If you require a quick answer, the best group 2/3 car seat is the CYBEX Solution X-Fix. It can be installed with or without the ISOFIX system and it provides superior comfort and protection for your child. However, if you are on a tight budget and require a cheaper alternative that’s still developed by a reputable brand, the Graco Junior Maxi is the best option.
To rate the group 2/3 car seats within our roundup, we based our recommendations on testing, our experience of using multiple car seats, the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the ease of installation, recline and headrest positions, build quality, additional features, weight, warranty and value.
Best Group 2 3 Car Seat Overview
- Best Overall: CYBEX Solution X-Fix
- Best For Comfort: Graco Affix High Back
- Best Budget: Graco Junior Maxi
- Best i-Size: Maxi-Cosi Kore
- Best All-Rounder: Britax Römer KIDFIX
- Best Booster: Peg Perego
Within the group 2/3 category, you may notice that there are many backless booster seats available and they offer great portability and are often cheaper too. However, it’s important to note that for your child to use these types of seats, they must be taller than 125 cm and weigh more than 22KG. This new law came into force in the UK in February 2017.
Below is a list of the best group 2/3 car seats that are all forward facing and provide plenty of comfort.
The Best Group 2/3 Car Seats
1. Best Overall: CYBEX Solution X-Fix Group 2/3 Seat
By far the most popular and highly rated group 2/3 car seat on the market is the CYBEX Solution X-Fix.
The reason for its popularity is because it can be installed with or without ISOFIX and that it’s designed for a long service life thanks to its height-adjustable headrest and excellent build quality.
In terms of the dimensions of the Solution X-Fix, the forward-facing seat is 41 x 47 x 64 cm in size and weighs 7KG and according to the brand, it can be used from the age of 3 to 12 years old.
- Available in 4 different colours
- Built-in side impact protection
- Patented reclining headrest
- 11 position height adjustable headrest
- Removable and machine washable cover
- During testing, we felt that the base was quite wide and it may take up valuable space for those with smaller cars
Although more expensive than most of the alternatives, the CYBEX Solution X-Fix is the best group 2/3 car seat on the market. It’s easy to install with or without the ISOFIX system, provides plenty of comfort and is built to the highest of standards. The popularity of this particular seat is a clear indication of its quality and it certainly won’t disappoint.
2. Best For Comfort: Graco Affix High Back Baby Car Seat
Graco is another popular brand that specialises in car seats and their Affix High Back is a great mid-range option to consider. According to the brand, it has been designed with comfort in mind and features built-in armrests, additional padding to the seat and a five-position adjustable headrest.
- Available in a choice of two colours
- Safety surround side impact protection
- 5 position height adjustable head support
- Machine washable covers
- During testing, we liked the fact that it had retractable cup holders and a storage unit
- Lightweight at 5.2KG
- ISOFIX installation uses connectors (ISOCATCH)
Overall, the Graco Affix High Back is an excellent all-round group 2/3 car seat that provides superior comfort and security for your child. Considering its extensive list of features, it also offers great value for the money too.
3. Best Budget: Graco Junior Maxi Group 2/3 Car Seat
Another group 2/3 car seat by the Graco brand is their Junior Maxi model. It’s the best option for those on a tight budget but still want a seat that’s developed by a reputable brand for peace of mind.
As with the more expensive Affix High Back, this particular seat also features an adjustable armrest and headrest
- Available in 4 colour combinations
- Retractable cupholders
- Open loop belt for proper seat belt positioning
- Machine washable seat pad
- Easy to install in the majority of cars
- Very lightweight at just 3.53KG
- Doesn't include an ISOFIX installation
To conclude, the Graco Junior Maxi is by far the best budget group 2/3 car seat on the market and the popularity speaks for itself. It’s also one of the lightest, which is a great bonus if you intend to install and remove it regularly. The only potential drawback for some parents is the fact that it doesn’t feature the desirable ISOFIX installation.
