If you’re comparing child car seats, you may have come across ADAC and the Swedish Plus Test. Both assess car seat safety, but they are not the same type of test.
ADAC is a broad consumer test covering safety, ease of use, ergonomics and harmful substances. The Swedish Plus Test is a specialist crash test for rear-facing child seats, with particular focus on neck protection during a severe frontal collision.
So, which is better? It depends on what you want to know.
ADAC vs Swedish Plus Test at a glance
|
ADAC |
Swedish Plus Test |
|
|
Main purpose |
Overall car seat assessment |
Specialist crash-safety test |
|
Tests |
Frontal & side impacts |
Severe frontal impact |
|
Rear-facing only |
No |
Yes |
|
Neck protection focus |
Part of wider safety assessment |
Major focus |
|
Ease of use |
Yes |
No |
|
Ergonomics |
Yes |
No |
|
Harmful substances |
Yes |
No |
|
Result |
Overall rating |
Pass or fail |
|
Best for |
Comparing overall performance |
Assessing rear-facing crash protection |
What is the ADAC car seat test?
The ADAC child car seat test is an independent consumer assessment that looks at more than crash protection.
Its methodology assesses:
- Safety
- Ease of installation and use
- Risk of incorrect use
- Ergonomics
- Comfort and space
- Harmful substances
Safety accounts for 50% of the overall ADAC assessment. The crash programme includes frontal and side-impact testing.
ADAC also considers how easy a seat is to install and use correctly. This matters because even a well-designed car seat may not provide its intended protection if it is installed or used incorrectly.
For parents, ADAC is therefore useful when comparing the overall performance and practicality of different car seats.
What is the Swedish Plus Test?
The Swedish Plus Test is a voluntary crash test carried out by VTI (the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute).
Unlike ADAC, it is specifically designed for rear-facing child restraint systems.
The test focuses on protection during a severe frontal collision, particularly the forces placed on a child's neck.
In a rear-facing seat, the child's back is supported by the seat shell during a frontal crash. This helps distribute crash forces across the body and reduces the forward movement that can place stress on the neck.
How demanding is the Plus Test?
VTI states that the Plus Test is performed at 56 km/h, using a stopping distance approximately 100 mm shorter than the conventional crash test, creating a more severe crash pulse.
The test measures neck forces and assesses the structural robustness of the restraint.
Unlike ADAC, there is no numerical Plus Test rating. A seat either passes or fails.
Is the Plus Test harder than ADAC?
Not really - they are testing different things.
The Plus Test is particularly demanding when it comes to severe frontal crash protection and neck loads in rear-facing seats.
ADAC has a much broader scope, including side-impact protection, usability, ergonomics and materials.
So rather than asking which test is harder, ask:
What does each test tell me about the seat?
Can a seat pass ADAC but fail the Plus Test?
Yes.
A good ADAC result does not automatically mean a seat will pass the Swedish Plus Test because the methodologies and criteria are different.
Likewise, a Plus-Test-approved seat does not automatically have an ADAC rating.
The results should therefore be viewed as additional pieces of information rather than equivalent scores.
When choosing a seat, consider three separate things:
- Legal approval – does the seat meet the relevant regulatory requirements?
- ADAC testing – how does it perform across a broad range of safety and consumer-focused criteria?
- Plus Test – does a rear-facing seat meet the requirements of this demanding frontal crash test?
Which test should you look for when buying a car seat?
There isn't one test that tells you everything.
If you're considering a rear-facing car seat, a Plus Test pass can provide useful additional information about severe frontal crash performance.
An ADAC result can help you assess the seat more broadly, including safety, usability and ergonomics.
You should also consider:
- Whether the seat fits your child
- Whether it is compatible with your car
- Whether you can install it correctly
- Whether your child can remain rear-facing
- Whether the seat will be easy to use correctly every time
ADAC vs Swedish Plus Test: The simple answer
ADAC = broad assessment of safety, usability and everyday performance.
Swedish Plus Test = specialist crash test for rear-facing child seats, with a strong focus on neck protection.
They aren't competing tests. They provide different information.
For the most informed choice, look at the relevant test results alongside legal approval, correct fit, vehicle compatibility and proper installation.
Understanding the difference between ADAC and the Swedish Plus Test makes it much easier to interpret car seat safety claims - and choose a seat that is appropriate for your child.
Need help choosing the right car seat?
Here at Winstanleys Pramworld, our IOSH-certified car seat experts are on hand to provide independent, practical advice - whether you visit us in store or need support virtually.
Contact us or visit us today for expert, personalised car seat advice.