Britax Frontier 85 SICT Review Video and Feature Summary
As I said in our unboxing video, we will not be doing a full review, because the new Frontier 85 model with Side Impact Cushion Technology is nearly identical to the original Britax Frontier 85 that we have already reviewed. Instead, if you have read our previous review, I will just point out the major differences in the new version plus a few pros and cons. The Britax Frontier 85 SICT is shipping now and has a list price of $339 (currently on sale for $242.99 at Amazon.com). First, the review!
So, the major differences mentioned in the video:
- Side Impact Cushion Technology may reduce the forces for occupants and adjacent passengers in a side impact
- SICT makes the seat almost 5 inches wider at the shoulders and could make short belt path installs more difficult when routing the shoulder belt
- New 2-piece cover is easier to remove, offers better access to the short belt path & owner’s manual storage pouch and also has a more durable fabric
- Use of the top tether is strongly recommended, but is now optional up to the 85 pound harness limit. So, Britax instructions should no longer conflict with maximum top tether weight limits in some vehicle owner’s manuals*
A few advantages of the Frontier 85 SICT:
- Potential for reduced injury risk in a side impact, especially in an outboard seat
- Top harness height setting is very high (about 20 inches!), allowing taller kids to remain in the harness longer than competitive models
- Booster height adjustment is also very tall. Unlike some other products, most kids will not outgrow it by height until they can be seated safely without a booster
- Three installation methods (LATCH, short seatbelt path, long seatbelt path), one of which should work in most vehicles.
- 9-year lifespan
A few disadvantages:
- Like any high-weight limit combination seat, it is heavy and bulky. The side impact cushions make it very wide so it takes up a lot of room. You may not be able to fit a passenger or another carseat next to it in many vehicles, unless you have wide seats, like the 2011 Honda Odyssey in the video.
- Seatbelt installations can be more difficult than average and may be incompatible in a few vehicles, but typically result in a secure fit in most vehicles.
- Relatively expensive
A few other notes- The new covers are not compatible with the original Frontier 85. The new guidance regarding the top tether use is not retroactive to the original Frontier 85. Also, here is the video for long/reverse belt path installation that I mentioned. You can find the official product page for the Frontier 85 SICT at the Britax website.
The new Frontier 85 SICT is a nice improvement from Britax. In theory, I think the external side impact cushions have the potential to reduce the risk of injury in side impacts for both the occupant and an adjacent passenger. Britax claims they can reduce side impact crash energy up to 45%. The new cover design and fabric are also great, so hopefully we will see more pattern and color offerings in the future. If you have enough room in your vehicle, it’s a great choice for kids 2 years and over. With impressive height/weight limits and a 9-year lifespan, it really will be the last carseat they ever need! When you consider that, the sale price as low as $242.99 at Amazon is quite reasonable.
* We always recommend top tether use, unless it is clearly prohibited or limited by one of the owner’s manuals. Some manufacturers and agencies endorse arbitrary or unpublished limits on top tether use, sometimes well below the weight ratings of the child restraint system. Due to inconsistent guidance, regulations and instructions, it is almost impossible in some cases for parents to determine when they can and cannot use the LATCH system. Please check your vehicle and child restraint owner’s manuals carefully for such limits.
Reader Comments
Darren, would SBP installs be potentially more difficult just because of trying to reach around the side of the seat to thread through? (Because I don’t do that- I turn the seat sideways when threading through on almost all seats, lol.)
It didn’t seem like a bit deal to me, but it is worth noting. It’s kind of like the original Advocate where the cushions blocked the adjustment knob and lockoff somewhat. More of a minor nuisance really, not something that would prevent a good install.
Gotcha! Thanks!
I have to buy seats for twins and would like to get the britax frontier (over the graco nautilus?) but wondered if I get the original 85 instead of the new 85 with sict, is this still a good and safe bet? The newest one times two goes way out of budget for me! Thanks for your thoughts!
The original Frontier85 is an excellent seat – wish it had been around 6 years ago when my twins outgrew their Roundabouts. You can click on the blue text in the first paragraph of the article above that says “original Britax Frontier 85 that we have already reviewed” to go to Darren’s review of this seat
I’m trying to figure out if the Britax Frontier 85 SICT is worth the extra money. My biggest concern is our trip in the morning to the preschool encounters deer every day. I want the safest seat for my kid.
@m’s_mom, the SICT is designed to protect against side impacts, so if you’re worried about hitting a deer, then the regular 85 should be good. Really, as long as your child is properly harnessed and the carseat is installed properly, your child’s chance of injury is greatly, greatly reduced.
