Recently we were really lucky to have the chance to try out the new Britax Römer EVOLVA 1-2-3 SL SICT car seat and I was thrilled.
We are in the really lucky position of being a 2 car family and with the grandparents on both sides having vehicles too I know that the car seats in my husband’s car have to be not only the safest, as you would expect from any car seat but also to fit in several cars with ease.
I have spent the last couple of years looking for car seats that can be fitted into cars by both isofix and stand alone seatbelt installation and the Römer ticks these boxes.
Ollie’s car even being a family car (Ford Focus 2004 reg) doesn’t have isofix points and so having a car seat that fits using a seatbelt only method was a must.
However the other cars that the seat fits into does have isofix point so we were wanting the best of both worlds and I think the EVOLVA has that.
The car seat has isofix points that are on tethers (soft latch), these are tightened on the sides of the car seat and secure onto the vehicle ISOFIX hooks.
Then use the 3-point adult seatbelt which is easily threaded through the car seat unit and clipped into the adult seatbelt buckle to secure the Britax Römer EVOLVA 123 SL SICT. This installation is for when using the car seat with the 5 point harness for Jacob’s age range (group one)
For older children the 5 point harness can be removed and the seat used as a high-backed booster style seat so there is certainly room to grow with this seat … meaning you save money by not having to buy a second one when they get bigger.
When it arrived I was thrilled with how easy it was to adjust the internal 5 point harness with the adjuster at the back.
I didn’t adjust it before I fitted it in the car and this was a school girl error. You need to make sure you adjust the harness before fitting in the car as it can’t be done once fitted into the car.
I loved the deep sides of this seat and love how protective it seems as it cocoons Jacob inside almost. The headrest is V shape and I loved it. As Jacob nodded off his head rested on the sides of the head rest so not only was it for safety it was certainly comfortable for him too.
The Britax Römer EVOLVA 123 SL SICT comes with padded chest straps and an audible tightening system (CLICK & SAFE®) that clicks when the tension is correct in the seat so you know that the harness is tight enough and not too loose!
Overall there is an immensely overwhelming feeling of quality with the seat and even though it’s really sturdy it was easy to transition over into different cars.
Now I must point out here that although this seat has been designed for being used in most cars you really do need to ensure you get a physical fitting to ensure it will fit in the cars you need to use it in.
The Britax Römer EVOLVA 123 SL SICT also had integrated SICT (Superior Side Impact Cushion Technology) built-in and this safety feature works on the side of the car nearest the door to buffer any side impact from a side on collision by absorbing some of the energy of the impact. This was easy to set up on the side nearest the car door as you basically just unscrew it from the seat.
The Britax Römer EVOLVA 123 SL SICT currently retails at around £210 – £230 and comes in 5 colours.
Disclaimer: Prices are current at time of writing the post. The product was sent for the purposes of this review. All thoughts and opinions were independently formed by members of The Oliver’s Madhouse.