Child safety

From rear-facing child seats to boosters – we’ve spent years innovating to help keep young passengers safe on the road.

Developed for real kids.
Engineered in real cars.

 Padded child car seat with metal framing displayed on a white pedestal in a minimalist gallery setting.

Innovating for every generation

Child safety isn't new to us. We've led the way in protecting children on the road for decades, through our child seat innovations. From the first rear-facing child seat to every development since, child safety has always been a core part of our safety vision.

Heritage of child safety

Protecting your family starts with understanding the world you drive in

Smiling baby wearing a white shirt, yellow leggings and white socks, sitting in a rear-facing child seat inside a Volvo car.

Tested in real cars for real protection

At the Volvo Cars Safety Centre, we test child safety in real cars, not just on test rigs. Our research helps us refine everything from safety belt geometry to child seat designs. We help protect children, from newborns to preteens, on the road in a Volvo car.

 Close-up side view of a passenger airbag control switch inside a Volvo car, showing the option to turn the airbag on or off.

Child safety and airbags

We strongly recommend that children up to 140 cm in height use a child restraint when sitting in the front or rear seat. And with recent airbag advances, our front-seat safety guidance has changed. Recommendations vary based on your car's model year.

Front side view of a pregnant woman driving a Volvo car, shown seated with a properly positioned safety belt across her chest and below her belly.

The mother to be

Pregnant women should always wear a safety belt. It's the safest choice for both the mother and the baby. Position it snugly, untwisted and close to the body – with the lap belt low below the belly and the shoulder belt across the shoulder.

Child safety in front seat

Designed for life

Child seat recommendations

All our child seats and boosters are developed and crash-tested in the same environment they will be used in real life – inside a car.

 A young child sitting in a rear-facing car seat, smiling and securely fastened with a harness inside the rear seat of a Volvo car.

Safety designed by Volvo

Child safety has been a priority since 1972. That's why we've developed child restraints in line with the findings from our real-world research.

Volvo rear-facing child seat¹

Approved for children from 61 cm - 115 cm

Volvo booster seat²

Approved for children from 105 cm - 150 cm

Volvo integrated booster

Approved for children from 106 cm - 150 cm

Explore our accessories

For your most precious cargo

An adult fastening a child's safety belt in their booster seat, while the child smiles seated in the rear of a Volvo car.
An adult securing a child's safety belt in their booster seat, while the child plays with a toy ball seated in the rear of a Volvo car.
A child sitting in a booster seat holding a soft toy, while their parent leans in through the open rear door and smiles at them.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Volvo recommend rear-facing child seats for as long as possible?

At Volvo, we understand that your child's safety truly matters. That's why we advocate for keeping children in rear-facing seats as long as possible, at least until the age of four. This position offers superior protection for their big heads and developing, weak neck during frontal collisions, helping to keep them as safe as possible, for as long as possible.

What makes the integrated booster unique?

Our optional integrated boosters make child safety effortless. Designed for kids aged four and up, these seats work seamlessly with the car’s safety belt for the best protection and comfort. They're always there when you need them and easy to fold away when you don’t. Some of our car models even offer two-stage boosters, adjusting as your child grows for the perfect fit. And for extra comfort on long trips, an optional padded upholstery provides added support, so your little ones can rest easy while you drive.

Do Volvo cars accommodate the use of ISOFIX child seats?

Yes, Volvo cars are equipped with ISOFIX anchorages and are compatible with child seats that have ISOFIX attachments, i-Size child seats and, depending on the market, LATCH and UAS-equipped child seats. In addition, we stand out by providing standard lower anchorages in the floor area, designed for use with large rear-facing child seats with lower tethers.

Why does Volvo test child safety in its vehicles?

At Volvo, we prioritise your child's safety by conducting rigorous testing that goes beyond industry standards. Our methods include advanced crash tests and real-world scenario analyses, helping to ensure our child safety features perform effectively in diverse situations. We also test our own child seats and boosters in our vehicles to evaluate how they can provide the best possible protection in real life.

Can I install any child seat in a Volvo, or do I need a Volvo-branded child seat?

While Volvo-branded child seats are designed to seamlessly integrate with our vehicles, many other brands of child seats can also be installed securely. We recommend checking your vehicle's manual and the child seat manufacturer's guidelines to ensure proper fit and installation.

What's the best booster seat for toddlers?

We recommend keeping children rear-facing for as long as possible, at least up to the age of four. After that, your toddler can use a booster. The best booster is the one that provides the right belt fit and comfort for their size and age, as well as the length of the trip. A good belt fit means the lap belt sits over the hips, toward the thighs and that the shoulder belt rests comfortably in a mid-shoulder position. A booster seat with a backrest provides extra side support and is a good choice for younger children, especially on longer trips. The booster cushion, and even more so, integrated boosters, are safer and more practical options that raise the child into the correct position for the safety belt. Together with the vehicle’s other protection systems, this helps keep your child safe.

How do you install a child car seat?

We recommend following both the child restraint and car instructions for proper installation and seat placement. If the child car seat is ISOFIX, i-Size, UAS, or LATCH compatible, use the car's ISOFIX anchorages. If you're installing the seat with a safety belt, carefully follow the instructions to ensure correct belt routing. For a booster, the primary restraint is the safety belt, which secures both the child and booster together. The lap belt should be routed under the lap belt guides as instructed. Any attachments to the ISOFIX anchorages for the booster are mainly to keep it in place when your child isn't using it.

¹Volvo rear-facing child seat is not available in all markets. Contact your local Volvo retailer to find out what products are available in your market.
²Volvo booster seat is not available in all markets. Check with your local Volvo retailer to find out what products are available in your market.

*Volvo Cars’ safety features complement safe driving practices and are not intended to enable or encourage distracted, aggressive or otherwise
unsafe or illegal driving. Ultimately, the driver is responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle at all times. Described features may be optional and availability may vary from one country to another.