These Are the Easiest Cars to Install a Car Seat in

Car seats have gotten a lot easier to install over the years—just ask any grandparent!—but they can still be a challenge. Thankfully, some car models make it easier than others. Curious to know which ones? Cars.com just released their “honor roll” of cars that make car seat installation a breeze.

The main criteria for vehicles to make it onto the honor roll were roomy back seats and easy-to-access LATCH systems, according to Cars.com. The cars were tested by a group of automotive journalists, including certified child passenger safety technicians. The testing was done with an infant car seat, a convertible car seat (both rear-facing and forward-facing) and a booster, with experts looking at how well they fit, plus how easy it was to locate the LATCH system of lower anchors and tethers (which is “supposed to make car seat installation easier, but frankly, it doesn’t always,” Cars.com Editor-in-Chief Jenni Newman said in an interview with Cheddar.)

This is the fourth year the site has released the honor roll and the 2019 list is the longest one yet, with 13 cars scoring straight As. Newman pointed out that many of the car manufacturers have listened to customers as well as reports from her site, and tweaked their LATCH systems—which Newman refers to as a “pain point”—so parents and caregivers don’t have to dig deep into crevices to find what they need.

So which cars made the list? Keep reading:

• 2019 BMW X7
• 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe
• 2019 Jaguar I-Pace
• 2019 Nissan Maxima
• 2019 Nissan Murano
• 2019 Subaru Forester
• 2019 Toyota Avalon
• 2019 Toyota Camry
• 2019 Toyota 4Runner
• 2019 Toyota RAV4
• 2019 Volkswagen Atlas
• 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan
• 2019 Volvo V60

Of course, even with a roomy backseat and accessible LATCH anchors, nailing the proper car seat installation can prove tricky. Here’s a guide to how to install a car seat safely, plus how to avoid common car seat mistakes.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.