We scooped the details on the Frontier 85 SICT back in April. Today we have one to show you. There are only a few changes, so we won’t be having a full review, but we may feature it in a video or two. The changes include the addition of side impact cushions to reduce crash forces on the child occupant and on adjacent passengers. There is also a new 2-piece cover that is easier to remove than before and an updated fabric to replace the “mesh” fabric on the Frontier 85. Finally, the Frontier 85 SICT is permitted to be used without a top tether to its weight limit. This allows for greater vehicle compatibility, as some vehicles may prohibit top tether use beyond a certain weight. Of course, Britax ALWAYS recommends that the top-tether be used whenever possible, according to the instructions. The Frontier 85 SICT should be available retail by June 1st!
Our review of the Frontier 85 applies to the Frontier 85 SICT, with the changes noted above. Among its various benefits, it still features the highest top harness strap height settings for a retail combination seat in the USA and also a relatively generous head restraint height for booster mode, too. The Frontier 85 is a “Best Bet” in booster mode from the IIHS, too.
Hi Rachael, The Frontier 85 is definitely easier than the previous model, but others have noted the same concerns as you did, that perhaps it is too easy for those loops to become unattached. Britax is aware of this issue and expect it to be resolved on future products.
Hi Lisa,
The seated shoulder height is about 20 inches tall. My son will turn 8 in May and is above average in height for his age and still fits in the Frontier 85 SICT in harness mode. In booster mode, it should easily accomodate the vast majority of kids well beyond 8 years of age, until they are tall enough to be seated without a booster.
Hi MBMom,
I have both of these carseats and am scheduled to get a 2013 GL class at the end of March. The third row is fairly roomy, so I would guess there is a reasonable chance, especially if the Advocate 70 is rear-facing. Having both front-facing would be less likely to fit, with the SICT cushions taking us so much width.
If you like, please send me an email around March 25th to remind me if that isn’t too late for you! cpsdarren “at” carseatblog “dot” com.
Hi, does anyone have an idea if an advocate 70 and a frontier 85 sict can be placed side by side in the 3rd row of MB GL?
Hi there! I am glad to have found your site. I have bern researching car seat booster combinations for my son who just turned three and is already 43 inches tall. He is supposed to stay in a car seat until at least four. I saw that you said the Britax Frontier 85 sict has the highest height accomodations on the market. This seat has been my first pick all along, but I didn’t want him to outgrow it too soon. Do you know what the height range is for the car seat mode? Thank you so much for your help!
I have read in reviews of the britax frontier 85 SICT that with the new feature of the seat covers being easily removed, there have been problems with them coming off/unhooked during day to day use when getting in and out of the seat. Have others experienced this problem? I am debating between the 85 and the 85 SICT and this is one of my concerns.
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.
4. Can I fit 2 Britax-85 side by side on a
Honda Accord (2007) or Honda Pilot (2006).
Thanks in advance for your response.
We have 2 Frontier 85’s – their seat covers are different. The cover on the most recently purchased one comes off on the bottom CONSTANTLY!! It makes the kids and me crazy! We’ve tried 2 replacement covers from Britax, and they aren’t any better. The hooks underneath are just too shallow, I think. Any suggestions for getting the cover to stay put? We need 2 more for the Grandparents’ car and cringe at the thought of dealing with two more seats with covers that come off. But there’s nothing else out there that goes to 85 lbs. in harness. Given that our 4 y/o is 68 lbs., a seat with a 65 lb. limit on harness is not an option! Thanks 🙂
Nice video, I have a question.
When using the LATCH system. Do the anchors exist on the same belt OR are the anchors indenpendent of each other and attached to the base.
Sorry if that doesnt make sense. If you tug on one anchor does it pull the other through and into the seat and eventually out the other side?