Which would be safer FF when RF doesn’t fit:
We’re in the market for a 2nd car seat for our son 18m/32in/28lb.
Since our Ford Focus won’t fit a rear facing convertable car seat (we have a Britax Advocate 65) when there’s a passenger in the front seat and our Dodge Dakota Club Cab can’t fit it RF with the 80% on the seat rule, I was wondering your opinion on using the Frontier 85 SICT for an 18m/32in/28lb compared to the Advocate FF.
I know the age limit for the Frontier is 2yrs, but I am wondering if that is just to deter the infant to combination seat jump when a RF convertable could work.
thx!
Hi Maurissa,
Keep in mind that 80% rule is just general guidance. In some cases, the owner’s manual may specify something different or allow less than 80% to be in contact with the seat. I would definitely suggest trying to find a rear-facing convertible that works for at least 6 months. I would not recommend the Frontier until the 2 year old minimum, in any case.
Hi Darren,
Thank you for all the great info. I have been reading about the Britax Frontier 85 and am confused. Are there two or three versions –
1) Frontier 85 , 2) Frontier 85 Combo , 3) Frontier 85 SICT?
I saw some listed for sale online but they have slightly different names so I want to make sure I’m purchasing the correct one.
Many Thanks!
Kim
Hi Kim,
There are essentially only two models, the Frontier 85 and the Frontier 85 SICT, with the major differences noted above. There was also the original Britax Frontier, but it was discontinued a couple years ago. All these seats are “combination” or “combo” seats, so some sellers may use that term.
Darren,
Thanks soo much for the info. Your blog is so helpful.
Best,
Kim
Hello Darren,
One other question, sorry. Does the frontier 85 (with or without SICT) have to be installed on the side, or can it go in the middle?
Many Thanks,
Kim
Hello
Can anyone comment on fit and installation of the Britax Frontier SICT in the 2011 Honda Odyssey? I am hoping to install with latch or long path belt in the 2nd row, middle position, multi function seat.
Thank you
Carole
Hello
Can anyone comment on fit and installation of the new model, Britax Advocate 65 CS, rear-facing and forward facing, in the 2011 Honda Odyssey? I am hoping to install with latch or long path belt in the 2nd row, middle position, multi function seat.
Thank you
Carole
Hi,
I’d like to purchase the Frontier 85 SICT soon but I’m worry that it may not fit in my car. I have a 4 door Honda Civic. I’d like to put the car seat behind the passenger side or the driver side. (I’d like to avoid putting the car seat in the middle). Does anyone know if it’ll work in my car?
Thank you,
San
@San – the Frontier 85 SICT should fit in a 4-door Civic with no problem. But the SICT bolsters add a lot of width so there is no way anyone will be able to sit in the center seating position with the Frontier installed. As long as you’re okay with your vehicle becoming a 4-seater with the Frontier installed, it should be fine. HTH!
Hi,
I have Honda Accord 2007 and Honda Pilot 2006.
I already have Britax-85. I am looking to buy a Britax-85 SICT. I am debating between Britax-85 and Britax-85 SICT.
I want to know if I can have the Britax 85 SICT installed and
1. Still have the middle seat to be comfortably occupied by someone (in Accord as well as Pilot).
2. Can I put Britax-85 SICT along with a
Britax-85 or a rear facing, GRACO snugride installed
next to it (in Accord as well as Pilot).
3. If I install the Britax 85 SICT in the 40% seat in the second row, can I still move the seat to allow someone access to the third row seats in my Honda Pilot.
Thanks in advance for your response.
Hi,
Can I fit 2 Britax-85 side by side on a
Honda Accord (2007) or Honda Pilot (2006).
Thanks in advance.
@lak, since you have such specific questions and I haven’t worked with those vehicles, you’d definitely get a better (and faster) response by asking them at our carseat forum at http://www.car-seat.org . I have no doubt someone has the perfect answer for you there!
I’m trying to decide between the frontier, another marathon or an evenflo symphony or momentum. He’s 2, but smaller for his age, around 30 lbs. I would like to get a seat that will be the last one I will buy. There’s so many on the market the decision is hard. I love the marathon, just not sure he will want to sit in it until he’s ready for a booster. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!
Can anyone please comment on the installation and fit of the Britax Frontier 85 SICT in a Toyota Sienna 2nd row Captain’s Chair? Thank you.
Has anyone successfully installed the Britax 85 SICT in the 3rd row of a 2006 Honda Odyssey on the driver’s side. I like the additional safety features of the newest Britax, but I’m concerned it won’t fit.