A Third Child Means a New Ride for 40% of Parents; Cars.com's Car Seat Fit Report Card Shares the Best Family-Friendly Vehicles for Growing Families

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Aug 01, 2023, 07:30 ET

It's Not Easy: 60% of Parents Have Incorrectly Installed a Car Seat, With Nearly Half Not Noticing for Over a Week

CHICAGO, Aug. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Car-shopping marketplace Cars.com™ (NYSE: CARS) found more than 40% of parents purchased a new vehicle as a result of welcoming a third child to the family.¹ Cars.com released its 2023 Car Seat Fit Report Card to help current and expecting parents navigate the challenges of buying a vehicle that easily and safely accommodates car seats for their growing family. This in-depth resource identifies vehicles that best fit car seats for infants, toddlers and young children.

"As a mom of three — which includes twins — I absolutely understand the need for the right vehicle that can easily fit multiple car seats and the whole family for years to come," said Jennifer Geiger, Cars.com news editor and certified child passenger safety technician. "Cars.com has tested over 700 vehicles for car seat fitment to help inform parents about the best family-friendly vehicle options available to them on the market today."

Making the Grade

Out of the 56 model-year 2022-24 vehicles evaluated in Cars.com's 2023 Car Seat Fit Report Card, only six vehicles earned straight A's — all of which are SUVs. The complete list of vehicles tested can be found at Cars.com/News/Car-Seat-Check. This year's valedictorians include:

Reign of the SUV

SUVs dominated this year's Car Seat Fit Report Card. The Cars.com Editorial team found the top-performing SUVs allowed for simple and quick car seat installation and were spacious enough to provide ample legroom for the rest of the family. Further, data show the most popular vehicle choice for current parents is an SUV, with over half of respondents saying they own one.²

Trying Before Buying

Car seat installation is a notable pain point for parents, with 60% reporting they have incorrectly installed a car seat and about half admitting it took more than a week to notice their error — and some did not notice until more than six months later.² This is why parents are vetting their new car purchase more than ever before. Prior to purchasing a vehicle, nearly half of parents brought their car seat to the dealership to test it in-vehicle — a 15% increase from 2022 data, showing parents likely want to make an informed choice on how their car seat fits and determine if the vehicle is large enough for their growing family.²

Methodology

The Cars.com Car Seat Fit Report Card compiles 12 months (July to July) 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.

"In order for a vehicle to earn an 'A' rating, the vehicle must have sufficient room for the child and car seat, but not impact legroom for the driver or front passenger. The vehicle's car seat Latch system also must be conveniently accessible and easy to use," adds Geiger.

To learn more about how Cars.com performs its Car Seat Checks, or to see how well a car seat will fit in your family vehicle or a vehicle you are considering purchasing, visit www.cars.com/news/car-seat-check.

¹ Cars.com consumer survey; July 25-26, 2023; 139 responses ² Cars.com consumer survey; July 10-12, 2023; 1,046 responses

ABOUT CARS.COM

CARS is the leading automotive marketplace platform that provides a robust set of digital solutions that connect car shoppers with sellers. Launched in 1998 with the flagship marketplace Cars.com and headquartered in Chicago, the Company empowers shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers. In a rapidly changing market, CARS enables dealerships and OEMs with innovative technical solutions and data-driven intelligence to better reach and influence ready-to-buy shoppers, increase inventory turn and gain market share.

In addition to Cars.com™, the Company's brands include Dealer Inspire®, a technology provider building solutions to future-proof dealerships with more efficient operations and connected digital experiences; FUEL™, an advertising solution providing dealers and OEMs the benefit of leveraging targeted digital video marketing to Cars.com's audience of in-market car shoppers; DealerRater®, a leading car dealer review and reputation management technology solution; CreditIQ™, digital financing technology and Accu-Trade™, vehicle valuation and appraisal technology. The Company's portfolio of brands also includes Auto.com™, PickupTrucks.com™ and NewCars.com®.

The full suite of CARS properties includes Cars.com™, Dealer Inspire®, FUEL™, DealerRater®, CreditIQ™, Accu-Trade.com™, Auto.com™, PickupTrucks.com™ and NewCars.com®. For more information, visit www.Cars.com.