I have a friend expecting her first child who is shopping for a new car. Naturally the issue of children’s safety is on her mind. Whether you’re about to welcome your first child or your fourth, this question is bound to come up at one time or another. Safety is certainly important to keep in mind when shopping for a family car. However, as you zero in on models with all the latest airbags and technology, you should also think about getting a car that fits your kids — and their car seats.

The easiest way to do this is to bring your car seat(s) — and if possible, your children — with you when you go to test-drive your short list of candidates. Key things to look for:

Deep, flat seat-bottom cushions. The flatter the seat bottom, the easier it is to get the car seat to sit level and securely fastened to the seat. The heavily contoured seats can make the installation process harder.

Placement of the seatbelts and LATCH points. The placement and angle of the seatbelt hitch and receiver can greatly affect your ability to get a car seat cinched down to the seat. And the only way to know if a particular seatbelt is going to be a problem is to try it out with your child’s car seat.

The angle of the seat back cushion. All minivans, and many SUVs, offer a recline feature for the second-row back cushions, allowing you to adjust the seat to a position that is secure and comfortable for your child. If you’re going to buy a car that doesn’t offer this feature, check to see that the angle of the seat back works well with your car seat.

Ease of access. Wide door openings allow you to maneuver bulky car seats in and out of the car with a minimum of twisting and turning. They also make it easier to get your child in and out. Additionally, the few inches of extra ground clearance offered by minivans, car-based SUVs and tall wagons can reduce the back strain that parents experience when repeatedly bending over to buckle in and retrieve little ones.

Availability of automatic locking retractor (ALR) seatbelts. Most newer cars have automatic locking retractor seatbelts in the backseat, such that when you pull the belt all the way out, it locks as it retracts. Some manufacturers use a special mechanism that locks only the lap portion of the belt. Either way, it ensures a much tighter, safer fit for car seats.

Along with some newer model, two Ford cars, the Five Hundred and the Freestyle, have received excellent ratings for compatibility with kid’s car seats. The Five Hundred is noted for roominess and elevated ride height, while the Freestyle offers a spacious interior with a roomy bench seat. Bring your car seats – and your kids – to a dealer near you to test the fit and features for yourself.