What is ADAC?
The Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC), established in 1903, stands as a prominent authority in automotive safety in Germany. This organization is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all automotive-related products, with a significant emphasis on evaluating children's car seats. Utilizing advanced technology in its state-of-the-art testing facility, ADAC conducts thorough assessments of numerous car seats annually. These rigorous tests not only provide valuable insights into safety standards but are also disseminated to the public through consumer magazines like “Which?”, helping parents make informed decisions to protect their children while on the road.
How do ADAC test these car seats?
In today’s landscape of child safety, car seats are rigorously tested to meet the ECE R129 regulations, yet organizations like ADAC elevate the standards further by conducting more comprehensive assessments. While the standard tests simulate collisions at 50 km/h, ADAC pushes the envelope by testing frontal impacts at 64 km/h and side impacts at 50 km/h, ensuring a thorough evaluation of each seat’s performance. Their use of an actual VW Golf chassis instead of a test-sled enhances the realism of the tests, while advanced Q series test dummies equipped with multiple sensors provide invaluable data for a detailed safety analysis.
The evaluation criteria are thoughtfully divided into four main areas: Safety, Operations, Ergonomics and Materials. This ensures that, in addition to the seat's safety features, aspects like usability, comfort for the child, and the accessibility of the user’s manual are prioritized, encouraging manufacturers to innovate for enhanced consumer satisfaction.
ADAC Test Results and Insights
Following their comprehensive testing of 17 car seats this autumn, ADAC provided thoughtful reflections and recommendations regarding safety, usability, ergonomics, and pollutant content within the child seat industry. While all models were rated as either 'good' or 'satisfactory,' one was marked as 'poor' due to contamination with harmful pollutants, underscoring the necessity for stringent material safety checks. Impressively, 12 car seats achieved an ADAC rating of “good,” demonstrating a commitment to child safety. ADAC also highlighted the advantages of Isofix attachments, which enhance safety and ease of use, leading to their prevalence in newer models compliant with the UN ECE R129 standard. This standard shifts the focus from weight to height, aligning with child growth patterns.
Notably, as of September 2023, a gradual ban on the sale of older child seats under the UN R44 Regulation has commenced in the EU, with remaining stocks allowable for sale until August 2024, while existing seats can still be used without restriction. This transition emphasizes the industry’s move toward more effective and child-centric safety measures.
What do the Ratings Mean?
When shopping for your child's new car seat, keep in mind that the ratings are organized into five categories, where lower scores indicate better performance and safety. This scoring system helps you identify seats that excel in crucial areas, ensuring you select a product that prioritizes your child’s safety and comfort. Always refer to the ratings and choose one that meets your specific needs for peace of mind on the road.
ADAC scores are indeed a valuable benchmark for evaluating the quality of car seats, reflecting the results of rigorous testing. However, it’s important to note that not every car seat undergoes ADAC testing, and the absence of a score or placement outside the top category doesn’t necessarily imply that the seat is unsafe. Always consider additional safety certifications and customer reviews, as well as your specific needs, when selecting a car seat for your child.
Autumn 2024 Results:
Thule Maple + Alfi Base (40cm to 75cm) - 1.6 Good
- Safety: 1.6 – The Thule Maple demonstrates a very low risk of injury in frontal crashes and a low risk in side crashes, thanks to its optimal belt path that ensures proper positioning. Additionally, its stability within the vehicle further enhances safety, providing parents with peace of mind during travel.
- Service: 1.6 – This seat features a very low risk of incorrect operation, making it user-friendly despite its high weight. Parents can easily buckle their child in and install the seat with minimal effort, supported by clear operating instructions and warnings for enhanced safety and convenience.
- Ergonomics: 1.9 – The car seat contributes significantly to comfort during extended travel, allowing for a relaxed posture. However, it's important to note that the increased space requirements may pose challenges in smaller settings. The good padding enhances overall support, but it can lead to an impaired view of the child to the outside, which might limit their engagement with the environment. Despite this, the favourable seating position promotes a natural alignment, ensuring that children remain comfortably seated. Overall, this setup provides very good space and functionality, balancing comfort with practicality.
