What is Isofix (car seats) and how do I know which cars have it?

Answer 1

As others have said, ISOFIX is a standard system for fixing child seats into cars without having to use the adult seatbelts – it reduces incompatibility problems, reduces the risk of misfitting and improves the protection provided for the child. It’s taken a very long time to develop and agree standards though – the AA gave an award to the team that first developed the concept back in the early 1990s!

All new car models introduced since early 2006 have been required by law to be fitted with ‘Universal’ ISOFIX anchorages for a minimum of two seating positions. To be ‘Universal’ ISOFIX requires three anchorage points – two sockets where the car seat cushion meets the back and one behind the seat that connects to the top of the child restraint to stop it rotating forwards.

Many cars built before 2006 were fitted with two-point ISOFIX i.e. they have the two sockets at the back of the car seat cushion but not the third anchorage point to hold the top of the child seat. Child seats with two-point ISOFIX will have been tested and approved for use in specific car models and will come with a model application list.

ISOFIX anchorages where fitted will be labelled clearly – check along the gap at the back of the back seat cushion and in the boot floor behind the back seat.

Answer 2

ISOfix is a system that allows a child-seat to be anchored directly to the car's seat frame or body.
This is better than using the car's adult seat-belts to locate the seat, and it also makes incorrect fitting less likely.
Both the car and the child-seat need to have ISOfix.

There is no easy list of which cars have it, and which don't.
Also, on some cars it is/was an option, so on a used car you may find that some examples of a particular model have it, and others don't. Additionally, some cars may have it on the rear seats only, while others will also have it on the front passenger seat.

The best way is to look for the ISOfix labels on the seats of a used car, or ask the dealer if buying a new car.

ISOfix was introduced around 1998-1999, so cars from before that date won't have it. Cars from after that date will generally include it from the next major model change.
I believe the first brands to introduce it were Vauxhall/Opel, Renault, Volvo, Saab and Mercedes-Benz.

Answer 3

Isofix is a system that makes clicking in car seats easy peasy. my volvo has it in the form of a kind of clip between the seat base and back, there are slight variations of them though.
Do a google image search for isofix and you can see numerous versions that'll explain it better.
Its only become a big thing in like the last five years or so, so not many cars have them fitted, it's normally found only on moderate sized high spec-ed cars, and even these normally only have it fitted as an optional extra.

You can buy a separate isofix base unit to clip car seats into, but then you have a base unit fixed in the car, which defeats the point really.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is Isofix (car seats) and how do I know which cars have it?

Answer 5

Its means that the seat belts are fastened to the car chassis and normally has isofix wrote on seats somewhere. Easyfit seats are available to fasten to them for kids

Answer 6

What Is Isofix

Answer 7

You raise some good points in your question.