Best car seat for newborn

[guest1858]

My partner has "one in the oven" that's due to be fully baked quite soon!

What is everyone's experience of car seats for children in the Honda Jazz? (particularly for a 2004 jazz)  I've read elsewhere the the Jazz can be a mission for car seats....

[guest255]

We have a 'Graco' baby car seat with a base which is permanently in the car and the baby seat just locks into that.

Very handy and saves disturbing the little one. The same baby seat also locks onto the pushchair/pram.

So if you can afford it I would go for one of those 'travel systems'.

[guest1241]

As Grandparents we have an isofix base in our 08 GD. It only takes a few minutes to change the seat over from our daughters car.

William

[guest869]

The Honda recommended ones would be my advice.

Car manufactures trial fit and crash test many different sets and sell the ones that give the best results in EuroNcap.

[guest1844]

Any ISOFIX seat ought to fit fine. TBH John Lewis are good to find it all out. They're pretty switched on in there, especially if the baby's parents haven't done it before! Prices are quite keen as well.
The pushchair will be the problem. They take up a lot of space in the boot. We were never convinced by the "travel systems". We rarely went straight from car to pushchair - and besides, they say not to keep babies in car seats for longer than necessary as their movement is quite restricted in car seats, for obvious safety reasons. They can't lie flat.

[guest1262]

Which? Top 4 best buys:
1. Maxi Cosi Cabriofix with Easyfix base. Score 82%
2. Britax BABY-SAFE plus (Isofix). Score 81%
3. Volvo Infant seat. Score 81%
4. GracoLogico S HP. Score 80%

Which? The best 4 of the don't buys:
1. Sunshine Kids Monterey (with back attached). Score 69%
2. BeSafe iZi Combi X2 (forward facing Group 1). Score 53%
3. Chicco Key 2/3 Ultrafix (Belted). Score 46%
4. Volvo Convertible Child seat (forward facing Group 1). Score 45%

If you find one that you like but I've not listed let me know and I'll check to see if it has been tested.

[guest869]

Which? Top 4 best buys:
1. Maxi Cosi Cabriofix with Easyfix base. Score 82%
2. Britax BABY-SAFE plus (Isofix). Score 81%
3. Volvo Infant seat. Score 81%
4. GracoLogico S HP. Score 80%

Which? The best 4 of the don't buys:
1. Sunshine Kids Monterey (with back attached). Score 69%
2. BeSafe iZi Combi X2 (forward facing Group 1). Score 53%
3. Chicco Key 2/3 Ultrafix (Belted). Score 46%
4. Volvo Convertible Child seat (forward facing Group 1). Score 45%

If you find one that you like but I've not listed let me know and I'll check to see if it has been tested.

Any idea how they actually test these? Because it surprises me that a Volvo seat scores low especially as they are so keen on safety.

[DV]

I`d definitely go for the Britax one.

The other day I checked the maxi-cosi site and they don`t have a recommended isofix for 2002 Jazz! I emailed them and here is their answer:

"Good Afternoon,

I have checked the fitting guide and you are quite right, this base has not been approved. I'm afraid we are not told why a seat or base is not approved but in this case either the isofix is not up to the standard we require or (and more likely) the car manufacturer has not confirmed, in writing, that the isofix points in their vehicles are up to a certain standard. Until my head office has this in writing we cannot publish or approve any isofix fittings.

Kind Regards

Here is their link, http://www.maxi-cosi.com/gb-en/carselector.

[guest1262]

Any idea how they actually test these? Because it surprises me that a Volvo seat scores low especially as they are so keen on safety.

Which? use a crash test rig - videos of each seat test can be watched by logged in Which? members.

Each seat is given a score out of 5 for each feature tested.
The Britax BABY-SAFE plus (Isofix) scored:
Front Crash 5, Side crash 4, Overall safety 5, Fitting in Car 5, Belt routing 5, Buckling up 4, Daily Use 4, Avoiding incorrect use 5, Comfort 4.
The Volvo Convertible Child seat (forward facing Group 1) scored:
Front Crash 2, Side crash 3, Overall safety 3, Fitting in Car 3, Belt routing 4, Buckling up 4, Daily Use 3, Avoiding incorrect use 2, Comfort 4.

The name on the tin does not, it appears, guarantee its contents.