ADAC Car Seat Test Results Autumn 2024
Searching for the ideal car seat to ensure your child's safety? We've summarised the outcomes from ADAC's rigorous test this Autumn to assist you in selecting the perfect car seat.
ADAC Car Seat Test Results Spring 2025
Looking for the best car seat to keep your little one safe? We've translated the results of this year's rigorous ADAC test to help you decide your perfect car seat.
Looking for a new car seat? You’re in the right place! We’ve got the latest insights from ADAC’s car seat safety tests. If you’re not familiar, ADAC is Europe’s largest automobile association, known for its thorough testing that goes beyond standard EU safety requirements. They carry out testing twice a year—in Spring and Autumn—so when a car seat earns their recommendation, it’s definitely worth considering.
ADAC's results are originally published in German, but do not fret because we've already taken care of that work for you. You won't have to struggle with the complexities of Google translate because we've summarised all of the essential information in English right here!
Which car seats are tested by ADAC?
ADAC does not test every car seat made, but rather they carefully select the seats based on their popularity and those with special features, such as swivel seats, for example. ADAC purchase these seats independently and keep their selection a secret until the release of the results, so you can rely on the results of the tests to be completely unbiased and uninfluenced by any manufacturers. These results are then released to various consumer groups throughout Europe such as Which? to help parents make informed choices in regard to their child’s safety.
How do ADAC test these car seats?
In general, all car seats made are now tested to ECE R129 (new regulation), however ADAC test their seats even more rigorously than these standards, so you, as a consumer, can see which car seats have really gone above and beyond to ensure your child’s safety.
The standard tests simulate collisions at 50km/h , where as ADAC tests frontal collisions at 64km/h and side collisions at 50km/h to really put the car seats through their paces. ADAC uses the chassis of a real car (VW Golf) for their testing, rather than a test-sled, to make it more accurate, and they also utilise advanced Q series test dummies which have far more sensors than the ones used in the regulation tests. These dummies are able to collect more data for optimal analysis of the tested seats.
In addition to testing the safety features, the car seat materials themselves are scrutinised to check that they don't contain any harmful substances.
The 3 main criteria for the tests are:
Safety (50%), Operations (40%) and Ergonomics (10%)
So, not only is the safety of the seat taken into account, but also the ease of use and fitting, how comfortable the seat is for the child and how accessible the user’s manual is etc, encouraging manufacturers, in turn, to focus on these aspects for your benefit.
What do the ratings mean?
The ratings are grouped into five categories, as pictured. As you can see, the lower the score, the better, so bear this in mind when shopping for your little one’s new car seat.
ADAC scores are a great indicator of the quality of the seat, although as mentioned before, not all seats are tested by ADAC. These tests are extremely scrutinous so if a seat doesn’t have an ADAC score, or if it isn’t within the top ADAC category, this does not mean that the seat is not safe.
ADAC'S Reflection on this Season's Testing
After each test, the ADAC includes their reflection on the findings and advice on what is the best step forward for the car seat industry.
This time, the ADAC critically tested 17 seats for safety, operation, ergonomics and pollutant content in its child seat test. 12 models were classified as 'good', 4 received 'satsfactory', and 1 model failed the test due to "excessive pollutant levels".
ADAC stated how child seats with an Isofix attachment usually offer the best safety and are easy to use. That's why almost all new child seat models that are approved according to the new UN ECE Reg 129 standard are equipped with it. This new i-Size approval standard is based on the size of the child instead of the weight.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the car seats from Spring 2025's ADAC testing for you to peruse, most of which are available at Baby & Co.
Keep scrolling for more information, and to hear what ADAC had to say about some of your favourite seats!
Spring 2025 Results
Joie Sprint
Suitability: Birth to approx. 1 year
Weight: 4.1kg
1.8 - Good
Features:
- Built-in ISOFIX
- Complies with ECE R129/03
- Tri‑Protect™ headrest
- Adjustable headrest
- Removable body insert
- UPF 50+ canopy
- Curved base allows gentle rocking
- Ergonomic carry handle
- 3‑point harness
What ADAC had to say:
Security 1.8
ADAC tested the Joie Sprint and results showed that there was a very low risk of injury in a frontal crash, low risk of injury in a side crash and that the child and seat remained stable in the vehicle. The car seat was also praised for having optimal belt routing.
Operation 1.8
ADAC concluded that the seat is very easy to install, with simple operating instructions and warnings that make it easy to buckle your child in. With a low risk of incorrect operation, this is ideal for parents who worry about making a mistake with the installation, and thus putting their children at risk. ADAC also mentioned how the cover is easily removed for machine washing and overall praised the sprint for very good craftsmanship.
