And since 1996 the German brand has been incorporating its years of practical development into producing child car seats.
The age-old question for parents; how can you tackle a long journey without cries of: “Are we nearly there yet?”
Well the Recaro Monza Nova 2 Seatfix might have gone some way towards cracking it.
The seat was launched in the UK back in September 2013 and its roll of honour since then has included a Which Best Buy award.
It’s a Group 2/3 car seat, suitable for children weighing between 15kg and 36kg, which is approximately age three to 12, but its biggest selling point by far has it be the in-built MP3 speakers.
Is it easy to install?
Yes, it’s easy to install and not as heavy as some seats, so is simple to move between vehicles.
However, at 49cm wide the seat takes up quite a bit of room. So if you need to install a number of seats side-by-side in the back of your car, this seat is not the best option as you may find it quite a struggle. Or in the case of getting three seats in – quite impossible.
How comfortable is it for your little ones?
Recaro have built a car seat that’s so comfortable it had two of my children almost fighting to sit in it!
In their view it is really comfy and soft and, in their words, made them feel quite grown up.
A seven-year-old friend was not as keen though, saying she thought it was too big and made her feel a bit squashed in.
You can buy the Recaro Monza Nova 2 Seatfix from Kiddicare, Halfords or John Lewis.
Tell us about the built-in speakers.
They’ve added a built-in MP3 speaker system in the headrest of the seat, to keep your little ones (and you) happy on the longest of journeys.
My husband, initially cynical about the MP3 system, was very surprised at the sound quality and felt the volume was well-controlled.
My boys, aged seven and five, absolutely love the Recaro Monza Nova 2, and that was before they discovered the MP3 storage pocket and speaker system.
The Recaro Monza Nova 2 Seatfix is a Group 2/3 seat, will it last the full nine years?
Yes I think it will, it is easy to adjust the height of the headrest, with a handle at the back, and so it can manage children of different shapes and sizes.
What do you think of the chair’s safety features?
For me, the most important element is the added safety protection. Its safety features – ISOFIX connection and crash pads, together with full side protection and foam supports – have won awards.
The kids might think the armrests are there for their comfort, but they also provide extra protection around their hips.
The high-back booster can be used with just the adult seat belt to hold it in place, but is more stable on the car’s seat if you attach it using the ISOFIX system.
We tried it both ways, on different days and journeys. Fully attached you can’t imagine anything shifting it from its position.
Unfortunately, with three children aged seven and under, we usually need three seats across the back of our car, which is not possible when using the ISOFIX.
If you are using just the seatbelt, the red areas on the seat make it obvious where the strap needs to go. The seat won’t be as steadfast in its position but is still a good deal better than many other options for this age range.
Is it easy to clean?
Yes, the seat has a smart, sporty design but doesn’t compromise on functionality – the seat covers are washable and you can order replacements.
What’s in the box?
- Recaro Monza Nova 2 Seatfix car seat complete with the ISOFIX connections and built-in speaker system
- Recaro car seat protector - £18
- Recaro replacement seat covers - £45
The Recaro Monza Nova 2 Seatfix is a lovely, comfortable and clearly a very safe seat – but keep in mind you should always try before you buy as not every seat fits properly in every type of car and, if you need multiple seats in your car, this may be too bulky for you.
Read more...