- Additional Notes: The ADAC found very low pollution levels scoring them a 1.0 for pollutants. The cover is easy to remove and is machine washable, however it had minor malfunctioning defects scoring it a 2.7.
BeSafe Beyond + Base (61cm to 125cm) - 1.8 Good
- Safety: 1.3 – The BeSafe Beyond offers very low risk of injury in both frontal and side crashes, ensuring optimal safety for young passengers. Its design includes a good belt path, which facilitates proper installation and enhances security. Additionally, the stability of the child seat within the vehicle contributes to overall effectiveness in protecting the child during any sudden movements or impacts. This combination of features makes it a reliable choice for parents prioritizing safety.
- Service: 2.2 – This seat features a low risk of incorrect operation, promoting ease of use for parents; however, buckle-in of the child may present a bit more complexity. Installation is straightforward, which is a significant advantage for quick and efficient setup. While the operating instructions and warnings exhibit slight weaknesses, the seat's low weight enhances its portability, making it convenient for transport between vehicles. Overall, these attributes make it a practical choice for families seeking safety and ease in a child seat.
- Ergonomics: 2.9 – The child seat offers a favourable seating position, ensuring comfort and safety for the child; however, the leg rest is not optimal, which may affect overall leg support. The thin padding might compromise comfort during long rides, and the seat requires increased space, which could be a consideration for smaller vehicles. Despite these challenges, it provides acceptable space for the child, though poor visibility to the outside could limit their engagement with their surroundings during travel.
- Additional Notes: The ADAC found very low pollution levels scoring them a 1.0 for pollutants and said how the seat is well made with its good workmanship. The cover is easy to clean and machine washable, however it is slightly difficult to remove therefore scoring them a 1.9 for processing and cleaning.
BeSafe Go Beyond + Base (40cm to 87cm) - 1.8 Good
- Safety: 1.5 – The BeSafe Go Beyond offers very low risk of injury in both frontal and side crashes, ensuring optimal safety for young passengers. Its design includes a good belt path, which facilitates proper installation and enhances security. Additionally, the stability of the child seat within the vehicle contributes to overall effectiveness in protecting the child during any sudden movements or impacts. This combination of features makes it a reliable choice for parents prioritizing safety.
- Service: 2.2 – This seat is designed with safety in mind, featuring a low risk of incorrect operation, which is crucial for ensuring proper use. While buckling in the child may be slightly more complicated, the ease of seat installation offsets this challenge, making setup straightforward for parents. However, it's worth noting that the operating instructions and warnings exhibit slight weaknesses, which could lead to confusion for some users. On the plus side, its low weight enhances portability, making it convenient for transportation and switching between vehicles.
- Ergonomics: 2.9 – The seating arrangement may offer some advantages, such as a generally favourable position, but some drawbacks have been noted, including suboptimal leg rest and inadequate padding that could lead to discomfort. Additionally, the design requires increased space, which could be an issue in more compact settings, and while there is acceptable space overall, poor visibility for the child looking outside could affect their experience.
- Additional Notes: The ADAC found very low pollution levels scoring them a 1.0 for pollutants and said how the seat is well made with its good workmanship. The cover is easy to clean and machine washable, however it is slightly difficult to remove therefore scoring them a 1.9 for processing and cleaning.
Nuna Pruu (40cm to 105cm) - 2.0 Good
- Safety: 1.7 – The Nuna Pruu demonstrates a low risk of injury during frontal crashes and an even lower risk during side crashes, which enhances safety for the child. Additionally, the good belt path ensures proper installation and secure fastening, while the seat’s stability within the vehicle further contributes to the overall protection and peace of mind for caregivers.
