Best Canadian option for FF front-to-back room

[Jallia]

Hi all,

I just spent the last hour or so reading through about 6 pages worth of posts trying to find a good recommendation but I didn't quite get the answer I was looking for. Here are the details:

DS1 is 4.5 years old and small at 39" tall and 33 lbs. He is currently FF in a Safety 1st Complete Air (we have two identical seats for each car) behind the passenger seat of our 2013 Honda CRV and 2005 Toyota Corolla.

We are expecting #2 at the end of September so we will need to move the newbie to behind the passenger seat as our Graco infant seat takes up so much front to back realty. My husband is on the tall side and needs to drive with the seat all the way back in both vehicles. We have tried the Complete Air behind the driver's seat and there's simply not enough leg room for DS.

Are there seats out there that would be a better fit behind the driver's seat? There is some talk of a possible #3 so a narrow seat would also be a bonus.

Thanks!!

 

[featherhead]

How much shoulder height does he have left? I would try a Diono Radian. They are very slim seats.

 

[Jallia]

He has a torso height of 13" so he has lots of room left. I was wondering if the Radian would be overkill since he's so small. Thoughts?

 

[happiness-and-balance]

I would look at the Evenflo Maestro or Evenflo SecureKid. Since he is petit they should last him a while and they play nicely in a number of 3-acrosses, if needed (even though he'll likely be in a booster when #3 comes). It's also light and will make a good travel seat.

 

[Jallia]

I hadn't really considered a booster style seat as regular car seats seem so much sturdier. This could be completely incorrect and simply my perception. Also, I should mention that I was hoping to eventually pass down DS1's new convertible seat down to DS2 for ERF once the little guy is out of his infant seat. The Complete Air takes up sooo much room ERF that I'd rather not be eating the dash again as I did with DS1. Hope that all makes sense!

 

[happiness-and-balance]

Have you looked at the Safety 1st Guide 65 (also called the XRS 65 and EasyFit 65)? It is a very compact convertible

 

[Jallia]

Thanks Angela I will look in to that one as well! How about the Britax Pavilion? I know it does well in terms of RF front-to-back space. Is it also compact when FF?

 

[Pixelated]

Not really, no. It would sit a FF child up quite high, and generally the knees run into the seat in front in a vehicle that is cramped for space.

 

[Jallia]

Thanks for the info Jen. Had my DS try out a friend's Radian today and I can definitely see how compact it is. Definitely overkill with the height of the seat though. My guy would probably be in upper elementary before outgrowing this thing!