Britax Frontier 85 Review: Summary of Changes

**SafeDad** · 02-25-2010, 10:52 AM

I do-

The footprint is almost exactly the same, the same 19.5" width and a little deeper at about 19.75". The height is over an inch taller at 27.5". The lower shelf is actually a few inches shorter, though. I guess that helps since two boxes would stack and be shorter overall. Plus, it weighs a couple pounds less so that might help shipping, too.

**Car-Seat.Org** · 02-25-2010 10:52 AM

**horseymom** · 02-25-2010, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by CPSDarren

Yes and no. The actual "shell" is a bit wider at the cupholders, around 19.25" to the edge. On the other hand, that's actually narrower if you count the protrusion of the cupholders on the old model, even when they are retracted.

So, if it is the closed cupholders that are hitting the door, the new one might buy you a half inch or more. Otherwise, it might not help.

thanks Darren

Sounds like it might fit better than the old FR

**Mommy0608** · 02-26-2010, 03:12 PM

Is the interior width the same in both models? For example, are the measurements the same for the hip area, shoulder space, etc.? For some reason, in the side-by-side frontal photo in the blog, the new model looks a bit narrower. Maybe it's just deceiving since it's taller, I don't know.

**amie815** · 02-27-2010, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by KaysKidz

What about the crack issues in the shell that so many people had with the original Frontier? That's one of my big concerns. Britax tried to brush it off saying they were fine, that it was from the mold. I don't know if anything ever came of that issue.

And, can you still do the long belt path install?

I am curious to know about the crack issues as well.

**MPhalenS** · 02-27-2010, 04:23 PM

Okay, so I think you just answered this, but I want to ask to make SURE I understand...
I just measured the GN and the OLD Frontier at the store yesterday to see which one was wider at its WIDEST Point ...
The Frontier was 1" NARROWER than the GN ...
SO, based on what you said above, the Frontier85 is 1/2" narrower than that?

THANKS!

**Lemonade** · 02-28-2010, 11:16 PM

Thanks for the review. We love our two existing FR but all the changes are definitely little things that would be nice. I would also like to see some non-mesh covers. I got my mesh covers replaced with Saharas and I'm happy with them. When my DD moves FF, I may get 2 more FRs but that won't be soon so maybe by then there will be more FR85 cover choices.

Regarding the Forester - my husband drives a 2003 Forester and the FR installs very well in it. Not sure if there were changes to the Forester between 2003 and 2007 that would change the install though for the poster who had an issue. We've even had it checked by safe kids and the install was perfect.

**SafeDad** · 03-01-2010, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Mommy0608

Is the interior width the same in both models? For example, are the measurements the same for the hip area, shoulder space, etc.? For some reason, in the side-by-side frontal photo in the blog, the new model looks a bit narrower. Maybe it's just deceiving since it's taller, I don't know.

The wings are slightly different, but the width in general seems to be about the same. I tried taking measurements but it doesn't work real well with the cover on and I didn't see much of a difference one way or another. Plus. it would also depend how high up you measure.

Originally Posted by amie815

I am curious to know about the crack issues as well.

My photos are on this thread

http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=117502

Originally Posted by MPhalenS

Okay, so I think you just answered this, but I want to ask to make SURE I understand...
I just measured the GN and the OLD Frontier at the store yesterday to see which one was wider at its WIDEST Point ...
The Frontier was 1" NARROWER than the GN ...
SO, based on what you said above, the Frontier85 is 1/2" narrower than that?

THANKS!

I measure the Frontier 85 at just under 19.5" wide at the cupholders (the wings are about the same at the widest point too). I measure the original Frontier to be just over 20" wide at the outside of the retracted cupholders. Of course, that is just a bump from the cupholders and might mesh differently with something next to it.

For anyone who missed it, the full review with photos including some more measurements is here : http://carseatblog.com/?p=5751

**HEVY** · 03-03-2010, 02:16 PM

I am about to order this and have a new worry. The regent is so wide and there is so much comfort room for my DD and the Frontier looks real narrow, especially with the new cup holders.

Darren I looked at the pic with your DD in it, she is 3 yrs older and 20lbs heavier than my DD so the fit now is not an issue, at your DD's age and weight I would still expect my DD to be in this seat but as a booster, it looks narrow and tight in the seat area, well in the whole seat in general, or is that just the angle?