Best Car Seats for Tesla Model S
Table of Contents
Overview of the Tesla Model S and Interior Dimension
The Tesla Model S, one of the earliest Tesla EV compact SUVs, measures 50.3″ in the rear seat – hip room, door-to-door; and 55” at the shoulder room.
This means for the Model S to accommodate three car seats, which is possible, consideration has to be made for slim child safety restraints that can fit 3 across.
This article covers the best car seats for Tesla Model S, focusing on infant, convertibles, and booster seats, especially those that will fit three across.
Even if you may not need up to three seats, consideration is also made for enough space that will fit an adult and two seats, or two rear occupants and a child seat.
On the other hand, if you are still looking for a suitable Tesla model that will meet your family car seat needs, you can check out my other articles on other Tesla models below:
The Tesla Model S Interior and How it Suits your Car Seat Needs
There are guidelines provided in the Model S vehicle owner’s manual that tell you how well car seats fit in the MS.
Here are some of such guides to take note of:
- Do not use the Easy Entry with the driver’s profile when a child’s safety seat is in the back seat.
- There are only two sets of LATCH/ISOFIX anchors in the rear seat – on the outboard seats.
- The rear center seat ONLY supports seat belt installation – a rear-facing infant seat is ideal in this position.
What to Consider When Choosing Car Seats for your Model S
As a new or growing family, the following are some factors to consider when choosing a car seat for your Model S:
- Family size
- Car seat type
- Crash & safety tests of the car seats
- Ease of installation & installation features of the seat
- Family size: if you have a child or two now and plan for a small family, you may not be limited by car seat choices. You can install relatively wide seats, say two, in the back seats and still have an adult occupant. But, if you have up to three children, you may need three seats across in your MS. Slim car seats will be your ideal seats.
- Car seat type: depending on whether you need a rear-, forward-facing, or booster seat will determine where best to install any of them. A rear-facing infant seat should be installed in the center rear (most preferably) and with the seat belt, not in the front passenger seat. At the same time, ff or booster seats can be installed on the outboard seats.
- Crash & safety tests of car seats – while the primary reason for a car seat in the first place is to protect your little one in the event of a car crash, the safety seat itself must be able to serve that purpose critically. Nonetheless, all child restraint seats sold in the US market are made to pass very stringent federal safety requirements when manufactured. Therefore, you can be rest assured all car seats are However, many car seat manufacturers go the extra mile to enhance their seats to give extra peace of mind.
- Ease of installation – to guarantee that a car seat will protect a child during a car accident, the restraint system must be securely installed in the vehicle. Many car seat brands include easy-to-install features that make the process easier and still secure.
Now that you understand what to expect in your Tesla Model S and about car seats generally, we will look into the best car seats for your Tesla Model S.
Pro Tips for Tesla Model S and Car Seats:
- For the back seat of a Model S to accommodate two occupants and a car seat or two car seats and an occupant, the child seat must be at most 17.5“
- For the back seat to accommodate three child seats across (in similar seat mode – RF or FF), you need a seat that is at most 16.76“ (approx. 17“)
- If you have a relatively wide rear-facing seat in the center rear (at most 19″), the outboard seats will accommodate forward-facing seats that measure 17.5“ – the shoulder room is 55” door-to-door
- If you have a RF seat in the middle rear and a FF in the outboard seats, you should buckle your baby in the rf seat first before strapping in either of the outboard occupants.
As a quick insight, here are the best child restraint systems as rear-facing only, convertible, and booster seats:
PS: consideration was made for fitting three across in your Model S. Therefore, these recommended car seats are compact in design. An additional safety seat that is wider (if you don’t need up to 3) is also included for each category.
Best Infant, Convertible & Booster Seats for Tesla Model S
A quick insight to all the safety seats that fit in the Tesla Model S; (Infant, Convertible and Booster);
Infant Car Seats:
- KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat – 16.5″ – fits 3 across
- Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido – doesn’t fit 3 across
- Doona Infant Seat & Stroller – doesn’t fit 3 across
Convertible Car Seats:
- SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat – fits 3 across
- Diono Radian 3QXT – fits 3 across
- Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat – doesn’t fit 3 across
Booster Seats:
Graco TurboBooster LX 2-in-1 – fits 3 across
Peg Perego Viaggio 2-3 Shuttle Plus – fit 3 across
Cosco Finale Dx 2-In-1 Booster Car Seat – doesn’t fit 3 across
At A Glance, Top Spot Child Restraint for Each Seat Mode
Best Infant Seat
- Rear-facing infant car seat
- Energy-absorbing form (for impact protection)
- Carry-handle with a comfortable grip
- Integrated anti-rebound bar
- Weight range: 4-35 lbs.
