It's Not Easy: 60% of Parents Have Incorrectly
Installed a Car Seat, With Nearly Half Not Noticing for Over a
Week
CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- Car-shopping marketplace Cars.com™ (NYSE:
CARS) found more than 40% of parents purchased a new vehicle as a
result of welcoming a third child to the family.1
Cars.com released its 2023 Car Seat Fit Report Card to help current
and expecting parents navigate the challenges of buying a vehicle
that easily and safely accommodates car seats for their growing
family. This in-depth resource identifies vehicles that best fit
car seats for infants, toddlers and young children.
"As a mom of three — which includes twins — I absolutely
understand the need for the right vehicle that can easily fit
multiple car seats and the whole family for years to come," said
Jennifer Geiger, Cars.com news
editor and certified child passenger safety technician. "Cars.com
has tested over 700 vehicles for car seat fitment to help inform
parents about the best family-friendly vehicle options available to
them on the market today."
Making the Grade
Out of the 56 model-year 2022-24 vehicles evaluated in
Cars.com's 2023 Car Seat Fit Report Card, only six vehicles earned
straight A's — all of which are SUVs. The complete list of vehicles
tested can be found at Cars.com/News/Car-Seat-Check. This year's
valedictorians include:
- 2023 Acura RDX
- 2022 and 2023 Audi E-Tron
- 2023 Chevrolet Equinox
- 2023 Kia EV6
- 2023 Volkswagen ID.4
- 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan
Reign of the SUV
SUVs dominated this year's Car Seat Fit Report Card. The
Cars.com Editorial team found the top-performing SUVs allowed for
simple and quick car seat installation and were spacious enough to
provide ample legroom for the rest of the family. Further, data
show the most popular vehicle choice for current parents is an SUV,
with over half of respondents saying they own one.2
Trying Before Buying
Car seat installation is a notable pain point for parents, with
60% reporting they have incorrectly installed a car seat and about
half admitting it took more than a week to notice their error — and
some did not notice until more than six months later.2
This is why parents are vetting their new car purchase more than
ever before. Prior to purchasing a vehicle, nearly half of parents
brought their car seat to the dealership to test it in-vehicle — a
15% increase from 2022 data, showing parents likely want to make an
informed choice on how their car seat fits and determine if the
vehicle is large enough for their growing family.2
Methodology
The Cars.com Car Seat Fit Report Card compiles 12 months (July
to July) worth of comprehensive Car Seat Checks conducted by
Cars.com's team of experts. Each Car Seat Check is performed by a
Cars.com certified child passenger safety technician who installs
three types of car seats — infant, convertible and high-back
booster — into each new vehicle and evaluates the vehicle's Latch
system, as well as how the vehicle accommodates the different car
seats. Cars.com tests vehicles as they are made available by
automakers.
"In order for a vehicle to earn an 'A' rating, the vehicle must
have sufficient room for the child and car seat, but not impact
legroom for the driver or front passenger. The vehicle's car seat
Latch system also must be conveniently accessible and easy to use,"
adds Geiger.
To learn more about how Cars.com performs its Car Seat Checks,
or to see how well a car seat will fit in your family vehicle or a
vehicle you are considering purchasing,
visit www.cars.com/news/car-seat-check.
1 Cars.com consumer survey;
July 25-26, 2023; 139 responses
2 Cars.com consumer survey; July
10-12, 2023; 1,046 responses
ABOUT CARS.COM
CARS is the leading automotive marketplace platform that
provides a robust set of digital solutions that connect car
shoppers with sellers. Launched in 1998 with the flagship
marketplace Cars.com and headquartered in Chicago, the Company empowers shoppers with
the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed
buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers.
In a rapidly changing market, CARS enables dealerships and OEMs
with innovative technical solutions and data-driven intelligence to
better reach and influence ready-to-buy shoppers, increase
inventory turn and gain market share.
In addition to Cars.com™, the Company's brands include Dealer
Inspire®, a technology provider building solutions to future-proof
dealerships with more efficient operations and connected digital
experiences; FUEL™, an advertising solution providing dealers and
OEMs the benefit of leveraging targeted digital video marketing to
Cars.com's audience of in-market car shoppers; DealerRater®, a
leading car dealer review and reputation management technology
solution; CreditIQ™, digital financing technology and Accu-Trade™,
vehicle valuation and appraisal technology. The Company's portfolio
of brands also includes Auto.com™, PickupTrucks.com™ and
NewCars.com®.
The full suite of CARS properties
includes Cars.com™, Dealer
Inspire®, FUEL™, DealerRater®, CreditIQ™, Accu-Trade.com™,
Auto.com™, PickupTrucks.com™ and NewCars.com®. For more
information, visit www.Cars.com.
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SOURCE Cars.com Inc.