Comparative table of crash tests of cars. Crash test methodology Euro NCAP

04.03.2020

Probably everyone has heard about such a concept as a crash test, but not everyone understands what it is? In this post I want to tell you what it is, and why it is carried out at all ...

So crash - test, (English crash - test), the English word crash is translated - to smash, crush. If literally translated, then Crash - test means a test for breaking.

This is a test of machines for the level of safety. With such a test, an artificial and deliberate reproduction of a motor vehicle accident occurs in order to determine the level of damage to the car. Based on these damages, it turns out what injuries passengers and the driver of the car can get. The car is accelerated by an external electric motor and hit against artificial obstacles such as concrete blocks. There are several organizations that conduct such tests, and each has its own standards.

IIHS (USA)
NHTSA (USA)
ANCAP (Australia)
EuroNCAP (European Union)
JP NCAP (Japan)

The most thorough, influential and oldest on this list is EuroNCAP (European Union), because Mercedes was the ancestor. According to the EuroNCAP system (European Union), mannequins are installed in the car, which began to be installed in 1996. Previously used the corpses of people and animals. If the dummy is damaged according to the EuroNCAP system, points are removed from the car, the more points are removed, the less is left. The scores are presented as quality in stars and the rating comes from five stars, this is the maximum value.

The most common type is head-on collision, dispersed car is beaten into a concrete block. Normally, the speed of a car is 100 km/h, which is equivalent to 200 km/h in real accidents when the car hits a stationary car. According to the EuroNCAP system, a frontal impact occurs at a speed of 60 km/h.

There are also side and rear crash tests. In these tests, the car is fixed on a certain platform and a concrete block is already dispersed, which hits the car either from the side or from behind.

A bit of history

In the second half of the twentieth century, the production of cars was put on stream, a lot of concerns and manufacturers appeared, both elite, such as Ferrari, and budget, such as the volkswagen beetle (created for the people, by order of Hitler). There are many cars, but the safety left much to be desired. In a collision (accident) of a car, the driver himself often died, but also his passengers, and there were no airbags. Something had to be done about this. And for the first time such a test was carried out by the Mercedes concern, in 1973. It should be noted that for the first time airbags were also installed by Mercedes in 1971. In 1996, the first dummies appeared, in which sensors are located on the body that record damage during an impact. Since the 90s, all self-respecting world-famous concerns (TAZs do not count) began to produce crash tests using the EuroNCAP system. Cars are safer, but to this day, tests and improvements to cars continue.

What do you want to say at the end of the post. Our life and health are more precious than anything in the world, so when you buy a car, read its crash tests on the Internet, this can save your life and the life of your loved ones.

And we have the best articles on.

Germany

ADAC is the largest car club in the world that deals with automotive issues, provides emergency assistance, checks the quality of cars declared by the manufacturer, and annually tests child car seats using state-of-the-art sensor dummies.

ADAC experts select popular child car seats in Germany, purchase and test them anonymously. Armchairs are evaluated according to criteria: safety, comfort, ease of use and the content of harmful substances. Independent ADAC studies are more stringent than the mandatory certification tests for child car seats according to the ECE R 44/04 Uniform Safety Standard. In ADAC crash tests, frontal impacts are at 64 km/h and side impacts are at 50 km/h.

Each car seat is tested with two dummies of a different age group, using different seat position settings and different mounting types, if available. The dummies are equipped with a variety of sensors that record the load at the moment of impact. ADAC experts analyze the readings of these sensors and correlate them with high-speed video footage from several angles. The car club publishes its research data in the monthly magazine ADACmotorwelt.

RACC is the Royal Automobile Club of Catalonia, the largest motoring community in Spain. The number of its members has already exceeded one million people. The Autoclub provides almost any assistance to motorists and regularly conducts crash tests of car seats.

