News
Tianna Nadalin
Posted May 10, 2022
Not all car seats are created equal. These are Australia’s safest baby, toddler and child car seats for 2022.
Australia’ssafest baby and child car seatsfor 2022 have been revealed. In its latest round of assessments, the independentChild Restraint Evaluation Program(CREP)has published new ratings for eight child car seats, each tested against updated testing protocols including an intruding door side-impact test and a new test rig that is more representative of current popular vehicles.
CREP is a national consortium including VicRoads, Kidsafe and the Transport Accident Commission. RACV Senior Safety Policy Adviser Elvira Lazar says the program exists to enable parents to compare and find the seats that have the best protection ratings.
For the assessments, test dummies measuring the upper end of the height and weight limit for each type of seat are put into a crash simulation to measure the forces experienced by the dummy on impact. The car seats are scored based on several performance aspects, such as how well they maintain structural integrity and how well they protect the child’s torso in a car crash.
On this page
- What do the crep assessments do?
- Safest rearward-facing car sets
- Safest booster car seats
- Safest rearward to forward facing car seat
- Safest forward-facing car seats
- Multi-purpose seats
- Tips for choosing the best car seat for your child
All seats tested by CREP comply with Australian Standards.
What do the CREP assessments do?
The CREP assessments aim to educate parents about which restraints offer the best protection, by assessing child car seats not only on how they perform in crash tests, but also how easy they are to install and use.
Your child's safety is of paramount importance, which is why all seats tested by CREP comply with Australian Standards. While Australian Standards specify a range of design and performance requirements and involve some crash testing, the CREP ratings assess how a seat performs over and above the minimum safety requirements of the standard. This means even a one-star CREP safety rated seat performs over and above the minimum requirements.
“The CREP independent testing is tougher than Australian Standard requirements in order to help parents make an informed decision about which seat to buy based on actual performance, not what they are being told by a salesperson,” Elvira explains.
While overall protection ratings are paramount, Elvira says ease of use should also be taken into consideration as thesimpler a car seat is to installand use, the more likely it is to be used correctly.
“The results demonstrate that not all car seats are created equal and price is not a good indicator of safety so parents need to remain vigilant when it comes tochoosing the appropriate restraintfor their child.”
How simple a car seat is to installand use is also an important consideration.
Australia's safest baby and child car seats for 2022
CREP has tested many of Australia’s top-selling car seats. From baby and toddler seats to boosters and convertibles, these are the highest-rating child car seats by category.
Single-purpose seats
Single-purpose seatsSingle purpose car seats are designed to be used in only one mode: rearward or forward-facing, or as a capsule or booster. That means once a child outgrows their seat, they will need a new one.
Capsules (rearward-facing)
These seats click into a base installed in the car. Some brands also offer an option that clicks into a pram.
Age of use:Capsules are generallyfor use from birth to at least six months; however, some are available for use from birth to 12 months.
Highest rated:Of the seats tested since 2021,Nuna Klik Plus tested with ISOFix CF05702 was the highest rated, with a protection score of 2,9.
Full results:To see all seats tested in this category,click here.
Capsules (tested from 2021 onward)
Capsules (tested from 2021 onward)
Mode
Protection score
Ease of use score
Nuna Klik Plus tested with ISOFix CF05702
Rearward only (capsule, 0-12 months)
2.9
3.3
Forward facing (tested from 2021)
Forward facing (tested from 2021)
Mode
Protection score
Ease of use score
SecureSafe Shield CS9513
Forward-facing (6 months - 8 years)
3.0
2.5
Convertible seats
All convertible seats can be used for longer because once kids outgrow one mode, the seat can be reconfigured. Most of the seats tend to have higher protection ratings in either rearward-facing or forward-facing mode so it is important to check the safety rating across all modes.
Rearward-facing car seat convertible to forward-facing
Age of use:There are typically three types of rearward to forward convertible seats on the Australian market:
- Rearward-facing from birth to at least six months, forward-facing from six months to at least four years
- Rearward-facing from birth to at least 12 months, forward-facing from six months to at least four years
- Rearward-facing from birth to approximately two-to-three years, forward-facing from 12 months to at least four years.
