Car seats - Britax Evolva 1-2-3. Is it any good? Opinions please.

[Phoenix]

We've just got a Renault Clio and the Britax First Class we've got in is a bit bulky so are thinking of getting a smaller car seat.

Ds is 2yo in 2 weeks so think its a bit pointless getting one to last to age 4, cos they're not cheap, so we're looking at high back boosters but most don't recline and ds occasionally sleeps in the car so i've seen the Evolva, which says it does recline, and like the look of it.

Is it a good seat? All opions greatly recieved as i don't want to waste money. Or does anyone know of similar seats?

TIA

it does recline, but it isn't much of a recline.
it doesn't fit in our renault scenic on the recline position either

Thanks fingerwoman. I'll check the Britax fit finder first to make sure it'd fit anyway cos i haven't even done that lol.

Anyone else got one?

ooh forgot to mention. you can't recline it once it's fitted.
you either have to strap it in in reclined position or upright position. you'd need to take it out to swap between the 2

It is no less bulky than the First Class, wider if anything, but does sit on the seat itself rather than a frame. Recline is marginal tbh and you have to determine it when you fit (which is itself an art). Went in our Scenic ok and a Merc A Class. There is a MN review if you click on the blue REVIEWS heading above.

Thanks i've already read the reviews. Its the height bulkiness of the first class thats the problem, the width isn't a prob as we only have 1 dc.

But you might find it makes a difference as to whether it sits solidly in the profile of your seats, with or without headrest if you have them, and if you get buckle crunch or not. It is also quite tall as most highbacks are. You really need to try it before you buy to check . What did the fitfinder suggest ?

I'm going to mothercare tomorrow and am going to ask them to try it in the car. The fit finder says it fits in Clio's.

Its says its fine in the 2 end seats but not the middle one i think.

I got one of these in the end last week from Mothercare to go in my Fiat Punto.

They fitted it but it only fitted in recline but is really good fit,very solid.

Does anyone know the difference between an Evolva and an Evolva Ultra? (apart from £20 that is )

i think the ultra has a width adjustment and apparently it's easier to route the seatbelt through,.
can't remember if there is anything else. nothing more that made me want to spend more on it lol

Probably just going to echo what everyone else has said, but here goes anyway. The Evolva 123 is very wide, the recline position isn't worth mentioning, and it is a complete bugger to fit (esp if you need to take your car seats in and out on a regular basis). However, does have good head support so recline doesn't matter so much.

Much prefer the Maxi Cosi Tobi or Priori (we've had both ).Tobi is expensive though, and obv only stage 1. Think it's hard to find a good multistage seat.

Agree with posts re recline but our car was written off 4 weeks ago in a motorway crash and the Evolva 123 stood up to the impact very well. No marks at all on DD1, straps held her very securely.

We have our DS seat on recline all the time as the upright position seems to be bolt upright.LOVE this seat though.Wish i had found this seat a long time ago.

The Ultra has a different fabric (part is a mesh weave for ventilation) and the side wings can be adjusted to make it a snugger fit or wider as child grows.

Gosh Cali glad she's ok Thanks for the post.

Thanks nobodysfool and tinytotmummy.

I'll be having a good look and ask questions in Mothercare tomorrow.

x posts Lizs thanks

Just showed dh this thread and he's now convinced that it sounds like a good seat

Message withdrawn

Once it was fitted it wouldn't be coming out anyway as dh has one in his car anyway but thanks for the heads up

I have one and love it BUT my DS is quite small/skinny for his age and although the shoulder straps are set to the right height it is damn near impossible to get the straps tight enough (2 fingers under in chest region) and I am quite a strong lass!

The straps seem really stiff/hard to pull and loosen - I'm wondering if a bit has corroded as it's been hosed down a few times (vomiting bug). He seems to be able to squeeze his arms out however hard I pull.

Also he tore one of the chest pads off within 2 weeks, well Mothers Help started the tear and he hust finished it.

Ive just took delivery of 2 Evolva 123 Ultra's today. One for our car and one for my mums car as it is way too bulky to swap between cars every other day. Had a quick look at the user guide and do not have a clue how to fit the bleeding thing! bought it from toysrus online (they do the ultra for £109.99) so dont really know where to go for help with fitting.

Go to Mothercare or Toys r us and ask them to try one in your car, take note of how they do it then copy when you get home

yelnats, you weave the car seat belt in and out of the back rest at seat level with the shoulder belt slotting behind the head rest(follow the red marks). Buckle starts in front then feeds through the first gap at hip level to go behind the seat , back again through the gap the other side, around the base at the side and fastens into the socket. You need a lot of slack to fit it first of all then tighten it afterwards.