The many car seats rated tests in recent years show that safety has made enormous progress. However, although car seats are safer, not all models are free from risk. potentially harmful substances for the very young. This is the second crash-test session of the year, following the one held last spring, independent European bodies (ADAC, ÖAMTC and TCS) examined 20 child car seats belonging to different size and weight categories with the aim of assess their performance in terms of safety, ergonomics and comfort and of toxicity. Of the 20 models tested in this October 2018 session, 13 were rated "good" while 2 seats were rated "satisfactory". The last 5 models tested were judged "insufficient". due to excessively high levels of pollutants in the various coatings, despite good results in the other categories. On the other hand, no model received a final mark of 'very good'.
Britax Römer Baby-Safe 2 i-Size + i-Size Base
Joie i-Level
Bébé Confort Cabriofix
Hauck Comfort Fix + Comfort Fix Isofixbasis
CBX Shima
CBX Shima + Shima Isofix Base
Hauck Comfort Fix
Bébé Confort Cabriofix + Familyfix Basis
Jané Koos i-Size + iPlatform
Jané Koos i-Size
Chicco Around U i-Size
Nachfolger Hy5 TT
Graco Turn2Reach
Osann Fox
Britax Römer Swingfix M i-Size
Britax Römer Dualfix M i-Size
Cybex Pallas S-Fix
Nania I-Max SP Isofix
Cybex Solution S-Fix
The first rear-facing inflatable car seat
Le Nachfolger Hy5 TT is the first car seat inflatable backrest. It is particularlyinteresting for people who travel regularly or who use It can be used to carry different types of transport when travelling. It is inflated with the electric pump supplied or directly to the inflation station a service station. It is a lightweight car seat (around 5.1 kg), which requires relatively little storage space when not in use. However, even though it does a decent job of keeping itself safe, its rating has been downgraded due to the presence of naphthalene. Traces of this substance, which is suspected of being carcinogenic, have been found in the following areas in the seat cover during pollutant testing.
EDIT (May 2019): Since the publication of these results, Nachfolger improved the first version of its inflatable car seat with the release of Nachfolger Hy5.1 TT. This improved version, tested in May 2019 by ADACno longer contains no trace of pollutants and obtained excellent results in frontal and side crash tests. This version can now be recommended for use with children of 0 to 18 kilos.
Excessive levels of harmful substances
Two models of car seat have seen their final valuations significantly devalued due to their high pollutant content. In fact, the values measured for certain harmful substances exceeded authorised limits for children's products. Naphthalenea substance suspected of having carcinogenic effects, was found in the tissues of the Jané Koos i-Size while traces TCPP and TDCP flame retardants have been found in the materials of Osann FoxA model that also failed to convince in frontal and side impact tests. It's important to note that the pollutants sought during these tests are not taken into account when obtaining the "A" label. European type approval (R129 or R44/04) car seats. Consequently, a seat with traces of pollutants can still be sold legally on the European market.
Selection of the Best Crash-Tested Car Seats (October 2018)
- The Baby Car Seat (from birth to around 18 months)
In a baby cosy, the child is comfortable and protected like a little cocoon. Its inclination allows you to prevent his head from falling forward as might be the case in a car seat ill-suited to the smallest children. The baby cosy is the ideal way the safest (road back) for safe travel with baby from birth to the age of 12, 15 or 18 months depending on the the child's morphology and seat model.
- Britax Römer Baby-Safe 2 i-Size (with base)
Le Britax Baby-Safe 2 i-Size is a hull conforming to the latest European regulation R129 (i-Size) for children from 40 to 83 cm (from birth to around 18 months). The seat is equipped with a removable newborn insert developed to offer better support, a 5-point harness and an adjustable headrest height to adapt to your child's growth. It also features adjustable side guards (SICT technology) for enhanced safety in the event of a side impact. The Baby-Safe 2 can be fixed with the safety belt (tested by ADAC in May 2018) or with one of the two dedicated ISOFIX bases : Baby-Safe i-Size Base or Baby-Safe i-Size Flex Base. Adjustable to 4 positions, the Flex i-Size base is unique in that it can adapt to the incline of certain car seats. It allows you to offer a flatter position and prevent your baby's head from falling forward during journeys. Finally, the adapters Britax Click & Go will enable you to install your shell on the majority of pushchairs available on the market.
Certification | R129 (i-Size) |
Child size | From 40 to 83 cm |
Child's age | From birth to around 18 months. |
Child's weight | 13 kg max. |
Installing the car seat | Seat belt or Flex i-Size Base or Base Baby-Safe i-Size with strut |
Child restraint system | 5-point harness |
Swivel car seat | |
Seat position | Back to the road |
BRITAX RÖMER BABY SAFE 2 I-SIZE
- Joie i-Level (with base)
Le Joie i-Level is a baby shell R129 (i-Size) approved can be used with the back to the road for children of 40 to 85 cm (from birth to 18 months). This is a model that, unlike other cosis, can only be used with the i-Size LX base sold with the seat. As a result, it cannot be used with a seat belt of the vehicle. This model offers 3 tilt positions allowing it to lie virtually flat up to an angle of 157°. for optimum comfort in both car and pushchair. The Joie i-Level also has a detachable insert for newborns, a removable sun canopy, a 3-point harness and an adjustable headrest with 3 protective layers. This model is of course compatible with Joie pushchairs fitted with adapters, but also with most other brands.
