does anyone have a car/minivan that has a built in car seat? what kind of cars have these? are they safe?
hey E.- the only one I know of is the Volvo XC90 (their SUV). It is the coolest thing, and they are very safe vehicles, too. My 5 year old is so thrilled that he doesn't have to sit in his old car seat anymore and loves the built-in one!!
We experienced it in a rental car once and didn't like it very much. I think it's safe and maybe even more than a regular car seat as it is right in the seat. But, it doesn't look comfortable at all. You usually have a part of the seat that you lower to get to the belts. So the kid is like seated in the "hole". It stops at the neck so the child has to keep his head in front. It's hard to describe, but as I said, it didn't look very comfortable...
My Domestic Partner just bought a used Chrysler Town and Country maybe from the 90s I assume. Last night when our daughter decided to use the restroom in hers so bad that it couldn't just be covered up, she's a year by the way, I got curious as to what was behind the flap in the first row of seats. Low and Behold a built in car seat. The harness seemed like something off of a roller coaster ride however, it did the job at keeping her intact. She loved it too and I think it came in handy and so far no mishaps here.
Just so you know, I had a van that had the seat built in and I think that the Britax using the latch system was more comfortalble and very secure.. The seat would not budge at all after we installed it with the latch onto the anchors of the seat frame. I did not like the carseats that actually use the seatbelt.. they always wiggled just a little.
I have the chevy uplander and it has it. I think it is as safe as any car seat. it has a 5 point harness and you can tighten it and everything. My 4 year old still uses it as she only weighs 35lbs still.
I have a Chrysler mini van and love the built in car seats! They don't work as well for the smaller toddler. My daughter was at the right weight for ours, but fit better a few months later. Now its awesome...especially when I pick up another kid to go somewhere or they hitch a ride. No need to put more car seats in the van, I have 2. Best of luck to you
My Dodge Caravan has two of the built in seats and I absolutely love them! We only have one that is carseat age, but when we take on a niece or a nephew it is so nice to not have to mess with a bulky carseat. I will say that we do own a big carseat (from before she was heavy enough for the built in, it starts at 22 lbs.) and we will use the big seat if we are going on a trip. The built in doesn't give many places for sleeping heads to lie. But for toddlers up to preschool, the built-ins are wonderful!
I have mine in our 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan and it is the whole reason we bought the van! My sons are 3 and 6 and still fit in them! Obviously the 6 year old will need to be changed to a booster soon but I feel much better that it is built in than me having to strap something down myself and make it tight. I have never had any complaints from my boys about the seats being uncomfortable!
loved it in my ford explorer!! It's a 5 point harness. I think it is safe. Your child doesn't have the height from a regular carseat though.
