SHERIDAN, WYOMING – July 13, 2025 – Parents looking for a safer and simpler way to travel with toddlers have reason to celebrate—Thule's rearward-facing child car seat, the Thule Elm RWF, has just been named a test winner in the prestigious ADAC child car seat safety test.
This is a major achievement for Thule, especially since it’s their first foray into the car seat market. The Thule Elm RWF, which is designed for children aged 6 months to 4 years, was tested together with the Thule Alfi Base and earned a 2.2 score—classified as “Good” by ADAC standards. Impressively, it secured the top position in its category for both safety and ease of use.
Exceptional safety backed by science
ADAC, Germany’s largest automobile club, is known for conducting some of the toughest consumer safety tests in the world. Their child car seat evaluations cover crash safety, ease of use, ergonomics, and chemical safety. The Elm RWF received top marks in both frontal and side impact protection—critical areas that give parents peace of mind.
“Winning the ADAC test is a testament to our team’s dedication to developing the safest and easiest-to-use modular car seat system on the market. With the Thule Elm RWF now joining the Thule Maple as a test winner, our first modular system has proven its ability to deliver highest protection and comfort across all age groups - right from its debut,” says Beatrice Råvik-Janzon, Director Category Management Active with Kids.
Rearward-facing travel: A Swedish safety standard
In Sweden, rearward-facing (RWF) travel is considered the safest way for young children to ride in a vehicle—and Thule’s latest recognition supports that belief. Research shows that rearward-facing seats can be up to five times safer than forward-facing ones. That’s why Thule emphasizes keeping children rearward-facing as long as possible.
The Thule Elm RWF is engineered with this philosophy in mind. It offers:
- Top score for crash safety in both frontal and side impacts
- Outstanding ease of installation and daily use
- Excellent ergonomics and chemical safety
Award-winning system for every age
The Elm RWF is the second Thule seat to earn test winner status, following the success of the Thule Maple infant car seat, which received its honors in October 2024. Together, these products form a modular system that delivers up to four years of trusted protection and comfort for families on the go.
The result validates the first Thule modular car seat system, which has now proven its strength across all age groups. Thule Maple for infants, awarded as test winner in October 2024, scored high not only in crash safety but also in ease of use, underlining our core belief that “safety starts at installation.” Together with the test winning Thule Elm RWF this system offers up to four years of outstanding protection and comfort for growing families.
Availability and next steps for parents
The Thule Elm RWF and the entire modular car seat system are available now through Thule retailers and online at www.thule.com. Whether you're planning short trips around town or cross-country journeys, these award-winning seats offer a dependable and user-friendly option for growing families.
Learn more at www.thule.com