By law, all children must be secured properly when riding in a car, as proper use of car safety seats can keep your child safe from unfortunate accidents on the road. However, the car seat industry is huge and nowadays you’re not just buying the standard car seat on its own anymore – tons of new car seats have a menu of accessories that come in the box and what even is a group 1/2/3 car seat Isofix bundle!?
If you’re new to car seats and have little to no expertise regarding car seat safety, then this group 1 2 3 car seat safety guide will touch upon the car seats available by age/weight and the typical car seat safety check each car seat needs to go through so your child can keep safe in the car.
This article will however focus on the car seat group 1 2 3 stages and how you can ensure ultimate child passenger safety in the car when your child transitions through each stage.
“Car seats and boosters provide protection for infants and children in a crash, yet car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. That’s why it’s so important to choose and use the right car seat correctly every time your child is in the car.”
Children aged up to approximately 11 years old or 36kg must travel in initially rear-facing car seats, transitioning then to forward-facing child car seats and finally booster seats.
But you don’t just fit and go. Your child’s car seat must:
Be properly installed
Conform to the United Nations standard, ECE Regulation 44.04 (or R 44.03) or to the new i-size regulation, R129. Look for the ‘E’ mark label on the seat.
Be appropriate for your child’s size and weight
Be properly fastened and adjusted to fit so the belt fits properly
Must follow car seat regulations
Choosing the right toddler seat can be even more challenging, as different products are available on the market, categorised by car seat groups.
There are four types of child seats for cars, and the size car seat relates to the age and weight of your child. This Group 1 2 3 car seat safety guide will briefly discuss the key features of each car seat but focus on the car seat 1 2 3 group to help you understand which one is the best fit for your situation.
Car seat weight chart
Below is an image taken from which.co.uk that shows the corresponding weight for children’s car seats, from infant car seat to booster seats car seats.
As you can see in the images above, car seats are categorised according to weight rather than age because weight can fluctuate. So it’s not safe to rely on your child’s age when choosing a car seat.
For example, my eldest is in the 99th centile for his age category, my middle boy is in the 25th centile, my middle girl is in the 50th centile and my youngest girl is in the 98th centile. So, following the exact age for all four of my children would be dangerous because my middle children wouldn’t be ready to move on to the next car seat stage at the same time my eldest transitioned.
Start with the infant car seat
When you come home from the hospital, you bring your newborn in an infant car seat. The infant car seat is particularly designed for newborns but can be used for kids up to 2 years old. It mostly depends on your child’s development as some babies (like two out of my four babies) can outgrow an infant car seat quickly.
Infant car seats need to be installed rear-faced for extra protection, so make sure you check the weight and height of your child before you purchase your first baby car seat (which is 0-10kg (22lbs) for Group 0 car seats and up to 13kg (29lbs) for Group 0+.) Also, the car seat’s instruction manual will include car seat safety tips for infants, so ensure you’ve read the manual thoroughly before use.
Group 1 2 3 car seat
This group 1 2 3 car seat safety guide focuses on group 1 2 3 car seats. But, what does group 1-2-3 car seat mean exactly? Group 123 car seat products are 3-in-1 car seats. They can also be called combination seats because they can be used from birth (when your baby is in an infant rearward facing car seat), convertible forward facing toddler car seat, and booster child seat.
It’s also called an all-in-one seat or convertible seat because it’s manufactured to achieve all the purposes combined in just one seat.
Much like travel systems which include carrycots and pushchairs, the best part about convertible car seats is they are used from your child’s birth until they reach the car seat’s maximum height and weight limits, which makes them budget-friendly too.
Are group 1 2 3 car seats safe?
This group 1 2 3 car seat safety guide includes a couple of group 1/2/3 car seat reviews, including the Cozy N Safe Excalibur car seat and the Icklebubba Solar Car Seat, where we reviewed the car seats extensively and found them to be very sturdy and safe.
Group 1 2 3 car seats are forward facing and generally fitted with an Isofix attachment which provides more safety, especially when used with the car’s seat belt too. Your little one is safest rear facing, so you should keep them that way for as long as possible before you transfer them to forward facing seats.
What is an IsoFix?