In testing, car seats are evaluated according to the following criteria: ease of installation and adjustment of belts, stability, reliability of belts, head restraints, etc. The rating scale has five divisions, ranging from “unsatisfactory” to “very good”. Ratings are given in four categories: protection, use, comfort, care. After completing all the tests, the final score is displayed.

Switzerland

The Swiss Automobile Club TCS has been testing child restraints for over 40 years. The crash test methodology used is similar to that used by ADAC and ANWB. The final score is given on a five-point scale in two main categories: safety and use. To derive a safety rating, the seat is subjected to a frontal and side impact. The category "use" has several components: installation features, comfort for the child, care features, environmental friendliness of materials.

The results of TCS tests can be trusted - the car club has more than a century of history. It was founded in Geneva back in 1896 by a small group of cyclists. Today, the number of TCS members exceeds 1.6 million people.

Holland

ANWB is the Royal Dutch Club founded in 1883 as a cyclist's body. To date, ANWB members are more than 4 million people. Together with other organizations, ANWB tests various vehicles, parts and auto accessories. And since 2007, the auto club has been conducting crash tests of child car seats.

For frontal and side impact testing, modern dummies with built-in sensors are used. Each dummy used corresponds to the age group of the tested car seat. The tests fix the level of stress that the internal organs of the child receive in the event of an accident. The final score is given in four categories: safety, comfort and ergonomics, maintenance, and ecology.

One of the most recognizable Russian crash tests is conducted by the Russian magazine Autoreview. Among the tests there are tests for the safety of child car seats: Autoreview specialists have created their own system for assessing the safety of child restraints, based on the ECE R 44/04 standard. Autoreview evaluates child car seats according to the level of protection for the head, legs, spine and analyzes the ease of use of the seat.

Crash testing uses Q-series baby dummies to not only determine crash damage, but also measure pelvic acceleration and neck stress on the little passenger. In total, there are 28 sensors on the mannequin. The final rating is formed from six indicators, as a result of the analysis of which an assessment is made on a ten-point scale.

The Austrian Automobile Club OAMTC has been conducting independent crash tests of child restraints since 2001. This car club is a partner of well-known European car clubs ADAC (Germany) and TCS (Switzerland).

Under the auspices of OAMTC, car seats are being tested for all age categories in different price ranges. The test includes both a frontal impact and a side impact. Tests are carried out once a year and cover about forty of the most popular models from European manufacturers. The assessment is made on a five-point scale in 4 categories: safety, installation, comfort, use.

Finland

Autoliitto is a Finnish automobile association founded in 1919. Autoliitto supports car owners across the country and abroad, and takes care of the promotion of new laws that increase road safety, improve the transport system, traffic and the environment.

This is true, even though many of the listed cars received good safety stars in EuroNCAP crash tests. The fact is that the European methodology does not provide for tests on a number of parameters. But the American IIHS takes them into account. At the same time, it is impossible to say unequivocally which of the approaches to conducting crash tests is tougher - European or overseas. Simply, if you are seriously thinking about the life and health of your loved one and passengers, you need to check with both standards before buying a car. But today, let's "check" with what is adopted in the United States.

Crashing into a pole

First, about the "outsiders" mentioned above. The IIHS does not make anti-advertising for its test subjects and does not compile anti-ratings, so you have to look for information about cars that have not passed the tests in the best way in scattered press releases. In particular, this spring the Institute tested a number of crossovers with a small overlap impact of 25% and three of the nine cars were rated "Poor" ("Bad"): Honda Pilot, Kia Sorento and Mazda CX-9.

The “Good” summary (“Good”) was earned only by Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain, which were not represented in Russia. Here it must be said that the IIHS moved away from the “star” system and called the ratings understandable to the consumer names: “Good” (“Good”), “Acceptable” (“Acceptable”), “Marginal” (“On the verge”) and Poor ( "Badly").

In winter, the city "kids" passed the same test. Here the picture is even less rosy. No one won the “Good” rating, but the “Acceptable” rating went to the popular Chevrolet Spark in Russia.

