car seats for small cars

shevaCC · November 2011

I realize it's a bit early to already be worrying about this, but both my husband and I drive fairly small cars (a 2004 Mazda3 and a 2002 Subaru WRX, both are the sedan model) and I'm worried many infant seats might not fit in them. Both our cars are paid off and I don't think a new one is in the budget for a while longer.

Any experience with which seats might fit in these cars? Similar small cars? Also, any suggestions for stores that would let us try to fit the car seat into our cars before buying it? Or let us return it if it doesn't fit? We're on Bainbridge Island, if you know of any stores relatively close by.

I tried searching online and couldn't find any info for the WRX. A lot of the Mazda3 comments said that the car seat needed to be installed behind the passenger seat and would probably require the passenger to give up nearly all leg room. I'm sure we're not the first parents-to-be with this problem. Does everyone just give up and go buy a van/SUV? Or are there other solutions out there?

clineak · November 2011

My friend has a Mazda3 coupe, and she has her car seat in the middle seat (does that make sense? hehe). Just something to think about...

cmcmillan · November 2011

I dont know specifics, but you will most likely want a seat that has a lower size limit. We had a 32lb graco and in my Mom's subaru you had to have the passenger seat all the way up for it to fit right. My friend had a outback and had the same issue, which her husband hated since he then had to always drive. She had the chicco seat.

I know BRU and Merry Go Round let you try seats in your car. Not sure about stores more inyour area.

myself1nme · November 2011

I ordered a Combi Coccoro from Amazon for our car. It is one of the smaller convertible car seats out there. I really like it. It is quite compact and was very easy to install. It also comes in some really cute colors. I was worried about the cover being hard to take off because I got a lighter colored one, but it was really easy to get on and off and washed up nicely. I would say the disadvantage of it is that it may not work for us as long as most convertible car seats would, but DH, DS, and I are all pretty small people.

blueLu25 · November 2011

We have had a Graco Snugride and Evenflo Triumph (rear facing) in Dh's Jetta that has a tiny back seat.

sparkelz · November 2011

I have a 2010 Toyota Corolla S and it is fairly small. We use the Chicco Keyfit 30 and it fits but you do loose all leg room in the front seat. I installed the seat behind the drivers seat because I am only 5'1" so I drive with the seat almost all the way forward anyway. In our case DH dosn't drive my car very often so this set up works for us.

If I placed the seat in the center seat it would make it so that neither front seat passanger could move their seat back very far.

cupcakepirate · November 2011

We have a 2005 WRX and the Graco Snugride fits pretty well in the back seat.
We also have an Eddie Bauer XRS 65 Convertible and it says its designed for small cars. The width is good, but rear facing with as far as it has to recline to be safe, it's not so good. It'll be great when we have to turn it around.

Alli923 · November 2011

I drive a 2006 Mazda 3 and we had a Chicco Keyfit infant seat that fit great in the middle back seat. In that spot, DH could still push the seat back to drive (he's 6') and the passenger seat could be comfortable. We've also had our Britax Boulevard and Evenflo Triumph RF in the middle seat with no issues. They all fit, RF, with plenty of room for our seats to move back comfortably.

MrsH_08 · November 2011

I have an 03 Corolla and used the Graco Snugride and Evenflo Triumph. The Triumph fits fine, RF right now. The Snugride fit but we had to push the passenger seat up about halfway.

doublem · November 2011

We have an '09 Chevy Cobalt and had the Safety 1st Air OnBoard 35 for the infant seat, per a recommendation from the car seat fitter at Seattle Children's. It has one of the lowest and highest height/weight limits out there, which was important to us because we initially thought we were going to have a small baby (ha!) and now we have a giant 97% almost one-year-old who can still fit into it. However, we just moved into the Britax Boulevard (which is the same size as the Marathon) and it also fits well in our backseat.

AdelynRae · November 2011

we have a mazda 6 sedan and subruru legacy sedan. the graco fits just fine (we had the snugride 22) and the Evenflo Symphony. The passenger seat is pulled up closer then is comfortable, but it works. you can go to BRU and install their displays in your back seat before purchasing.

kaskade · November 2011

Late, but I have a Mazda Speed6 and fit a Chicco Keyfit 30 in back easily in the center. We had to buy the EvenFlo convertible however when we moved up, because that was the only rearfacing convertible that would fit in the back [and we had to move it to the passenger side]. And you have some time to figure that out...

We found that the Chicco was just the right height for us to fit it in the center and still be able to adjust both front seats easily. The Graco was too low and DH couldn't get the driver's seat back far enough to be comfortable.

Likes others said, BRU will let you try them in your car.

ETA: Also, the folks at 1800bucklup.com [think that's the right site] were great at knowing models of cars and what seats fit. You can call or email or drop in, although their Kirkland office is a ways from you.

Want a personalized experience?

car seats for small cars

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