The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluated the belt fit of the variety of booster seats on the market in 2011 and found 31 booster seats meet their top rating of “best bet”. This gives parents more of a selection than ever when choosing a booster seat perfect for their child. Please note this IIHS rating is only a test for belt fit and not an actual crash test rating of the booster seat.
Here is the IIHS actual test protocol procedure when evaluating a booster seat for belt fit:
The Institute assesses boosters using a special crash test dummy representing an average-size 6 year-old. Engineers measure how 3-point lap and shoulder belts fit the dummy in each of the tested boosters under 4 conditions that span the range of safety belt configurations in vehicle models. An overall rating for each booster is then assigned based on the range of scores for the lap and shoulder belt measurements. – IIHS.org
The winners of the 2011 IIHS 31 top picks for booster seats for belt fit are:
Please note the model style as high back or backless as some of these seats have both versions with only one of the styles receiving the best bet rating.
- Britax Frontier 85
- Tested model: #E9LC2E7
- Britax Frontier 85 SICT
- Tested model: #E9LE31A
- Britax Parkway SGL
- Rating applies to highback mode only
- Tested model: #E9LD22Q
- BubbleBum
- Tested model: #BB001US
- Chicco KeyFit Strada
- Rating applies to highback mode only
- Tested model: #00071999430070
- Clek Oobr
- Rating applies to highback mode only
- Tested model: #OBM1U
- Results also apply to: #OB11U1
- Cosco Pronto
- Rating applies to highback mode only
- Tested model: #22491
- Results also apply to: #BC033/BC032
- Cybex Solution X-Fix
- Tested model: #50020021
- Results also apply to: #0500760
- Diono/Sunshine Kids Monterey
- Rating applies to highback mode only and models manufactured after July 2011
- Tested model: #15000
- Eddie Bauer Auto Booster
- Rating applies to highback mode only
- Tested model: #22888
- Results also apply to: #BC042
- Evenflo Big Kid Amp
- Tested model: #3401913
- Evenflo Big Kid Sport
- Rating applies to backless mode only
- Tested model: #31911148A
- Evenflo Maestro
- Tested model: #31011049
- This rating applies to models built after April 9, 2010
- Evenflo Symphony 65 e3
- Tested model: #34611106
- Ferrari Dreamway SP
- Rating applies to highback mode only
- Tested model: #744138
- Graco Argos 70
- Rating applies to highback mode only
- Tested model: #1801003
- Graco TurboBooster (Baldwin)
- Rating applies to highback mode only
- Tested model: #1771040
- Graco TurboBooster Elite
- Rating applies to highback mode only
- Tested model: #1774833
- Harmony Cruz Youth Booster/Harmony Carpooler
- Tested model: #304007BKR
- Harmony Dreamtime
- Rating applies to backless mode and highback mode
- Tested model: #0303002JGY
- Harmony Olympian/Secure Comfort Deluxe
- Tested model: #0304001DRM
- This rating applies to models built on or after May 2010
- Harmony Youth Booster Seat
- Tested model: #0304003DRM
- Kids Embrace Dale Earnhardt Jr.
- Tested model: #65500DEJ
- Maxi-Cosi Rodi XR
- Rating applies to highback mode only
- Tested model: #22223-CIP
- Recaro ProBOOSTER
- Tested model: #362.01AK21
- Recaro ProSPORT
- Tested model: #385.01AK21
- Recaro Vivo
- Tested model: #351.00.MM14
- Safety 1st Boost Air Protect
- Rating applies to highback mode only
- Tested model: #BC027
- Safety 1st S1 Rümi Air
- Tested model: #BC026 ATV
- The First Years Pathway B570
- Tested model: #B570-BLB
The First Years Pathway B570 is rated as a BEST BET with the current instruction manual.
If your child has been injured in a car accident in Arlington, Virginia, order this Free consumer guide for accident victims in Virginia. It’s packed with useful information the insurance companies don’t want you to know. If you have questions about your car accident case, contact Parrish Law Firm, PLLC today for a FREE evaluation at (571) 206-0215.
Sources:
- WJLA ABC 7 Washington, DC – Best booster seats ranked by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
- Consumer Reports – IIHS presents the best-fitting car booster seats for 2011
- New York Times – Booster Seats Continue to Improve, I.I.H.S. Finds
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