In short: A 360° swivel car seat rotates on its ISOFIX base towards the car door, so lifting your child in and buckling up is much easier. Most models are approved for children from 40 to 105 cm and allow rear-facing travel until around age 4. They differ in weight (about 9–15 kg), installation (support leg or Top Tether), modular base and ADAC rating.
Author: Eva Birsa, mum and co-founder of Evitas · Updated: 28 September 2026
Why choose a swivel car seat?
With a fixed rear-facing seat you have to lean deep into the car and buckle your child in at an awkward angle. A swivel seat turns 90° towards the door: you place your child from the front, fasten the harness and turn the seat back to rear-facing or forward-facing. It is easier on your back and reduces the risk of a loose harness. After 15 months (and 76 cm) the seat can be turned forward-facing, but experts recommend staying rear-facing as long as possible – read more in Rear-facing car seat until age 4.
Comparison table: 360° swivel car seats
Height range, installation and weight come from product descriptions or manufacturer data; where the manufacturer gives no weight, we show the weight measured by ADAC. ADAC ratings are only shown if we verified them on the official ADAC page for that exact model. A lower score is better (1.6–2.5 = good, 2.6–3.5 = satisfactory).
| Model | Child height (i-Size) | Rear-facing up to | Installation | Seat weight | ADAC score (test) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cybex Sirona G3 i-Size | 61–105 cm (from 40 cm with insert) | 105 cm | ISOFIX + support leg (Base G3, sold separately) | 6 kg without base, 13 kg with base | no rating found |
| Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size | 61–105 cm (from 40 cm with insert, sold separately) | 105 cm | ISOFIX + support leg (base included) | 12.7 kg (ADAC) | 2.2 good (May 2024) |
| Nuna Todl Next 360° + Base Next | 40–105 cm | 105 cm | ISOFIX + support leg (Base Next, sold separately) | 14.3 kg with base | 2.3 good (May 2022) |
| Nuna Pruu 360° | 40–105 cm | 105 cm | integrated ISOFIX base + support leg | 14 kg | 2.0 good (October 2024) |
| Joie i-Spin 360 | 40–105 cm | 105 cm | integrated ISOFIX base + support leg | 14.2 kg | 1.8 good (October 2019) |
| Joie i-Pivot 360 | 40–105 cm | 105 cm | integrated ISOFIX base + support leg | 11 kg | 2.4 good (May 2025) |
| Joie i-Spin XL | 40–150 cm | 105 cm | integrated ISOFIX base + support leg | 14.5 kg | 3.0 satisfactory (May 2024) |
| Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro | 40–105 cm | 105 cm | ISOFIX + support leg, SlideTech sliding base | 14.9 kg (ADAC) | 2.2 good (May 2024) |
| KikkaBoo i-Round, i-Van, i-Felix, i-Drive, i-Hike, i-Twist | 40–150 cm | 105 cm | ISOFIX + Top Tether or support leg | 9.3–14 kg | not tested by ADAC |
Source of scores: model pages on adac.de (checked 28 September 2026). ADAC changed its test procedure in 2020 and 2025, so do not compare scores from different years directly. For reference, from the Cybex Platinum line ADAC rated Sirona T + Base T 2.3 (October 2023) and Sirona Ti 2.5 (May 2026). Browse all models in car seats 40–105 cm and car seats 40–150 cm.
Pros and cons of each model
Cybex Sirona G3 i-Size
Pros: lightest seat in the table without base (6 kg), UN R129/04 approval, the modular Base G3 also fits the Cloud G3 infant carrier. Cons: base sold separately; from birth only with the newborn insert.
Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size
Pros: ADAC highlights very good frontal-impact protection, base included. Cons: from 61 cm as standard; for use from birth you need the insert sold separately.
Nuna Todl Next and Nuna Pruu
Pros: Todl Next is part of the modular Nuna Next system – the same Base Next can first carry the Pipa Next or Arra Next infant carrier. Pruu scored 1.7 for safety and 2.0 overall at ADAC. Cons: both are heavy (around 14 kg with base); for Pruu, ADAC mentions a slightly higher risk of incorrect use. Brand comparison: Cybex vs Nuna.
Joie i-Spin 360, i-Pivot 360 and i-Spin XL
Pros: i-Spin 360 has the best score in the table (1.8), i-Pivot 360 is one of the lightest with an integrated base (11 kg), and i-Spin XL fits from birth to 150 cm. Cons: the i-Spin 360 score dates from 2019 (older procedure); i-Spin XL scored 3.0 (satisfactory).
Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro
Pros: the SlideTech base slides the seat towards the door, one-hand rotation, 5 recline positions. Cons: ADAC describes it as very heavy (14.9 kg).
KikkaBoo 360°
Pros: one seat from 40 to 150 cm, lighter Top Tether versions (from 9.3 kg), affordable price. Cons: not tested by ADAC, so we rely on UN R129 approval and manufacturer data. Detailed comparison: KikkaBoo 360° car seats.
How to choose a swivel car seat
- Child's height: for a newborn choose a seat from 40 cm (or with an insert); for one seat up to age 12 choose 40–150 cm.
- Your car: check the vehicle fitting list – a support leg needs a solid floor (watch out for underfloor storage), Top Tether needs an anchor point behind the seat.
- Weight: if you move the seat often, 9 vs 15 kg makes a real difference. With modular systems (Base G3, Base Next) the base stays in the car.
- ADAC score: only compare scores from similar years; more in ADAC car seat test.
- General advice: approval, height groups and law in our guide How to choose a car seat.
Frequently asked questions
Is a swivel car seat safer than a fixed one?
Rotation itself does not make a seat safer, but it makes correct buckling easier. Safety depends on i-Size approval (UN R129), rear-facing travel and independent tests such as ADAC.
How long can my child ride rear-facing in a swivel seat?
In all models in the table up to 105 cm, which is around age 4 for most children. The i-Size regulation requires rear-facing travel at least until 15 months.
Which swivel car seat is the lightest?
Among integrated-base models the lightest is Joie i-Pivot 360 (11 kg); among Top Tether seats, KikkaBoo i-Round (9.3 kg). Cybex Sirona G3 weighs 6 kg without base and 13 kg with base.
Do I need ISOFIX?
Yes. All swivel seats in the table are installed with ISOFIX connectors plus a support leg or Top Tether.
Can I install a swivel seat on the front passenger seat?
Only if both the seat and vehicle manufacturers allow it. Never place a rear-facing seat in front of an active front airbag – the airbag must be deactivated. The rear seat is the safest place.
Sources
- ADAC – Cybex Sirona Gi i-Size
- ADAC – Nuna Todl Next + Base Next
- ADAC – Nuna Pruu
- ADAC – Joie i-Spin 360
- ADAC – Joie i-Pivot 360
- ADAC – Joie i-Spin XL
- ADAC – Maxi-Cosi Mica 360 Pro
Technical data: manufacturers' product descriptions in the Evitas shop. Always follow the car seat and vehicle manufacturers' installation instructions.