- Height limit: 32 in.
- Dimensions: 28"D x 16.5"W x 24"H
- Product weight: 18.6lbs.
- Expiration: 6 years from the date of manufacture
- FAA Approved
Best Convertible Seat
- Fits 3 across
- 3-in-1 convertible car seat
- Recommended weight range: 5-100 lbs.
- Height limit: 57 in.
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered (frontal, side, rear & rollover crash tested)
- Dimension: 24.5"Hx16.7"Wx20.7"D
- Weight: 19.2 lbs.
- Expiration: 10 years from the date of manufacture
- FAA Approved
Best Booster Seat
- 2-in-1 booster seat
- Recommended weight range: 40-100 lbs.
- Height limit: 57 in.
- Converts from highback to backless booster seat
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered (frontal, side, rear & rollover crash tested)
- "BEST Bet" Booster rating by IIHS
- Dimension:26.5"Hx16.2"Wx15.5"D
- Weight: 9.13 lbs
- Expiration: 10 years from the date of manufacture
Infant Car Seats for Tesla Model S
1. KeyFit 35 Infant Car Seat – 16.5" – fits 3 across
The Chicco KeyFit 35 infant car seat from the Chicco KeyFit series of infant car seats, with the 35 variant being the highest.
The KeyFit 35 measures 16.5” wide, which makes it a perfect Tesla model S infant car seat that can fit three across as a rear-facing seat.
On the other hand, if you need only one rear-facing seat for your Model S, it still makes perfect sense as it is super comfortable for a baby, with great ease of use features and high safety and crash rating.
The infant seat has a maximum weight limit of 35lbs., is preemie friendly (minimum of 4lbs.), and has an extended height limit of 32″.
The Chicco KeyFit 35 is best installed in the center rear of your Model S with the seat belt, as that is the safest position for car seat in a vehicle.
| Chicco KeyFit 35 | Overview | Specifications | Features |
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2. Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido – 17.25" – doesn’t fit 3 across
The PegPerego Primo Viaggio, an Italian-made high-end infant seat, measures a close call above the 17″ mark that will fit three car seats in Tesla Model S. However, at 17.25″, it will not fit three across if that is what you’ll need.
Nonetheless, it is still a good choice if you decide to use it with other car seats measuring less than 17″. The Viaggio 4-35 Nido can be installed in the middle seat with the seat belt and with additional safety restraint types on the outboard seats or with another slim seat by the side and an adult on the other side.
An additional feature the car seat has which makes it worth considering is the safety/load leg which provides extra balance. Though the Tesla Model S doesn’t have a load leg point like the 3 and X, it is still practical in usage.
| PegPerego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido | Overview | Specifications | Features |
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3. Doona Infant Seat & Stroller – 17.3" – doesn’t fit 3 across
The unique car seat and stroller configuration of the Doona child safety seat gives you a comparative advantage of saving some money as a family when considering a car seat and stroller in the long term.
The slim feature gives the edge as a great car seat for your Tesla Model S, especially as an infant rear-facing seat.
Measuring 17.3″ in width, the Doona seat can serve as two car seats in your Model S, with an additional adult to seat and supervise in the back seat.
On the other hand, when installed in the middle rear seat with the safety belt, other convertible and booster seats that are less than 17“ wide can be installed on the outboard seats.
The infant seat can be easily detached from the seat base and is easily converted from the infant seat to a stroller and back to the infant in an easy operation.
| Doona Infant Seat & Stroller | Overview | Specifications | Features |
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Convertible Car Seats for Tesla Model S
1. Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 Car Seat – 16.7" – fits 3 across
The Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 safety seat has occupied the top spot as the best car seat in all Tesla models (3, Y, X, S). This is not surprising as the car seat measures a meager 16.7″ in width. This is super compact for a convertible car seat yet stands strong in safety, crash ratings, and other installation and ease-of-use features.
However, you should note that the SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 differs from the SlimFit 3-in-1. The former is the slimmer variant that fits well in compact vehicles.
On the other hand, its design gives it a versatile advantage to be used as a rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seat without having to repurchase another car seat through your child’s growing years (10 years expiration).
Another great advantage of the SlimFit3 LX is the dimension. The low height clearance of 24.5″H saves more room space when rear-facing, even in full recline.
