Safety First With Toyota’s New Child Seat Range

A child’s growth from new-born bundle of joy to stroppy pre-teen is a journey of experience for any parent. Whatever the age or behaviour of your offspring, you can at least be sure they are travelling securely thanks to a new range of child seats for Toyota models. There are three seats, designed for children aged from birth right through to approximately 12 years.

Toyota’s thorough approach to safety engineering has been recognised in the new Avensis achieving the highest five-star crash test rating yet awarded in its class by Euro-NCAP. The new child seats have been developed to similar rigorous standards and have undergone an extensive crash testing programme of their own to ensure excellent protection is provided in the event of an accident.

The suitability of each seat is governed by weight rather than age. For the youngest members of the family (birth to 13kg – about 15 months), the G0+ is a rear-facing seat secured by the car’s three-point seatbelt. The seat cover is washable and flameproof and the construction includes an adjustable carry handle and a sun canopy. The G0+ also features a locking attachment for Britax and Teutonia pushchairs. This seat is not for use on front passenger seats where there is a risk of it being struck by an airbag.

The forward-facing G1 ISOFIX (nine to 18kg – about eight months to four years) uses ISOFIX anchorages; it includes a top tether attachment (for vehicles with top tether provisions) to prevent the seat tipping forward. The seat’s high side wings provide added protection in side impact accidents and special shoulder pads reduce the load on the child’s neck and head.

In vehicles with no ISOFIX mounting points, or awaiting approval for ISOFIX usage, the seat can be fitted using a three-point seat belt on the outer rear seats, or, facing forward, on the front passenger seat. The latter option is the least recommended: if used, the passenger seat should be moved as far back as possible from the airbag compartment.

Completing the range is the G2/3 (15 to 36kg – about three to 12 years), which caters for growing children. This is essentially a booster cushion with a removable, adjustable back and head rests. Deep side wings and a curved head support provide good protection in side impacts and a seat belt routing system ensures maximum comfort.

Toyota dealerships can provide full details of model compatability and advice on fixing. Recommended retail prices, inclusive of VAT are: G0+ £95.95, G1 ISOFIX £189.95 and G2/3 £95.95.

ENDS

Note to editors:

If you would like to arrange a ‘road test’ of one of the new child seats, please contact John Brooks in the press office on 01737 367309 or email john.brooks@tgb.toyota.co.uk