Skip advert
Advertisement

New Joie i-Spin Safe infant car seat review

The Joie i-Spin Safe takes safety to the next level, but it does come with some limitations

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

Verdict

The Joie i-Spin Safe is the perfect fit for those parents who value safety above everything else. It does have its limitations when it comes to transporting your child in and out of the car but, if you’re happy to live with that trade-off, then it’s one of the best all round infant car seats on the market.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The name of the Joie i-Spin Safe describes exactly what this new car seat is all about – safety. It’s a proven fact that keeping your child in a rearward-facing position for as long as possible is a good thing, and the i-Spin Safe allows you to do that up to four years of age.

It means you can buy this seat secure in the knowledge that your child is in the safest possible position, and you’re not going to have to go out a buy a new seat one year down the line as your child has outgrown it.

There’s plenty of other safety kit included as well, with the ‘Tri-Protect’ headrest boasting three layers of protection inside the wings and the ‘Guard Surround Safety’ panels that auto-engage and lock outwards when the harness is tightened.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

GLC Coupe

2023 Mercedes

GLC Coupe

56,300 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £29,840
View GLC Coupe
Niro

2022 Kia

Niro

33,060 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £18,499
View Niro
XC40

2022 Volvo

XC40

18,905 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £27,499
View XC40
1 Series

2021 BMW

1 Series

36,564 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £17,990
View 1 Series

As with safety, the i-Spin Safe also majors on simplicity. There’s an easy solution for everything from the initial set-up to dealing with your baby growing in size. The standout feature is the ‘Grow Together’ headrest and harness system, which adjusts simultaneously. Simply move the headrest up and the harness system grows to accommodate the extra size. It’s a genius set-up that means you don’t have to spend hours finding the manual and then wrestling with the straps.

The ‘grow-with-me’ infant inserts are also easy to install and the seat has six reclining positions, which can be adjusted without having to remove the seat.

Of course the i-Spin Safe does have one Achilles’ heel, and that’s the fact that you can’t remove it from the base and transport your child inside still in the carrier. Ask most parents and they will tell you the last thing you want to do is wake a sleeping child in the back when you reach your destination.

But that’s the trade-off you get for the extra safety with the i-Spin Safe. The problem is eased slightly by being able to swivel the seat 90 degrees to the side, meaning you can easily lift your child in and out without too much strain, but keeping your baby asleep will be a challenge.

If you do have to take the seat out it’s easy to remove (and fit again), though thanks to the retractable Isofix points included and it’s relatively lightweight for a seat this size at just 14.6kg. The handy installation indicator also ensures that you’ve got the seat in the correct position.

Click here for more information on the UK's child car seat laws....

Skip advert
Advertisement
Web producer

Pete has over 20 years journalistic experience. Having previously worked for Ladbrokes and the Racing Post, he switched from sports writing to automotive journalism when joining Auto Express in 2015.

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,199 off RRP*Used from £15,337
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £31,499
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,199
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £3,331 off RRP*Used from £10,000
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering
Opinion - Shanghai Auto Show

Chinese cars can’t match their European rivals when it comes to engineering

This new brand of cars might have battery tech on their side, but European buyers want much more than that
Opinion
25 Apr 2025
New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK
Tesla Model X on two-post inspection ramp

New electric car MoT tests could be coming to the UK

New technology and driver assistance systems require changes to annual testing, says EC
News
25 Apr 2025
Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible
Opinion - £10k used cars

Buying a modern used car for under £10k is almost impossible

Phil McNamara discovers that it’s harder than ever to find a good-value car at the affordable end of the market
Opinion
24 Apr 2025