Best Convertible Car Seats for Compact Cars 2021 ( Ratings Reviews Prices )

Not everyone thinks that what kind of car they have can limit their car seat options. Well, sure, if you have a Mini Cooper or a BMW Coupe you may need to rethink your transportation solutions, but even if your car isn’t exorbitantly small you still may need to think about what kind of car seat can fit comfortably. This usually means thinking about two things: recline for your child, and leg space for your passenger. 

The hardest part about trying to fit a convertible car seat in your car is the complicated interplay of car seat height & length with the rear seat’s incline, the front seat’s incline, and the height of your vehicle interior. Check out our video trying some car seats in a BMW to see what this means in practice. We usually suggest heading to a store to try each of these in your car, but today we’re gonna attempt to give you our safest, best-fitting bets for any compact car. 

Truly the most reliable options for small cars are the Nuna Exec, Britax One4Life and the Clek Fllo!

The Nuna Exec and the Britax One4Life are both “one-and-done” car seats meant to transition from convertible to Booster. The Nuna Rava and Britax Boulevard will both work here as well, they just don’t have the added advantage of lasting until 120lbs. To get a handle on how the Rava compares to the Exec, check out our video! Both of these options benefit from their incredibly customizable recline options. These give you the ability to push a rear facing seat a little bit more upright to ensure optimal comfort for all passengers. They each recline by sliding down into their base, with upwards of 9 recline positions each, allowing you to keep kiddo comfortable without losing too much extra space. The Nuna Exec is our most lux seat, offering incredible longevity and a litany of comfort features meant to keep kiddo comfortable and their parents happy. Machine washable one-piece fabric, an extended rear-facing option, and built in cup holders all make for happy campers. The Britax One4Life is a similar option, with a bit harder to clean fabrics being the one of the many differences aside from price. Check out our comparison blog for a deeper dive into these two seats! 

The Clek Fllo is another great option. While it doesn’t last until 120lbs, it is a more traditional convertible car seat that doesn’t try to do so much that it sacrifices safety. The biggest difference is the anti-rebound bar. The Clek Fllo uses a steel anti-rebound bar that offers significantly increased stability in forward and rear impacts. Clek is known for their added safety, and if you’re curious about why, check out our primer on all things Clek! It also has easy to clean fabrics, but it lacks in recline options, which can make it difficult for some cars. The recline-customization of the Britax One4Life and the Nuna Exec really helps with “fitting” your car seat in your car. 

Unfortunately offering measurements can be tricky, due to the different makes and models of cars and how often they vary, but Clek offers a helpful infographic for their seats that at least gives you something to work off when trying to measure out your backseat.

Still not sure which car seat is the right one for your family? Reach out to us anytime via email at questions@mbeans.com. We’re always happy to talk shop! You can also contact our Baby Gear Gurus via phone (866-600-BEAN) during business hours (M-F, 9 am-5 pm EST), by utilizing the Product Expert Chat on our website, or by scheduling a video consultation. Finally, get all the advice you need by visiting our YouTube channel!