10 of the Best Sedans for Accommodating Car Seats

2019 Nissan Altima ・ Photo by Nissan

Minivans and SUVs are a popular choice for families, but sometimes a sedan is all you really need. They’re more affordable and are easier to navigate through parking lots and congested city streets. The challenge for parents specifically is finding a sedan that easily accommodates car seats.

The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) makes it easier than ever to secure a car seat, but it’s not quite the same in every sedan. Connectors are sometimes difficult to find and are often only in the outboard seats with a tether for the center seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety includes ratings for LATCH systems. Here are the 10 best sedans for accommodating car seats.

1. 2021 Honda Insight

The 2021 Honda Insight is a hybrid powered by a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined 151 horsepower. It gets excellent fuel economy with an EPA-estimated 55 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. It’s a solid choice for those who prioritize fuel economy.

It received a top rating of Good+ for its LATCH system and is an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ with a top rating of Good in all crash tests. It has tethers in all three seating positions with anchors in the outboard seats only. Those anchors can be borrowed by the middle seat. Pricing starts at $23,130.

Photo by Honda

2. 2021 Subaru Impreza

The 2021 Subaru Impreza is a compact sedan that includes standard all-wheel drive. It received a top rating of Good in all IIHS crash tests and was named a 2021 Top Safety Pick. Adding to its safety is available EyeSight driver assistance technology. This adds adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, sway warning, and lane keeping assist.

The Impreza received a Good+ rating for its LATCH system. There are tethers for all three seats with anchors only for the outboard seats. The middle seat can borrow the anchors from either of the outboard seating positions. Pricing starts at $18,795.

Photo by Subaru

3. 2021 Honda Accord

The 2021 Honda Accord is a mid-size sedan with a roomy trunk and a comfortable interior. It received a top score of Good in all IIHS crash tests and earned a 2021 Top Safety Pick+ rating. It also received a Good+ rating for its LATCH system. The Accord has tethers for all three seats with anchors in the outboard seats only. Those anchors can be borrowed by the middle seat.

The Accord offers a wide range of trims with both gas and hybrid powertrains. Standard features include Honda Sensing with collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition. Pricing starts at $24,970.

Photo by Honda

4. 2021 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Nissan Altima is a mid-size sedan with a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. It received a top rating of Good in all IIHS crash tests and is a 2021 Top Safety Pick+. The LATCH system in the Altima received a Good+ rating. It has tethers in all three seating positions with anchors in the outboard seats. Those anchors can be borrowed by the middle seat.

Standard safety in the Altima includes forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and driver alertness warning. Blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking are optional. Pricing starts at $24,350.

Photo by Nissan

5. 2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry is a mid-size sedan with a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. It received a top rating of Good in all IIHS crash tests and was named a 2021 Top Safety Pick+. The Camry received a Good+ rating for its LATCH system. There are tethers for all three seating positions with anchors for the outboard seats, which can be borrowed by the middle seat.

There is a long list of standard safety features that includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane trace assist, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. Pricing for the Camry starts at $25,045.

Photo by Toyota

6. 2021 Mazda Mazda3

The 2021 Mazda Mazda3 is a compact sedan with an upscale cabin. Even base trims of the Mazda3 are beautiful and elegant with rich trims. As far as sedans go, this is a compact choice, but there is room for kids in car seats. All three rear seats have tethers with anchors for the outboard seats. The middle seat can borrow the outboard anchors.

The IIHS named the Mazda3 a 2021 Top Safety Pick+ and gave it a Good+ rating for its LATCH system. Standard safety includes high beam control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, and driver attention alert. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert are optional. Pricing starts at $20,650.

Photo by Mazda

7. 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2021 Nissan Maxima is as front-wheel-drive sedan with a roomy interior and a powerful engine. Power comes from a 3.5-liter V6 with 300 horsepower that delivers strong acceleration. The IIHS named the Maxima a 2021 Top Safety Pick+ with a Good+ rating for its LATCH system. All three rear seats have tethers with anchors for the outboard seats. The middle seat can borrow anchors from the outboard seats.

Standard safety on the Maxima is extensive. It includes blind-spot warning, intelligent cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, driver alertness, and rear automatic braking. Intelligent lane intervention is optional. Pricing starts at $37,090.

Photo by Nissan

8. 2021 Subaru Legacy

The 2021 Subaru Legacy is a mid-size sedan with standard all-wheel drive. It was named an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ and received a Good+ rating for its LATCH system. It has tethers in all three rear seating positions. There are two anchors for each outboard seat. The middle seat has one anchor and can also borrow one anchor from either outboard seat.

Standard safety for the Legacy includes automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, rearview camera, and rear seat monitor. Optional features include blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and driver drowsiness monitor. Pricing starts at $22,895.

Photo by Subaru

9. 2021 Mazda Mazda6

The 2021 Mazda Mazda6 is a sporty choice with sleek styling and an upscale interior. It’s available with front-wheel drive only and a choice of two engines, including a powerful turbocharged option. This sedan was named an IIHS 2021 Top Safety Pick+ and received a Good+ rating for its LATCH system. There are tethers in all three rear seating positions. Outboard seats have anchors that can be borrowed by the middle seat.

Standard safety includes lane departure warning, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and forward collision warning. Options include front and rear parking sensors and reverse automatic emergency braking. Pricing starts at $24,575.

Photo by Mazda

10. 2021 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Toyota Corolla is a smaller sedan that still has room for three car seats. It’s an IIHS 2021 Top Safety pick, and it received a Good+ rating for its LATCH system. All three rear seats have tethers. Outboard rear seats have anchors, which can also be borrowed by the middle seat.

Standard safety on the Corolla includes lane keeping assist, lane tracing assist, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and traffic sign recognition. Options include blind-spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, and adaptive headlights. Pricing starts at $20,025.

Photo by Toyota