Highest rated:Of the seats tested since 2021,SecureSafe Defend CS8713 tested with ISOFix CS8713was the highest rated, with a protection score of 3.9.
Full results: To see all seats tested in this category,click here.
Convertible, rear to forward (tested from 2021)
Convertible, rear to forward (tested from 2021)
Mode
Protection score
Ease of use score
SecureSafe Defend tested with ISOfix CS8713
Rearward facing
Forward facing
3.9
3.3
2.3
2.1
Maxi-Cosi Vita Smart tested with seat belt DAU-13-B
Rearward facing
Forward facing
3.3
3.1
2.6
2.5
Forward-facing car seat convertible to booster seat
There are a number of choices for seats that perform consistently as a forward-facing seat and as a booster.
Age of use:Six months to at least seven years.
Best performer overall:Of the seats tested since 2021, the Mother's Choice Levi GMBE2 2013was the highest rated, with a protection score of 3.2 in forward-facing mode and 3.4 in booster mode.
Full results: To see all seats tested in this category,click here.
Forward-facing to booster (tested from 2021)
Forward-facing to booster (tested from 2021)
Mode
Protection score
Ease of use score
Mother's Choice Levi GMBE2 2013
Forward-facing
Booster
3.2
3.4
1.8
2.3
Booster seats
Parents are spoilt for choice in this category,with many seats consistently performing above the Australian Standard. Remember that kids should keep using abooster for as long as possible, at least until they can pass thefive-step testfor good seatbelt fit.
Age of use:Four years to at least seven years old. There are also booster seats that children can use until they are at least 10 years old.
Highest rated:Of the seats tested since 2021,Mother's Choice Tribe AP GMEA 2013was the highest rated, with a3.8 protection score.
Full results: To see all seats tested in this category,click here.
Single-purpose car seats
Single-purpose car seats
Mode
Protection score
Ease of use score
Mother's Choice Tribe AP GMEA 2013
Booster only
3.8
2.6
Multi-purpose child car seats
These seatscan be used from birth until kids outgrow the restraint and areready to travel with an adult seatbelt.However, seats can wear out over time,so make sure parts stay in good working condition.
Rearward, forward and booster mode
Age of use:Birth to at leastseven years or 145 centimetres tall.
Highest rated:Of the seats tested*, theInfa-SecureLuxiII Treo (CS4313)has its highest protection rating in booster mode with4.1 stars. Rearward mode received 2.9 stars and forward received a 1.8-star rating.
Full results:To see all seats tested in this category,click here.
*Note that no multi-purpose child car seats have been tested from 2021 onwards, when CREP introduced revised assessment methods. The above results are based on the 2018-2020 protocols.
Multi-purpose car seats
Multi-purpose car seats
Mode
Protection score
Ease of use score
Infa-Secure Luxi II Treo CS4313
Rearward-facing
Forward-facing
Booster
2.9
1.8
4.1
1.9
1.9
2.6
Tips for choosing the right car seat for your baby or child
With such a big range of seats on the market, you can ask yourself a few questions to narrow your search.
- How oldand how tallis your child?While age is a good place to start, it’s more important to know how big children are to work out when it will be time tochange to another car seat.
- What type of car seat do you want?Would you prefer something that converts or one that’s used until another type is needed?
- Check the safety rating in all modes.Remember that convertible restraints might be safer in one position over another (for example, four stars in the forward position and three stars when facing rearward).
- Check the ease of use score.A seat that is easier to use is more likely to be used correctly.
- Does the seat fit well in your car?See how the restraint will fit into your car before you buy it, particularly if you have a smaller car. Having itfitted is also a good idea and the fitter can show you how to use the seat properly too.
- Check the price of the seat.Some of the seats that perform better in crash testing are also the cheapest! Aim to buy the safest seat you can afford.
*By law,children need to travel in a suitable restraintand, for children aged seven to 16, that restraint can be a booster seat or seatbelt. It’s important to use the restraint that is suitable for the child’s height.
