New carseat for ford focus 2 door hatchback car. (long, sorry)

So my god son rides in a rf (YES!!! She finally flipped him back around) maxi cosi priori. Mom officially does not like the maxi RF. It is a very tough install in the center of the back seat, I did get it within the 1 inch movement at the belt path, but it seems like such a flimsy install. She bought the seat to replace the companion with O grew out of that. She drives a 2002 ford focus 2 door hatchback. It does have latch. She seems really interested in RF top tethering, which is why we were talking about trying my RA in her car.


O is 16 months, roughly 26 pounds, with a torso of about 12 inches, I'll measure tomorrow and see how much he's grown and if it's in torso.


We're going to play carseat shuffle next week to see what all fits, but I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions.

The seats I have are:
1 rn 65
1 rn 80
1 RA
1 GN
1 evenflo big kid LBB
1 keyfit (obviously too big for this)

She has:
1 priori
1 all in one or 3 in 1, something like that. Absolutely did not fit RF in her car, tightest install still left 2-3 inches of wiggle at the belt path.

I don't have a ton of seats anymore... downsized a little, so I'm wondering if anyone had any other suggestions to try. Or I live in Bellevue/seattle area if anyone wanted to have a carseat play date to help out. Little man RF and has only RF in my car, mom flipped him because she finally sat down and watched the RF crash test video on youtube and agreed it was safer. Price wise, she's looking to stay in the $150-200 range, she said she could go a little above if it was going to last a while, as this one has only stuck around for maybe 8 months.

Does she need lots of leg room in the front? I have a four door version of the same car. I haven't tried any of the seats you have, but I'm 5'3" and DD's Recaro Signo is behind the driver's seat in my car with about 2" to spare. I've also had my Uptown behind the driver's seat. I think there was about the same amount of room behind it as the Signo. I haven't put any other RF seats in my car, so I'm not tons of help, but I'm sure you'll find something that works. Good luck & congrats on getting him turned back around!

mom is 5'10" and dad is 6'2" so leg room in the front is needed. She has tried to put a seat behind the front seats but it leaves no leg room for either her or bf.

Have you tried the EFTA? I have found that this seat fits really well RF in my tiny 2 door Subaru Impreza while still leaving me plently of room or for any other passenger.

As for other seats to try, I would more than likely skip the RA b/c it is outgrown early RF & he might be really close to outgrowing it now. I see you could not get a good install with the 3-in-1, did you try it with the base removed? This might help get a better install.

One other thought might be to try the TrueFit. It might fit.

If the RA fits, then the MA should fit. Just remember that at 16 months he does not need the full 45 degree recline. So that might help.

Good Luck. Sorry I was not much more help.

Yep, I agree with the Evenflo Triumph Advance. I have one for DD behind the driver's seat in a Corolla (my best friend's car). My friend is about 5'9" and has enough leg room, and I'd say the Corolla & Focus are similar in size, although the Focus has been MUCH easier to get seats installed in. I'd try the EFTA in the middle position, that way Mom or Dad should be able to drive.