4. Best i-Size: Maxi-Cosi Kore ISOFIX Seat
The Maxi-Cosi brand offer a number of highly rated i-Size car seats but the Kore is the brand’s new and improved group 2/3 car seat. The main improvement made to this particular seat when compared to its predecessor is that it’s i-Size complaint. This means that it benefits from meeting the latest EU safety regulations for complete peace of mind.
In terms of installing the seat in your car, it uses the desirable ISOFIX system for optimal safety and stability.
- Choice of 4 colour combinations
- Patented AirProtect technology for extra protection
- Easy ISOFIX installation
- Adjustable both in width and height
- Relatively expensive when compared to similar alternatives
To conclude, the Maxi-Cosi Kore is the best group 2/3 car seat that meets the latest i-Size regulations. It’s perfect for growing children and although expensive, it’s a worthwhile investment that you certainly won’t regret.
5. Best All-Rounder: Britax Römer KIDFIX Groupe 2/3 Car Seat
By far the most expensive group 2/3 car seat within this article is the Britax Römer KIDFIX and although it may be out of budget for some, there are plenty of features that makes it a worthwhile investment. This is because it’s a high-back booster seat that’s designed to provide maximum comfort and superior protection in the event of a collision.
Although the brand offers a similar group 123 car seat, this particular model is ideal for children from the age of 3.5 to 12 years old.
- Choice of 7 different colours
- Enhanced side impact protection
- Added fourth contact point to the seat belt
- Easily removable backrest (ideal for when your child reaches 135 cm)
- Removable cover that can be machine washed
- Installation via 3-point seat belt or ISOFIX
- Most expensive within this article
Overall, the Britax Römer KIDFIX is a well-made, comfortable and ultra-safe car seat. The addition of the extra contact point for the harness is also another great bonus because it prevents your child from slipping down if they go for a nap. Apart from the expensive price tag, there isn’t much to dislike about this particular seat.
6. Best Booster: Peg Perego Group 2/3 Booster Seat
The Peg Perego Booster is a unique group 2/3 car seat because it simply consists of a base, which is suitable for older children who are the right build for the car’s seat belts. In terms of the design, the backless construction provides plenty of comfort and it safely secures your child without restricting them with side bolsters.
- Dual layered padding for comfort
- Installation via ISOFIX or the car’s 3-point seat belt
- Double padded armrests
- Lightweight at just 4.0 KG
- Integrated handle to easily carry it around
- Relatively expensive
- Not very aesthetically pleasing
Unlike many of the alternative booster seats available, the Peg Perego offers far more comfort and also features the ISOFIX system. It isn’t the cheapest but the superior build quality, design and comfort are worth paying the extra for.
How We Rated
As we are parents ourselves, we’ve had the pleasure of testing a lot of seats over the years (both myself and other team members of YourCar) and many have been group 2/3 car seats. From non-ISOFIX to multi-recline ISOFIX group 2/3 seats from the best brands in the industry, we have plenty of experience to base our recommendations on.
During our testing, we analyse the seat’s build quality, safety features, usability, ease of installation and adjustability. As myself and Oliver have children, we both tested the matching seats at the same time. As shown in the images below, we recently tested the CYBEX X-Fix and the Maxi-Cosi Kore, which we both highly rated.
To keep up our commitment to reviewing and testing the latest group 2/3 car seats (for this article), we are continually testing the latest offerings from top brands in the UK. This means that when we notice that a brand has released a new and improved group 2/3 seat, we will attempt to buy it to put it to the test (where applicable).
As well as our testing and experience of using a range of car seats, we also based our recommendations on the latest research and several factors. Some of the factors that we took into consideration included the ease of installation, recline and headrest positions, build quality, additional features, weight, warranty and value for money.
Conclusion
Considering that your child may use a group 2/3 seat for up to 8 years, it’s worth investing in a high-quality seat that’ll last. All of our recommendations above are designed for children weighing more than 15 KG and can be used up until they are 36 KG. They also include seats that are developed by reputable UK brands and are suitable for all budgets too.
If you require further information regarding our group 2/3 car seat recommendations, feel free to get in touch and we will try to provide our assistance where possible.
