Installing child car seats has always been a source of stress for parents. Between seat belts that twist, Isofix fixings that resist and bulky bases, it was difficult to feel fully confident about your child's safety. But a revolution is underway, with the advent of car seats with integrated Isofix fixings, making separate bases perhaps soon obsolete.
Isofix: the cornerstone of child safety in the car
Isofix is a standardised fixing system for car seats, designed to make them easier to install and improve children's safety in the event of an accident. It consists of two rigid anchorage points located between the backrest and the seat of the rear bench of the vehicle, to which the Isofix connectors of the car seat are attached. car seat. This system avoids the installation errors that are common with seat belts, while ensuring that the seat is firmly and stably attached to the vehicle chassis.
Integrated Isofix: simplicity for safety
Integrated Isofix car seats, like the Nuna PIPA Urbn and Joie Sprint R129 models, mark a new stage in the evolution of child safety. Thanks to their retractable arms fitted with Isofix hooks, these seats can be anchored directly to the vehicle's anchorage points, without the need for a separate base. Installation is child's play. Simply deploy the arms, clip them to the vehicle's anchorage points and the car seat is securely fastened.
A new era for baseless car seats
The advantages of integrated isofix fixings
The advantages of car seats with integrated Isofix fixings are undeniable, and transform the experience of parents.
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Quick and easy to install: No more tedious handling and no more risk of error. A simple clip is all it takes to securely attach the seat to the vehicle, offering unrivalled peace of mind.
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Space-saving and practical: Free your boot of bulky bases and enjoy optimised space for your luggage. Ideal for large families or road trips.
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Enhanced security : Direct anchorage to the vehicle chassis ensures optimum stability in the event of impact, considerably reducing the risk of injury to your child.
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Versatility and adaptability : Compatible with the majority of vehicles fitted with the Isofix system, the car seat with integrated Isofix accompanies you everywhere, whether in your car, your grandparents' car or even in a taxi.
Points to watch
- No strut Some car seats with integrated isofix do not have a strut, an additional safety feature that limits the rotation of the seat in the event of a collision. Make sure you choose a model that meets your safety requirements.
- Compatibility Not all vehicles are equipped with isofix anchorage points, so make sure your car is compatible before buying a model with integrated isofix connectors.
The Best Car Seats With Integrated Isofix
The Nuna Pipa Urbn and the Joie Sprint were among the first car seats to incorporate Isofix fixings. These models stand out for their advanced technology, ergonomics and adaptability to the needs of both parents and children.
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Nuna PIPA Urbn
This rear facing car seat has been designed for children from birth to 12 months (40-75 cm, 13 kg max). Approved in accordance with regulation R129/03, this model stands out for its lightness, its safety system and its Isofix fixing side impact protection, adjustable memory headrest and 3-point harness. It's also TÜV-approved for use on aircraft. It can be installed in your vehicle without the need for an isofix base, thanks to its integrated connectors or with the car's safety belt.
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Joie Sprint R129
This i-Size rear-facing car seat is approved to the latest R129/03 standard and is suitable for children from 40 to 75 cm (up to 13 kg). It's easy to install thanks to its built-in retractable Isofix connectors or using compatible Isofix bases (i-Base lx 2 and i-Base Encore). It also has a 3-point harness, a memory foam headrest, a birth insert and two adjustment positions for the lap harness.
Features | Nuna PIPA Urbn | Joie Sprint R129 |
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Certification | R129/03 | R129/03 |
Age | 0-12 months | 0-12 months |
Size | 40-75 cm | 40-75 cm |
Weight (child) | 0-13 kg | 0-13 kg |
Group | 0+ | 0+ |
Use | Back to the road | Back to the road |
Integrated Isofix connectors | ✅ | ✅ |
Installation | Isofix or seat belt | Isofix with integrated base or hooks |
Newborn insert | ✅ | ✅ |
Side protection | ✅ | ✅ |
Adjustable headrest | ✅ | ✅ |
Harness | 3 points | 3 points |
Canopy (UVB 50+) | ✅ | ✅ |
TÜV certification | ✅ | ❌ |
Weight (seat) | 3.3 kg | 4.1 kg |
Dimensions | 65 x 43.5 x 57 cm | 63-69.6 x 44.5 x 39-58.6 cm |
ADAC | 1.6 (Good) | Not tested |
Install an integrated isofix car seat in just a few seconds
Fitting a car seat with integrated Isofix is child's play and follows the same procedure as for car seats with an Isofix base.
- Start by locating your vehicle's isofix anchorage points, generally located between the seat and back of the rear seat.
- Then unfold the car seat's integrated Isofix arms and bring it closer to the anchorage points.
- Engage the car seat's isofix connectors in the vehicle's anchorage points until you hear a click, indicating that the seat is correctly secured.
- Most car seats with integrated Isofix are equipped with visual or audible indicators to confirm that the seat is correctly installed.
The future of car seats in Europe
Integrated Isofix is revolutionising the car seat market. More and more brands are adopting this technology, which is set to become the norm. From 1 September 2024, the sale of car seats approved to the old R44 standard will be banned in the European Union. The aim of this measure is to encourage the widespread adoption of the R129 (i-Size) standard, to offer children greater protection in the event of an accident. However, car seats approved to the old standard may continue to be used after this date.