gb Elian-fix Group 2/3 car seat review

The gb brand may be a relatively newcomer to the baby products market, but it already has a bunch of pushchairs and four car seats in its range, including this Group 2/3 seat.

The gb Elian-fix is a striking, well-designed, 2/3 group child car seat. It’s suitable from 3 years up until 12 years (36kg) and offers height and width adjustment.

The Elian-fix also has LSP - linear side impact protection - one of the latest safety features in car seat side-impact protection.

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At £190, it is at the upper end of the high-backed booster seat market, comparing to the Recaro Monza Nova 2 Seatfix (£119), which includes integrated MP3 speakers, and the Britax Kidfix II XP SICT car seat (£150).

My 5-year old twin boys tried out the Elian-fix. We used it in the back of the car using ISOFIX and in the front passenger seat using seat belt installation.

You can buy the gb Elian-fix Group 2/3 car seat from Uber Kids.

First impressions?

Surprised it needs to be fixed together. Looks great though. I have the striking Capri Blue. The two-tone colour combo reminds me a lot of the Cybex Q-Fix.

What’s in the box?

The Elian-fix comes boxed in two pieces – the booster seat and backrest have to be fixed together.

How does it compare to other car seats you used?

The Elian-fix is by the far the most expensive 2/3 group car seat I’ve used. At a price tag of £190, I could buy 5 Graco Junior high back seats with some change.

Even the Recaro Young Sport we also have, is around £50 less than the Elian-fix.

But you pay for what you get. On the comfort factor, the Elian-fix has height and width adjustment, a headrest recline and the seat reclines into one position.

Only the Young Sport headrest adjusts. The Graco doesn’t adjust at all but 2 recline positions we never use.

Often we move our seats around, in and out of our cars. And I’d sooner carry our ultralight Graco seat which is half the weight of the 6.8 kg Elian-fix, but still not as hefty as our 8.6kg Recaro seats. In terms of safety features, the Junior High Back doesn’t compare. The Elian-fix has a plethora of features including an energy-absorbing shell combined with Linear Side Protection.

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Is it easy to put together?

Very. Within seconds. You connect the backrest to the booster by hooking the guide onto the hinge on the booster. The LSP pads clip into the installation holes and downwards to click in on both sides.

Can you use the booster seat on its own?

No. The booster seat can only with the backrest connected.

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How do you install the GB Elian-fix car seat?

I used the Elian-fix mainly with a 3-point seat belt but you also have the option of using the ISOFIX Connect System for increased safety if you have it in your car. It’s simple.

The orange lever under the seat is pulled to release the ISOFIX locking arms. Then rest it on the car seat, push, and listen for the click as it connects to the ISOFIX. And the red indicator will turn green.

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How is strapping your child in?

Very easy. The red belt guides are clearly marked. The guide on the shoulder rest can be a bit little fiddly to thread the belt through and back out but you know it’s secure.

On my Graco seats the belt sometimes annoyingly slips out. Plus when you’re time-poor and stressed-out with kids moaning and groaning, it adds an unnecessary pressure!

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How comfortable is the Elian-fix?

My son Jensen described the Elian-fix as ‘cosy’. The soft-touch fabric adds to that as does the 12-position height and width adjustable feature. The Elian-fix also has mesh ventilation channels that run through the backrest and seat. We weren’t able to really test this out but I imagine it would be great for long journeys on a hot summer’s day.

What do you think of the design?

The boys were wowed by the Capri Blue colour of our Elian-fix. They’re used to boring black and more boring black. Something they were less impressed by, was the lack of kid-friendly places to stash their goo and sweets and Eden said, “but mummy where do I put my bottle?”

You can buy a separate cup holder if you want though (around £20).

And I think the aesthetics are by in large well-considered. Like the simple recline function and single-handed, auto height and width adjuster.

Even if it also needs an additional foot for leverage and stability. The omission of a carry handle bugs me a little. A couple of times the LSP pads have fallen off at inopportune moments, much to the amusement of my kids when I’m ushering, shouting and willing them into the car!

How many recline positions does it have?

The Elian-fix has one recline position. I tried it with my boys but they weren’t that impressed. They preferred to be upright. The Elian-fix seat is a deep seat. So if you, as the driver or your passenger needs a lot of leg room upfront, it isn’t as comfortable on the knees in recline.

Any other recline or adjustment functions?

Yes. The headrest has its own, single recline. When Jensen tried it out he didn’t find it as comfortable as it looks.

Is it easy to carry?

Not as easy as I would like. There’s no carry handle on the Elian-fix and it’s quite heavy. There are however nooks and places that you can grip, or lose grip of, like me!

Who is the Elian-fix best for?

The Elian-fix is best for those who need one or two 2/3 group seats in the back. Anyone with three kids in the back would struggle to get a third seat in. Moving the Elian-fix around isn‘t the easiest so it would really suit someone who’s keeping their seat in one car and not swapping cars.

What’s the best age child for this car seat and why?

I would say the mid-aged user, from 5-6 years upwards is good for this seat. It fits snug without the side impact protectors not swamping them. If using for the youngest age, 3 years you might want to use it with a head hugger or travel cushion.

Will the Elian-fix really last up until 12 years old?

Size-wise it probably will, but I do think even a 10 year old might find the bright colours that the Elian-fix comes in, a little embarrassing and childish, but you can always opt for black!

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The Elian-fix has Linear-Side Protection, what is it?

Linear Side Protection is one of the latest safety features in car seat design and technology. It comes in the form of two plastic pads on either side of the shoulder rests. The LSP Is designed to take the brunt of the force of a side-impact collision away from the child.

This is achieved in combination with the Elian-fix’s energy-absorbing shell protecting the child across the side, neck and shoulders. Looking at these cup–shaped pads, it’s hard to see how. But in the US manufacturer testing has showed that the LSP system increases safety by as much as 40% in a side-impact collision.

Easy to clean?

Yes. Though the bright light colours make you want to put a ban on anyone touching it! Thankfully this seat is made to wipe clean. So far our seat’s endured and survived oily crisps, sandwiches filler hands, banana remnants and even a wet tyre mark (don’t ask). And if that won’t do, the removable fabric covers – all five parts - which are fixed by Velcro, poppers and buttons, are machine washable at 30 degrees.

MadeForMums verdict:

I wouldn’t chop and change the Elian-fix in and out of cars because of the weight and no dedicated handle. But in terms of safety and comfort the Elian-fix scores high.

And with the auto width and height adjust it can have a great life span, even for the higher price bracket of £190.

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