These comparative advantages make the SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 stand as the best car seat for Tesla model S.
| Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 | Overview | Specifications | Features |
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2. Diono Radian 3QXT – 17"– fits 3 across
The Diono Radian series are compact convertibles measuring 17″ in width. However, the 3QXT is the most advanced of the series, with more safety and ease-of-use features.
The Radian 3QXT fits three across in a Tesla Model S and is best used as a forward-facing or booster seat.
On the one hand, the height (28.5″) is discouraging to use as a rear-facing seat and is also super bulky.
On the other hand, the Radian seat is packed with premium safety features and has high safety and crash ratings.
| Diono Radian 3QXT | Overview | Specifications | Features |
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3. Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat – 19" – doesn’t fit 3 across
While the Extend2Fit 3-in-1 car seat may not fit 3 across in your M S like the SlimFit3 LX and Radian 3QXT, at 19” wide, the Extend2Fit will fit two car seats in your vehicle, with little space left depending on the installation orientation (rf or ff).
On the other hand, its extended usage in rear-facing, up to 50lbs., and an additional extension panel for extra legroom (up to 5“) makes the Extend2Fit a perfect convertible rear-facing car seat and for a preemie (minimum of 4lbs.).
When you install the Extend2Fit in the center rear as RF, at 19” wide, other forward-facing car seats, including a booster seat, less than 17.5″, can be installed on the outboard seats in your Model S.
| Extend2Fit 3-in-1 | Overview | Specifications | Features |
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SlimFit VS Diono Radian VS Extend2Fit
These three recommended car seats for Tesla Model S are popular car seats and making a choice can be difficult.
Here are comprehensive comparison articles be different two combination of the seats.
Diono Radian vs Graco SlimFit3 LX
Diono Radian vs Graco Extend2Fit
Booster Seats for Tesla Model S
1. Graco TurboBooster LX 2-in-1 – 16.2" – fits 3 across
Graco brand takes the lead among the best car seats recommended for model S, appearing here again for Tesla Model S child booster seats.
The TurboBooster LX is a slim dual-mode booster seat that can be used as a highback and, later, backless booster seat.
Measuring 16.2” wide, the seat will fit three across. Just as you may not need up to 3 booster seats, the TurboBooster will fit with just any other convertible and rear-facing seat in your vehicle.
On the other hand, the booster seat is rigorously crash tested for frontal, rear, side, and rollover crashes, rated “BEST BEST” by IIHS, and has a self-buckling feature. Safe to say, the Graco TurboBooster LX is the best booster seat for your Tesla Model S.
| Graco TurboBooster LX | Overview | Specifications | Features |
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2. Peg Perego Viaggio 2-3 Shuttle Plus - fits 3 across
The PegPerego Viaggio 2-3 Shuttle Plus booster seat is another dual-mode booster seat that can be used as a highback and backrest booster seat.
While it measures 17″ in width, it will fit three across.
What makes the Viaggio stand out from other booster seats, though very pricey, are the extended features it has. Such as weight limit of 120lbs., height limit of 63″, and an expiration date of 12 years from the date of manufacture.
| Viaggio 2-3 Shuttle Plus | Overview | Specifications | Features |
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3. Cosco Finale Dx 2-In-1 Booster Car Seat - 19" – will not fit 3
The Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 booster seat measures 19″ in width and will, therefore, not fit three seats across.
However, it will fit as two car seats in your Tesla Model S. It will also serve as a third car seat on the one outboard seat with other convertible and a rear-facing seat on the other positions.
The Finale Dx is a unique dual-mode booster seat that can be used as a forward-facing and highback booster seat. When using as ff, you can use it on an airplane because of the 5-point harness system.
| Cosco Finale Dx | Overview | Specifications | Features |
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Final Thoughts and Recommendation
While you may already have your Tesla Model S vehicle and looking for compatible car seats, the article aimed to provide insights on suitable car seats for your Model S.
On the other hand, if you are contemplating getting a Model S for your family, it is an excellent choice.
Beyond other features in the MS, which is beyond the scope of this article, the EV is great for your family and offers you a wide range of child seat choices, be it infant rear-facing seats, convertibles, or child booster seats.
The Graco SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1 is recommended as the best car seat for your Tesla Model S because of its versatility as a 3-in-1 seat, compact design, comfy seat, ease-of-use features, and safety rating.
The Doona infant seat and stroller is a good choice as both an infant seat and stroller, saving you more money in the long run.
Finally, the best booster seat for the Tesla Model S is the Graco TurboBooster LX for its dual-mode, slim design, self-buckling feature, safety, and ease-of-use features. While on the other hand, it is reasonably priced.
