Finding the right car seat for your small car can be a bit of a challenge.
That’s why, we have spent countless around researching different car seats and reading parents’ reviews, to find the best car seats that are designed specifically for small cars.
And since it’s all about space, we have included the dimensions of each car seat so you can measure to see which one will fit better your vehicle’s back seat.
How to choose a car seat for Your small car
The safety of a car seat is determined by the following factors:
- How well it fits your child ( considering the age, weight, and height)
- How properly it fits in your vehicle
- Whether you can install and use it correctly every time.
Considering these factors can and will keep your child safe, let’s break them down:
Age, weight, and height fit
Before you buy a car seat consider your child’s current age, weight, and height. This will help you determine the car seat type and if the car seat is a suitable fit for your child.
There are different car seat types you can choose from depending on your child’s stats, infant car seats, convertible car seats, combination seats, and booster seats.
Each of these car seat types is designed to keep your child safe and comfy when chosen wisely.
We have different car seat guides that help you choose a car seat for your child’s age. To do that head to the best car seats by age group.
You can also check our car seat types guides, which provide a curated list of the best car seats based on different types.
For a specific car seat type, check:
- Best infant car seats
- Best convertible car seats
- Best booster car seats
- Best all-in-one car seats
Fit in your car
In a small car, every inch of space counts and by choosing a car seat that’s narrow and compact you will maximize the space inside your car.
Before choosing a car seat, measure the available interior space in your small car to determine the maximum dimensions that the car seat should have to ensure a proper fit.
This will help you narrow down your options and choose a seat the right car seat for your small car.
When measuring, consider both the width (hip room space) and depth of the backseat of your car.
You can also check our best car seats by vehicle round-ups.
These round-ups provide curated lists of car seats that are known to be a good fit for different vehicle models.
We take into consideration factors such as the size and dimensions of the car seats, compatibility with the vehicle, and overall safety and ease of installation.
Check of your vehicle is listed
Safe Installation & use
Buy a car seat that you can install and use properly and confidently.
A car seat with a complicated installation that you can’t figure out can be a danger to your child.
When buying a car seat, look for features such as a LATCH system and seatbelt lock-offs for a secure and snug setup in the car.
Also, a car seat with clear indicators and instructions can help you get the correct positioning in the car.
Adjustable harnesses also help get a snug and proper fit, while side-impact protection is a recommended feature for enhanced safety.
Our Top Picks for Small Cars
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Infant Pick
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Convertible Pick
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Booster Pick
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$219.99
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$279.98
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$299.99
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- Fits in tight places
- Hassle-free installation
- Weighs only 9.5 pounds
- Canopy and handle don’t work together
- The infant insert is not as plush as other models
- Easily fits 3 across in small cars
- Easy to clean even when installed
- Breathable fabric for hot climates
- No rear-facing belt lock-off
- May not be ideal for tiny babies
- Super narrow design
- Foldable for easy storage
- Lightweight for travel
- Higher price tag
- Does not transition to a backless booster
Best car seats for small cars {Reviewed by Experts}
Best compact infant car seat for small cars
Orientation: Rear-facing (4-30 lbs)
Dimensions (L x W x H): 27.5 x 16.75 x 24 inches
Weight: 9.5 lbs (Carrier only)
Being one of our favorite infant car seats for the Honda Civic and Jeep Wrangler, the Keyfit 30 combines safety, comfort, and a perfect fit in small cars.
The Keyfit 30 is a product of Chicco, a well-known brand in the car seat industry.
One of the reasons we love the Chicco Keyfit 30 is the hassle-free installation that will save you valuable time and effort.
Plus, a car seat is safe ONLY when installed correctly.
The seat is equipped with premium LATCH connectors that are super easy to tighten and seatbelt lock-offs in case you are planning to install the seat without the base.
The lightweight design of the Keyfit 30 makes your life easier when you need to carry your child around or transition the car seat from the car to the stroller.
And not to forget about strollers, the Keyfit 30 is compatible with Chicco strollers, and a variety of other popular strollers such as Mockingbird and Uppababy Vista.
Key selling features
- 4.9-star rating on Amazon
- Premium LATCH connectors
- Easy seatbelt installation with lock-offs
- Removable & washable infant insert
- bubble-level indicators
- Spring-loaded leveling foot
- Removable canopy
Pros
- A compact design that fits in tight places (perfect for small cars)
- Hassle-free installation with base and without the base
- Infant carrier weighs only 9.5 pounds
Cons
- Canopy and handle don’t work together sometimes
- The infant insert is not as plush as other models (Alternative: Keyfit 30 Zip)
Orientation: Rear-facing (4-35 lbs)
Dimensions (L x W x H): 26 x 17 x 26 inches
Weight: 9 lbs (Carrier only)
Travel-friendly, comfortable, and free of flame-retardant chemicals, the Clek Liing is highly recommended for small cars.
For some small cars, the only way to fit an infant car seat without compromising legroom space is to install it without the base.
The Clek Liing offers an easy baseless installation and you can even buy Clek Lingo which is the clek Liing without the base.
The lightweight design of the Liing (9 pounds only) makes it easy to carry and travel with.
And when it comes to safety the Clek Liing has a steel frame base and a load leg which makes this infant seat more stable during a car crash.
We love that the fabric is breathable and free of any harmful chemicals. Plus, the energy-absorbing foam and the plush padding provide both safety and coziness to your baby.
