Consumer Editor says...
The safety of children in cars has always been an important factor for parents and with the introduction of new legislation governing the use of child car restraints, travelling with children is about to become safer than ever. About the new regulations:
If you want to find out further information on what the new laws entail, log onto the Department for Transport's FAQ's: Multi Group Car SeatsA great way to ensure optimum safety throughout your child's growing years is to invest in a Multi Group Car seat. Child restraints that span different groups offer many benefits for you and your child, including:
Some seats cater for groups 1, 2 and 3 which mean you can secure your child from around 1 - 10 years old, whereas others are available for groups 2 and 3 only. To help you decide on the best model for your child, our parent panel have been putting some of the latest models through their paces.
Review highlightsOur panel found that 'you don't need to compromise on comfort or quality with multi-group seats'. 'The majority of those on test offered a surprising amount of space for a growing child with plush materials and strategically placed head rests that support their body in all the right places'. If you're a busy parent with more than one car, you might want to consider 'a seat that's easy to install, with a light and compact frame - it makes life with a big family so much easier!' Our panel also agreed that you should 'look at the height of the car seats to ensure they fit properly in the car' - 'the Concorde Lift Evo Pro-Tect' was a great seat but the top came up so high, it restricted the view of the back window, totally unnecessary for a 4 year old whose head finishes well below that!'. Our mini testers were most impressed with the cup and snack holder on the Britax Evolva seat and our panel agreed that 'it's nice to have a few optional extras like this to keep the kids entertained'. Our mums also felt a recline mechanism added 'that all important touch - especially when travelling on long journeys', as one mum put it: 'My son still sleeps for over an hour each day, there's just no way I would consider investing in a seat that doesn't recline'. One panel member noted that they'd like to 'see more advice on fitting'. 'Following instructions is all well and good but it really doesn't measure up to an experienced car seat fitter put it in for you'. If you think you need help with selecting and fitting your car seat, look for a ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) accredited store that can provide tailored advice and information. Babyworld's ROSPA accredited Demonstration Unit is one of a list of UK outlets that offer this personalised service. The parent panel reviews will give you further information on all of the car seats on test, but if you want to see how they compared under different criteria, make sure you read the Test Overview .
Meet our panel of parentsThis month's panel are from Oxfordshire and have children ranging from three - seven years old. They've been busy testing some of the most innovative multi-group seats on the market and their children wasted no time in telling their mums what they liked and disliked about each of the seats on test!
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Lara
Thomas and Finn, Consumer Editor and Product Tester! 
