How we measure

Where the numbers come from, how a verdict is worked out, and what it can't tell you.

Every verdict on BabyCarFit is calculated from two sets of published measurements: the pram's folded size from its brand, and the boot's measurements from the car maker or an independent measurer. Each page links to its sources.

How a verdict is worked out

  1. We take the pram's everyday fold, usually with the seat attached, and sort its three sides from longest to shortest.
  2. The longest side has to fit the boot's longer floor dimension: either the floor length or the width between the wheel arches.
  3. The middle side has to fit the other floor dimension.
  4. The shortest side has to fit under the lower of the boot height and the tailgate opening height.
  5. Where we have the opening width, the middle side also has to pass through it.

What the verdicts mean

  • Fits At least 3 cm to spare on every side.
  • Tight fit It goes in, with less than 3 cm to spare somewhere.
  • Won't fit At least one side is bigger than the boot, with the rear seats up.
  • Not enough data A measurement we need isn't published yet.

If a pram won't fit as it usually folds but does with the seat removed, we say so.

Which height we use

Height decides more verdicts than anything else, and it's measured in different ways, so we use one rule for every car: the height from the boot floor to the parcel shelf or load cover, measured by an independent tester rather than quoted by the car maker. Where the floor adjusts, we use the figure with the floor raised flat, which is the most cautious.

For a few cars we've only found the height of the tailgate opening. Their verdicts are marked shelf out, because they hold with the parcel shelf removed, and we'll update them when we find the height under the shelf. If a pram only fits once the shelf comes out, we say that too.

What a calculation can't tell you

A boot isn't a box. Curved sides, a high load lip, a sloping tailgate or a subwoofer can change the answer, and brands measure folded sizes in slightly different ways. Treat a tight fit as a reason to test in person. We're adding tested verdicts, with photos, starting with the most popular pairs.

Seen a measurement that's wrong for your car? Email hello@babycarfit.com and we'll check it.