Car seat compatible for Hyundai i30

[Mumof22020]

Hi, I've purchased a Joie stages car seat but havent taken it out of the box cause I've just checked the Joie website and it says its not compatible with my 2011 Hyundai i30. I'm confused as I thought car seats just fitted in any car, are they not universal? My daughters 14 and a half months and rf in her infant seat but i'm looking to move her up to a rf car seat that i can keep her rf for as long as possible. She hasnt been weighed in a long time due to covid but shes a bit petite. Anybody drive the same car or have any sugestions. TIA x

Go somewhere where you can try car seats in your car.. the seats in cars are different shapes, different seatbelt lengths, different seat belt positions etc so some seats don't fit as securely in them, or leads to the seat being at an odd angle.

yeah each car has different set of requirements. Is your car isofix? does it have storage under the seats etc? this all impacts choice

Yes it has isofix but the joie stages doesnt need isofix it just uses the seatbelt and theres no storage under the seats. My car isnt a small car so dont know why it wouldnt be compatible. I looked at so many car seats and the reviews on that one were really good and it reclines thats why I settled on it. Looks like I'll have to return it x

It maybe the length of the seatbelts then as its quite a bulky seat. You can always get it out and check, and then return if the seatbelts are not long enough to go round

Thanks for the replies, going to try it and see if it fits then I can return it if if it dosent. Thanks x

I'd check the returns policy. If they are happy for you to check then it's worth giving it a try.

Does it actually say incompatible or is it just not on the list? If not on the list it might not have been checked, rather than meaning that it doesn't fit.

Otherwise the length of the seatbelts may well be an issue. There is a short belt method to fit the Stages, you can google this. But if the belt length doesn't allow the seat's base to sit flat on the seat then it's incompatible.

Other fit issues with seatbelt fitted car seats are where the buckles are too long and the buckle lies over a hard plastic part of the seat, this is called "buckle crunch" and is dangerous as it can cause the buckle to break in a crash. Or if your seatbelts are too far forward then you can get too much movement in the seat and you won't be able to secure it.

However if you want to rear face as long as possible you might want to look into returning it anyway and getting a seat that goes up to 25kg instead like Britax Max Way Plus or Axkid Move. These still have a recline but they fit a bit more compactly in the car. It is more expensive though but that's because it will last you longer. They use less belt and fit more flexibly so buckle crunch and forward anchorage aren't usually a problem. Joie Stages can only rear face until 18kg.

Thanks BertieBotts i had a look again and its just not on the fit list so hopefully it will fit. Going to check tomorrow x

Hi Mum, I was just wondering if you sorted this issue, and what car seat you went for in the end? I need a new car due to DS2 arrival, and am looking at an i30, but I want to keep both kids rear facing for a decent amount of time. Did you find a compatible seat? Also, DH is 6ft 3 - how is the space in the i30? Thanks for any insights!!!

Hi JustKeepSw1mming, I contacted Joie and they explained that the Hyundai i30 wasnt on their fit list for the Joie Stages as it was never tested in that car. I installed it in my car and sent Joie the pictures of it and they said it was fitted perfect. I really like it and think theres still plenty of room in the front although my DP isnt as tall as your DH lol x

I have the same car and car seat. It fits fine with isofix. It was fitted by Halfords 2 years ago. I have a 16 plate though

My car has isofix but the Joie stages I got isnt isofix it just fits in with the seatbelt but it really stays in place