Choosing a car seat in Australia can feel like a big decision, especially when the options cover so many ages and stages. If you’re comparing a newborn car seat, a forward-facing harnessed seat or a booster, these three customer favourites are a useful place to start: Quattro, Emerge and Acclaim Premium.
Compare our three best sellers
| Seat | Suitable stage | Why parents consider it |
|---|---|---|
| Quattro Onyx | Birth to approximately 4 years | A slim 42 cm convertible car seat with extended rearward facing |
| Emerge Onyx | Forward-facing stage to approximately 8 years | A built-in six-point harness for extended use |
| Acclaim Premium | Approximately 4 to 10 years | A tall, adjustable booster used with the vehicle’s seatbelt |
Age ranges are a guide. Always check the seat’s shoulder-height markers and instructions against your child’s size.
A slim car seat from birth: Quattro
A newborn car seat needs to fit your baby, your vehicle and your daily routine. Quattro Onyx is a convertible car seat designed for use from birth to approximately four years. At 42 cm wide, its slim profile is particularly useful when back-seat space is tight or you’re fitting more than one restraint.
It offers extended rearward-facing use to approximately 30 months, then forward-facing travel with its built-in harness, depending on the shoulder-height markers. ISOFix compatibility and one-handed Twist & Lift adjustment help with everyday use, while Secur-Air and Air Cocoon Technology add impact management.
Good fit for: Families looking for a narrow car seat that starts with the first drive home.
A forward-facing harnessed car seat: Emerge
When a child is ready to face forward, some families want to keep them in a built-in harness for longer. Emerge Onyx offers a six-point harness for extended use, up to approximately eight years depending on the child’s fit against its markers.
Its Twist & Lift system raises the headrest and harness together without rethreading the straps. Emerge Onyx also features Secur-Air and Air Cocoon Technology, plus an Active Bamboo cover for everyday comfort.
Good fit for: Families seeking a forward-facing seat with extended harness use.
An adjustable booster seat: Acclaim Premium
A booster seat positions an older child to use the vehicle’s lap-sash seatbelt. Acclaim Premium is designed for approximately four to ten years and includes a top tether. Its tall, adjustable headrest is made to support children as they grow.
Push & Lift makes headrest adjustment simple, Active Bamboo fabric adds breathable comfort, and the foldable design helps when storing the booster or moving it between cars.
Good fit for: Children ready for the booster stage who need room to grow.
Which car seat is right for your child?
Starting from birth? Consider Quattro. Looking for a forward-facing harnessed seat? Explore Emerge. Ready for a booster? Take a look at Acclaim Premium. The next step is checking your child’s fit, your vehicle and the instructions for the exact model.
Frequently asked questions
What type of car seat does a newborn need?
A newborn needs an approved rearward-facing restraint that fits them correctly. Of these three seats, Quattro Onyx is the convertible model designed for use from birth. Check its newborn configuration and instructions before the first trip.
What’s the difference between a harnessed car seat and a booster?
Emerge Onyx secures the child with a built-in six-point harness. Acclaim Premium is a booster that uses the vehicle’s lap-sash seatbelt. Each has different start and stop markers, so follow the instructions rather than relying on age alone.
Will a narrow car seat fit three across?
Quattro is 42 cm wide, which can help when fitting multiple seats. Three-across fit still depends on the vehicle, the other restraints and access to the buckles and anchorages. Trial the full arrangement before buying.
