Thule Elm Connect 180 i-Size toddler car seat
- Rearward safety gives your child enhanced protection
- 180° rotation makes getting in and out much easier
- Connect feedback supports harness and installation checks
- Three recline positions keep your child comfortable
Description
Thule Elm Connect 180 i-Size Toddler Car Seat
The Thule Elm Connect 180 i-Size toddler car seat is designed for children who have outgrown their infant car seat and are ready for the next stage while still travelling rearward-facing. It combines advanced protection, everyday comfort and connected digital support through the Thule app.
The seat is suitable for children from 67 to 105 cm and up to a maximum weight of 18 kg. It is designed for rearward-facing use only and is compatible with the Thule Alfi Connect ISOFIX Base. This makes it a natural next step after the Thule Maple Connect infant car seat within the modular Thule Connect system.
Rearward-facing travel for enhanced protection
The Thule Elm Connect 180 is used exclusively in a rearward-facing position. This helps support the protection of your child’s head, neck and upper body in a frontal collision, as the forces can be distributed over a larger area of the seat back.
The seat has also passed the demanding Swedish Plus Test. This test places particular focus on neck loads and overall protection in severe frontal impacts. For parents who want to keep their child rearward-facing for longer, this is an important safety credential.
180-degree rotation for easier access
Even though your child travels rearward-facing, you do not need to struggle when getting them in and out of the car. The Thule Elm Connect 180 can rotate up to 180 degrees on the Alfi Connect Base.
You can turn the seat towards the open car door, place your child inside comfortably, secure the harness and then rotate the seat back into the correct rearward-facing travel position. If you put your child in the car several times a day, this rotating function can make everyday use noticeably easier.
EasyDock makes installation simple
The Elm Connect 180 attaches to the Thule Alfi Connect ISOFIX Base. Thanks to EasyDock technology, securing the seat to the base is designed to be quick and intuitive.
Place the seat onto the base, rotate it into the correct position and lock it securely. The digital display on the Alfi Connect then provides visual confirmation that the installation has been completed correctly.
This means you do not have to rely only on how secure the seat feels. The connected system gives you additional feedback before every journey.
eBuckle helps you secure the harness correctly
The Thule Elm Connect 180 features the Holmbergs™ eBuckle. This connected buckle supports you when fastening and tightening the 5-point harness.
When the harness is correctly tightened, you receive visual and audible feedback. The technology does not fasten your child for you, but it gives you an additional check during an important safety step that you perform before every journey.
5-point harness for a secure fit
A padded 5-point harness keeps your child securely positioned in the seat and helps distribute forces across several areas of the body in the event of sudden deceleration.
The harness can be adjusted continuously as your child grows, helping you maintain a secure and comfortable fit throughout the period of use.
Magnetic sides make buckling easier
A small but very practical feature is the magnetic harness holders at the sides of the seat. They keep the harness open while you place your child into the seat.
This prevents the straps from disappearing underneath your child and makes buckling up much easier. Especially with an impatient toddler, this can make daily use far more relaxed.
Three recline positions for everyday comfort
The Thule Elm Connect 180 offers three recline positions: upright, resting and sleeping. This lets you adapt the seat position to the journey and your child’s needs.
For shorter trips, your child can sit more upright. On longer journeys or when they fall asleep, you can choose a more relaxed position. Premium fabrics, soft padding and a comfortable seat surface add to the overall comfort.
Large headrest that grows with your child
The generous headrest and harness can both be adjusted continuously. This makes it easier to adapt the seat as your child grows and helps you maintain the correct fit throughout the full period of use.
The Elm Connect 180 is approved for children from 67 to 105 cm, making it well suited to the important stage between an infant car seat and a larger child seat.
Thule Impact Protection System
For protection in a collision, the Thule Elm Connect 180 features the Thule Impact Protection System. It is designed to provide protection in different types of impact situations.
Together with rearward-facing travel, the padded 5-point harness and secure attachment to the Alfi Connect Base, it forms a comprehensive protection system for toddlers.
Thule app with connected safety support
The Elm Connect 180 is part of the Thule Connect car seat system. Through the Thule app, you can receive additional support with installation and everyday use.
The app can guide you through important steps, provide information about the installation and alert you to certain situations. This can be especially useful if several caregivers use the seat, as everyone can access the same guidance.
The app does not replace your own checks. It is there to provide an additional digital layer of support.
Alert if your child is left in the car
The connected system also includes a child presence alert. It can notify you if your child is left unattended in the vehicle after a journey.
This feature is particularly relevant in warm weather and adds another digital safety function alongside the seat’s physical protection systems.
SenseAffirm shows the installation status
When used with the Thule Alfi Connect Base, you also benefit from the Thule SenseAffirm System. The digital display provides clear feedback about important installation settings.
This gives you not only mechanical confirmation but also visual and audible feedback. It can be particularly useful when installing the seat for the first time or moving the base between vehicles.
Our Kindermaxx experience
From our experience at Kindermaxx with rearward-facing toddler seats and ISOFIX systems, we know that parents usually want two things at the same time: a high level of protection and a seat that remains straightforward to use in everyday life.
This is where we find the Thule Elm Connect 180 particularly interesting. It combines consistent rearward-facing travel with a 180-degree rotating function that makes getting your child in and out of the car much easier.
We also like the fact that the digital features have a clear purpose. The eBuckle helps with harness tightening, the Thule app provides additional guidance and the Alfi Connect Base gives you installation feedback.
The modular concept is another strong point. If you already used the Thule Maple Connect infant car seat with the Alfi Connect Base, you can continue using the same base with the Elm Connect 180. This makes the transition from infant carrier to toddler seat much more straightforward.
Thule Elm Connect 180 at a glance
- Rearward-facing i-Size toddler car seat
- Suitable for children from 67 to 105 cm
- Maximum child weight: 18 kg
- UN R129/3 certified
- i-Size compliant
- Passed the Swedish Plus Test
- Rearward-facing use only
- Compatible with Thule Alfi Connect ISOFIX Base
- 180-degree rotation for easier access
- EasyDock for simple attachment to the base
- Thule Impact Protection System
- Padded 5-point harness
- Holmbergs™ eBuckle with light and sound feedback
- Three recline positions
- Continuously adjustable headrest
- Continuously adjustable harness
- Magnetic harness holders
- Thule app with digital support
- Child presence alert
- Thule SenseAffirm System via Alfi Connect
- Battery life: approximately 12 months
- Battery: 1 x CR2032
- Product weight: 7.7 kg
Who is the Thule Elm Connect 180 for?
The Thule Elm Connect 180 i-Size toddler car seat is ideal if your child has outgrown their infant carrier and you want to continue rearward-facing travel for as long as possible.
It is especially suitable if you already own the Thule Alfi Connect ISOFIX Base or want to continue with the Thule Connect system. The 180-degree rotation keeps everyday access comfortable while your child remains rearward-facing during travel.
If you value rearward-facing travel, Swedish Plus Test approval, easy everyday handling and additional connected support, the Elm Connect 180 is a particularly well-designed choice for the toddler stage.
