Top 5 Car Seats with ADAC Tests

Child safety during car trips is a priority for parents. To help you choose the ideal car seat, we've compiled a list of the top 5 car seats that achieved excellent results in ADAC tests . These seats stand out for their safety, comfort, and additional features.

1. Nuna AACE LX 2/3 FF Car Seat

The Nuna AACE LX is a Group 2/3 car seat designed to grow with your child from 100 cm to 150 cm in height. It stands out for its 3D Growth System, which adjusts height, width, and depth, providing a personalized fit and superior comfort. The headrest has 9 height positions, adjustable with one hand, and the seat offers three different depths for optimal leg support. Furthermore, it features side impact protection and energy-absorbing foam, ensuring maximum safety. It also includes a removable and washable cup holder, adding convenience to the design.

2. Joie i-Traver 2/3 Signature Car Seat

The Joie i-Traver 2/3 Signature is a car seat that combines advanced safety and ease of use. Certified to the i-Size ECE R129/03 standard, it is suitable for children from 100 cm to 150 cm in height. Installation is simplified thanks to the adjustable ISOFIX connectors and clearly marked color-coded belt indicators, ensuring a secure and intuitive fit. The Tri-Protect™ headrest with Intelli-Fit™ memory foam provides optimal head and neck protection, while the Guard Surround Safety™ panels absorb energy in the event of a side collision. The depth-adjustable seat and two-position reclining backrest enhance comfort during travel.

3. Joie i-Spin 360 Car Seat

The Joie i-Spin 360 is a 360° rotating car seat, offering flexibility and convenience to parents. i-Size-approved, it's suitable from birth up to 105 cm tall (approximately 4 years). Full rotation makes it easy to get your child in and out, and the retractable ISOFIX installation ensures a secure fit. Guard Surround Safety™ technology provides additional protection in a side impact, and the Safe Rotation Guard™ system holds your baby facing forward until it's safe to change direction. With five reclining positions and a six-position adjustable headrest, it ensures comfort and safety throughout all stages of growth.

4. Axkid ONE 3+ Car Seat

The Axkid ONE 3+ is an innovative car seat that allows rear-facing travel from birth to 7 years of age (40-125 cm) ( Axkid ONE 3 is suitable for children weighing 61-125 cm/23 kg) . It is the only Plus Test-certified ISOFIX car seat on the market for this age group. It stands out for its easy and safe installation in less than 30 seconds and its adjustable legroom of up to 30 cm, offering unparalleled comfort. The solid structure allows older children to climb in and out of the seat independently, and the comfortable fabrics along with the one-hand reclining feature ensure a pleasant journey.

5. Nuna ARRA Next Car Seat with Swivel Base

The Nuna ARRA Next is a car seat that combines the functionality of a car seat and a carrycot, allowing for a comfortable reclining position (157° angle) in both the car and stroller. Approved by the i-Size standard and weighing only 3.9 kg (without insert and canopy), it is lightweight and easy to handle. It features side impact protection and patented Tailortech™ memory foam in the insert and removable headrest, ensuring a personalized fit and exceptional comfort. The headrest is adjustable in 10 positions, interconnected to the harness, eliminating the need for separate adjustments. It includes an ISOFIX base with 5-second installation and eco-friendly materials, such as merino wool and lyocell/TENCEL™ fiber, which are soft and moisture-wicking.

When choosing a car seat, it is essential to consider the results of independent tests, such as those from ADAC, to ensure maximum safety and comfort for children during journeys.

What is ADAC?

The Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC) is the largest automobile association in Germany and Europe, founded on May 24, 1903, as the "Deutsche Motorradfahrer-Vereinigung" and renamed in 1911. Headquartered in Munich, the ADAC is dedicated to representing and promoting the interests of motorists, motorsports, and tourism. Its initial and best-known mission is roadside assistance, providing a fleet of assistance vehicles nicknamed " Yellow Angels " to assist drivers in difficulty.

Additionally, ADAC conducts crash tests to assess vehicle safety and organizes events such as the European Grand Prix. The association also operates one of the largest fleets of rescue helicopters in Germany, ensuring efficient emergency medical services. With over 21 million members, ADAC is a leading figure in promoting road safety and defending motorists' rights.

Why choose car seats tested by ADAC instead of those only approved to the R129 standard?

Although the R129 (i-Size) standard represents a significant advance on the previous R44/04, especially by introducing side impact tests and classifying seats based on the child's height, ADAC's independent tests offer a more comprehensive and rigorous assessment of car seats.

More demanding evaluation criteria

ADAC subjects the seats to frontal crash tests at 64 km/h , a speed higher than that required by the R129, and also performs side impact tests . It also evaluates aspects such as ease of use, ergonomics, and the presence of harmful substances in the materials used.

Anonymous acquisition and testing under real conditions

The seats are purchased anonymously on the market by ADAC, ensuring that the models tested are the same as those available to consumers. They are then subjected to tests that simulate extreme conditions, providing a realistic assessment of performance in accident situations.

Should we prioritize car seats with Teste Plus?

Yes, always! The Plus Test is one of the most rigorous in the world, focusing specifically on the safety of children in rear-facing car seats. This Swedish test is voluntary and complements existing approvals, such as the R129 (i-Size) standard . Choosing seats that have passed the Plus Test offers an additional guarantee of safety, especially regarding the protection of the child's neck in severe frontal impacts.

Test Rigor Plus

The Plus Test subjects car seats to a frontal impact at approximately 56 km/h (35 mph) with a short braking distance, resulting in significantly greater forces on the child's neck. Due to its strictness, only rear-facing seats can pass this test, as forward-facing seats cannot maintain neck loads within safe limits. This post only highlights the top 5 car seats with ADAC tests, but we haven't neglected the most rigorous test of all—quite the contrary!