Jeep SUVs can take you just about anywhere you want to go. If you are a parent, you likely aren’t going to many places without your toddlers in tow. Adventurous families will be pleased to know that the Jeep Wrangler can be a family vehicle. You’ll need to take a few precautions to ensure the car seat is secure when taking your family off the beaten path.

Can I put a car seat in a Jeep Wrangler?

You can certainly put a car seat in a Jeep Wrangler, but it depends on the specifics that determine how safe it is. The Jeep Wrangler remains a wildly popular 4×4. It’s available in either a two-door or four-door model. Four people will ride comfortably in the two-door model, and up to five people in the four-door. You’ll have more space in the four-door Unlimited, so it will be the most convenient for car seats. Take it on a road trip if you want, but always buckle your seatbelts.

Jeep offers an almost unlimited number of ways to customize the Wrangler, with different engine and transmission types. You’ll also never feel confined in the Jeep Wrangler. Freedom of the open air is easily obtained thanks to removable doors, fold-down windshields, and removable tops. However, the safety of a car seat varies a lot from model to model.

One of the best ways to check on a car seat in a Jeep Wrangler is through IIHS testing. Modern vehicles go through many tests to determine the safety of passengers. For instance, the 2023 Jeep Wrangler earned a high score for the LATCH evaluation. The Wrangler has two rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment hardware.

Do Car Seats Fit in Jeep Wranglers?

Before we get into the specifics of how the car seats fit in a Wrangler, it’s important to note that different car seats may require additional space. Rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster seats will all do a bit differently.

It is recommended that you drive your vehicle to an expert for a free car seat safety installation check. The Latch anchors are easily accessible in the Jeep Wrangler, making car seat installation easy. Rear-facing car seats can be a bit snug in the Wrangler, but there are simple modifications you can do yourself to alleviate this issue.

If you have the specific trim and number of doors in mind, you should be able to check the Jeep website or the IIHS site to confirm how many car seats will fit and how safe the vehicle is. The 2023 Unlimited Sport has room for three car seats across.

Car seat recommendations and reminders

There are many car seat options on the market to choose from, and it is important that you choose the right one for your child’s development stage. Always refer back to your car seat manufacturer’s specific instructions (check height and weight limits). Read through your vehicle’s owner manual on how to properly install the car seat using either the seat belt or anchors, if available. Keeping your child in their car seat for as long as possible will maximize their safety while on the road. Children need to remain in the back seat through age 12.

There are many other SUVs that could be more suitable than the Jeep Wrangler, but it will work. The Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade have excellent safety scores on all tests and plenty of room for car seats. However, your off-road SUV will do the job if it has to.