BRITAX BLVD vs. RADIAN XT for 2000 SUBARU LEGACY

[mommie]

Okay I am torn. I have an almost 3 yr old DS. I dont know if I should go with the Britax Boulevard or the Radian XT. I have a 2000 Subaru Legacy that doesnt seem to have LATCH. I can only find the tether strap LATCH on the back of the seat. HELP!!

 

[carseatcoach]

Is your child forward- or rear-facing? If the child is already forward-facing and you intend to stay that way, I would not recommend either seat -- I'd go with a good combination seat like the Graco Nautilus or Frontier85.

 

[Pixels]

How heavy is your son? Will you be rear facing him or forward facing only?

If he's rear facing, I would get the Radian for the leg room if you can get a good install.

If he's forward facing, I would get none of the above. I would get a Nautilus, Frotier, or Maestro.

 

[mommie]

He only weighs about 25 lbs and is in the 5th percentile. He is currently forward facing, because his legs get jammed if he were rear facing.

I think the only option would be to use the middle seat belt because I dont have LATCH.

Is your child forward- or rear-facing? If the child is already forward-facing and you intend to stay that way, I would not recommend either seat -- I'd go with a good combination seat like the Graco Nautilus or Frontier85.

He is currently forward facing. He weighs about 25 lbs -- he is tiny. I want something that he can nap in and his head wont slump over either.

 

[carseatcoach]

The lack of LATCH should not keep you from installing outboard.

If he was RFing in, say, a Graco MyRide, he'd have plenty of leg room and no head slump.

 

[mommie]

The lack of LATCH should not keep you from installing outboard.

If he was RFing in, say, a Graco MyRide, he'd have plenty of leg room and no head slump.

I just always thought middle was safest.

 

[carseatcoach]

There is some safety advantage to installing in the center, but a proper install trumps. Your post made it seem like not having LATCH would influence where you chose to install.

 

[Cryssy Jane]

The safest position in your vehicle is the one you can get the best install (less than 1 inch of movement at the beltpath), other than that, if you can get the same install in any position it's up to you where you want to place the seat.

Even though he's 3, if he only weighs 25lbs I would really turn him back rear facing. I'd also look into the safety first complete air, or the graco my ride, or even the true fit in addition to the radian xt. I would not get a boulevard personally just because there is next to nil room for legs for an older rear facer, and I've heard from some kids that there isn't very much leg support for longer legged forward facers.

ETA: here's one of my old daycare kiddos and good family friend. She's 4 and was roughly 30lbs at this point.

 

[Jennifer mom to my 7]

OP, what seat are you replacing?

 

[DahliaRW]

With no latch in a subaru I would advise against the radian. It's a challenging seatbelt install in subarus.

 

[carseatcoach]

Some are easier than others, though. My 2001 Legacy wagon does not have the long belt stalks that some others do, and a Radian installs quite easily outboard with vehicle belts. Center is... challenging.