Which car seat for a Passat estate?

[appledumpling]

We are looking at car seats now that DS has just about outgrown his and we are very confused!

We think we want one of the models that goes from 9 months to 12 years rather than buying one now and then another when DS is 4.

We like the look of the Britax Evolve but it has mixed reviews which seem to depend on which car it is being used in.

We have a 2002 Passat estate (which doesn't have Isofix fittings) - does anyone else have one/similar and if so which car seat are you using and do you like it?

We don't mind spending a reasonable sum of money if the seat does a good job but we don't have money to waste. ie. we can't afford to just go out and buy a replacement if we get the wrong one.

If anyone has any thoughts I would love to hear them.

We have a Passat saloon 2003, and also a Britax Evolva 123 which lasts til 12yrs.

I definitely wouldn't buy one as a next stage, ie from 9/12mths because it doesn't recline enough for little ones (and you have to remove the seat completely to recline it only slightly - a right faff & still upright) I bought it for DD 3.8yrs because her Maxi Cosi Priori XP was handed down to DS at 11mths. It's fine for her but too much like a booster seat for DS.

The MAxi Cosi is fab - nice & enclosed around the child, excellent recline, much much easier to fit than the Britax Evolva, will definitely last til 4yrs (friend's DD still using hers at 5yrs), nicer material than the Britax.

The seats with a greater age span (ie 9mths to 12yrs) always have a compromise, and I wouldn't compromise on car seat safety/comfort.

The Maxi Cosi Priori XP is also a Which? best buy.

HTH

we also have an evolva which we have just bought for our 2yo dd, she sleeps very comfortably in it but i wouldnt use it for a smaller child if you are in the car a lot,
try the britax website,they have a fitfinder on it and it tells you which is the best fit for your car,

We have a Passat Estate, and a Maxi Cosi (is it Priori?)

Looks like I need to investigate the Maxi Cosi.

Thank you for your comments - it always helps to get feedback from people who have actually used a product rather than just go by the manufacturer's nice spangly website.

also have a 52 Passat, also have a Maxi-Cosi Priori (and a Britax Hi-Liner but that's 4yo+).
It fits on both sides well, but not in the middle that well due to the middle seat going up - no a problem I had with my megane where it fitted fine in the middle.

we have the maxi cosi and had a passat est hire car last week through dp's work it fitted fine, and is a very good seat.

Bit late to this thread, (wondering how to get 3 in a Passat now) but we tried every seat in Halfords and ended up with a Recaro Young Sport (is 9kg- 12yrs with a harness that removes for older child). It's a lovely seat, DS always looks so comfortable.