Community
Victoria’s latest COVID-19 rules, restrictions, and testing guidelines
After more than two and a half years since the Victorian Government declared a state of emergency, the pandemic declaration has come to an end. Here’s everything you need to know moving forward.
Community
Youth Live4Life is bringing together rural and regional communities to improve youth mental health
Youth mental health is a major issue in rural and regional communities, but new funding is helping Live4Life bring its tailored mental health support model to more towns across Victoria.
(Video) What To Think About When Picking A Car Seat (Australia)Motoring
New road rules for portable devices from March 31 2023: what you need to know
Victoria's new distracted driving rules reflect the increase in new technologies as well as bring the state into line with other jurisdictions.
FAQs
Australia’s safest baby, child car seats for 2022 | RACV? ›
Child car seats bought overseas are illegal to use in Australia as they do not comply with AS/NZS 1754, the Australian/New Zealand Standard for child car seats. AS/NZS 1754 is one of the most stringent child car seat standards in the world.
What is the #1 safest car seat? ›- Best overall. : Graco 4Ever DLX.
- Best for budgets. : Chicco Keyfit 30.
- Extended rear-facing pick. : Britax Boulevard Clicktight ARB.
- Best convertible car seat. : Evenflo EveryStage.
- Anti-rebound pick. : Primo Viaggio Nido.
- Easiest to clean. : Safety 1st onBoard 35 Air+
- Easiest to use. : UPPAbaby Mesa.
- Lightest pick.
- Maxi-Cosi Coral: The best car seat for newborns. ...
- Cybex Sirona Z i-Size: The best car seat for all-round safety. ...
- Chicco Seat 4 Fix: The best car seat for versatility and longevity. ...
- Joie Signature 360: The best 360 car seat to save your back. ...
- Joie i-Level: The best car seat for sleeping babies.
Child car seats bought overseas are illegal to use in Australia as they do not comply with AS/NZS 1754, the Australian/New Zealand Standard for child car seats. AS/NZS 1754 is one of the most stringent child car seat standards in the world.
What country has the safest car seat standards? ›Sweden. Sweden is kind of considered the gold standard for car seat safety.
Which seat is safest in a crash? ›The study finds that the safest place for young children is still the back seat, strapped into a car seat. This is because the airbag is too powerful for children, especially in a head-on car crash.
What car company makes the best seats? ›The Kia Soul has the most comfortable front seats among small cars. Subaru Legacy wins the Midsize sedan category, Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the best Luxury Compact Sedan, Audi A8 is the Luxury Midsized/Large Sedan winner, and Mazda CX-50 is the best small SUV.
Is Nuna worth the money? ›There are many factors that affect pricing - level of detail in design, quality of materials, and range of features and technology! As a premium baby gear brand, Nuna is among the higher-priced options but well worth the investment, designed to last and make your daily life with little ones as easy as possible.
Which seats are the safest? ›Most of the survivors were sitting behind first class, towards the front of the plane. Nonetheless, a TIME investigation that looked at 35 years of aircraft accident data found the middle rear seats of an aircraft had the lowest fatality rate: 28%, compared with 44% for the middle aisle seats.
What is the second safest seat for a newborn in a car? ›The left-side and the right-side of the back seat are both appropriate positions for the second car seat. Many people have opinions on which is the safest position, but highway safety reports show that there is no statistical difference in terms of safety.
What is the number one baby car seat? ›
| Model | Editor's Rating | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Chicco KeyFit 30 | 9.8/10 | Best Overall |
| Peg Perego Primo Viaggio | 9.8/10 | Best European Belt Path |
| UPPAbaby MESA V2 | 9.7/10 | Best Premium |
| Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX | 9.7/10 | Best Lightweight |
The US Dept of Transport clarifies below, that even the 'temporary importation' ie bringing one from abroad for a holiday or vacation is not legal and provides the exact wording that must be on the car seat to be certified for use in the USA.
What is the Australian standard for baby car seats? ›Suitable child car restraint
Children aged between 6 months and 4 years must use either a rear-facing child car seat or a forward-facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness. Children aged between 4 and 7 years must use a forward‑facing child car seat with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat.