An Isofix as it is known in Europe and LATCH in the US (which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers or Tether for CHildren) is a mechanism which attaches to the vehicle’s seat via special anchors so you can use the car seat’s safety harness rather than the seat belts of the car.
Is Isofix safer than a seatbelt?
Independent tests show that ISOFIX mounted seats are extremely safe. Rather than relying on a belt, the car seat is fixed directly to the child seat base. That means there’s less movement in the seat in the event of an accident, particularly a side on impact. The real advantage to ISOFIX is that it’s so simple to fit.
https://heycar.co.uk/guides/what-is-isofix
What age is group 1 2 3 car seat products suitable for?
The Group 1/2/3 car seat age applies to children from 9 months to around 11 years of age, but remember, as per this Group 1 2 3 car seat safety guide suggests, weight and size are more important. So these car seats are suitable for children who weigh between 9 to 36kg (20 to 79lbs).
What are the different stages in a Group 1 2 3 car seat?
Group 0+/1/2/3 car seat products include newborn infant car seats, so they are suitable from birth and transition through to booster seats.
I haven’t found a group 1/2 car seat and I’m not sure whether group 2 car seats exist on their own, but group 3 car seats are booster seats without the back. A group 3 car seat can work in combination with a backed booster – this is also called a group 2 3 car seat.
A car seat group 2 3 is a high-backed booster seat and may use the car’s 3-point seat belt or ISOFIX . Seat belt installation – The car’s 3-point seat belt secures both the child and the seat. The seat will have guides through which the seat belt must be threaded correctly.
Boosters sit in car seat group 3 and are suitable for children above 8 years old. A good positioning booster can be used until the child is 13 years old and can come as part of the car seat group 123 products. Note that you should not purchase a booster seat unless your child has outgrown the previous car seat’s weight and height limit.
However, forward-facing car seat requirements suggest your child should be able to be big enough to fit into car seat booster seats, but if they don’t adjust properly, you can always revert to the group 23 car seat (car seats to booster seats). You can always try a backed booster for an easier transition to a booster.
Mistakes to avoid when installing car seats
Not researching before buying
If you’re considering a used child seat for your toddler, then make sure the car seat:
Has no missing parts or visible damage
It comes with a label showing the model number and the manufacture date
Comes with instructions
It hasn’t been recalled
It isn’t over 6 years old or expired
Has never been in a crash
The harness is in excellent condition and the seat belt fits properly over your child
Installing the car seat in the wrong spot
The safest place for a child’s car seat is in the back seat, as far as possible from the active airbags. Avoid placing the car seat in the front seat as the airbag could inflate and hit the back of the rear-facing seat – right where your child’s head is – and cause a serious injury.
Most vehicles should have Isofix mechanisms installed for Isofix car seats, so it’s important to follow your car’s manual for optimum seating positions for your child’s car seat.
Not reading the instructions
Before installing a car seat, read the manufacturer’s instructions and the section on car seats in your vehicle’s manual. The seat should be tightly secured – enabling only 1 inch of movement from front to back when clasped at the bottom near the attachment points – and facing the right direction. It’s important to read the car seat safety brochure and look at the car seat safety ratings so you’re well versed with how to ensure maximum safety when using the car seat.
Reclining the seat at the wrong angle
If you install a car seat in the rear-facing position, ensure you recline the seat according to the manufacturer’s guidelines so that your baby’s head doesn’t move forward. Infants must be semi-reclined in order to keep their airways open. The good news is that most seats come with angle adjusters or indicators to guide parents.
Wearing outerwear in the car seat
You should not leave a coat or thick clothing on when you fasten your child in the car seat because the outerwear leaves a hidden gap between the body and the straps. Remove coats and any other outerwear before you put your child in the car seat and tighten the straps so you can get just a two finger gap between your child and the straps.
Moving to a booster seat too soon
Some kids may need booster seats in cars to help an adult seat belt fit properly. You should opt for a good positioning booster seat when your kid has reached the highest height or weight allowed by the vehicle seat manufacturer. But don’t be so quick to move to a group 3 / booster seat. Try a backed booster first to see if that suffices to secure your child.
If you’re having a hard time finding the right child safety seats in a car for your little one, then you can ask for recommendations from other parents, consult online community groups, or a car seat manufacturer to ensure you have a proper child safety seat and you’re following the car seat guidelines. Halfords can answer certain car seat questions, so try them too!
