Britax Trifix car seat review

The Britax Trifix is a Group 1 car seat, which means it’s suitable from 9kg to 18kg and is forward facing. It’s the first in the Britax range to feature what the company calls an “ISOFIX+ installation system”. This means it has ISOFIX, with new, wider ISOFIX fixings (design to improve side impact protection) and a V-Tether (that’s the thing that looks like a strap coming off the back).

ISOFIX basically sees a car seat attached directly to the chassis of the car, thus eliminating any doubt as to whether it is correctly fixed or not. The top tether is probably best described a strap that goes round the headrests to attach to the top tether point of your car giving an extra anchorage point – on this car seat, Britax has used a tether system called “V-Tether”.

The seat also has deep, softly padded side wings, which have built-in, uniquely designed SI-PADS. These are made of energy-absorbing material, aiming to protect your little one in side impact collisions by moving them away from the accident. The performance chest pads and the 5-point safety harness absorb forces felt by your child and further reduce forward movement.

What we love

Out the box this is a space-age looking seat, the back curving round to meet the base in a lovely smooth line.

The instructions are clear and simple with easy to read diagrams to help you install your Trifix. It is easy to install and simple to use. The ISOFIX system anchors the seat directly to the car’s ISOFIX connection points, while the V-Tether clicks into the third anchorage point in the rear of the car. Special indicators show that the ISOFIX catch arm hooks are properly engaged and that the V-Tether is pulled tight.

This seat is stylish, sleek and superbly comfy. There was not a single complaint out of Freya about how comfortable she was and the recline function was a real bonus. On some Group 1 car seats using the recline is hampered by the seatbelt fixing, but with ISOFIX you don’t seem to have this issue. One simple handle relaxed Freya for her all too brief sleep.

The Trifix is very easy to clean. Over our long journey Freya spilt juice and crumbs galore but it all wiped off, and when we had a major accident (not of the car crash kind), the very well-padded seat cover was so easy to remove.

I love the fact that an ISOFIX seat stays put, it doesn’t move when you lean over it or when you put your child in and the top tether renders it immobile so even when Freya’s brothers had to clamber over the seats to execute a quick loo stop the Trifix didn’t move.

What to watch out for

This car seat won’t suit all families because not all cars have ISOFIX and top tether points - do check your car thoroughly before buying. My car has very easy to recognise tether points located on the back of each of the middle row of seats so finding them to attach to was simple. I have seen comments online where people have had trouble identifying tether points, so check your manual.

At £319.99 the Trifix is right at the high end of the price bracket, which also may put it out of reach for some.

Although the belt lock in the middle of the seat stayed forwards (making it much easier to place a reluctant toddler in their car seat for the fifth time in the journey), the side anchors to hold the straps ready were less successful. In order to hold the straps away in their little clips I had to lengthen the, which I kept forgetting to do, meaning that Freya often ended up sitting on them.

Who is the Britax Trifix car seat best for?

Families able to pay top dollar for an ISOFIX option boasting impressive safety features.

MadeForMums verdict

The Britax Trifix is a great car seat – safe, stylish and easy to use. Just make sure it is suitable for your car before you buy.