Safety standards for child car seats and accessories
By law, all child car seats used, bought or sold in Australia must meet Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754. The Standards label will be on the packaging of new car seats and on the car seat itself.
Chest clips
European car seats, by regulation, require that the child can be removed from the car seat in a single motion; so having both a crotch buckle and chest clip would breach the European regulation. That's one reason that European car seats don't have a chest clip.
Under EU child restraint law, all children up to 36kg, 1.35 m, or about 12 years old must travel in a car seat. The usage of a child restraint system, however, always depends on the mandatory references of your national children's restraint system laws and regulations.
Is car seat safer behind driver or passenger? ›The car seat should always be installed in the back seat. That is the safest spot for your baby. If you can, put the car seat in the center seat. If not, it is fine behind either the driver or passenger side.
Where is the safest place for a car seat in a SUV? ›Safest place for a car seat in a minivan or SUV
If your vehicle has a bench in the middle row, then you should install your car seat in the center of the middle row. Conversely, if your middle row has bucket seats instead, you should place the car seat in the third row of seats.
12 Safest Countries in The World: 2023 Edition
Iceland takes the GPI crown for the safest country in the world, followed by New Zealand, Ireland, Denmark, and Austria in the top five.
The passenger seat next to the driver of an automotive vehicle. [So called because this seat is said to be the most dangerous one in the event of an accident.]
Are Graco car seats safe? ›
All Graco car seats meet or exceed the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213. But at Graco, we go above and beyond the requirements to provide additional safety testing and features for your peace of mind.
How do I know if my baby car seat is safe? ›The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires permanent, visible labels that say the car seat is certified to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or FMVSS 213. The car seat should come with basic instructions for installation in English.
Is Graco a good brand? ›Graco is a well-established trusted brand, so you'll be able to use the car seat with most of the big stroller brands. You can use it with more than 50 different stroller models (see the full list below).
What is seat most sold car? ›Cupra Sales by Model and Country in 2022
232,700 SEAT cars were delivered in 2022, a 40.5% decline from 2021. The SEAT Arona maintained its position as the brand's bestselling model (71,000 units; -33.5% on 2021), followed by the SEAT Ibiza (51,300; -46.4%), and the SEAT Leon (41,500; -47.3%).
Where is the safest place to put a car seat? A study published in Pediatrics, showed for children newborn to 3 years old and all installs being equal, sitting in the center rear seat is 43% safer than sitting on the side in the back. The rear center position will be the furthest from any impact in any type of crash.
What is zero gravity car seats? ›Built with 14 different pressure points to put you in a neutral position, the Zero Gravity Seats' unique shape and patented structure provides continuous support from your hips all the way up to your shoulders. This natural, ergonomic design helps to maximize blood flow and keep your energy levels up.
What country is Nuna from? ›Nuna is a global brand with Dutch roots which has been focusing on creating smart, helpful and bold baby gear since 2007. Using first-hand experience in parenthood, Nuna design clever family solutions that have the perfect balance of practicality and beauty.
What country is Nuna made in? ›Nuna manufactures their line of car seats, including the PIPA, PIPA RX, PIPA Lite, PIPA Lite R, and PIPA Lite LX infant car seats, RAVA convertible car seat, EXEC all-in-one car seat, and AACE booster seats, in their factory in China.
Is Nuna made in China? ›Nuna products are manufactured in China in an ISO 14001 certified factory, which stays current with the latest eco-friendly equipment and processes! The factory employs solar powered energy, exhaust treatment water, a recycling program, and a plastic waste and package recycling program.
Where do you sit to survive a plane crash? ›Your seat. … Is behind the wings. A Popular Mechanics study of 20 commercial jet crashes with both fatalities and survivors found that passengers seated in the rear cabin (behind the wings) had a 69 percent chance of survival, compared with just 49 percent for those in first class.
What age does the 2 hour car seat rule end? ›
Parents know what's best for their children – so there is no specific age to grow out of the 2-hour car seat rule. Once your baby gains better control of their neck/head and can safely sit upright without support, you can relax the rule a bit – but stay alert as long as they are in a rear-facing car seat.