Certification | R129 (i-Size) |
Child size | From 40 to 85 cm |
Child's age | From birth to around 18 months. |
Child's weight | 13 kg max. |
Installing the car seat | Base LX i-Size with strut |
Child restraint system | 3-point harness |
Swivel car seat | |
Seat position | Back to the road |
JOY I-LEVEL
- Hauck Comfort Fix (with or without base)
Le Hauck Comfort Fix is a model simple and inexpensive approved according to European regulation R44/04 for children from 0 to 13 kg (Group 0+), i.e. from birth to around 18 months. In the car, the seat is installed using the safety belt or ISOFIX Comfort Fix base sold separately. It also has a 3-point harness, a newborn insert, a cover, a canopy and a headrest removable for greater flexibility. The Comfort Fix is compatible with many of the brand's pushchairs (Saturn R, Mars, Apollo, Rapid, Duett, Eagle 4S, Sunny and Lift Up 4).
Certification | R44/04 |
Child's weight | 0 - 13 kg (Group 0+) |
Child's age | From birth to around 18 months. |
Installing the car seat | Seat belt or Comfort Fix base with strut |
Child restraint system | 3-point harness |
Swivel car seat | |
Seat position | Back to the road |
HAUCK COMFORT FIX
- Children's car seats (from birth to 4 years approx.)
The back-to-the-road position is the best way to protect the neck and cervicals of a child in the event of a collision. We recommend that you keep your child facing away from the road for as long as possible because it prevents its head, which is proportionally heavier, from being violently projected forward in the event of an impact that could cause serious injury. The majority of car seats available on the market, keeps your child's back to the road up to the age of 4or even more for certain models.
- Britax Römer Dualfix M i-Size
Le Britax Dualfix M i-Size is a swivelling car seat that complies with the new R129 regulation (i-Size) for children from 61 to 105 cm (from 6 months to 4 years approx.) for use in with your back to the road or facing the road from the age of 15 months (76 cm). Its 360° rotation makes it easy to put your child in the car without any effort. The Dualfix M i-Size is a very comfortable model with several tilt positions both facing and facing away from the road, an adjustable anti-kickback bar to the back of the bench to increase legroom, a 5-point harness and an adjustable headrest to the child's height. This seat is also equipped with a range of safety equipment for enhanced protection. It features the side impact protection system (SICT) and several visual indicators to ensure correct installation of the seat using the ISOFIX attachment. Le Dualfix M i-Size is not supplied with a reducer for newborns, you'll have to go for the Britax Dualfix i-Size to benefit from it. The model is identical in every respect and can be used from birth.
Certification | R129 (i-Size) |
Child size | From 61 to 105 cm |
Child's age | From birth to 4 years approx. |
Child's weight | 18 kg max. |
Installing the car seat | ISOFIX with strut |
Child restraint system | 5-point harness |
Swivel car seat | |
Newborn reducer | |
Seat position | Road back (61 to 105 cm) Road side (76 to 105 cm) |
BRITAX RÖMER DUALFIX M I-SIZE
- Britax Römer Swingfix M i-Size
Le Britax Swingfix M i-Size is a model identical in every respect to the Dualfix M i-Size with one exception: it cannot be turned to face the road. This is because the Swingfix M i-Size is a model that can only be used with the back to the road. It is for this reason that the head office has succeeded in obtaining the highly demanding Swedish Plus Testa certification that guarantees maximum safety. Like the Dualfix M i-Sizethe Swingfix M i-Size is not supplied with a newborn reducer. To get one, you will have to opt for the Swingfix i-Size (without the M).
Certification | R129 (i-Size) |
Child size | From 61 to 105 cm |
Child's age | From birth to 4 years approx. |
Child's weight | 18 kg max. |
Installing the car seat | ISOFIX with strut |
Child restraint system | 5-point harness |
Swivel car seat | |
Newborn reducer | |
Seat position | Back to the road |
BRITAX RÖMER SWINGFIX M I-SIZE
- Booster seats (from 4 to 12 years approx.)
Booster seats allow you to and to protect the child by adapting the adult seat belt of the vehicle to its morphology. Although some models of car booster seat allow you to travel with children facing the road from the age of 3, give preference to the use of a rear facing car seat before moving on to the use of a car booster seat.
- Cybex Solution S-Fix
Le Cybex Solution S-Fix is a booster seat with backrest belonging to group 2/3 approved according to regulation R44/04. This model is ideal for children of 15 to 36 kg (aged 4 to 12 approx.) or 100 to 150 cm. This is a very easy-to-install model with a wide, comfortable seat for all children. In particular, it offers a height-adjustable headrest to ensure a perfect fit for any child, and tilting to prevent the child's head from tilting forward. The energy-absorbing shell or even the retractable protection system side impact protection (LSP) also ensures the child's safety in all circumstances. The S-Fix solution can be installed using ISOFIX connectors to give the seat greater safety and stability. However, it can also be used simply with the safety belt in vehicles without ISOFIX fastening system.
Certification | R44/04 |
Child's weight | From 15 to 36 kg (Group 2/3) |
Child's age | From 4 to 12 years approx. |
Installing the car seat | ISOFIX or seat belt |
Child restraint system | Safety belts |
Seat position | Facing the road |
CYBEX SOLUTION S-FIX
Complete List of ADAC & TCS Crash Test Scores
Visit the full list of final scores achieved by the car seats assessed in this session of the crash tests in October 2019. For each size categoryCar seats are ranked in order of score, from the best to the worst. To find out more about the criteria assessed and the scoring system used, please refer to our article on crash tests for all the answers.