Which is the best convertible car seat for small cars? Well, not an easy question to deal with!
It’s not far-stretched to say that car seats are one of the most important things you buy for your babies. You’ll want a spacious area where the little one can sit comfortably.
However, for families with small-sized cars, choosing a bucket seat that fits nicely in the vehicle is like finding a piece for a puzzle of 1000 pieces.
But, don’t worry! We’ll help you simplify the problem with the top 8 convertible car seats for tight-space vehicles, with their pros and cons listed below!
Things To Consider When Buying Car Seats For Small Cars
- Things To Consider When Buying Car Seats For Small Cars
- Best Convertible Car Seat For Small Cars
- Cosco MightyFit 65 DX Convertible Car Seat
- Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat – Buy At Albee Baby
- Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat
- Evenflo Revolve360 Extend Rotational Convertible Car Seat
- Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat
- Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat
- Maxi Cosi Mica Pro Eco i-Size
- Diono Radian 3R Convertible Car Seat
- Wrap Up
- Size and Dimensions
Check the dimensions of the convertible car seat to make sure it can fit comfortably in your small car’s backseat. Look for seats with a more compact design, as they are likely to take up less space.
Actually, convertible seats are not the only choice for newborns. You can also start with an infant car seat stroller combo and switch to a convertible one when the baby grows up. Infant car seats often come in smaller dimensions, require simpler installation, and bring more convenience.
- Installation
Some convertible car seats have a more streamlined installation process, which can be especially beneficial in small cars. Look for seats that are easy to install securely using either the vehicle’s seat belt or the LATCH system.
- Adjustability
Opt for a car seat with adjustable features to accommodate the limited space in a small car. Adjustable recline angles can help ensure a proper fit even in compact back seats.
- Weight and Portability
Consider the weight of the convertible car seat, as you might need to move it in and out of the car occasionally. A lighter seat can be more manageable, especially in a small space.
- Safety Features
Safety should be a top priority. Look for car seats that meet or exceed safety standards, have side-impact protection, and include features like energy-absorbing foam to provide optimal protection for your child.
Note that you need to follow car seat safety guidelines and know when is the right time to transition to a convertible car seat.
- Child’s Comfort
Check for adequate padding and cushioning, especially for long rides. Your child’s comfort is important for enjoyable journeys.
Best Convertible Car Seat For Small Cars
Our top picks:
- Cosco – MightyFit 65 DX Convertible Car Seat
- Albee Baby – Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat
- Graco – Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat
- Evenflo – Revolve360 Extend Rotational Convertible Car Seat
- Clek – Foonf Convertible Car Seat
- Chicco – NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat
- Maxi Cosi – Mica Pro Eco i-Size
- Diono – Radian 3R Convertible Car Seat
Cosco MightyFit 65 DX Convertible Car Seat
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 17 x 22 x 23.5 inches
- Weight: 14 lbs
- Modes of Use: rear & forward-facing
| ✅Lightweight | ⮾ Doesn’t come with adjustable recline |
| ✅Customizable – Easy to create a nice first | |
| ✅Protection from side impacts | |
| ✅Easy maintenance |
The Cosco MightyFit 65 DX is a smart solution for small spaces without breaking the bank. Its simple design and compact build make it a practical option.
With plush padding throughout the seat and headrest, your child stays cozy during rides. The adjustable headrest caters to growing kids, and the detachable cup holder is a handy addition.
Offering versatility, this car seat can be used both rear-facing and forward-facing for children weighing 5 pounds and up.
It accommodates rear-facing up to 40 pounds and forward-facing up to 65 pounds. The front-adjustable five-point harness with multiple heights and buckle positions ensures a secure fit for various ages and sizes.
Weighing a mere 14 pounds, this car seat is easy to move between vehicles, making it an excellent travel companion.
It’s even approved for use on airplanes. The built-in side-impact protection, integrated within the headrest and upper body area, guarantees full security in case of an accident.
However, one limitation is the lack of recline adjustment, which could be a bit inconvenient when rear-facing.
Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat – Buy At Albee Baby
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 16 x 19 x 25.2–31 inches
- Weight: 27.2 lbs
- Modes of Use: rear & forward-facing
| ✅Flame-resistant | ⮾ Costly |
| ✅High-quality fabrics | ⮾ Very heavy |
| ✅Simple installation | |
| ✅ Simply Secure locking mechanism | |
| ✅Additional legroom |
Albee Baby is a well-known retailer that specializes in baby gear and products. We have reviewed on whether Albee Baby’s a trusted site to buy things for your child.
The Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat is one of its most popular offerings. Coming at a premium price of $450, this product ranks among the more expensive options in the convertible car seat market, just a bit below the well-regarded Clek Foonf.