Which is safer LATCH or seat belt? ›The top tether should always be used with a forward-facing seat, whether you use a seat belt or lower anchors to secure it. The seat belt and LATCH systems are equally safe, so caregivers should use one one or the other--whichever works best for them, their car safety seat, and their vehicle.
How many hours can an infant stay in a car seat? ›Many car seat manufacturers recommend that a baby should not be in a car seat for longer than 2 hours, within a 24 hour time period. This is because when a baby is in a semi-upright position for a prolonged period of time it can result in: 1. A strain on the baby's still-developing spine.
Why is UPPAbaby so popular? ›As a premium brand, UPPAbaby products have many features and capabilities not seen on lower-priced options, and are made with superior materials designed to last for many years. Additionally, the beautiful design and contemporary details have led UPPAbaby to become a fashion statement for the trend-conscious parent.
Is it better to get an infant car seat or all in one? ›Your child will outgrow an infant car seat faster than a convertible one. Different brands and models have different size limits. Typically, infant car seats can fit babies up to around 35 pounds or 35 inches long. Once your baby is too big, you'll need a convertible car seat to keep her safe while driving.
What is seat most popular model? ›What are the most popular SEAT cars for sale? With crossovers everywhere, it's no surprise that the Ateca is SEAT's most popular model with the impressive Leon also proving popular with buyers after a stylish hatch.
Can I use an expired car seat? ›The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents not to use a car seat past its expiration date, or six years from the date of manufacture if the car seat has no expiration date. Following all safety guidelines for car seats can reduce severe and fatal injuries in children by as much as 80%.
What is the average age to stop using a car seat? ›Children should stay in a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly, typically when children reach about 4 feet 9 inches in height and are 8 to 12 years of age. Most children will not fit in a seat belt alone until 10 to 12 years of age.
What is an all in one car seat? ›An all-in-one car seat is a convertible seat that's designed to work from the baby days all the way through the big kid years. Many all-in-one seats boast a lifespan of about 10 years, meaning that instead of purchasing three (or even four) different seats as your child grows, you'll only need to purchase one.
Where is the safest place for a baby seat Australia? ›The safest placement of a car seat is on the rear seat of your vehicle in the center position, as it protects your child in the event of a side impact collision. The rear passenger side of your vehicle is an alternative option.
What is the safest car crash seat? ›
If a car is struck rear-ended (struck from behind), the safest seat may be the front passenger seat. If a vehicle is struck head-on, the safest seat may be the middle seat in the back seat.
What are the baby seat regulations in Australia? ›Children from birth to 4 years
Children under 4 years old must travel in a rear facing or forward facing child restraint.
Safest place for a car seat in a minivan or SUV
If your vehicle has a bench in the middle row, then you should install your car seat in the center of the middle row. Conversely, if your middle row has bucket seats instead, you should place the car seat in the third row of seats.
the passenger seat next to the driver in an automobile, regarded as dangerous in the event of a collision.
What side of the car do most accidents occur? ›Dangers Of The Passenger Side
While front-end and rear-end collisions are the most common types of traffic collisions, the passenger side is more likely to be hit in a side-impact collision.
The car seat should always be installed in the back seat. That is the safest spot for your baby. If you can, put the car seat in the center seat. If not, it is fine behind either the driver or passenger side.
What is the best position to survive a car crash? ›Sit In The Middle Seat
About 56 percent of car accidents occur as front impacts; this means that the passengers in the front are more likely to be injured. But as a back seat passenger, the risk of injury decreases. According to the research, the middle back seat is the safest place to sit in a vehicle during impact.
The death of a child overseas has sparked the recall of two motorised baby seats in Australia. The 4moms mamaRoo Baby Swing and rockaRoo Baby Rocker have both been recalled nationally, for those products sold between May 14, 2018 and September 28, 2022.
How long do Australian car seats last? ›| Age | Australian laws |
|---|---|
| Four to seven years | Forward-facing with inbuilt harness or booster seat |
| Seven years and older | Booster or adult seat |
It is the world's most adjustable high back booster and is suitable for kids aged 4 and up, between 40-100 pounds and 40-59 inches tall. It is regulated for global use, except Australia.