New RECARO VELIX 1 Car Seat Launches in the UK – Where Does It Fit in the RECARO Range?

A new RECARO child car seat is arriving in the UK for 2026 – and the RECARO VELIX 1 fills an interesting gap in the brand's growing car seat collection.

The RECARO VELIX 1 i-Size Car Seat is designed for children from 76–150 cm, approximately 15 months to 12 years, combining a toddler car seat with a high-back booster in one long-lasting design.

For parents already considering the RECARO XENON 1 or RECARO AXION 1, the arrival of the VELIX 1 also creates another option.

So, what exactly is the new RECARO VELIX 1, what makes it different, and where does it fit within the RECARO car seat range in the UK?

Here's everything you need to know.

Meet the New RECARO VELIX 1

The RECARO VELIX 1 is a forward-facing R129 child car seat designed to grow with your child through two major stages.

It can first be used from 76 cm and at least 15 months old, when your child is secured using the seat's integrated 5-point harness.

Later, it converts into a high-back booster using the vehicle's 3-point seat belt, continuing all the way to 150 cm – approximately 12 years old.

That means the VELIX 1 can potentially be the last car seat many families need to purchase after their baby or toddler seat.

RECARO VELIX 1 at a Glance

• Suitable from 76–150 cm

• Approximately 15 months–12 years

• Forward-facing

• R129 / i-Size approved

• 5-point harness from 76–105 cm

• Harness stage for children at least 15 months old and up to 21 kg

• ISOFIX + Top Tether installation during the harness stage

• Vehicle 3-point seat belt from 100–150 cm

• Automatically expanding side wings

• RECARO Adaptive Side Protection (ASP)

• Intelligent height-lock system

• 3 recline positions during harness use

• Large hexagonal ventilation area

• Weight: approximately 9.7 kg

What Makes the RECARO VELIX 1 Different?

One of the most interesting aspects of the VELIX 1 is how it grows.

Instead of the headrest simply moving upwards, the side wings automatically expand as the headrest is raised.

That's important because children don't only become taller as they grow – their shoulders become wider too.

The VELIX 1 therefore adjusts both height and available shoulder space, helping the seat remain comfortable throughout its unusually long 76–150 cm lifespan.

RECARO Adaptive Side Protection

Safety is naturally at the centre of the design.

The VELIX 1 incorporates RECARO Adaptive Side Protection (ASP), designed to provide additional protection in the event of a side impact.

Combined with the substantial side structure surrounding the child, it forms part of RECARO's approach to protecting children throughout the different stages covered by the seat.

Clever Protection Against Using the Wrong Setting

Another particularly useful VELIX 1 feature is its integrated height lock.

The seat uses different headrest ranges depending on whether your child is using the integrated 5-point harness or the vehicle seat belt.

The height-locking system helps separate these stages, reducing the chance of accidentally selecting an inappropriate headrest setting.

It's a small detail, but exactly the sort of feature that can make a car seat easier to use correctly in everyday family life.

Comfort Hasn't Been Forgotten

The VELIX 1 isn't purely about longevity and protection.

During the harness stage there are three recline positions, with simple one-handed adjustment helping parents find a comfortable position for their child.

RECARO has also created a substantial hexagonal ventilation area across the rear shell.

This encourages airflow behind the child – particularly welcome on warm days or during longer journeys.

Where Does the VELIX 1 Fit in the RECARO Car Seat Range?

This is where the new seat becomes particularly interesting.

Rather than simply replacing the existing RECARO AXION 1, the VELIX 1 sits between RECARO's extended-use toddler seats and its dedicated high-back booster.

Think of the current range roughly like this:

RECARO XENON 1 – Birth to Approximately 7 Years

40–125 cm

The RECARO XENON 1 is the option for parents wanting to start from birth.

It offers 360° rotation and can be used rear-facing during the earlier stages before eventually progressing through to forward-facing vehicle seat-belt use.

If you're shopping for a newborn and want a seat designed to cover several stages, the XENON 1 is the natural place to start.

RECARO XENON 1 KID – Approximately 3 Months to 7 Years

61–125 cm

The XENON 1 KID provides another extended-use option, beginning later than the standard XENON 1.