By the way, Hyundai Accent (known to us as Solaris) earned one of the worst results along with Fiat 500 and Toyota Prius. The bestseller, including our market, - Toyota Corolla - in October 2013 earned a very modest "On the edge" rating in the small overlap test. That, however, does not prevent the model from remaining popular.

But what kind of standard is this - frontal tests with a small 25 percent overlap? It simulates the conditions of a collision with a solid object: a pole or a tree. And you need to know that the destruction of a car in an accident with a small overlap is much stronger than from hitting a wall, since the impact force is concentrated on a certain percentage of the width of the front end, and not over its entire area.

Crash tests according to this protocol are carried out at a speed of 64 km / h (agree, everything is very relevant). When the test was first introduced in 2012, an average of 80% of test vehicles failed it, earning a "Poor" rating. With the massive introduction of side airbags, the situation has changed. For example, in 2005, Mitsubishi Lancer IX received a “bad” rating, and its follower Lancer X in 2008 received a “good”, that is, the highest.

By the way, the Americans started in 1995 with a protocol simulating a car collision at speeds up to 64 km/h with a deformable barrier with 40 percent overlap. Which is very similar to a typical head-on collision. And at first, the IIHS test results looked quite shocking.

For example, the Chevrolet Venture minivan, which took four out of five NCAP stars, earned a "Poor" rating in 1997 using the new methodology. A similar story happened with the Ford F-150. And if you compare cars with ratings "Poor" and "Good", then the driver of the latter is 46% less likely to die in a frontal collision with a 40% overlap, according to the IIHS!

Of the cars sold in Russia, Ford Edge, Toyota Venza, Toyota Camry, Nissan Rogue (Qashqai), Nissan Altima (Teana), Ford Explorer, Ford Kuga, Jeep Cherokee, Mitsubishi Outlander passed this test with a “Good” mark in 2014 Toyota Highlander.

A bit of history

In general, there are two existing standards for crash tests in America. The oldest one is actually NCAP (New Car Asssessment Program). The Americans were pioneers in this business and the first crash tests according to the NCAP standard took place back in 1979 - cars hit a solid barrier with 100 percent overlap at a speed of 35 miles per hour (56 km / h).

But the test, which is similar to a simulated hitting a wall, is quite theoretical, since such accidents almost never occur. That is why the IIHS standard (abbreviation for Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) is more relevant for consumers.

Get in the barrel and roll over!

And IIHS conducts tests with blows to the side of the car. A trolley with a deformable aluminum cube hits a car at a speed of 50 km/h, and at that time mannequins of a male driver in front and a female passenger in the back “sit” in the cabin. And as for a side impact, the probability of death in cars that received a “Good” rating in this discipline is as much as 70% lower than in “bad” ones. Perhaps, such statistics of IIHS specialists are even clearer than stars and ratings... This year Ford Edge, Toyota Venza, Toyota Camry, Nissan Rogue (Qashqai), Nissan Altima (Teana), Ford Explorer, Ford Kuga, Jeep Cherokee, Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota Highlander.

Since about 25% of road traffic deaths in America result from rollovers (there are no Russian data of this kind), since 2009 the IIHS methodology has included measurements of roof stiffness. To do this, on the side, at the edge of the roof, a rigid metal plate slowly presses on the car. To be rated Good, the roof must support four times the weight of the car's own curb weight before it buckles inward 12.7 centimeters (5 inches). Models who received a four for a side kick performed the same here.

Along with frontal impacts, the IIHS also conducts a study on the shape of the head restraints. Initially, 82% of cars were rated "Bad" - many head restraints were not high enough or their shape did not help protect against neck injuries. In the early 2000s, a low-speed impact to the rear of the car was added to the test to simulate a "cork" accident, quite typical for large cities.

