RECARO Axion 1 child car seat review

If you’re on the hunt for a car seat for three-year-olds that’s safe, comfy and doesn’t look like a bulky eyesore in the back of your car, the Recaro Axion 1 i-Size might be right up your street. Designed for little ones for 3 to 12 years old, it ticks all the latest safety boxes and promises an easier, smoother ride for both little passengers and parents. Scroll down to find out how our mum tester got on when testing the Axion 1.

Testing the RECARO Axion 1

I’m a part-time magazine editor and mum to two spirited little girls, aged three and four. We live with my husband Alex in sunny Leigh-on-sea, Essex. Although we have many local amenities on our doorstep, our car is used pretty frequently for journeys across town and to nearby Southend, as well as weekend trips to visit our parents in Lincolnshire and Suffolk. With this in mind we needed a car seat that delivered not only on safety, but on comfort too. Afterall, car journeys with toddlers can be challenging enough without complaints of numb bums and sore backs.

The seat was tested over a period of three weeks. During the testing phase, we drove to Normandy, Northern France via the Channel tunnel, so the seat was really put through its paces.

Price-wise, the Recaro Axion 1 is towards the upper end of the market, although some models are still double the price. As a family, we have so far exclusively used rear-facing car seats for our children and were looking forward to testing out a forward-facing model, especially from a brand synonymous with automotives and slick German design. Initial reactions were positive, and upon delivery, it struck me how light-weight the box was. The seat’s design also looked simple and fuss-free. Instructions booklets in several languages were enclosed.

The Axion 1 claims to be lightweight, comfortable and spacious. The first claim definitely held up – and the car seat felt a lot lighter than previous models we’ve used (which to be fair, have included a base as well as a seat.) It felt light enough that I could imagine carrying it through an airport without my arm aching. Being that bit lighter meant that installing it felt less arduous, too.

Now onto the second claim. Does it deliver when it comes to comfort? According to the manufacturer, the seat’s headrest is made of vibration-absorbing material and soft memory foam, providing ‘optimal support and comfort for the neck.’ The headrest is adjustable, so can be lengthened as the child grows. This is very easy to adjust, just requiring a squeeze of the handle on the back. Since we tested the seat with my three-year-old, we set this to the lowest setting.

The backrest can also be adjusted to differing angles and a cushion insert is designed to support a child’s pelvic area.  With all these promises, we were hopeful for a satisfied rider. While our daughter isn’t the most articulate reviewer, her frequent naps and lack of whining, combined with her willingness to go back in her car seat, indicate that she found the seat very comfortable indeed!

Finally – is it spacious? In short, yes, both for the rider and other passengers. Our daughter certainly had more space than she did in her previous car seat, her legs never felt scrunched up like they did in our rear-facing model. Added to that, because the model is compact and sleek, it took up less space in the car too.

Another feature of the model’s design is additional hexagonal-shaped holes in the back for ‘enhanced air circulation’ and heat dissipation. It was hard to really put this feature to the test, though I never noticed my daughter’s back was particularly sweaty after a long trip.

Priced around £219, the Recaro Axion 1 is not really a budget option for families, when models like the Joie i-Trillo and Halford’s Nyala model can be snapped up for £60. However, considering the seat can be used until children are 12, per year, it’s really not a bad investment. Although all models have to pass industry standards, the Recaro brand does offer peace of mind for safety-conscious parents (the brand also manufactures seats for the aviation industry).

Following the instruction manual, installing the car seat was straightforward – no YouTube tutorials needed! We chose to fit it using our car’s ISOFIX, but there’s also the option to just use the car seatbelt.

While it’s probably a stretch to describe any child’s seat as ‘stylish’- the seat definitely looks better than most of its competitors. The one we tested was a ‘gallant grey’ colour-way but other options include ‘vibrant orange’ and an ‘epic green’ - a refreshing change from the standard black or grey. We didn’t need to wash the seat covers but they are all removable and washable.

I think one of the best things about using the Axion 1 was being able to look back from the front seat and see our daughter. Despite having a strategically placed mirror, we always struggled to see what our daughter was up to in her old rear-facing model. Was she having a danger nap? Had she eaten her socks? It was anyone’s guess. With this car seat, our daughter loved being able to look out of the front windscreen. The other thumbs up from our daughter was the fact her seat belt sat across her chest ‘like Mummy’s’ (she hated having a five-point harness belt). I can’t really think of any improvements I’d make to the model, other than to make it more purse-friendly.

Final verdict

We were so impressed by the Recaro Axion 1 that we are considering purchasing a second car seat so both our daughters can have one. The Recaro Axion 1 is not a cheap option but I feel it does offer value for money, considering that you could use it for 10 years.

My toddler seemed to find the seat very comfortable and slept well during longer journeys. Our older girl, who is four, also tested the seat and reported that it was comfy and cosy – hence why we are considering buying a second one. I found the Recaro Axion 1 much easier to instal than other models – which were awkward, bulky and complex. Fortunately, we didn’t have to test whether it’s worthy of its safety credentials, but it certainly gave peace of mind and a feeling our daughter was in safe hands.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum to Theodore, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.