Key selling features
- Steel reinforced
- Side-Impact Protection
- Fire retardants chemicals free
- Rigid-LATCH
- Belt-tensioning system for baseless installation
- Energy-Absorbing Metal Load Leg
- Newborn Body Support System
- European belt path friendly
- Canadian made
Pros
- Suitable for 3 across
- Compact and lightweight
- Free of harmful chemicals
Cons
- Expensive
- Doesn’t offer a no-rethread harness
- The cover is spot-clean only
Best compact convertible car seat for small cars
Orientation: Rear-facing (4-50 lbs), Forward-facing (22-65 lbs)
Dimensions (L x W x H): 21.5 x 19.5 x 23.5 inches
Weight: 19.25 lbs
Rear-facing car seats usually take up more space, which means there’s less legroom for front passengers to enjoy.
The good news, the Extend2fit 2-in-1 convertible car seat is often considered the most font-to-back compact car seat on the market.
So, if you have a small car and need to rear-face your child, the Extend2Fit will save you more space than any other convertible car seat out there, except for the Nuna Rava.
If you’re okay with sacrificing a bit of legroom for passengers, your child can rear-face in this car seat for up to 50 pounds.
This is made possible by Graco’s extension foot panel, which can provide an extra 5 inches of space for your child.
On the flip side, the Graco Extend2fit can be quite bulky side-to-side. This means it’s not the best car seat for 3 across in your small car.
Key selling features
- Steel reinforced frame
- 4-position extension foot panel
- 6-Position Recline & 10-Position Headrest
- No-Rethread Harness
- Harness Storage
- Two Cup Holders
- Push-button InRight LATCH
Pros
- Front-to-back compact design
- Extended rear-facing (up to 50 lbs)
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not suitable for 3 across (Alternative: Graco Slimfit3 LX)
- Less attractive than other convertible car seats
Orientation: Rear-facing (5-40 lb), forward-facing (22-65 lb), booster (40-100 lb)
Dimensions (L x W x H): 20.7 x 16.7 x 24.5 inches
Weight: 19.2 lbs
Pulling off three across in small cars can be a real pain. Luckily, there are car seats that are specifically designed to fit in 3 across installations.
The Graco Slimfit3 LX is one of them. Measuring only 16.7 inches wide, the slim design of this car seat will take full advantage of the limited space in your small car.
It’s also compact front-to-back when rear-facing so don’t worry too much about passenger legroom space.
The best part? The Graco Slimfit3 LX can transition from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing seat as your baby grows, and even into a booster seat when your child is ready.
It’s like having three seats in one, saving you money and the hassle of changing seats in the long run.
Also, the Graco Slimfit3 LX doesn’t skimp on comfort. It comes with a cozy insert to keep your infant snug and comfortable.
And the breathable mesh fabric makes our favorite slim car seat for hot weather.
Key selling features
- Measures 16.7 inches wide
- Steel-reinforced frame
- No-Rethread Harness
- Breathable Mesh Channels
- Forward-facing Belt Lock-Off
- Fuss-Free Harness Storage
- Rapid Remove cover
Pros
- Easily fits 3 across in small cars
- Easy to clean even when installed
- Breathable fabric for hot climates
Cons
- No rear-facing belt lock-off
- May not be ideal for tiny babies
Good to know: The Slimfit3 LX is different than the original Graco Slimfit. The main difference is that the original Slimfit measures 19.9 inches in width and is not suitable for 3 across. So, make sure you get the Slimfit3 LX for your small car and not the original Slimfit.
Best booster car seat for small cars
- Fully adjustable design
- Equipped with Latch connectors
- Super narrow
- Pricey for a booster seat
Orientation: High Back Booster (40-120 lbs)
Dimensions (L x W x H): 22 x 17.25 x 26.75 inches
Weight: 14 pounds
The Italian-made Peg Perego Viaggio Flex is the perfect booster seat for small cars and cars with bucket seats.
One of its standout features is the lack of armrests. This means your big kiddos can buckle themselves up without needing your help.
They’ll feel all grown up and independent, and you won’t have to be a buckle-up assistant anymore.
The Peg Perego Viaggio provides maximum comfort during those long rides.
With its 4D Total Adjust feature, you can adjust the headrest, backrest, side wings, and seat independently to provide a customized fit for your child.
We also love the Rigid LATCH, the fold-away cupholders that can save space when needed, and the stain-resistant fabric so you don’t have to stress about spills and stains.
The best part? This seat can be folded for travel or storage, a game-changer feature. By the way, here is how to store a car seat properly.
Key selling features
- Aluminum reinforced backrest
- 4D Total Adjust Technology
- Integrated rigid LATCH
- 5-position recline feature
- Foldable backrest
- Strain resistant fabric
- No armrests
- Fold-away cupholders
Pros
- Super narrow design
- Foldable for easy storage
- Lightweight for travel
Cons
- Higher price tag compared to other booster seats
- Does not transition to a backless booster
FAQs
Can you fit 3 car seats in a small car?
Unfortunately, not all small cars have enough space to accommodate three car seats side by side. Check your car specs before you buy 3 car seats.
Which car seat type is best for a small car?
Car seats that are slim and designed for 3 across are the best car seats to choose from for small cars. Clek Liingo, Peg Perego Primo and Slimfit3 LX are a few to consider.