But the Americans went even further. Since 2013, the IIHS decided to test cars not only for passive but also for active safety. Cars with automatic braking (like, say, Volvo's City Safety) are tested to decelerate in front of a mock car at 12 and 25 miles per hour (20 and 40 km/h). As in the case of crash tests, the scores for passing “active” tests are not given to cars in the form of stars, but in the form of rating gradations with the names: “Superior” (“Highest”), “Advanced” (“Advanced”) and “ Basic" ("Basic"). To receive the "highest" rating, both tests must be successfully passed. For an "advanced" rating, it is enough to slow down at least 5 miles per hour (8 km / h). Well, if the car is equipped only with a proximity warning device, then it receives a “basic” rating.

They take a hit

Each year, the IIHS releases a list of vehicles that have received top safety ratings and awards them the TSP (Top Safety Pick) or TSP+ title. To become a “simple” TSP, you need to get “Good” ratings in the 40% overlap test, the side impact test, and the test for roof stiffness and head restraint design. A score in a test with a 25 percent overlap is not taken into account. TSPs with a plus sign are awarded to models that earn a "Good" rating on any four of the five IIHS tests, and at least "Acceptable" on the fifth.

When compiling ratings, it takes into account the class of the car and the institute always reminds that it is impossible to compare a large crossover with an urban hatchback on an equal footing, since a car that is larger in size and weight is safer by default than a smaller one. Therefore, the titles TSP and TSP + are distributed by class.

Since more than 150 models received IIHS good safety awards in 2013, we will not list them all. Let's note only those cars that took the TSP + bar and at the same time are represented on the Russian market.

Among the "small" cars (Small cars, according to the American classification), the winners were the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Subaru Impreza. In the "medium" class - Volvo S60, Kia Optima, Mazda6, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen Passat and Suzuki Kizashi.

Among small crossovers, the Subaru XV, Subaru Forester, Subaru Outback and Mitsubishi Outlander are in the lead.

Executive sedans did not earn TSP + awards (!), And among medium crossovers, Mercedes-Benz M-klasse, Volvo XC60 and Volvo XC90 distinguished themselves.

End of Diversity?

Agree, unexpected results for you, really capable of influencing the choice of car. Automakers understand this too. And thanks to their efforts, IIHS tests are living, perhaps, the last days. In the fall of 2013, GM, Toyota and Volkswagen initiated the creation of a unified testing methodology that would combine the most stringent standards on both sides of the ocean so that the same model does not need to be hit several times, confusing the buyer.

The proposal is not without meaning, because the endurance of purely European cars in the role of “shifters” and impacts with a small overlap, as well as the degree of friendliness of American cars to pedestrians (such tests are Euro NCAP’s “chip”), can only be guessed. Say what you like, but in some aspects of globalization - only a solid benefit.

Buying a car seat inexpensively and well is the dream of a car parent. Are there inexpensive car seats with good crash test results? It turns out yes, although there are very few of them. Below we will look at cheap car seats from 2500r. various weight categories that have shown good results in independent crash tests.

Why is participation in independent crash tests so important? The fact is that the marking of compliance with the ECE R44 / 04 safety standard on many "holding devices" does not mean anything.

Certificates are not a guarantee of security either. Our certification centers do not have a technical base for testing child car seats. But crash tests, confirmed by video, give us information about how the car seat will behave at the time of the accident. We will look at inexpensive car seats with good, medium and low security. The latter is best avoided. The low price and the Russian manufacturer are no excuse for them.

Inexpensive car seats with a good level of security

Category 9-36kg - safe car seats from 3000r.

In this category, good inexpensive car seats are not without flaws. However, considering the price, testing organizations recommend these particular car seats to parents looking for an inexpensive car seat.

And if you want to know all the 9-36kg car seats that have been crash tested from 2011 to 2018, check out this post:

Car seat Siger 9-36kg

Siger Cocoon Isofix

The price level for Siger is 3000-6000 rubles.

