Following research highlighting that one in four accidents involve a side-on collision and that 20% of child fatalities are as a result of side impacts, Britax has really invested in improving the side-impact protection offered by its car seats. In February 2011, Britax’s latest innovation, Side Impact Cushion Technology (or SICT), was added to the already highly successful Britax KIDFIX seat.
As Group 2/3 car seats, the Britax KID offerings are suitable from about 4 years to 12 years (specifically, 15kg to 36kg). There are three models in the KID range: the KID (£119.99), the KID plus and the KIDFIX (£169.99), which all now feature SICT.
There are four fabric options - Jet (black), Olivia (red and back), David (lime and black) and Elena (pink and black) - and they’re available from stockists throughout the UK.
What we love
The big selling point here is SICT - the sides of the car seat have air-filled, energy managed cushions that reduce side impact (in the event of a collision) by over 25% for the child in the seat. They also protect the adjacent passengers. The cushions are placed on the outer shell of the seat, and therefore don’t compromise your child’s comfort. They also don’t deploy (like airbags) on impact, which means the car seat is maintenance-free. SICT works by absorbing the impact, in the event of an accident, expelling the air through strategically placed vents. It’s scientific stuff, but it essentially means increased protection for your child’s head, neck and body.
The KIDFIX SICT model has integrated ISOFIX and is approved for two different methods of installation. One is Semi Universal, where you can additionally fasten the car seat into the ISOFIX fastening points of your vehicle - this can only be used on specific cars). The other is the Universal mode, which uses your vehicle’s 3-point seatbelt - this will fit most, but not all, vehicles. You can find out f your car’s suitable on Britax’s own website.
The Britax KIDFIX SICT car seat also features an adjustable headrest and backrest, with 11 positions, three-stage width adjustment and seat belt guide, so you can alter the seat as your child grows.
The Britax KIDFIX SICT is easy to adjust and fit, and when using ISOFIX it also has multi-recline positions for snoozing.
The seat itself is cushioned for a comfy and cosy fit and the cover is removable and washable. Additional accessories you can opt for include a drinks holder, spare seat cover, summer towelling cover and a keep-cool cover (which absorbs excess heat), ideal for keeping your child comfortable on long, summer journeys.
What to watch out for
There are a couple of downsides to the Britax KIDFIX SICT. Firstly, it’s heavy (8.9kg), which isn’t ideal if you want a portable seat to swap between cars.
The SICT means that it’s rather bulky too, which could limit your backseat passengers, depending on the size of your car.
At £169.99, it isn’t cheap. On the plus side, it will last a long time and you really can’t put a price on peace of mind when it comes to safety.
Who is the Britax KIDFIX SICT car seat best for?
Families who take long road trips, especially during the warmer months.
A top seat from a big brand, Britax has considered all the accident statistics to design a super-safe seat. However, the Britax KIDFIX SICT car seat is heavy, bulky and a bit on the pricey side, which could put some parents off, however safety is the key reason for these things.