Ergonomics 1.8
ADAC praised the leg support on the seat, as well as the cushioned padding of the seat. They also found the seating position to be convenient for comfort, with plenty of room for the child to feel comfortable. The Joie Sprint requires a small space for installation, making it a great choice for even small cars. Even as an infant carrier, ADAC praised the good view for the child outside!
Additional notes
After testing the materials, ADAC found that there is a very low level of pollutants within the fabrics and commended on the low level of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of man-made chemicals.
Maxi-Cosi Pebble S + Familyfix S
Suitability: Birth - approx 1.5 Years
Seat weight: 3.5kg, Base 6.5kg
1.8 - Good
Features:
- Isofix Base
- Lightweight
- Click & Go installation
- Baby‑hugg inlay
- UPF50 Canopy
- Visual installation feedback
What ADAC had to say:
Security 1.7
Results indicated that there was a low risk of injury in a front crash and a low risk in a side crash. The seat remained stable in the vehicle with good belt routing, and through the Familyfix S Isofix Base, the seat is connected very firmly to the vehicle.
Operation 1.9
ADAC concluded that there is a very low risk of misinstallation, as you can easily install the seat and buckle your child in. The seat shows good craftsmanship and is lightweight. They also liked how the covers are machine washable. However, operating instructions and warnings show slight weaknesses, and the cover is a bit more complicated to remove.
Ergonomics 2.1
ADAC praised the spacious seat and the seating position. They liked the fact it provided a good view for the child of the outside. However, they found the seat also had thin padding, and the leg rest could be improved. They also noted the seat required more space in a vehicle, potentially making it favourable for larger cars.
Additional notes
The materials used in the seat were concluded to contain very low level of pollutants and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of man-made chemicals.
Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0C + IQ Orbit
Suitability: From Birth to 1.5 years
Seat weight: 3kg, Base 7kg
2.1 - Good
Features:
- Ultra‑lightweight
- Cloud Care memory‑foam head and modular insert
- 270° one‑hand swivel function
- Click‑n‑Drive ISOFIX installation
What ADAC had to say:
Security 1.9
For the Avionaut Pixel pro 2.0C + IQ Orbit Base, the ADAC found that there was a very low risk of injury in a frontal crash and low risk in a side crash. The ADAC also praised the seats belt routing and confirmed that the seat was very stable within the test vehicle.
Operation 2.3
ADAC confirmed that there is a low risk of operation misuse with the Avionaut Pixel pro 2.0C + IQ Orbit Base and it was applauded for the ease in which the seat can be installed with a low risk of incorrect operation, easy buckling in of your child and commended how lightweight the seat is, so this is definitely a must-have product for parents looking for a seat which can be interchanged between cars. ADAC liked how easy the cover was to remove and that its machine washable. Overall ADAC praised the Avionaut Pixel pro 2.0C + IQ Orbit for good craftsmanship.
Their only drawbacks of the seat were operating instructions and showed slight weaknesses and the seat requires a large belt length.
Ergonomics 2.9
ADAC highlighted that this product has a good seating position, the leg support and padding within the seat for the child were good and they felt the seat was overall very spacious. They also liked that there was a good view for the child to the outside. However, this seat is on the larger size to install and therefore ADAC’s only criticism was the need for increased space requirements, so this seat potentially wouldn’t be suitable for parents with very small cars.
Additional notes
The materials used in the Avionaut Pixel Pro 2.0C were concluded to contain a very low level of pollutants and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of man-made chemicals.
Cybex Solution G2
Suitability: 4-12 Years
2.1 - Good
Features:
- Patented reclining headrest
- L.S.P. System Plus
- Foldable design with carry handle
- Lightweight at 5.8 kg
- One-hand recline adjustment
- All-round air ventilation
What ADAC had to say:
Security 2.3
The Cybex Solution G2 received very good marks in safety with a low risk of injury in a side crash. There is a good belt routing, and the car seat remained stable when in the vehicle. However there is an average risk of injury in a frontal crash.
Operation 1.8
Results show that this seat is very user-friendly, with ADAC claiming that installing the seat is easy with a low risk of incorrect operation with clear and easy-to-understand operating instructions and the child can be easily buckled in. The seat conversion is very quick and easy, and it’s very lightweight. Their only criticism was that removing the cover proved a bit more complicated.