It retains the convenient 360° rotating design and is aimed at families who don't require the newborn stage covered by the XENON 1.

NEW RECARO VELIX 1 – Approximately 15 Months to 12 Years

76–150 cm

This is where the new VELIX 1 slots in.

It starts considerably earlier than RECARO's dedicated booster seat but continues all the way to 150 cm.

That gives parents:

Toddler harness seat → high-back booster

in one product.

Unlike the XENON 1, the VELIX 1 is forward-facing only and doesn't offer 360° rotation.

Instead, its big advantage is longevity.

For a child who has already outgrown their infant carrier or whose parents are looking for their next long-term forward-facing seat, the VELIX 1 provides a 76–150 cm solution that could potentially last until a child no longer requires a car seat.

RECARO AXION 1 – Approximately 3.5 to 12 Years

100–150 cm

The RECARO AXION 1 remains the dedicated high-back booster within the range.

It begins at 100 cm and secures the child using the vehicle's 3-point seat belt.

This makes the AXION 1 particularly suited to older children who have already outgrown an integrated harness and simply need their next high-back booster.

RECARO VELIX 1 vs AXION 1 – What's the Difference?

This is likely to be one of the biggest questions parents have.

The simplest difference is when you can start using them.

VELIX 1: 76–150 cm
AXION 1: 100–150 cm

The VELIX 1 starts much earlier because it incorporates a 5-point harness for the toddler stage.

Once the child reaches the appropriate size, the VELIX 1 then converts into a vehicle-seat-belt high-back booster.

The AXION 1 doesn't need to cover that earlier harness stage. It's designed specifically for children who are already ready for a 100–150 cm high-back booster.

So if your child is under 100 cm and needs an integrated harness, the VELIX 1 is the relevant option of the two.

If your child is already 100 cm+ and ready for a high-back booster, the AXION 1 becomes an alternative worth considering.

VELIX 1 vs XENON 1 – Which Should You Choose?

Although their age ranges overlap, these two seats serve quite different purposes.

The XENON 1 begins from birth and includes rear-facing capability and 360° rotation.

The VELIX 1 begins from 76 cm and at least 15 months, is forward-facing only, but continues considerably longer – right through to 150 cm.

So rather than thinking of one as simply "better", consider what stage your child is currently at.

For younger babies and parents prioritising rear-facing travel and rotation, look towards the XENON range.

For an older toddler where the priority is a long-lasting forward-facing seat that can eventually become their high-back booster, the VELIX 1 becomes particularly interesting.

For an older child already ready for a 100–150 cm high-back booster, look towards the AXION 1.

Seven RECARO VELIX 1 Colours

RECARO hasn't played it safe with the colour palette either.

The VELIX 1 launches in seven colourways:

• Vibrant Orange

• Calm Blue

• Elegant Beige

• Epic Green

• Fresh Black

• Gallant Grey

• Wow Pink

From understated Fresh Black and Gallant Grey through to the much bolder Vibrant Orange and Wow Pink, there's considerably more choice than the traditional black-and-grey car seat palette.

When Is the RECARO VELIX 1 Available in the UK?

The RECARO VELIX 1 is expected to arrive from mid-October 2026, bringing another major addition to RECARO's new-generation child car seat collection.

At Baby Boutique UK, we'll be offering the VELIX 1 across its colour range, alongside our existing selection of RECARO child car seats.

Need Help Choosing Your RECARO Car Seat?

Choosing between car seats isn't simply about your child's age.

Their height, weight, developmental stage, vehicle and the type of installation required all matter.

If you're unsure whether the RECARO VELIX 1, XENON 1, XENON 1 KID or AXION 1 is the right option, visit us at Baby Boutique UK and our team can help you compare the range and find an appropriate seat for your child and vehicle.

The arrival of the RECARO VELIX 1 in the UK makes the RECARO range considerably more complete – providing a new bridge between the brand's younger-child seats and its dedicated high-back booster.

And for families specifically looking for one forward-facing car seat to take their child from approximately 15 months through to around 12 years, the VELIX 1 could be one of the most interesting new car seat launches of 2026.