US or UK seats, which are better

We are currently living in the UK and in the market for new seats. We have an APO address so we can buy from the US, but I'm wondering if the seats here are better. I do have the added issue of having to fit three across ... here's our info from another post:

Here's our current set up. We're adding #5 in June and we have to figure out how to add another seat!

in the rear row with only the tiniest space between the two seats
7yr old - Graco Nautilus
6 yr. old - True Fit (46" and 45 lbs)


In the captain's seats:
4 yr. old - True Fit (42" and 38 lbs)
3 yr. old - True Fit (rear facing)

Our plan is to put the newborn in one of the True Fit's and buy two new seats for the 4 and 6 yr. olds, which is why I've included their height/weight info.

Any recommendations? We have a Kia Sedona and live in the UK. We can have seats shipped via Amazon since we have an APO address.

Thanks so much, it's been three years since I researched what's out there and you ladies are so knowledgeable!!

Do you have a budget? If you want to continue to harness the 4 and 6 year olds, then US seats are going to be what you want- unless you want to rear-face the 4 year old again (which really at that age is not at all necessary.) What are their torso heights like? Do you plan to move the 7 year old to a booster soon- if so, can you just pass the Nautilus down? How are the seats arranged in the van- are you going to need to move the 4 and 6 year olds to narrower seats to fit everyone?

Both standards are very safe. US seats will allow for much longer forward-facing harness use (which is not necessary for most kids past 6-7 years old) and European seats (specifically Swedish seats) are better for longer rear-facing. If you're buying boosters you may want to buy them in the UK as they have some nice ones we don't have, and also you'd have the ability to check fit before buying which is very important in boosters- to check fit both to the child and vehicle to know they position the belt well is an essential part of getting a good booster fit.

Budget ... We don't mind spending a couple hundred dollars per seat
I'll msr their torsos tomorrow as they are already asleep. We do need to move their seats to one row (the 4, 6, and 7 yr olds) since we'll be keeping the two True Fits which are huge seats!
We had planned to keep the 7yr old harnessed as long a possible and the younger two as well. So I guess US is the better choice. We were recommended the Radians because they are narrow, but it seems our 6 yr old might grow out of them soon and since they don't make good boosters, we'd have to buy new seats again soon.
Oh boy, so many options! It's quite overwhelming! I really appreciate your input!

- Both the US and EU car seat standards are good with the EU standard being a little stricter

- Using a US seat in UK or EU is not legal unless you are military. Since you have an APO address that does mean military....?

- US seats will allow longer forward facing time with harnessed seats like KQ says. In reality this will not matter to you since a harnessed FF seat doesn't offer any better safety compared to a high back booster seat for older kids (4 and older)

- EU seats offer far better rear facing options since there are many RF seats with tall seats shells and a high 55 lbs rear facing weight. Many of the seats are also compact.

- I would use high back booster seats for your two older kids. Britax Adventure, also called Highline, will be a cheap and great choice

- Your 4-year old could go forward facing or could stay rear facing for another year or two in a Swedish RF. Rear facing safety at age 4 is still far safer but we can't keep our kids RF forever;-)

- Your youngest one should (preferably) stay rear facing for a while longer if possible.

- For your youngest one infant seat or Duologic can be used from birth. Duologic is the most narrow RF seat in EU so it's not a bad choice.

If it is an consolation, I have fit 3 cybex pallas seats in the back of my VW Touran.

mama~bear said:

We are currently living in the UK and in the market for new seats. We have an APO address so we can buy from the US, but I'm wondering if the seats here are better. I do have the added issue of having to fit three across ... here's our info from another post:

Here's our current set up. We're adding #5 in June and we have to figure out how to add another seat!

in the rear row with only the tiniest space between the two seats
7yr old - Graco Nautilus
6 yr. old - True Fit (46" and 45 lbs)


In the captain's seats:
4 yr. old - True Fit (42" and 38 lbs)
3 yr. old - True Fit (rear facing)

Our plan is to put the newborn in one of the True Fit's and buy two new seats for the 4 and 6 yr. olds, which is why I've included their height/weight info.

Any recommendations? We have a Kia Sedona and live in the UK. We can have seats shipped via Amazon since we have an APO address.

Thanks so much, it's been three years since I researched what's out there and you ladies are so knowledgeable!!

Click to expand...

If you are interested in radians - I have two that i am looking to sell.
I live in the Uk, but bought and used the radians when went to the USA.
I did also use one of them in the Uk for a while as i was frustrated at the lack of narrow seats available here.