Joint test
Child seats tested by Stiftung Warentest and ADAC: The most expensive are not the best
Stiftung Warentest tested a total of two dozen child seats
© Nicolas Armer/dpa
Stiftung Warentest tested two dozen child seats in an international joint test with the ADAC, other European car clubs and consumer organizations. The conclusion shows: More than half perform “good”, but four models fail as “poor”.
The good news first: Many current baby seats and child seats can protect the little passengers in the car. This is shown by a comparison by Stiftung Warentest (“est”, issue 6/2024). The foundation’s joint test with the ADAC and other European car clubs and consumer organizations examined 24 models with prices ranging from 85 to 570 euros.
More than half (13) scored “good”, almost a third (7) scored “satisfactory”. But four models also fail as “defective”. The reasons for this are exposure to pollutants, but also fatal safety deficiencies. A seat costing 520 euros “even failed completely in the crash test”. Because parts broke, it came loose in the front impact and was thrown forward. According to Stiftung Warentest, the manufacturer has now stopped deliveries.
The handling also separated the wheat from the chaff. However, the installation and removal of most of the seats in the test was easy. Here, the testers specifically mentioned the “Nuna Pipa Urbn” baby seat. Unlike all other seats, it has integrated Isofix hooks, so it does not need a base to be able to use the Isofix system. “This is practical, for example, for car sharing users or parents with two Cars,” said the magazine.
Stiftung Warentest: These models are ahead
The best of the 24 models in the respective categories at a glance:
From when to when children need to be in a suitable seat
Children are only allowed to drive without a suitable child seat from 1.50 meters tall or from their twelfth birthday. Until then, they often need additional seats after the baby seat. Children outgrow baby seats by the time they reach 88 centimeters at the latest. Seats for babies and toddlers can be used for longer.
Stiftung Warentest can only recommend models to a limited extent that cover the entire spectrum from babies up to 1.50 meters tall. In their tests, no seat from this category achieved a quality rating better than “satisfactory”.
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When buying a child seat and using it loud ADAC observe:
- Take the child in question with you in the car to make a selection and seek advice from a specialist shop. This also avoids errors during use.
- As tight and stable as possible – this is how the seat should be installed in the car. All controls should be more easily accessible.
- When buckling up, tighten the suspenders and vehicle belts and pull jackets out from under the lap belt. The harness straps in baby seats and toddler seats must always fit tightly. “A maximum of one flat hand can fit between the chest and the belt,” advises “Test”.
- The straps and backrest must be readjusted regularly as the child grows
- Don’t switch to the next larger seat too early
This article first appeared at ntv.de
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