Pros and cons of Scenara vs Nextfit or Pavilion?

Nedra

Car-Seat.org Ambassador
So I was looking at the Scenara car seat and it's $40 price tag and comparing it to the $270+ Nextfit (for my car) and Britax Pavilion (for my in-laws' car) that we are planning to buy soonish.

I really like the seats we picked out, but I know that tons of folks get the less expensive Scenara and I see it recommended by techs and owned by techs here all the time. But I also see the high-end stuff recommended and owned by techs as well. There must be a reason that seats are recommended even if they are heavier and 7 times as expensive as the cheapest seats, which are also recommended.

So what are the pros and cons of these? What features are you paying for when you get a Britax or a Nextfit and under what circumstances would you recommend paying the extra money rather than getting a Scenara?

Thanks!

PS-- The cars are a 2010 Impreza and a 2009 Forester. The child in question is currently 9.5 months old and at about the 10th percentile for both height and weight, but has a longer torso relative to her standing height. Both parents appreciate legroom for the front passenger and we want to keep her RF until 4 -- at least in the primary vehicle.
 
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YinzerMama

New member
Differences with the pricier seats tend to be greater child comfort, easier to install properly, easier to adjust (sometimes, not always), often longer lasting rf (but again not always). The evenflo sure ride is I think going to disprove a lot of this as it is nicely padded for the price and goes very tall.

A lot of people like the scenera as a cheap, light back up or travel seat but I don't think it tends to be a top choice for every day use unless budget is very tight.

The bottom line is, generally, you are paying for user friendly features.

Nextfits are 20% off on albeebaby right now. ;)
 

meljc

Active member
I have the Scenara's cousin (onSide Air) and the Nextfit. There really isn't a comparison. I can't stand installing or using the onSide Air. We eventually bought a different travel seat because it took almost an hour to get the seat safely installed RF in a rental car. The Nextfit takes less than five minutes, even with a seatbelt install. Harness adjustment is also no comparison between the two. Of course the Nextfit seems much more comfortable for my son the car sleeper and will last MUCH longer RF.

Would I say that the Nextfit is 7 times the seat? Pretty much :dance:

Besides, the Scenara 40rf is at least a step in the right direction but costs $60 + tax. You can get the Nextfit from Albeebaby right now for $224. So the differential is really more like 4x but the Nextfit won't need replacement so soon.
 

LifeAtHome

New member
The scenara is just a very basic no-frills seat. You are paying more for ease of use and easy install, comfort, and longevity. In the case of Britax you get the ability to tether rear facing if that is important to you. A Scenara usually need a pool noodle or 3 to get it installed at the correct angle, and most kids outgrow it rear facing by height before 4, but at 10th percentile it's possible your LO might just make it. Unless she rides with the inlaws very regularly I would consider a cheaper seat for them, but I would still want an easy install if they will be reinstalling it even occasionally. There are a lot of seats in between the cheap Scenara, and the pricey Britax that are still nice and easy to use.
First Years True Fit, Evenflo Triumph, Graco MyRide, etc.
 

Cnidaria

New member
It's like the difference between a Ford Fiesta and a BMW. Both will get you there. The Ford is certainly serviceable. But the BMW has more features and is just "nicer."
 

lpperry

Active member
I agree with what everyone said.

Personally, I would not use a Scenera as my everyday seat. I know it is only $40, but I use the carseat every single day and will use it for 6 years until my child is booster age. For 6 years of everyday use, I want something with features that I want. I want something easy to install, easy to buckle and unbuckle, and something that is comfortable for my child.

I have a Scenera for my parents car and had one as seat I used for my daycare kids. It is a great cheap seat for an extra seat or for a grandparent car. However, I don't even use it anymore as my daycare seat because the headache of installing it wasn't worth it. I got something else.

Also, if you are planning on rearfacing until 4, it is likely that your child will need a new rearfacing seat before 4. My kids are small (under 10% for height and weight) and both outgrew Scenera by weight around 3.
 

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