Car seat Nania I-max SP (3-36kg)

The bestseller in Russia, the Nania car seat, participated in ADAC crash tests

Description

EEC Group: I / II / III

Seat weight: 5.3 kg
Installation:

ADAC Conclusion

A good child seat for long-term use. There is not much room for big kids. In some vehicles, the seat is more stable when the vehicle's head restraint is removed or turned back.

Safety

Comfortable straps

Exploitation

Easy seat installation
Easy seat

Ergonomics

Good leg support
Good visibility for a child
cheap armchair
Small footprint

Cleaning and cleaning

The cover is easy to remove

Environmental friendliness

Low contaminant content

Cleaning/processing

The cover is very easy to remove

Average risk of injury during a frontal and side impact
Placement of the child is a little difficult
Thin upholstery
Sitting position is not optimal

The next price level of safe car seats is from 9000 rubles.

Car seat Heyner Multiprotect Aero (9-36kg)

Description

EEC Group: I / II / III
For children from 9 to 36 kg (one to 12 years old)
Seat with seat belts and center belt tensioner
Seat weight: 4.6 kg
Installation: In the direction of travel with 3-point
with seat belt, from 9 to 18 kg, from 15 kg without seat belts

ADAC Conclusion

A good child seat, there are minor flaws in operation. Although the seat has a relatively long lifespan, it does not provide much space for larger children. In some vehicles, the seat is more stable when the vehicle's head restraint is removed or turned back.

Safety

Low risk of injury during a side impact
Steadily installed in the car

Exploitation

Very light seat

Ergonomics

Good leg support
cheap armchair
Small footprint

Cleaning and cleaning

The cover is easy to remove
Very good workmanship

Average risk of injury during a frontal collision
Slightly tight belt
Slightly increased risk of incorrect installation
Installing the seat and placing the child is a little tricky
The instruction manual and warnings have minor flaws
Thin upholstery
Bad review for a child
Space for big kids is not very big
Only hand wash possible

STM (STORCHENMÜHLE) Starlight SP

The hard-to-pronounce brand name STORCHENMÜHLE in Russia is shortened to STM. STM Starlight SP is the equivalent of the Recaro Young Sport car seat discussed below. In essence, this is the same chair of the same manufacturer, focused on a lower price segment. Therefore, it is much cheaper than Recaro. The upholstery of the car seat is made of cheaper (but very high quality) materials.

Description

EEC Group: I / II / III
For children from 9 to 36 kg (one to 12 years old)
Seat with seat belts and center belt tensioner
Seat weight: 8.4 kg
Installation: in the direction of travel with a 3-point seat belt: from 9 to 18 kg with a special fastening system, the child is secured by the car seat's own belts with central belt adjustment. From 15 to 36 kg securing the child with a 3-point seat belt, the seat can be used without its own belts.

ADAC Conclusion

Medium child seat for a long service life. The central adjustment of the straps for babies is very convenient. In some vehicles, the seat attaches more firmly when the vehicle's head restraint is removed or turned back.

Safety

Comfortable straps

Ergonomics

Low risk of incorrect installation
Easy to understand instruction manual and warnings
Very good leg support
good upholstery
Enough space for a child

Cleaning and cleaning

Very good workmanship
Cover is easy to remove
Very good workmanship

Environmental friendliness

Very low contaminant content

Average risk of injury during frontal and side collisions
Not very stable in the car
Seat installation is a little tricky
Baby placement is a little tricky
Not a big space for a child
Bad review for a child
Slightly elevated levels of contaminants

Category 2-3 (15-36kg). Safe car seats from 9000r.

Unfortunately, cheaper ones, such as backless boosters, have failed in safety tests or have not been tested at all.

STM Solar 2 Seatfix(Germany)

STM Solar 2 Seatfix

- an analogue of the Recaro car seat. They have the same manufacturer, but the STM is in the cheaper one below. Savings are achieved through cheaper (but very high quality) cover materials. Equipped with Isofix system. Passed ADAC crash tests in 2012. ADAC is here.

Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio 2 Surefix(Italy)

(Best-seller)

Peg-perego Primo Viaggio 2-3 Surefix

Car seats for newborns: category 0-13kg. Nania BeOne SP - inexpensive safe car seat (from 2500 rubles)

Infant carrier Nania BeOne Sp - participated in independent ADAC crash tests in 2014 and received a rating of "Good".

Nania BeOne SP

At a price of about 3060r, this infant carrier is very light, comfortable for the baby, and most importantly, safe. Detailed description

ADAC Conclusion

Very light infant car seat with good test results. The transition to the next group of the child seat is only necessary if the upper edge of the head protrudes above the seat.

Advantages and disadvantages

Safety

Very low risk of injury in a frontal impact
good belt
Steadily installed in the car

Cleaning / processing

Good workmanship
The cover is very easy to remove

Safety

Medium side impact risk

Cleaning / processing

Only hand wash possible

Varieties of Nania BeOne SP

These varieties are slightly more expensive, as they differ in higher level fabrics and designs.

Prices in stores

Video

The next in price of safe car seats are Maxi-Cosi car seats, from 8500 rubles. However, given the short service life of the car seat (up to about 1-1.5 years), this price goes beyond the “inexpensive”.

Installing the nania Beone car seat

BEONESP

Inexpensive car seats with an average level of security

Group 9-36 kg Nania Beeline SP - below average safety

Price in stores

This inexpensive (less than 3000 rubles) car seat differs from its Chinese counterparts in an attractive appearance. Participated in crash tests ADAC and received a rating of "satisfactory". In the harsher testing conditions of the Auto Review, it showed good results in a frontal impact. However, he has a complete failure (0 points) in a side impact. As a result, Nania Beline Sp is not included in the list of recommended models.

Babyton LB-513 (Mishutka, Pilot, Food-Food, etc.) inexpensive chair with an average level of security (2400 rubles)

This Chinese car seat has clones with a Russian name. Don't be fooled - it's the same

Prices in stores

In this car seat, the main disadvantage is the increased likelihood of improper installation. If the chair is installed correctly, it gives an acceptable level of safety and can be recommended as an economical good model.

Car seat Smeshariki SM / DK-200 - Medium security at a price of 4880

Prices in stores

One of the advantages of this car seat is a clear and easy installation. However, not in all cars, it fits snugly to the car seat. Loads during frontal and side impacts do not exceed the "red" values.

But car seats and other "holding devices" that should be avoided, despite the cheapness.

Low Safety - Car Seats to Avoid

Many restraints have never been tested by foreign car clubs (eg ADAC). Autoreview magazine, on the other hand, does an excellent job of testing different devices, from inexpensive to high-end. Thanks to Autoreview, we know which devices do not withstand the harsh test in the back of Lada Kalina. When looking for an inexpensive car seat, it is best to avoid the following models:

Booster for young children - not safe

Small children are not safe to carry in a booster. In a side impact, there is a strong impact on the door. And with the frontal, the incorrect position of the belt causes severe overloads in the chest and neck. This is confirmed by the crash test video:

The booster has no back. But unfortunately, some full-fledged car seats with a backrest also fail the test.

Kanga car seat is not safe

This car seat, like many others, is made in China. In appearance, it is not much different from its counterparts. However, it performed worse than other Chinese car seats. The internal straps of this car seat are not long enough to secure the child. And fixed with a car belt, the baby is protected very poorly. Overload head exceeded all allowable limits.

Seat belt adapter - not safe

This cheapest "holding device" was also the most popular for a long time. After all, this is a cheap way to "get rid of the traffic police." However, this tool will not help in any way at the time of the accident.

The Russian-made Fast adapter was equipped with special straps to eliminate the effect of diving. This really eliminated this effect, but the device did not become safer. Loads on the head, neck and chest are prohibitive.