*Collaborative feature post*
*Some links marked with a ‘*’ are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission when you click through to buy at no extra cost to you.
Cozy N Safe Excalibur car seat review
*The Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat was gifted to us for review but all opinions are 100% our own.
Both our daughters are growing at an exponential rate and our eldest girl, being the bustling toddler she is, needs a Group 1 2 3 car seat Isofix bundle for travel, but which also fits along the back of our Vauxhall Zafira with another Group 1 2 3 car seat for our youngest girl.
Read on to learn more about the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Group 1/2/3 Car Seat, which you can buy here.
Claire Leach – 8th July 2021
Bought one of these when my daughter outgrew the 18kg harness. We still wanted her harnessed, so went for the Excalibur. I have to say we are so impressed with it. Our daughter loves travelling in it and often falls asleep. I was worried about her head flopping down, but the recline ensures she is very comfortable. Would recommend.
Cozy N Safe was created in 2006 in the Midlands and is a multi-award winning car seat manufacturer with their own manufacturing site. They identified an important gap in the car seat market regarding the affordability of travelling in comfort and safety without the added cost or compromise. Their Cozy N Safe Excalibur car seat was created by sourcing the best possible materials, research, and development of new technologies to ensure comfort and safety of little ones.
The car seat has even won awards!
What are Group 1 2 3 car seats?
Group 1 2 3 car seats are forward-facing car seats where the toddler uses the seat’s integral five-point safety harness initially or an impact cushion until they are 15kg (Group 1 Isofix car seat) and then uses the car seat’s five-point seatbelt to secure the child and the seat.
The seat then converts into a high-backed booster seat when your child is older/bigger and the five-point harness is no longer used. The car’s own seat belt secures the child to the seat.
Car seats can come with an Isofix base, which is clicked onto the car’s Isofix mechanism if they have one.
Multi-group car seats can be cheaper as they are convertible car seats and your child will grow with the car seat.
How much is the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and Isofix and where can you buy it?
You can get the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat in Black Grey, Red and Graphite for the recommended retail price of £129.99 here.
You can pay later with Klarna and there is a 24 month warranty attached to every purchase.
What can you get in the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and IsoFix box?
The Car Seat either in Black Grey, Graphite or Red
Isofix base built in
Cozy N Safe Excalibur Installation Document Guide, ISOFix Guides, User Manual and Car Seat Safety Guide
Removable Cushion/s
How long will it take to be delivered?
UK Standard Delivery 2 – 5 working days
FREE Mainland UK* Standard Delivery over £50
Order values under £50 will be charged at £6.00 up to 10kg.
Cozy N Safe aims to send your goods within 48 hours of receipt of order. In most cases, delivery takes place within 2-5 working days; you will receive an email when your order has been scheduled for dispatch.
Goods are dispatched using a courier service who will deliver Monday-Friday between 9-5.
*Free delivery is to mainland UK only. You can check your delivery costs at the basket stage of checkout by entering your postcode.
Delivery time will depend on the stockist from which you purchase the car seat. Please check the website’s delivery, shipping and return terms before buying. You can also contact Cozy N Safe’s customer service for more information here: +44 (0) 1902 494 905
5-point integral self adjusting harness up to 25kg (Group 2)
Side impact protection
Washable covers
Insert cushions
4-point recline to support child use for younger babies through to toddler stages
Car Seat Safety Rating – Is the Cozy N Safe Excalibur safe?
We couldn’t find a Cozy N Safe Excalibur ADAC rating but the car seat is ECE R44.04 Safety Certified.
Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Compatibility
To find out if your car has Isofix points, look for Isofix labels between the base and back of your car seats (the fitting points themselves may also be visible) or check your vehicle’s handbook or contact the manufacturer or dealer.
You prepare the ISOFIX if your car has the insert mechanism to support it. If it doesn’t, you clip the two insert guides included with the seat with the cut facing upwards on the two ISOFIX attachment points of your car. Pull the fabric loop to pull out both locking arms to the longest position. See below:
Adjusting the headrest in 5-point harness installation
The headrest (07) must be adjusted so that the shoulder belts are at the same level as your child’s shoulders (see fig. 3). The shoulder belts (08) must not run behind the back of the child or at ear height or above the ears.