Ergonomics 1.9
According to the ADAC, the ergonomics of the Solution G2 were good. The car seat has a good leg support, good padding, a exemplary seat position, with there being a good view for the child to see outside of the window when seated. The car seat provides the child with a good amount of space. However a large space requirement is needed for this particular product making it ideal for medium-larger vehicles.
Additional notes
The materials used in the Cybex Solution G2 were concluded to contain a very low level of pollutants and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of man-made chemicals.
Thule Elm RWF + Alfi Base
Suitability: Birth - 4 years
2.2 - Good
Features:
- 360° EasyDock rotation
- Three recline positions
- Thule SenseAffirm digital display
- Magnetic buckle holders
- i‑Size certified (UN R129/3)
- Thule Impact Protection System
What ADAC had to say:
Security 2.2
The ADAC tests showed us that the Thule Elm RWF + Alfi Base passed successfully by having a low risk of injury in a side crash. The product also boasts optimum belt routing, and the seat can be connected very firmly to the vehicle. However, there is an average risk of injury during a frontal crash.
Operations 2.2
The ADAC test showed that the seat was easy to install with the instructions and warnings remaining clear and simple, creating a low risk of incorrect operation. In addition to this the cover of the Thule Elm RWF is easy to remove and machine washable, and the seat conversion is very quick and easy. Overall, they praised the Thule Elm RWF + Alfi Base for its good craftsmanship. ADAC’s only criticism was that buckling in the child was a bit more complicated.
Ergonomics 2.3
ADAC praised the ergonomics of the Thule Elm RWF + Alfi Base, complimenting the ‘good’ padding, favourable seating position and its very small space requirement. However they critisised the leg rest and the lack of visibility for the child of the outside. This seat also requires a large amount of vehicle space, potentially making it unsuitable for smaller cars.
Additional notes
The materials used in the Thule Elm RWF + Alfi Base were concluded to contain a very low level of pollutants and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of man-made chemicals.
Joie i-Trillo FX
Suitability: 4-12 Years
2.3 - Good
Features:
- High back support
- Extra side impact protection
- Padded arm rests
- 10- position headrest
What ADAC had to say:
Security 2.5
The i-Trillo FX has a very low risk of injury in a side crash but average risk in a frontal crash. The ADAC also found that the car seat is stable in the vehicle with a good belt path.
Operation 2.1
The seat was easy to install with a low risk of incorrect operation, with easy to understand instructions and warnings and the buckle-in of the child was easy. ADAC praised it for very good craftmanship as well as being very lightweight, with machine washable covers. However their only critisism was that the covers were a bit more complicated to remove.
Ergonomics 2.3
The car seat and base recieved good in ergonomics with its favourable seating position for the child, good leg rest and a large amount of space. They also commented how the child had a good view to outside and the car seat had good padding. However their only concern was the need for a larger car as it takes up a lot of space.
Additional notes
The materials used in the Joie i-Trillo FX were concluded to contain a very low level of pollutants and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of man-made chemicals.
And that's it for our selection of 2024's ADAC car seats! Hopefully you'll have seen something to tempt your interest. With such a selection spanning from birth right up until 12 years old, you may have even found two seats to last your little one! Which car seats have you got your eye on?
We have created a handy table to show you the best performing car seats from the most recent 4 ADAC Tests to help you compare how they performed in the ADAC test against other car seats.
MORE ON THE BLOG
If you can't find your seat on the list fear not, all seats rated very good, good and satisfactory since 2015 can still be recommended.
Want to know which seats made it to previous year's ADAC tests? Check out our previous blog posts on ADAC:
ADAC Car Seat Test Results Spring 2021
ADAC Car Seat Test Results Summer 2019
ADAC Car Seat Test Results Summer 2018
Ready to start prepping for your new arrival? Check out our Newborn Buying Guide for our ultimate checklist of items to prepare before baby arrives.
MORE ON THE BLOG
If you can't find your seat on the list fear not, all seats rated very good, good and satisfactory since 2015 can still be recommended.
Want to know which seats made it to previous year's ADAC tests? Check out our previous blog posts on ADAC:
ADAC Car Seat Test Results Autumn 2024
ADAC Car Seat Test Results Spring 2024
ave some of these products? Let us know how you like them on our socials or leave a review!
Are you wanting to stock up for the due date but hesitant to purchase due to current lack of space, having to manage a budget or just need more time to decide on the nursery room layout? We offer our customers a free of charge Nursery Plan to hold all your baby goods till you are ready to pay and collect. For more information about our free Nursery Plan service click here or visit us in store to chat to one of our friendly team members.
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