Berry frameless car seat - not safe

This Russian product also came about in response to a market demand for an inexpensive car seat, or "restraint".

As can be seen from the photo, in the crash test for safety, it "failed" the test for both frontal and side impact. At the same time, its installation is complex and does not exclude the risk of error (3 points for excluding the risk of incorrect installation).

The frameless car seat was torn into shreds upon impact, with a monstrous diving effect - the belt slid down to the baby's chest. According to Autoreview, such a “modified diaper” should be prohibited by Russian law. It is interesting to note that all dangerous car seats are labeled according to the European safety standard and have certificates.

You may also be interested

Link to the crash test Autoreview.

Link to ADAC crash tests

If you have additions on the topic “good car seat inexpensive” - leave a comment, do not be shy!

For most parents, who are sensitive to their offspring, the primary task is to ensure their safety, including on the road. This category includes the safety of transporting a child in a car. It is provided through the purchase of special restraints (for example, car cots for young children and seats for older children).

Carrying a child in a car seat is not only more convenient for parents, but also ensures the safety of the baby.

How is seat safety determined?

Crash tests of child car seats allow you to decide on the degree of safety that a particular car seat model can guarantee. To date, the test club ADAC (Germany) is authoritative.

The test itself involves the study of several parameters of the product. Tests are carried out in several stages - this allows you to identify not only the safety of the chair as such, but also the way it is installed in the car for the safest transportation of the baby

Testing steps:

in the conditions of the manufacturer;
with the help of independent experts.

Crash test car seats

The functionality of the product is provided by a set of parameters. The main ones are:

material (by quality);
fastening (for strength);
constructive solution of the model (in terms of reliability).

As an additional criterion, when testing child car seats, the comfort and ergonomics of the restraint are studied. Specialists of testing centers determine how physiological the state in which the baby will be in the chair, whether certain parts of the body (neck, buttocks) will hurt him or whether the muscles of the whole body will get tired. The "correct" child seat should be comfortable to make traveling with the child calm.

The tests take into account not only safety, but also the ergonomics of the chair, that is, the physiologically correct position of the body.

Both the main and additional functions of the device, designed to make life easier for the baby and his parents, are tested. For example, chairs designed for newborns may have a carry function. It raises the rating of devices when evaluating product quality. For teenagers, other comfort qualities will be evaluated - for example, the presence of a footrest or a holder for a glass (bottle).

The last stage of the child seat test involves identifying the practical qualities of the device:

durability;
material quality, etc.

A crash test designed to test child car seats should reveal the maximum of the advantages and disadvantages of the product. Therefore, when choosing such a device for your baby, it will be useful to familiarize yourself with its results. For those who are not indifferent to the life and health of children during their transportation, the results of such texts will tell a lot and help make the right choice.

Crash tests from ADAC

This testing laboratory conducts similar tests annually in the spring. The test site is located in Lahnberg, where manufacturers of child safety devices from all over Europe come to test new products and test modified old models. In the tests, dummies are used, designed for different weights and heights of a small passenger. Since 2011, test dummies have become more sensitive to impacts, they were equipped with special sensors that mark damage.

Destructive experiments are carried out at different speeds. The speed depends on the direction of impact:

head-on collision - 64 km / h;
lateral - 50 km / h.

Latest ADAC crash test rating

Models of tested car seats change periodically, we will describe the most popular of them.

Group 0+ - children from 0 to a year

Besafe Izi Go
Concord Airsafe (revision of Concord Air);
Cybex Aton Q;
Kiddy Evolution Pro 2;
Maxi Cosi Pebble.

The first model is an infant car seat based on Isofix, it has good performance in destructive testing (we recommend reading:).
Besafe Izi Go has a high safety record, but there is also a negative point - the model is heavy.
The third Concord Airsafe has a lightweight design and is popular with parents who have to carry their baby a lot.
Cybex Aton Q has no base, unlike the 3 previous models. She has high impact resistance, the level of side protection is especially good (rating - very good), the child is almost horizontal in the device.
Kiddy Evolution is an interesting but heavy model.
And the last of the Maxi Cosi Pebble models under consideration has been tested repeatedly, its estimated level is GUT.

