“I don’t have space to rear face!”

It’s a common worry: “I’d love to keep my child rear-facing, but there’s just not enough room in my car.” While rear-facing seats can look bulky, you might be surprised by how many space-saving options are available - and how a bit of expert advice can make all the difference.

Rear-facing doesn’t have to mean massive

Many people picture rear-facing seats as huge, front-seat-blocking monsters - but that’s not always the case. While some models do take up more space, others are intentionally compact and designed to fit even in small cars. In fact, some seats take up less space than their forward-facing equivalents.

Modern designs often feature:

• Adjustable recline settings, allowing a more upright fit for older toddlers

• Compact bases or rebound designs that don’t intrude on front seat legroom

• Slim shells that are deceptively spacious inside, but car-friendly outside

It’s not just about the seat, but how it fits in your specific vehicle - and that’s where professional advice becomes invaluable.

Fitting tips and realistic solutions

Before ruling out rear-facing altogether, consider the following:

• Adjust the front passenger seat: If no adult regularly sits there, you may be able to move it forward safely

• Use the passenger side for the seat: Most front seats can be moved further forward than the driver’s seat

• Check your seat’s recline angle: Older children often don’t need the full newborn recline, freeing up space

• Ask for a test fit: Many specialist retailers can try seats in your car, showing you what actually fits - not just what looks bulky on a website

• Install in the front seat: Rear-facing in the front seat is perfectly safe, provided the vehicle manual permits a seat of that type there and passenger airbag is fully deactivated. This can dramatically free up room in the back - and while it means any adult passengers will need to sit in the rear seats, we’re sure they’ll agree that your child’s safety takes priority.

And if your current rear-facing seat really doesn’t work for your setup, there may be other rear-facing options with a better fit.

Important to know: forward-facing isn’t always a space saver

A common assumption is that turning a child forward-facing solves the space problem - but in many cases, it doesn’t. To forward-face safely, you must allow a 55cm ‘survival gap’ between your child’s nose and the seat or surface in front. This is to protect against severe head and facial injuries during a crash.

So, if you truly don’t have space for a rear-facing seat, it’s very likely you also don’t have enough space to forward-face safely.

FAQ

What’s the smallest rear-facing seat available?

Seats like the Avionaut Sky, Avionaut Stardust, Axkid Minikid Core and Axkid Minikid 4 range are known for being compact front-to-back. However, what fits best will depend on your child’s needs and your car’s layout - so a test fit is always advised.

Can I have a rear-facing seat in the front?

Yes, absolutely. Providing the vehicle manual permits a seat there, the airbag can be deactivated and you can get a safe install - it is completely safe.

If rear-facing doesn’t fit, is forward-facing the only option?

Not necessarily. There are usually multiple rear-facing models to try, and a different design (or installation method) might make it work. A trained car seat specialist can help you find the best solution.