Choosing the right car for your growing family is about more than just fuel efficiency and horsepower (although those are important too). In the world of sippy cups and diaper bags, the best cars for car seats make car seat installation a breeze and keep your little ones safe and comfortable.
Ask any parent and they’ll say that getting out of the house with a little one in tow is a challenge—no matter what age they are. So, whether you’re installing a newborn car seat or switching to a booster seat, you’ll want ease either way.
Cars.com recently released their list of 2024 Best Cars for Car Seats Report. The report evaluated 52 vehicles using three different car seats: rear-facing, front-facing and highback booster seats. Is yours on the list?
How the cars were evaluated
In all, 52 vehicles were tested as part of this evaluation. The tests were spearheaded by none other than a pair of moms who have been through their share of car seats—both of whom are certified child passenger safety technicians.
The vehicles included: minivans and three-row SUVs to tiny crossovers and sedans. The types of car seats used included: Chicco KeyFit 30 infant car seat, a Graco Contender 65 convertible and a Graco TurboBooster. They installed the car seats into each car to conduct the test. In cars with two rows, the booster seat was installed behind the driver’s seat and the infant and convertible seat were installed behind the passenger seat. In three-row SUVs and minivans, the forward-facing convertible car seat and booster seat were installed in the third row—assessing how easy or difficult it was to reach the third row.
Ratings were given based on the car’s LATCH system and how easily each car accommodates a variety of car seats. With the addition of rating the functionality of the third row in three-row SUVs and minivans.
Top-rated cars for car seat compatibility
Out of 52 vehicles only a whopping 6 made the top spot. These vehicles earned an “A” in all categories—ample room for car seats, spacious legroom and easy Latch anchors.
The best cars for car seats
Tips from the expert behind the report
We spoke to Jenni Newman, Cars.com’s News Editor and certified child passenger safety technician. As one of the experts behind the report, not to mention years of experience as a mom herself, she offers these additional tips for parents looking for the best cars for car seats.
Standout features to look for in any potential family car
“Parents should pay special attention to the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system in a vehicle and how easy it is to use,” Newman says.
“A car’s LATCH system consists of at least two sets of lower LATCH anchors and three top tether anchors to help safely secure car seats,” Newman explains. A LATCH system that’s easy to find—and use—can make car seat installation smoother. If the lower LATCH anchors are buried deep in the seat cushions or if the top tether anchors aren’t clearly labeled, causing confusion, parents and caregivers may install the car seat incorrectly, jeopardizing the safety of their child.”
Insider tips for selecting and installing car seats
Newman emphasizes the need to read both the car seat owner’s manual and the car’s owner’s manual before you install your new car seat. She also advises, “If a parent has a question about what car seat is best for their child—or if they need help installing a car seat—your local car dealership or fire station can be a great resource, as they often have certified car seat technicians on staff.”
“For parents that are shopping for a new vehicle specifically, we highly recommend bringing a car seat to the dealership, installing it and seeing how it fits in that specific vehicle. This will help parents get a realistic understanding of what the installation process will be like, how many seats they can fit and how much legroom will be left for front passengers.”
How to make your current car more car seat friendly
Newman also says that not all car seats will be a good fit for every car. “Sometimes, you need to try a different car seat to get a better fit. Also, there are narrow versions of some car seats that may also fit better in your car. “
Choosing the right family car
Your next family vehicle should not only fit your family’s needs right now but continue to do so for years to come. Since you’ll be going through a variety of child-safety seats throughout your child’s childhood, it’s important to consider the best cars for car seats as you’re shopping around.
With so many options available, which will you choose?
