Car Seat Rating Sites

Does anyone know of any sites that actually rate the car seats? I found the NHTSA one, but I am more interested in the crash results of the seats not just the "ease of use". Thank you!

There actually aren't any. Most manufacturers do not release their crash test info, with the exception of Sunshine Kids. All manufacturers have to do is say they pass FMVSS 213 standards. Consumer Reports "tests" seats, but not all of them and their testing methods are a bit suspect. So, long story short, there not sites that rate them. They will all be safe when used correctly, which is where the "ease of use" comes in. Although, the NHTSA ratings tell me they have not actually used any of these seats in real life.

Thank you for your help....it is frustating as a consumer not to have this information. Is the Sunshine Kids brand a good brand?

Sunshine Kids makes a pretty nice convertible (technically, two, but they are the same shell, tested to different limits), the Radian, and an awesome booster, the Monterey.

Whether or not a certain seat is a "good" seat completely depends on the situation. There's no "perfect" or "best" seat for every child and every vehicle.

scatterbunny said:

Sunshine Kids makes a pretty nice convertible (technically, two, but they are the same shell, tested to different limits), the Radian, and an awesome booster, the Monterey.

Whether or not a certain seat is a "good" seat completely depends on the situation. There's no "perfect" or "best" seat for every child and every vehicle.

Click to expand...

I agree with Jenny. Just because Sunshine Kids does release their ratings and they happen to be pretty good, doesn't mean other seats would not test just as well. Britax seems to feel theirs far exceed safety standards, Evenflo states this on their Triumph Advance. It really is all about what fits your car, your budget and your child. You also need to be able to use it correctly 100% of the time. It doesn't do any good to get the Sunshine Kids Radian and then find it doesn't install well in your car or you find it impossible to use. In that case, the crash test scores mean nothing. If, for example, the Marathon installs rock solid and you think it's easy as pie to use, then that is the safer car seat, KWIM? Really, you need to find a store that carries some or all of the seats you are considering. Try them in the car, try the baby in them, just fiddle with all the straps and adjustments. That is really the best way to determine which is the right seat for you. There really is no one best seat for everyone(although that would sure be nice!). Also, don't feel bad if you get one, use for awhile and realize it's not the seat you thought it was. You can always sell it and get something different.