Please help choose a car seat for a Toyota Aygo 2018

[wahmeh]

I have a 5 door aygo. It’s tiny but can’t afford a new car.

my DD had outgrown the maxi cosi cabriofix and I have no idea what I can get her next. The issue is that my husband is 6ft 4 so hard to know what will fit with him in front.

I’ve been recommended avionaut sky but these are £350-400 and I just can’t afford it. My budget is £200. I’ve had a look and I’m very confused.

thanks!

I fitted two axkid minikids (axkid move also fine as same shell but cheaper option) in my 2017 5-door Aygo. I fitted them in the most upright setting. My DC stayed in them until we changed the car when they were 5 and 2 earlier this year.

The ERF 25kg seats can often be fitted more upright and take less space than the Joie/spin seats etc and they last the child longer.

We also had a cybex sirona which was a tighter fit due to how bulky it was.

TBH though any car seat will be tight to fit such a tall person in the front of an aygo. Can you put the seat behind you?

Remember that FF seats need a 55cm survival space so often not actually space saving anyway and RF is much safer for children under 4. So I'd personally avoid a FF seat.

There are good car seat safety groups on FB that can give specialist advice.

How old is your DD and how big is she?

Do you have the original Cabriofix or the i-size one? If you have the original, is her head at the top of the seat?

You will probably be able to fit the Joie 360 Spin or Graco Turn2me or Graco Turn2me i-size, as this (all the same shell) is the same size as an infant carrier + base or less when it's not reclined. Go somewhere which has it in stock and check in your car before buying.

If you could stretch to £220, you could look at Britax Max Way Plus which is quite compact and rear facing, however only suitable from around 8-10 months / baby who can sit unaided and minimum 9kg.

She’s 14 months and around 9.75kg

It’s the cabriofix isize

Oh OK, great. So you have plenty of options.

She should be big enough to fit into the Max Way Plus if you wanted to get that - you might need to order online though if you can't find stock near to you. Send the retailer a message and see if they will accept a return if the seat does not fit, or whether they have previously managed to fit one into an Aygo?

She's not so big that she will outgrow the Joie Spin/Graco Spin limits before she's 4, so no worries on that side either.

Both options would be good for you :)

While you could opt for a forward facing seat, I would not recommend this as she is still very little and it would be less safe. They now recommend the absolute minimum for forward facing should be 15 months, but it's better to wait longer. You generally have to pay quite a bit more to get good safety in a forward facing seat. The decent FF seats are in the region of £200-250. Whereas even the cheapest rear facing seat is good for safety.

I wouldn't go for an all stages up to 12 seat - they tend to be bulky.

I also wouldn't suggest the belt fitted rear facing seats (except the Swedish type 25kg limit ones) because they tend to be reclined which makes them bulky.

I feel a bit inadequate posting after you’ve already had such excellent and knowledgeable advice!

But just wanted to add that I do find a spin is much easier to get the child into, in a small car personally, even though the actual seat takes up a lot of room. We have the Joie 360 and are very happy with it.

My 2 year old climbs into the spin seat.