How to buy
All child car seats are categorised according to the child?s weight. Some seats span different groups but we found that ?multi-group? seats tend to be a compromise.
As a child?s bone and body structure dramatically changes during the first few
years, what?s needed from a safety restraint also changes. Group 3 seats are known as
booster seats?. These will satisfy the new legal requirements for kids over 22kg but are not as safe as seats with ?wings?? which provide better protection for head and in a side-impact crash.
Group 0 0-10kg (22lb)birth to 11 months (boys); 14 months (girls)
Group 0+ 0-13kg (0-29lb) birth to about 15 months
Group 1 9-18kg (20lb-40lb) about 9 months to 41⁄2 years
Group 2 15-25kg (20lb-3st 13lb) about 3 to 7 years
Group 3 22-36kg (3st 7lb-5st 9lb)about 6 to 12 years
WHICH? BEST BUYS
CHILDREN FROM 0KG
75% Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix £160 (with Easyfix base)
We tested this seat with its optional Easyfix base (similar to Isofix) ? leave this fixed in the car. After removing the seat, to put it back in, just push, click and check safety indicators. Our impact tests showed a low risk of injury and head support is excellent. It?s light to carry (but the Easyfix base is quite heavy). It?s available from Boots, Halfords and John Lewis.
WE LIKE Simple installation onto Easyfix bases, and Easybase bases (for cars without Isofix mounts).
Cheapest store John Lewis
Safety
Weight of seat 3.6kg (8lb)
74% Britax Cosy Tot Isofix £200 (with Isofix base)
This is the same seat as the Cosy Tot Premium (3), but with Isofix mounting. It performed marginally better with its £105 Isofix base, but the belted model is nearly as good, scoring 71%, and at £95 is much cheaper. It?s quite easy to route the belting. The Isofix base is ideal if you plan on upgrading to Isofix (see ?Facts and scores?, p66) or have one car with Isofix and one without. It?s available from Argos and Halfords.
WE LIKE Performs well in Isofix and belted modes.
Cheapest store Halfords
Safety
Weight of seat 3.2kg (7lb)
CHILDREN FROM 9KG
74% Maxi-Cosi Priorifix £220
Our safety scores are for Isofix mounting; it performs less well using belts. It weighs
a back-breaking 11kg, so leave it installed. This solidity contributes to good crash
safety. Its support leg must be used even with belts ? so it?s no good in cars with floor storage. It?s available from John Lewis and Toys R Us.
WE LIKE Support leg indicator on (optional) Isofix base clearly shows when you?ve fitted it correctly.
Cheapest store John Lewis
Safety
Weight of seat 11kg (24lb)
70% Maxi-Cosi Tobi £165
The harness retracts the straps sideways when undone, so they don?t end up behind the child when they are placed in the seat. The buckle?s tension indicator shows green when the strap is secure. This is the first seat we?ve tested with ?load limiters? in the harness, which allow the belt to ?give? to absorb the energy of a crash. It?s available from Toys RUs.
WE LIKE The buckle?s tension indicator.
Cheapest store Toys R Us
Safety
Weight of seat 8.9kg (20lb)
70% Britax Duo Plus £190
We tested this seat last year with its optional Isofix base. It?s not quite top of
the table this year (newer models are better) but it still performs well. It shows the benefits of Isofix mounting methods ? there?s less potential for incorrect
fitting, and it gives a rigid link from the car to the seat, which is good for safety. It?s
available from John Lewis and Toys RUs.
WE LIKE Particularly clear fitting instructions, and Britax?s ?fitting guide? to show car/seat compatibility.
Cheapest store John Lewis
Safety
Weight of seat 8.9kg (20lb)
CHILDREN FROM 15KG
74% Concord Lift Evo PT £90
The unusual side ?wings? on this seat extend downwards to provide extra protection for the child?s abdomen. It?s also possible to adjust the seat?s recline angle, which makes it more likely that you?ll be able to get a good, snug fit whatever the rake of your rear seats. It?s available from independents.
WE LIKE The adjustable rake on the seat back means you can get a snug fit on your car?s rear seat.
Cheapest store Independents
Safety
Weight of seat 5.2kg (11.5lb)
72% Concord Lift Protect £80
Subtly different from the Lift Evo PT (18), and cheaper, this seat has large side ?wings?, which give excellent head support, and the base offers good leg support. There?s a wide range of fabrics, and all are machine washable. It?s available from Mothercare.
WE LIKE Concord offers some funky seat fabrics, which might persuade truculent 12-year-olds to use it.
Cheapest store Mothercare
Safety
Weight of seat 4.2kg (9lb)
71% Maxi-Cosi Rodi XP £90
Originally tested in 2004, this seat still performs well against newer competition. Our testers thought it was ideal for kids over four ? younger kids slump forwards when asleep. The belt routing is good, and it?s easy to position the seat belt correctly. The only minus point is the seat cover ? it?s hand-wash only. It?s available from Boots, John Lewis and Mothercare.
WE LIKE The optional cup holder.
Cheapest store John Lewis
Safety
Weight of seat 4.6kg (10lb)
71% Britax Evolva 2-3 Ultra £85
New for 2006, the Evolva 2-3 Ultra looks very similar to the Britax Kid but beneath the surface there are subtle changes. Our experts thought this seat suits children from about four to 12 years. Thanks to the high side bolsters, side-impact protection is particularly good ? you can adjust the headrest height as your child grows. It?s available from Boots, Halfords, John Lewis and Toys R Us.
WE LIKE The view from the seat: the child can see outwards very well.
Cheapest store John Lewis
Safety
Weight of seat 6.8kg (15lb)