However, you get what you pay for. Nuna’s commitment to safety shines through, as all their car seats are now entirely flame-retardant free, setting them apart from other brands that rely on toxic flame retardants.
The car seat’s solid build is reinforced with steel, making it weighty at 27 lbs, a design choice that ensures superior protection in the event of an accident.
Yet, this sturdiness might not suit parents who frequently move the seat from car to car or seek a travel-friendly option.
The standout feature of the Nuna Rava is its installation process.
Simplifying a typically complex task, it employs a seat belt locking mechanism called “Simply Secure.”
While the car seat does have LATCH connectors, Nuna encourages the use of the vehicle seat belt for installation due to LATCH weight limits and potential errors in calculation.
Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 21.5 x 19.5 x 23.5 inches
- Weight: 19 lbs
- Modes of Use: rear & forward-facing
| ✅Broad rear-facing (50 pounds) | ⮾ Less attractive design than others |
| ✅Compact design front-to-back | ⮾ Can’t place 3 across |
| ✅Reasonable price |
This compact convertible car seat from Graco is an excellent option for your child’s safety during travel.
With its adaptable design, this car seat grows alongside your child’s needs, transitioning from a rear-facing harness (4-50 lb) to a forward-facing harness (22-65 lb).
Notably, it includes a 4-position extension panel that extends up to 5 inches, providing additional legroom in rear-facing mode, promoting longer safe rear-facing rides.
Featuring the No-Rethread Simply Safe Adjust Harness System, adjusting the headrest and harness height becomes a breeze with a single motion.
The InRight LATCH attachment system adds convenience with its quick one-second attachment. Harnessing is simplified further by harness storage pockets that keep the harness out of the way when you’re placing or removing your baby from the car seat.
The sad news is that the car seat’s relatively broad side-to-side design can be a drawback. This may limit its suitability for fitting three car seats across a small car’s back seat.
Evenflo Revolve360 Extend Rotational Convertible Car Seat
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 19.8 x 25.9 x 21.0 inches
- Weight: 30 lbs
- Modes of Use: Rear & forward-facing; high-back booster
| ✅Excellent harness height | ⮾ Very heavy |
| ✅Easy installation | ⮾ Unpredictable front-to-back footprint |
| ✅Advanced safety features | |
| ✅Smart base design |
Evenflo’s performance and comfort are a surefire thing – both are reflected in the Revolve360.
The rotational feature makes switching between side-loading and rear-facing travel modes easy and efficient, providing a full circle rotation in specific recline settings.
Safety takes center stage with the Sure360 Safety Installation System. This includes the LockStrong bar for securing the base and the Tether 360 for ensuring proper positioning. These features contribute to the maximum safety of your child during travel.
The Revolve 360’s base stands out as a noteworthy feature, with its user-friendly design making it a standout among other car seats.
Its efficient operation enhances the overall ease of use, making it a positive experience for parents.
However, it’s important to consider the space available in your vehicle before purchasing.
The front-to-back footprint can vary based on the slope of the vehicle seats. Testing the compatibility of the car seat with your car’s layout is advisable as the rotation feature’s effectiveness depends on having enough space.
Besides, if you plan on using the car seats side-by-side, note that the Revolve’s rotation might be affected when placed next to another seat.
Clek Foonf Convertible Car Seat
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 28 x 17.5 x 16 inches
- Weight: 33 lbs
- Modes of Use: Rear- & forward-facing
| ✅Sleek design – suitable for a small car interior | ⮾ Complicated installation with curves |
| ✅Robust LATCH installation | ⮾ Very heavy |
| ✅Super strong and secure |
Many parents consider the Clek Foonf the best convertible car seat for small cars because of its modern and sleek design. The simplicity seamlessly blends with the interior.
The steel anti-rebound bar acts as a strong defense against rebounding in a frontal accident and provides rotational protection in a side impact.
Moreover, the five-point safety harness offers six adjustable positions, all operable with one hand.
This feature eliminates the need for awkward bending, ensuring both security and comfort for your child. Remember to loosen the straps when taking your child out to simplify the next use.
The robust construction is evident, living up to the company’s claim that it’s built like a tank.
On the flip side, installing the Clek Foonf is a bit complex, with the rigid LATCH installation method that anchors directly to the vehicle’s frame. Yet, the result is a reassuringly secure fit, complete with a clicking sound and color indicator to confirm correct installation and level.
