In an attempt to avoid the bucket-seat feel of many infant car seats, the Concord Intense has six recline positions – although these are not marked and not immediately obvious – and the well-padded seat can be adjusted to an angle of between 110 and 125 degrees. What this means is that your baby can lie flatter than in many car seats on the market and therefore for longer journeys than other manufacturers advise.
Concord has an impressive track record with its range of car seats and the safety aspects of the Intense are immediately apparent.
What we love
Thanks to a recent house move, 4-month-old Ferris got to try out the Concord Intense on several short and longer journeys in a series of vehicles, including upfront in a van. Much to my delight, he slept well most of the time and looked really cosy and safe in his deeply padded seat.
As well as the key safety features you’d expect from a specialist manufacturer like Concord, the Intense carrier also includes some first-rate fabrics, which all add to the sense of quality and help justify the high price point.
Concord has drawn on its TRIZONE concept of using different types of fabrics, so a smoother, soft and fleecy material around the head, a breathable fabric around the back and bum areas and a more robust and easy-to-clean fabric in areas where dirt is most likely.
The use of different colour fabrics also ups the style factor – brighter and more cheerful colours in the parts your child can see, and darker where more cleaning will be required.
Fitting the Intense into the various vehicles we drove was a breeze using a standard 3-point seatbelt but for those wanting to make life that bit easier and avoid using adult seatbelts, the car seat comes with an optional Intense ISOFIX base (this takes the total price to £399). Its unique selling point is the visual and audio display option that lets you know if the seat has been fitted correctly, saving time and bringing greater peace of mind when jumping in and out of the car. The Concord Intense was by far the easiest to install car seat I’ve used, whether using a standard adult seatbelt or the ISOFIX system. Very impressive, and both felt equally secure.
Other noteworthy features of the Concord Intense include extra long side wings, a 5-point harness and a travel system adapter. The seat is compatible with Concord’s Neo and Fusion travel systems and available in the same three colourways: Bamboo, Chilli and Lava.
What to watch out for
Compared with Concord’s previous offerings, the Intense is designed to be light but it remains a weightier option than other car seats I’ve used. It’s not so suitable for cars parked at a distance.
Once you get the hang of the pelvic support system it works a treat, but don’t expect to manage this on the first attempt. Just give yourself some time when you first use it.
The Concord Intense has more recline positions than most car seats in this category and such flexibility requires a looser fitting cover around the head area. This tends to come away from the protective shell each time it’s adjusted but is quick to fix.
Who is the Concord Intense car seat best for?
New parents who drive a lot or are planning long-distance journeys.
The Concord Intense is a quality addition to the Group 0+ category. Although on the pricey side, the superiority of materials and excellent safety features go some distance in justifying the premium paid. The ease of installation by both ISOFIX base and 3-point seatbelt are impressive, too.
