Did you use Which? ? + Group 1 recommendations?

[blushingmare]

I'm starting to look for a Group 1 car seat for DD, who's 17mo and still squeezed into our Maxicosi. I thought I'd go for Which? reviews, because I really like the fact that they do much more extensive crash testing than the basic standards. But I was considering ERF and am really disappointed by the small numbers reviewed on Which? (and they all score badly - I know this is largely because of difficulty to fit, but that's a concern for me as we'll be swapping the seat regularly).

Which? seems to suggest the Kiddy PhoenixFix Pro 2 would be our best option as we don't have isofix in our current car, but will be buying a second car soon with isofix and will be swapping between the two. Anyone have any experience of this seat?

And any recommendations for a ERF that can do isofix and seatbelt fasten and is easy to fit?

Are there any other reviews apart from Which? that I should be looking at - i.e. that do more extensive safety testing?

I wouldn't say ERF seats are difficult to fit as such, they just take a bit longer (if they are belted ones, I imagine an ISOFIX one would be quicker). Mine is a Britax Multi Tech II (Which? have reviewed it as the Volvo Convertible - I have added a 'owners' review because I can't believe they have made it a 'Don't Buy' and I think they are misleading people!) and the first couple of goes took about 10 minutes but now I could do it in 2 or 3. If you were swapping a seatbelted seat between cars regularly you can buy extra tether straps (these go round the runners that the front seat sits on) to keep a set attached in each car and reduce the fitting time.
I would chose my Multi Tech 'Don't Buy' seat over any of the Which? 'Best Buy' forward facing Group 1 seats any day!
This one looks like it would be easy enough to swap between cars and is both ISOFX and seatbelted www.securatot.co.uk/axkid-kidzofix?category_id=61

You could look at the European NCAAP tests.

Which? don't review solely on safety - that is why they have different test results to what you might expect if you are looking at safety alone.

I haven't used the PheonixFix but I had an older Kiddy seat for DS (not that old - about 4 years old now but they've brought out at least 2 "generations" since then.) We found it really good, very easy to use, DS seemed comfortable and it is very easy to swap between cars, mainly because it's not as heavy as most Group 1 seats, it's closer to the weight of a high backed booster.

No i wont ever trust which? Pure physics rear facing is safer. They arent hard to fit