Recaro Privia was named the safest car seat in the 0+ category in crash tests

Group 0+/1 - from 0 to 18 kg (transformers)

In this group, the crash test rating for child car seats is headed by the model. This transformer has taken a leading position after significant refinement.
Following him in the table of crash test winners is a similar model called Romer Max-Fix 2 with a rating of “good”.
And 3rd place at the Romer Dualfix transformer. The model is convenient, its indicators of reliability and strength are quite good, both in frontal and side impacts. But there is one small "but" - there may be problems with the straps, in some cases during the test it turned out that the mannequin was not well fixed in the chair.

Concord Ultimax 2 - winner in the nomination "safety" among transformable chairs

Group from 1 to 3 years - from 9 to 18 kg

The first line in the rating list for strength and reliability belongs to the Chicco model (Chikko / Kikko). According to the manufacturer, it is ergonomic, has a high degree of protection for the child, but is not marked by buyers because of its angular shape. The Isofix system was used as a base for the manufacture of the model.
In Europe, the Migo Saturn model and its variation are popular. In Russia, these devices are considered luxury class, respectively, have a high cost. Rarely seen in our market.

Migo Saturn Solar Isofix is often used in Europe, but is rare in Russia due to its high cost.

Group 1-2-3 - from 9 to 36 kg

The list of car seats in this group is headed by two models that are recognized as the best by both testers and parents - Kiddy GuardianFix Pro2 and its colleague Cybex Pallas 2-Fix.

The first car seat - Kiddy GuardianFix Pro2 - is ergonomically designed to carry a sleeping child (the baby's head does not fall forward). Special protection and a lot of possibilities for adjusting its individual elements (seats - in length, backrests - in terms of inclination and height, volume inside the device and side protection) make the model very attractive. A negative point in the characterization of this car seat can be considered the absence of a strap that prevents the child from sliding down (attached between the legs).
The second model - Cybex Pallas 2-Fix - received its positive ratings a little earlier than the first described car seat. This fact does not make it less convenient or reliable. It also has many adjustable features and a removable table. In this model of a car seat the child well transfers long journeys, without inconvenience.

Cybex Pallas 2-Fix is incredibly comfortable for a child, it is suitable even for long trips

Group 2-3, 15 to 36 kg

Which chairs should be chosen for children from 4 years old? Definitely, this car seat should be designed for a weight of 18 kg and above. Comparing customer reviews and the results obtained using crash tests, we got the following range of car seats:

Concord Transformer T;
CBX by Cybex Free Fix.

The main characteristic of the first model on the list is a special overlay on the seat belt. It reduces the load in a frontal collision in the neck of the baby. Despite the high safety and reliability indicators, the high-quality material used for the manufacture of car seats of this model, their price is quite acceptable.

Romer Kidfix XP Sict is a great and safe option for older kids

All presented models are made of high quality materials, have a good degree of protection in case of a side impact. And a large selection of adjustments, which allows you to choose the height of the backrest and the angle of inclination, convenient for each child from 4 to 12 years old.

The car seat is not a status attribute or just another silly fashion trend. You can hear the opinion that they used to do without car seats and the children grew up. But:

firstly, earlier the speeds on the roads were different;
secondly, the number of private cars is now several orders of magnitude higher than this “before”;
thirdly, technologies are developing, various devices and devices are being created to make life easier or even save it.

The car seat is one such device. His choice must be approached consciously, thinking, first of all, about maintaining the physical health of your baby. The quality of this device, its ergonomics determine the convenience of a small passenger and the condition of his spine, the degree of protection - the preservation of the health and life of the baby while the vehicle is moving.