Britax Frontier vs. Pioneer

kld182

New member
My 5.5 year old daughter has nearly outgrown her Recaro Performance Sport and Diono Radian RXT seats with the harness. Her shoulders are at the harness level in the Recaro and just slightly below in the Diono. I'd like to keep her in a 5 point harness a while longer and am considering the Britax Frontier and Pioneer.

The seat will not be moved regularly, so I don't feel too strongly that we need the Click Tight feature. I'm most concerned about how long they will last. I read that Britax recently increased the harness height in the Pioneer, is this true? I sat her in both seats at a local store today and she has at least 2 inches in the Pioneer, probably 3 in the Frontier. I'd love to save $100 by buying the Pioneer, but do you think this is a mistake? (The seat will be handed down to two younger siblings.)

Thanks.
 
ADS

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
The Frontier is 1 inch taller than the Pioneer (previously was 1.5 but the Pioneer harness was raised a half inch.)

The Pioneer install is very difficult in some cars, so try before you buy.
 

austinmomtr

New member
I have both in third row of mazda5. My frontier is 4 yrs old pioneer is 1.5 so I don't know about current versions. One beef I have with Pioneer is that I can't get as a good a fit with seatbelt as I can with frontier. My frontier has a long belt path that rocks in my mazda5. I would say if you are going to use latch, then the pioneer is worth saving the money. If you are using seatbelt, I would consider the frontier from my experience with the seats. Try the pioneer out in your car before you buy. I still use it, but I wonder if seatbelt fit is ok.
 

kld182

New member
Thanks for the responses. The car seat will be used primarily in a 2012 Odyssey (and, possibly, in a 2010 VW Tiguan). Will definitely try installing with the vehicle belt before buying!
 

bnsnyde

New member
We had a Frontier in the Odyssey (2011). I'd go with the Frontier over the smaller Pioneer every time. But there are some tether issues. Not the easiest to tighten.


We ended up selling it. I would still get one again if my child outgrew the Recaro and I wanted a longer harness. It's great for that! Pretty much that's what happened. My child was too tall for the Recaro so we got the Frontier. :)
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,656
Messages
2,196,896
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top