Best Swedish Plus Tested & Rear Facing Car Seats UK (2026 Guide)
Best Swedish Plus Tested Car Seats UK (2026 Guide)
When it comes to child car seat safety, few certifications are as respected as the Swedish Plus Test. This independent crash test is widely considered the toughest car seat safety standard in the world, focusing on the forces placed on a child’s neck during a collision.
Unlike standard European testing, the Swedish Plus Test only approves car seats that offer exceptional protection in severe frontal crashes. Because of this, only rear-facing car seats pass the test.
For parents looking for the safest option for their child, choosing a Swedish Plus Tested car seat is one of the best decisions you can make.
In this guide, we explain what the Swedish Plus Test means and highlight some of the best Swedish Plus Tested car seats available in the UK.
What Is the Swedish Plus Test?
The Swedish Plus Test is an independent crash test developed in Sweden and conducted by VTI (the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute).
The test measures the forces placed on a child’s neck during a frontal crash. If the forces exceed safe limits, the seat automatically fails.
Because forward-facing seats place significantly higher forces on a child’s neck, only rear-facing seats can pass this test.
For parents, this means Swedish Plus Tested seats offer some of the highest levels of protection available.
Why Rear Facing Car Seats Are Safer
Research consistently shows that rear-facing car seats provide superior protection for young children.
In a frontal collision, a rear-facing seat distributes crash forces across the back of the seat rather than concentrating them on the neck and spine.
This dramatically reduces the risk of serious injury.
Safety experts recommend children remain rear-facing for as long as possible, ideally until at least 4 years old — and many extended rear-facing seats allow travel up to 6–7 years.
Best Swedish Plus Tested Car Seats Available in the UK
Axkid Minikid Core
The Axkid Minikid Core is one of the newest extended rear-facing seats on the market, designed to offer maximum safety with a simplified installation.
Key features include:
• Swedish Plus Test approval up to 125cm
• Rear-facing from birth to approximately 7 years
• Compact design suitable for smaller cars
• Vehicle seat belt installation
• No tether straps required
The Minikid Core is designed to make extended rear-facing travel accessible for more families without compromising safety.
Avionaut Stardust (Swedish Plus Tested)
The Avionaut Stardust is another excellent extended rear-facing car seat designed for parents who prioritise safety.
Key features include:
• Swedish Plus Test approved
• Rear-facing travel from 40–105cm
• Integrated ISOFIX base
• Comfortable ergonomic design
• Easy installation with rotation towards the door
The Stardust is particularly popular with parents who want a premium rear-facing seat with easier daily usability.
Avionaut Sky – Swedish Plus Tested Rear-Facing Car Seat
The Avionaut Sky is a highly respected extended rear-facing car seat designed for families who want exceptional safety and long-lasting protection.
Like other top Scandinavian safety seats, the Sky is Swedish Plus Tested, meaning it has passed one of the toughest crash tests in the world.
Suitable from 40–125cm, the Avionaut Sky allows children to travel rear-facing for many years while maintaining excellent comfort and ergonomic support.
Key features include:
• Swedish Plus Test approved
• Rear-facing from birth up to approximately 6 years
• Compact design suitable for smaller vehicles
• High side impact protection
• Premium breathable fabrics
• Comfortable ergonomic seating position
The Avionaut Sky is particularly popular with parents looking for a simple, extremely safe rear-facing seat without the complexity of rotating bases.
Axkid Minikid 4 Max
The Axkid Minikid 4 Max is one of the most trusted extended rear-facing car seats available.
Key features include:
• Swedish Plus Test approved
• Rear-facing from 61–125cm
• Automatic headrest adjustment
• Compact installation design
• Exceptional legroom for older children
This model is widely used by families who want a seat that supports rear-facing travel for as long as possible.
Which Swedish Plus Tested Car Seat Is Best?
The best seat depends on your needs, your vehicle, and how long you want your child to remain rear-facing.
Choose Axkid Minikid Core if you want:
• Long rear-facing use up to 7 years
• Simple belt installation
• A compact design that fits most cars
• No tether straps required
Choose Avionaut Stardust RWF+ if you want:
• ISOFIX installation
• Rotating convenience towards the door
• Premium comfort and ergonomics
• Easy everyday usability for parents
Choose Avionaut Sky if you want:
• A trusted Swedish Plus Tested seat with a proven safety record
• Rear-facing travel up to approximately 6 years
• A compact design ideal for smaller vehicles
• Exceptional side impact protection and comfort
Choose Axkid Minikid 4 Max if you want:
• Maximum extended rear-facing support
• Automatic headrest adjustments
• Exceptional legroom for growing children
• Proven Axkid safety engineering
Where to Buy Swedish Plus Tested Car Seats in the UK
When purchasing a rear-facing car seat, it’s important to buy from a specialist retailer who can offer expert advice.
At Baby Boutique, we specialise in extended rear-facing car seats and can help parents choose the safest option for their child.
We offer:
• Expert advice
• Specialist car seat knowledge
• UK delivery
• A carefully curated range of Swedish Plus Tested seats
FAQ – Swedish Plus Tested Car Seats
Are Swedish Plus Tested car seats the safest?
They are widely considered among the safest because the test measures neck forces in severe frontal collisions.
Can forward-facing car seats pass the Swedish Plus Test?
No. Only rear-facing car seats pass the Swedish Plus Test.
What age can children stay rear facing?
Many extended rear-facing seats allow travel until 6–7 years old.
What Is an Extended Rear-Facing Car Seat?
An extended rear-facing car seat (ERF) allows children to travel rear-facing for far longer than standard car seats.
While many traditional car seats turn forward-facing around 12–15 months, extended rear-facing seats allow children to travel rear-facing until 4, 5, or even 7 years old depending on the model.
Rear-facing travel is widely considered the safest way for children to travel because it reduces the forces placed on the neck and spine during a collision.
Many of the safest rear-facing car seats in the UK are also Swedish Plus Tested, meaning they have passed one of the toughest crash tests in the world.
Examples of extended rear-facing car seats include:
• Axkid Minikid Core
• Axkid Minikid 4 Max
• Avionaut Sky
• Avionaut Stardust RWF+
These seats allow families to keep their child rear-facing for significantly longer, providing additional safety during the early years of travel.