Family First: Cars.com Survey Finds Over 60% of Parents Purchase a Vehicle Based on Car Seat Needs
In This Article:
Only Six Vehicles — All SUVs — Take Top Spots in Cars.com's 2024 Best Cars for Car Seats Report, With Half From Volkswagen
CHICAGO, Aug. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Car-shopping marketplace Cars.com? (NYSE: CARS) reports over 60% of parents say car seats play a pivotal role in their purchase decision, with some going as far as to bring a car seat to the dealership for a test fit before buying.1 Of parents who brought a car seat to the dealership, 84% said their questions were answered effectively, making the process smoother and more reassuring.1 To further aid parents, Cars.com's 2024 Best Cars for Car Seats Report provides current and expecting parents with a resource that evaluates which vehicles easily and safely accommodate cars seats for growing families.
"Cars.com's Best Cars for Car Seats Report helps narrow down potential vehicles for parents so they feel empowered to make the right decision for their family," said Jennifer Geiger, Cars.com news editor and certified child passenger safety technician. "As a mother of three children, I understand firsthand how frustrating car seat installation can be. Those parents who bring a car seat to the dealership are proactive and likely to save themselves some additional stress."
Best Cars for Car Seats Winners
Of the 52 model-year 2023-25 vehicles evaluated in Cars.com's 2024 Best Cars for Car Seats Report, only six vehicles — all SUVs — were worthy of top spots on this year's list, with Volkswagen landing half of the top vehicles in this year's report. The top performing models are:
The complete list of vehicles tested can be found at Cars.com/News/Car-Seat-Check.
Keeping the Family Budget in Check
Five of the six top vehicles were also recent honorees on Cars.com's 2024 American-Made Index, including the third-ranked Volkswagen ID.4. Not only American-made, the ID.4 is coming off of a 21% decrease on Cars Commerce's New Car Price Index, making it an attractive option for families looking for a competitively priced, family electric vehicle.2 Better yet, five of the six Best Cars for Car Seats models start at around $40,000. The 2024 Subaru Crosstrek starts at around $25,000, almost $11,000 below the median category price for compact SUVs.3
Methodology
The Cars.com 2024 Best Cars for Car Seats Report compiles 12 months (July 2023 to July 2024) worth of comprehensive Car Seat Checks conducted by Cars.com's team of experts. Each Car Seat Check is performed by a Cars.com certified child passenger safety technician who installs three types of car seats — infant, convertible and high-back booster — into each new vehicle and evaluates the vehicle's Latch system, as well as how the vehicle accommodates the different car seats. Cars.com tests vehicles as they are made available by automakers.