There are many sorts of criteria that folks can use when shopping for a vehicle, including the engine’s power output, the cabin’s tech, and the driver assistance features it comes with. One other thing to consider when looking for your next ride, however, is how well it can have a car seat or two installed; if you have kids or foresee having them, this is a key trait to keep in mind.
Any vehicle made in the last twenty years or so will have the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system as part of its interior design, which makes it relatively easy to install a child’s seat. But even with that standard, there are still big differences in ease of access and how functional the interior is for a car seat. So, let’s take a look at the best 2024 models that were clearly designed with children’s car seats in mind.
What Is the LATCH System?
Before we go any further, let’s quickly review the LATCH system because it’s an important part of deciding which models are best for installing car seats. Starting in September 2002, all passenger vehicles in the US have had to be manufactured with the LATCH system, which includes lower anchors at the base of seats and top tether anchors either behind a seat or above them; you’ll find these in the second or third row of a vehicle, and the lower anchors are located where the seat and back come together. (Look for U-shaped metal bars that a clip can connect to.)
The top anchor point is a different story, and it can be found in a wide range of locations; it’s often on the back of a seat, behind the seat on the floor, or even on the ceiling behind a seat. This is one of the big sticking points for how car-seat-friendly a vehicle is since a top tether anchor that’s difficult to get to can make installation nearly impossible (or at least far more of a headache). Remember, also, that two car seats should never share anchor points; so if there are only four lower anchors and two top latch points, then the vehicle can only have two car seats installed.
Best Two-Row SUVs for Car Seats
Two-row SUVs are some of the most popular vehicles on the road and include a wide range of sizes, such as subcompact, compact, and midsize. Some larger midsize options can have a third row of seats or even an optional third row, but that entirely depends on the design you’re looking at.
Most two-row SUVs have anchor points for two car seats to be safely installed into the rear seats, but how accessible they are and how easily different types of car seats can be installed makes a big difference. Remember that there are rear-facing infant seats, rear-facing convertible seats, forward-facing seats, and booster seats that need to be used at different ages and sizes as children grow up. All of these different types of seats should be able to be installed pretty easily.
Subaru Crosstrek
For a small SUV that’s easy to install a car seat into, the Subaru Crosstrek is tough to beat. This is a subcompact SUV with a very accessible price, making it a great choice for families on a budget, but you can still easily get a couple of child seats installed in it. As far as I’m concerned, that’s a combination that’s tough to beat.
Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
If you want something a bit larger, the Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport is a midsize SUV that is also a great one when it comes to getting car seats installed in it. The lower anchors are easy to find and get to, and the top latch anchors are also quite accessible and easy to use. This is a great pick if you have a family that’s getting bigger or you like something with a bit more room inside.
Volkswagen Taos
While not quite as easy to work with, the subcompact Volkswagen Taos is still a great pick for installing one or two child safety seats. The price is quite similar to the Crosstrek, making it another good option if you’re shopping on a budget, but getting a booster seat installed in this one isn’t quite as easy as with the Subaru model.
Nissan Rogue
If you’re torn between subcompact and midsize designs, the Nissan Rogue is a compact SUV with a spacious interior and plenty of room for car seats. However, forward-facing seats aren’t quite as easy to install in the Rogue as I’d like, which is its biggest drawback. Still, it’s affordable and functional, which is hard to argue with.
BMW X5
Throwing budget aside, if you’re looking for a sophisticated and luxurious SUV that is still great for kids’ safety, then the BMW X5 is a terrific choice. This is BMW’s midsize model, so it has a spacious (and beautifully appointed) interior, but getting car seats installed in it isn’t quite as easy as some of the aforementioned models. Still, if you want a luxury midsize SUV and need to bring a toddler or infant with you, this is a great pick.
Best Three-Row SUVs for Car Seats
Three-row SUVs can give you more options and greater freedom for how you can install car seats, but they’re not all equal. Some models have LATCH points for the rear seats, and others don’t, so they might function more or less like two-row models for installing children’s car seats or only work with certain booster seats. The amount of legroom found in a three-row SUV can also greatly impact how easy it is to get a child’s seat installed into one.
Nissan Pathfinder
You’ll see many of the same manufacturers in both sections, but Nissan tops the list here with the three-row Pathfinder. This spacious SUV is incredibly functional and features the LATCH system in both its second and third rows, giving you many options for safely installing child seats. Best of all, these systems are easy to access and use, so proper installation is simple.
Subaru Ascent
As a close second, the Subaru Ascent also has three rows of seating and the LATCH system in the second and third rows. The only thing holding it back is that proper installation isn’t quite as easy as it is with Nissan’s model. Still, it’s a minor difference, and the Ascent is a terrific choice if you need seating for many passengers, as well as plenty of options for child seats.
Jeep Wagoneer
As the luxury model in this selection, the Jeep Wagoneer is an incredibly luxurious three-row SUV that also works very well for children’s car seats. You’ll find LATCH anchors for both the second and third row, but installing seats in the Wagoneer isn’t quite as easy as it is with the previous two mentions. Still, for a gorgeous cabin with impressive tech and numerous child seat configurations, the Wagoneer is a great pick.
Volkswagen Atlas
The only real flaw with the VW Atlas is that it doesn’t have a LATCH system for the third row of seats. That said, the LATCH system for the second row is very easy to use, and you still could safely install several kinds of car seats in the third row using the seat belts. You’ll have to decide how well that will work for you and your family.
Best Sedans for Car Seats
Honestly, sedans can’t compete with SUVs when it comes to how easily a child’s car seat can be installed—plus, they’re not nearly as functional or spacious. Personally, I love how it feels to drive a car, but I admit that SUVs are far more practical for most families. With that in mind, there’s still one good option for a sedan and car seat…
Toyota Camry
No surprise, the Toyota Camry is a highly regarded midsize sedan, which makes it great for a family car. It has LATCH anchors in the back seat that are easy to find and access, making installation of children’s car seats pretty simple overall. This one isn’t perfect, but it’s a great pick if you want a car that you’ll enjoy driving and that can keep your family safe.
Always Be Sure Car Seats Are Installed Properly
One final note since we’re talking about cars and children’s car seats: Please be sure that any car seat is properly installed in your vehicle. The LATCH system makes things easier, but it can still be a bit tricky to get a car seat in place and secure, particularly if you don’t have a lot of experience with it or you’re working with a vehicle you’re unfamiliar with.
There are plenty of resources available that can help you install a car seat, as well as certified professionals who can assist you. These experts can often be found at hospitals, fire departments, and police departments; you can look for a location near you, and they’d be happy to assist you and make sure your child’s car seat is safely installed. It’s worth taking a few minutes to ensure your loved ones are as safe and secure as possible before you go for a drive.