You can follow this instructional video to instal your Clek Foonf car seat correctly and quickly:
Chicco NextFit Zip Convertible Car Seat
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 21 x 19 x 26 inches
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Modes of Use: Rear & forward-facing; high-back booster
| ✅Protection from side impacts | ⮾ Slightly heavy |
| ✅Multiple adjustments | |
| ✅Secure and simple installation without much pulling | |
| ✅Dishwasher-safe and removable cup holder | |
| ✅FAA Approved |
Designed for your child’s utmost comfort, safety, and your peace of mind, the Chicco NextFit Zip is a reliable companion for your family’s journeys.
Installation and everyday use are simplified to cater to busy families. The NextFit Zip ensures easy installation and intuitive touchpoints, enabling families to venture out together seamlessly.
Adapting as your child grows, the NextFit Zip accommodates infants and growing toddlers first in a rear-facing position, then smoothly transitions to a forward-facing orientation for older children.
Also, the NextFit Zip stands out for its user-friendly installation process. Achieving a secure fit is made effortless with features like the SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener and the LockSure belt-locking system.
Beyond its secure fit, the NextFit Zip boasts convenience and versatility.
Transitioning between vehicles or modes is a breeze thanks to premium LATCH connectors with a click-on attachment and push-button release.
Maxi Cosi Mica Pro Eco i-Size
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 25.5 x 17.4 x 26.8 inches
- Weight: 32.85 lbs
- Modes of Use: rear & forward facing
| ✅Simple installation | ⮾ Heavy – not suitable for travel |
| ✅Long lifespan (app 4 years) | ⮾ Hard-to-use harness system |
| ✅Adjustable recline | |
| ✅360-degree rotation |
Are Maxi Cosi car seats any good? Yes, it’s an absolute thumbs-up. The Mica Pro Eco i-Size is a solid proof.
Built to the highest i-Size safety standards and crafted from soft, 100% recycled fabrics, this car seat presents parents with an eco-conscious choice that doesn’t compromise on quality.
The G-CELL 2.0 Side Impact Protection system enhances safety by offering an extra layer of guard and improved 3D impact absorption from various angles, providing the utmost protection for your baby.
What’s more, the Easy-in harness system simplifies the process, and the built-in FlexiSpin rotation allows for effortless 360° rotation using just one hand.
Installation via ISOFIX is quick and straightforward, with added stability from the support leg.
Comfort is a priority, too. With improved recline angles, the car seat offers superior sleep comfort for your little one while on the move.
Larger ClimaFlow panels and breathable fabrics enhance air circulation, maintaining a comfortable temperature for your child.
Of course, besides the perks, there are some penalties to take into account.
The car seat’s weight can be a notable drawback. Its heaviness makes it less suitable for travel, as carrying it around can be cumbersome and inconvenient.
Additionally, some users have found the harness system to be hard to use. A difficult-to-operate harness system can potentially lead to frustration and delay when trying to secure your child in the car seat.
Diono Radian 3R Convertible Car Seat
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 28.5 x 17 x 16 inches
- Weight: 25.9 lb
- Modes of Use: rear- & forward-facing
| ✅Extended lifespan | ⮾ Heavy |
| ✅Rigid steel alloy frame | ⮾ Doesn’t come with armrests |
| ✅Allowed for air travel | |
| ✅EPS energy-absorbing foam |
What’s the first to mention about this functional baby car seat? The extended period of use that spans from your baby’s first moments leaving the hospital to the school years!
The second? Its versatility isn’t limited to just the road—it’s also approved by the FAA for air travel.
That means you can confidently use the same car seat both in your vehicle and on airplanes, eliminating the need for an additional seat while traveling.
Safety takes precedence with the Diono Radian 3R, as seen in its substantial steel alloy frame that boosts stability and security. While ensuring safety, Diono hasn’t compromised on comfort, ensuring the model is generously padded.
In the event of an accident, the EPS energy-absorbing foam steps in to absorb impact forces, enhancing side-impact protection and contributing to your child’s safety.
However, the car seat’s robust safety features come with a trade-off: its weight.
The steel alloy frame makes it significantly heavier, which can be a consideration if you plan to move the seat frequently or use it for travel.
It’s worth noting that the weight distribution is uneven, making it unable to stand freely when not installed. You can prop it against something to keep it off the ground and minimize dirt exposure.
The seat’s narrow design, while beneficial for space efficiency, lacks armrests. It can be a drawback during longer rides when your child may need a nap or if multiple children share the back seat.
Wrap Up
A convertible car seat will accompany your family for quite a time. Parents should, therefore, choose carefully.
One more tip for you: If you have several options in mind, check the dimensions of the products and take some measurements to see if which seat fits your car’s back seat better.
A small car isn’t always disadvantageous as long as you know how to make use of every corner!
