Car seat for hatchback

**alisa7** · 29-03-2009 22:36

Hi everyone, can anyone recommend to me a particular baby seat which can be used in a 2004 Hyundai Accent? My little hatch is the only car between DH and I and we're not really in the position to be buying a new car, so I really hope someone can help me out!!!
Cheers,
Alisa

**samsausage** · 30-03-2009 06:08

Hiya,

When DS was born I had a 3dr Toyota Echo hatch, we used a Safe and Sound Compaq. The only drawback was that the strap had to go across the boot (very small to start with in the Echo so I would often have to undo the strap to get things in.

Having said that I made do no probs for 18months. You might be able to ceiling mount the attachment bolt to get around this.

Good Luck

**missie_mack** · 30-03-2009 07:48

As long as this is the only one in the backseat normally you can really buy any seat, the main prob with hatchbacks like Sam said is the connection point

**LittleBug'sMum** · 30-03-2009 07:52

I also have quite a small car, and someone recommended that for the first 6 months you can hire a capsule type car seat from the Ambulance service or KidSafe (I think) - in Queensland at least. It's only about $60 for the whole 6 months, and they are really small. Then you can just get a smaller car seat that the child can sit up in. My DH ended up buying quite a bulky one that you can use from birth, on sale at Target (apparently was such a bargain he couldn't resist) and luckily it just fits into our car!

**OneCheekyMonkey** · 30-03-2009 09:11

I managed to squish my phil and ted pram and my mothers choice (uh not sure which model) in my mothers 3 door Barina last week.

The main problem like someone said was the connection point at the very back of the car, it was a PITA to get the pram in and out.

My carseat is quite a large one, the only issue was the front passenger seat had to sit quite far forward so that the back of the seat didn't rest against the back of the carseat. I second getting a capsule for the first months and then going straight to a seat that is forward facing (plus you can get a car seat that goes from 8kg-26kg rather than the reversible ones that just go to 18).

Otherwise go to the local babyshop and they will usually let you try different carseat models out in your car.

**TripleTime** · 30-03-2009 10:01

Only issue with some car seats in hatch backs is if the back seat folds down the strap that goes to the anchor point can slip between the split in the seats. I know the car seats i have (Mother's Choice - slim rider design, cant remeber the real name) arent recomended for hatch backs.

**sparksgirl** · 30-03-2009 10:22

We were advised to get the Safe n Sound compaq model as it is the only one that really fits into a small car. I have a Golf.

**Lipsmacker01** · 30-03-2009 20:38

I have an excel and currently use a safe n sound retractor deluxe I think? It was the top of the range when I got it. Yes thats the issue you have to face unfortunately with hatchbacks, the anchor point being in a funny spot so you have a big strap that gets in the way esp if u want to put in a big 3 wheeler pram. To be honest I dont think that that strap is really meant to be undone and put back on at a regular basis even if u had to use it often as its meant to be tight.

What I strongly recommend is you get yourself a baby carrier such as an ergo that way you dont have to worry about packing a pram as often and saves your back too. Ive also invested in a quinny zapp pram for $350. Weighs next to nothing and packs so its really compact.

I dont think hatchbacks are designed to have more than one anchor point so you would probably be having to use a booster seat for an older child (if u have more than one) a lot sooner than you would really need to which is another thing they dont really recommend. I guess thats why so many people get larger family cars but then Ive heard u can put extra anchor points in certain cars too.

**lauren2008** · 30-03-2009 23:34

I used to have a little Daewoo Lanos and our Safe n Sound Meridian AHR seat fit in fine! I now have a 2007 Lancer and the seat fits in fine in this car too!!