You can adjust the shoulder belts by pressing the adjusting button and at the same time pull both shoulder belts forward. Do not pull on the shoulder pads too, but loosen the 5-point harness of the child seat as much as possible (fig. 4).
Press the button of the shoulder belt height adjuster (10) at the rear of the seat shell and tilt the shoulder belt height adjuster (19) towards you. Slide the shoulder belt height adjuster (1) to select the correct height of the shoulder belts (08) and engage it in the position that fits for your child by releasing the button (fig. 5).
Read more about how to correctly install the car seat here.
First impressions of the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Child Car Seat
Our first impressions straight out the box was that the car seat has a premium quality with comfortable and soft material. Our little one was very excited sitting in the car seat for the first time.
Was the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and IsoFix easy to put together?
Yes, it was really easy to put together. It comes in one piece and fitting the Isofix and safety strap is simple and quick.
Did baby seem comfortable in the car seat?
The soft padding for younger babies is excellent, as is the side impact protection which made our daughter feel very comfortable. She struggled to stay awake in the seat. She’s almost three years old and sits in the seat upright. When she falls asleep, we recline the car seat for extra comfort.
What are the pros of using the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat?
The car seat is very quick to fit into the Isofix and our daughter is extremely comfortable against the premium quality material. The seat looks fabulous.
What are the cons of using the Cozy N Safe Excalibur seat?
Fixing the Isofix is simple, however when you want to move the seat and release the fix, it can be a bit tricky to release the Isofix latch. This could have been made a bit easier to handle. The harness straps also get tangled at the back, making it difficult to adjust the tightness of the harness length.
What and who would the Cozy N Safe Car Seat and Isofix be useful for?
This car seat is a very useful investment for any family. Even if it stretches the budget a bit, it is a long-term investment that can last for many years. It is quite chunky, so not ideal if you have a narrower car and/or two kids that need child seats in the back.
Is the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and Isofix worth the money?
Yes, it is definitely worth the money as it’s a premium car seat for an affordable price.
What is my overall opinion of the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat?
A very comfortable and premium car seat which our child loves to sit in. I would buy again,
4 out of 5
Ease of use
The car seat is easy to clip in via the Isofix, recline and clip together with the harness. The design is effortless.
4 out of 5
Fits the purpose
The car seat definitely fits the purpose of travelling with our daughter in comfort and style. She seems to be happy in it and has napped on many occasions.
5 out of 5
Style and comfort
The car seat has a very sort premium feel to it and there is no compromise on safety. The headrest offers an amazing 14 positions and removable inserts ensure the best fit for our daughter no matter her height. All the covers are machine washable at 30 degrees centigrade. Our daughter struggles to stay awake!
5 out of 5
Functionality
The seat clip is tricky to use. But compared to others, it is a lighter item with an easy to use Isofix clip and safety strap. The car seat reclines for younger babies.
3 out of 5
Kerry Acres – 19th March 2022
Seat belt clip is awful and extending to release the belt and then tightening was a work out and really difficult. But otherwise – the seat is lovely , kids are both happy and comfortable and both slept in seats. Overall happy just hoping I’ll get used to clip and tightening straps.
A note from Cozy N Safe regarding the straps
The Excalibur has 2 headrest adjustments, (one is for when you are using the harness, and the other is for when the harness has been hidden). If you use the wrong headrest adjustment it can cause the harness to be pinched making it difficult to tighten. This can be fixed easily by using the correct headrest adjustment.
Value for money
With the high quality material used, the ease of design and the lighter weight, this car seat is definitely value for money.
Very high quality with durable steel reinforced shell, side impact protection, four-position reclined and deep padding. This is definitely a great way for the little one to travel without compromising on quality.
5 out of 5
Safety and security
The car seta is safe and secure. It features all the newest added safety measures you would expect from a modern car seat and security is top of the range.
This really is fantastic value for money, I wanted a 5 point harness for my 3 year old and was surprised that there aren’t many on the market. We bought this one and the joie bold for our 2 cars, we expected to prefer the joie one (being the better known brand and more expensive) but hands down this one is our preferred one, super comfortable and easy to use, excellent product and would recommend to anyone.
