excellent choice for parents who use the car seat belt to secure a baby seat. It offers good protection in collisions, is comfortable for your child, and is pleasant to use.
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Safe seat for children from 45 to 75 cm (0-12 months). Rear-facing infant seat that is secured with the 3-point harness and offers good protection. The Cybex Cloud Z i-Size is the successor to the award-winning Cloud Q and is 15% lighter than its acclaimed predecessor. Includes SensorSafe technology.
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Safe seat for children from 45 to 75 cm (0-12 months). The Cybex Aton M i-Size SensorSafe is a Group 0+ car seat and is suitable from birth (0-13 kg). Much attention has been paid to safety and functionality. All Cybex car seats are developed in collaboration with a team of experts, such as doctors and midwives.
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Top 3 car seats – 9 months to 4 years old
This top 3 is for toddlers and children between 9 months and four years old where the seat is secured with a three-point seat belt. These are approved car seats in weight class Group 1, and the i-Size height class is approximately 60 to 105 cm.
1. Maxi Cosi Axxis
Safe seat for children from 9 months to approximately 4 years or with a maximum weight of 18 kg. The belt tensioning system ensures that the Axiss is secured extra firmly and stably in the car. The Side Protection System offers optimal protection against side impacts.
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2. Britax Römer King II
High-scoring seat for children aged approximately 1 to 4 years (9 to 18 kg). Forward-facing seat, secured with a 3-point harness. The harness is easy to adjust to different heights without having to unfasten the belts.
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3. Maxi-Cosi Tobi Car Seat
Good forward-facing seat for children approximately 1 to 4 years old (9 to 18 kg). Secured with a 3-point seat belt. The harness can be easily adjusted to the child's size.
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Top 3 car seats – 9 months to 12 years old and older
These car seats are suitable for children from approximately 9 months to 12 years and older, where the seat is secured with a three-point seat belt. They are certified car seats in weight class Group 1, and the i-Size height class is approximately 60 to 105 cm.
1. Nania Cosmo SP
Average-scoring forward-facing seat that can be used for a long period, from approximately 1 to 12 years old (9 to 36 kg). Good leg support. The child has a good view to the outside. Requires little space.
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2. Cybex Pallas M-Fix
The Cybex Pallas M-Fix car seat grows with your child. It is a Group 1 car seat and can be used for children from approximately 9 months (9 kg). From about 3 years of age, the seat is easy to adjust and can be used safely until the age of approximately 12. Suitable for cars with and without ISOFIX.
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3. BeSafe iZi Flex Fix
The BeSafe iZi Flex Fix is an i-Size car seat for children from 100 to 150 cm (4-12 years). The iZi Flex Fix meets the latest UN R129 safety requirements, making it the first in its class. Furthermore, it features a unique design that allows three car seats to be placed side-by-side on the back seat. The removable side panels ensure that safety remains guaranteed. Ideal for parents with multiple children!
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These recommendations are based on tests and advice from the ANWB and the Consumentenbond (autumn 2020) and serve purely as an aid in researching and purchasing a child car seat. Klassiekerweb has not tested any child seats itself.
Good day,
Do you have a tip for a 7-year-old child's seat for the back of a 1979 Chevrolet Blazer with only a lap belt?