Britax KID plus SICT car seat review

My first impression when I unpacked the Britax KID plus SICT was how big it was. The additional side cushioning makes the car seat seem very wide, but interestingly, it’s not materially heaver than its predecessor, the award winning KID plus. In a Golf, there’s plenty of room for my second car seat in the other passenger seat, but not much else in between! Fortunately, it’s possible to detach the back from the base, making it easier to store in the boot than its size would suggest.

Fitting the car seat is very simple – there’s a very clear instruction manual as well as printed pictures on the car seat itself. It’s held in place by your car’s 3 three-point seatbelt, positioned using the clear, red seatbelt guides.

The side padding certainly holds my almost 4-year-old snugly in the seat, whilst the three width options prevent him from getting squished. It’s an easy process to alter the width of the seat as well as the headrest, which can be adjusted to 11 positions. There’s also a useful recline function, not always a common feature on Group 2/3 car seats.

The Britax KID plus SICT has a washable, removable cover and comes in four different colourways – David, Elena, Jet, Olivia. It’s also possible to buy a spare cover, summer cover and ‘Keep Cool’cover.

What we love

Peter loved the size and scale of the Britax KID plus SICT and sat in it like a throne (whether he’ll like something quite so big when he’s 12 will need to be seen!). It’s simple to strap him in and I particularly like the way the armrests hold the belt against the upper legs, and not the tummy. They seem more like proper rests than on some other car seats.

The padded seat, sides and headrest are very comfortable and using the recline means Peter seems less likely to loll forwards when asleep.

It’s very quick and easy to swap the Britax KID plus SICT between cars.

It’s the extensive side impact protection, which runs along the length of the side of the seat, that’s the key differentiator. Using special vents to expel the air trapped in a crash, these cushions protect your tot’s head, neck and body. The passengers alongside the seat also benefit from the cushioning. Unlike car seat air bags, these cushions don’t require any special maintenance.

What to watch out for

Bottom line, this car seat is wide, ranging from 41cm to 61cm at its widest. This will be a consideration if you’re trying to get three children across your back seat. However, I’m won over by the argument for increased side protection every time I pull out across the road from my rather blind driveway. I’m also pragmatic that whatever car seat I choose, it’s very unlikely I’ll be able to get three of them across the rear seats unless I have a people carrier. It does mean the seat also takes up a lot of room in your boot, but the fact that you can separate the back from the base does help to make it easier to stow and transport.

Who is the Britax KID plus SICT car seat best for?

Parents concerned about providing exceptional safety during side collisions.

MadeForMums verdict

Although at the higher end of the price bracket for this group, the extra side protection and comfort features mean the Britax KID plus SICT car seat is a worthwhile investment. This is especially so when you consider you may get eight years’ worth of use, and recall just how much you spent on your baby’s first car seat. However, do be prepared to sacrifice some space in the rear of your car.