- Service: 2.5 – The seat installation is straightforward, making it user-friendly, though there is a slightly increased risk of incorrect operation due to potential confusion. Fortunately, the provided operating instructions and warnings are clear and easy to understand. However, buckling the child into the seat can be somewhat more complicated, and the seat’s very high weight might pose challenges for frequent transport and installation.
- Ergonomics: 1.8 – This seat offers good leg support, ensuring comfort during use, while providing a favourable seating position that optimizes safety. However, it may impair the child's view of the outside, which could affect their engagement with the environment. The seat features good padding for added comfort and has a small space requirement, making it suitable for various vehicles, yet it also provides very good space within the seat itself for the child.
- Additional Notes: The ADAC found very low pollution levels scoring them a 1.0 for pollutants and said how the seat is well made with its good workmanship. The cover is easy to clean and machine washable, however it is slightly difficult to remove therefore scoring them a 2.0 for processing and cleaning.
Doona I + Doona I Isofix Base (40cm to 85cm) - 1.7 Good
- Safety: 1.2 – The Doona I boasts a very low risk of injury in both frontal and side crashes, enhancing its safety profile significantly. It features a good belt path, ensuring proper installation and security, which contributes to its overall stability in the vehicle. This stability is crucial for maintaining the seat's effectiveness during travel, providing peace of mind for caregivers regarding the child’s safety.
- Service: 2.2 – The child seat boasts a low risk of incorrect operation, making it a reliable choice for parents, although the operating instructions and warnings exhibit slight weaknesses that could lead to minor confusion. Buckling the child in is a straightforward process, adding to the convenience, while the installation of the seat is also easy. However, it’s very high weight may present challenges when it comes to transport and frequent adjustments.
- Ergonomics: 2.0 – This seat provides excellent leg support and good padding, enhancing comfort for the child during rides. Its favourable seating position ensures proper posture and allows for a very good amount of space, accommodating growth. Additionally, the design offers a good view to the outside, enriching the child's experience during travel. However, it comes with increased space requirements, which might be a consideration for smaller vehicles.
- Additional Notes: The child seat scores low on pollution with a rating of 2.4. The child seat requires hand washing only, which may be less convenient for busy parents. Additionally, removing the cover can be a bit complicated, potentially making it challenging to maintain cleanliness. There may also be minor manufacturing defects to consider, which, while not impacting functionality significantly, could affect overall durability or aesthetics.
Maxi Cosi Rodifix R (100cm to 150 cm) - 2.0 Good
- Safety: 2.5 – The Rodifix R offers a low risk of injury in side crashes, providing reassurance during potential collisions from that angle, while it has an average risk of injury in frontal crashes, suggesting some vulnerability in these scenarios. It features an optimal belt path, ensuring the seat is secured correctly, and can be connected very firmly to the vehicle, enhancing stability and safety during travel.
- Service: 1.5 – This seat boasts a very low risk of incorrect operation, making it user-friendly for parents. It allows for easy buckling of the child, ensuring quick and secure fastening. The installation process is straightforward, and the easy-to-understand operating instructions and warnings enhance usability. Additionally, its low weight makes it convenient to transport and manoeuvre adding to its practicality.
- Ergonomics: 1.9 – The seat is designed with good leg support and ample padding, enhancing comfort for the child during travel. It offers a favourable seating position that allows for a good view of the outside, keeping the child entertained and engaged. Despite its spaciousness, it requires a small space in the vehicle, making it a practical choice for families with limited room.
- Additional Notes: The ADAC found very low pollution levels scoring them a 2.0 for pollutants and said how the seat is well made with its good workmanship. The cover is easy to clean and machine washable, however it is slightly difficult to remove therefore scoring them a 2.0 for processing and cleaning.
For comprehensive support and information on car seat safety, ADAC testing, and finding the best car seat for your family, feel free to visit our store and consult with our product specialists. We offer free car seat fitting and installation demonstrations to ensure you know how to properly secure your car seat, providing peace of mind in protecting your little passenger.