Joie Elevate R129 car seat review

The harness can be removed when your child is big enough, so the seat can be used as a booster seat with the car's own three-point seatbelt system.

What were your first impressions of the car seat?

When I took the Elevate car seat out of the box, I noticed how light it was to lift compared to other car seats we have used. It weighs only 5.5kg. It looked compact and sturdy, with a good amount of padding.

How easy is it to install?

The car seat comes in two distinct pieces: the seat and the back to the seat. There is a very slim instruction manual and a QR code to link to the website where there is an installation video, as well a link to the instruction manual.

It took a couple of efforts to get the seat and the back to click together but after we had done this once, it is easy to see how it works.

We followed the video instructions to work out how to fit the seat into the car, and it was very simple once you got the hang of it, taking only a few minutes. It also has colour-coded install paths that show you where the seatbelt needs to go, which is useful against the all-black seat.

How do you install the car seat?

The Elevate is installed using the car's own seatbelt. It does not have an ISOFIX fitting, which generally I prefer, but this does seem to be safely and firmly fixed into the car, especially with the lock-off device it uses at the top of the seat, which tightly grabs the car's seat belt.

It is marketed as being a streamline seat, and it is narrow and compact, so sits easily in the seat space of the car. The seat is L50cm x W47.5cm, so should easily fit in most cars.

How does it compare to similar car seats for this age range?

It seems to be very much a budget-priced car seat compared to other Group 1/2/3 seats, coming in at just £80, compared to almost £300 for the offerings from some of the more premium brands.

It does not have some of the flashier features of others – e.g., it is not rear-facing or rotating, does not have ISOFIX and does not recline – but is a great budget option and is packed full of features even at the cheaper price point.

What are the key safety features of the car seat – how do they work; how easy are they to use; how much reassurance did they give you; and how good are the side-impact wings?

The Elevate meets the highest ECE R129/03 safety standard, including side-impact testing, to protect the head, body and hips. It also meets i-Size standards in forward-facing belted booster mode.

The green colour-coded installation paths make it easy to ensure it is installed correctly, with the lock-off device meaning that you can make sure the seatbelt is secure. The good safety features give you confidence that this seat will keep your child safe, even at this price point. The side-impact wings also look and seem sturdy.

How long is it rear-facing for?

It is not rear-facing – it is forward-facing only.

Does it rotate?

It does not rotate.

Any unique features of the car seat?

The headline feature of the Elevate R129 is the 10-position headrest, which is very easy to adjust and has a trademarked Grow Together system, which means that the headrest and the three-point harness adjust simultaneously, even when the seat is installed in the car.

This is a very useful feature and works just as it says it should. It is certainly much easier to use than the harnesses on some seats, where you have to faff around and re-thread the harness through slots on the back of the seat when your child grows. This is very simple and effective.

It also comes with a cup holder for a drink or snacks, which is useful and which my son liked.

How comfortable did your child find the car seat?

My son was very pleased with his new seat. He said it was very comfortable and liked the padded armrests. The head support was also comfy enough that he fell asleep during a couple of journeys and his head was not lolling about in strange positions.

How well did it work with different-aged children if relevant?

I used this predominantly with my son, who is 3 years and 11 months old, and I thought the seat was great. He still needs the harness due to his size and weight, and the easy-to-adjust straps made this a great seat for him now and into the future.

I sat my 15-month-old in the seat too, but I don't think he is quite big enough, so we didn't drive anywhere. The straps fitted, and he liked being forward-facing, but the headrest was a touch too high, even in the lower position. I also prefer to keep babies of that age rear-facing even longer if possible.

That compromise is one I would make on short, low-speed journeys, but if we were going anywhere on a motorway or for a longer distance, I would probably use a rear-facing seat to make sure he is protected more fully from any potential impact.

I didn’t use the seat with my 9-year-old, but for use as a belted booster seat, you have to remove the harness and store it away, using the car seat belt to secure them instead.

