Joie · Infant carrier

Joie Rue

Based on 2 independent scored tests: BabyGearLab (2025), NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Car Seat Ease of Use Ratings (2024). The test scores average 73. With only 2 tests, the ranking score is pulled down a little until more testers confirm it.

Tested for US & Canada

Shortlist score

Good

#117 of car seats for US & Canada

Medium confidence

Where to buy

This seat is certified for US & Canada. Car seats may only be used in the market they're approved for, so we don't link to shops in Czechia.

Test results

Each score as the tester published it, converted to our 0–100 scale. Weight is how much the result counts towards the score.

BabyGearLab US · Editorial review

BabyGearLab best infant car seat review, 2025

69%

Best Budget Easy Install Choice

Our scale69

weight 0.60

Crash test: 7.2
Ease of install latch: 8.7
Ease of install belt: 4.0
Ease of install w o base: 5.0
Ease of use: 6.4
Comfort quality: 5.1
Weight size: 8.2

Listed at $170 metric weights: Crash Test (40%); Ease of Install - LATCH (20%); Ease of Install - Belt (10%); Ease of Install - w/o Base (5%); Ease of Use (15%); Comfort/Quality (5%); Weight/Size (5%); overall listed on https://www.babygearlab.com/topics/vehicle-safety/best-infant-car-seat/ratings; review last modified 2025-09-11

View on babygearlab.com ↗

NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Car Seat Ease of Use Ratings US · Government / institute

NHTSA Car Seat Ease of Use Ratings, 2024 · rear-facing mode

4/5★

4 stars

Our scale80

weight 0.35

Labels: 5
Instructions: 5
Securing child: 3
Vehicle installation features: 4

NHTSA Ease of Use rating for Rear-facing mode (5-pt); seat type Infant; model #I2320AASHA900; evaluated seat manufactured 2024-08-09; test_year = year of manufacture of the evaluated seat (NHTSA does not publish a rating date in the data)

View on api.nhtsa.gov ↗

Babylist US · Editorial review

Babylist: Babylist's Best Infant Car Seats, 2026

Best Value

Pick or pass/fail. Shown, not scored.

product name as listed: Joie Rue Infant Car Seat with Base; guide updated 2026-07-08

View on babylist.com ↗

Also recommended: Babylist: Best Value.

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How we turn these into one number: methodology. Tested 2024–2026.