How do you rate the straps?

The straps on the Elevate have nice shoulder padding and are easy enough to fasten once you understand how they are placed together to go into the clasp. It is easy to unfasten, but not so easy that my son could do it himself.

It took me a few gos to work out how to tighten the straps because you have to pull the opposite end to how you tightened or loosened them on our previous car seat. The button to press is also hidden inside the seat, so you have to put your finger inside where the adjustment cord is and press down. However, once I realised this, it was straightforward.

How robust does the car seat feel?

Though this is a lightweight and slim car seat, it does feel robust enough, with the list of safety features offering reassurance that this is a safe car seat that will protect your child. It seems to be of great quality, especially for the price, and I think would easily last all the wear and tear of the many years that it can be used for.

Does it recline?

It does not recline.

How good is the headrest?

The headrest is nicely padded, providing good safety and comfort for a child. It has 10 positions, which means that it can be used by babies, right up to the maximum legally required height. It is very easy to adjust using the handle on the back. Just squeeze and lift or push down, as required.

How easy is it to clean?

The covers on the Elevate are removable and washable. It can also be wiped clean easily, which is good if you child snacks in the car.

How do you find the car seat to carry around?

The Elevate is much easier to haul into and take out of a car because it is so lightweight at only 5.5kg. It is certainly easier than some of the very heavy baby car seats I have used in the past. This is a car seat that will stay in the vehicle once fixed, but because it is easy to carry and easy to install, it will be easy to swap it in and out of cars, as required.

Does it have a sun hood?

No, it does not have a sun hood.

Is the car seat big enough for a growing child?

The beauty of this seat is that it really will grow with your child, especially with so many different headrest positions and the fact that there is a 5-point harness for small children, and it can then be used with the three-point car seat belt.

What’s in the box?

• Car-seat seat unit
• Car-seat back
• Cup holder
• Simple instructions with QR code link to full instructions

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

None.

Packaging

It came in a standard cardboard box, with a little plastic foam protection on some parts of the seat, but there was not excessive plastic packaging, e.g., lots of plastic bags and polystyrene. The seat fitted snugly in the box, so it was adequately protected.

Sustainability

The Cycle collection by Joie uses recycled materials, notably plastic bottles, which are used in the fabrics of products in this collection. The Elevate R129 is not in this collection, though, so does not use recycled materials.

Tell us about repair options if it breaks

All Joie products are covered by a two-year warranty from the original date of purchase as shown on your sales receipt or invoice. An extended warranty of three years in total is available if you register your purchase at joiebaby.com/uk/register-your-product

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the car seat?

Understanding that this is only forward-facing and is not ISOFIX is important before purchasing this seat, as these are two safety features that some parents would prefer for younger-aged children.

Who would this car seat be most useful for?

The Elevate really would suit a range of families. As the Elevate is suitable for a wide age range, you can buy once and not need to worry about buying another car seat. Because it is lightweight and easy to install, it may be a good option for families with more than one car, as you can easily swap it between cars.

Its price means it is a good buy for families who have a range of different financial situations. Also, not having ISOFIX and being streamlined means that it will fit in a wide selection of cars.

Is this car seat worth the money?

The Elevate R129 is absolutely worth the money. It is a fantastic buy for £80. It is packed full of the essential features, plus a couple of bonus ones, and is a car seat that you can have faith in despite being on the cheaper side.

Where can I buy the Joie Elevate R129 car seat?

It is available from Argos, Mamas&Papas and Boots

MadeForMums verdict:

The Joie Elevate R129 is a brilliant car seat for the price. It meets the most recent safety standards and grows with your child, meaning that you need only make one purchase from toddler age through to 12 years old. It is easy to install, easy to adjust and lightweight enough to make it easy to take in and out of cars without too much effort. It does not have some of the more premium features of more expensive car seats, such as ISOFIX, rotation or rear-facing and recline positions, but it is comfortable, safe and great value.