Today we wrapped up the 10th annual Kidz in Motion (KIM) Conference in beautiful, sunny, New Mexico. It was another great conference and a good time was had by all. While I was here I had the opportunity to do some comparison testing of the current G4 Britax convertible models and the brand new Britax ClickTight convertibles that now available for pre-order. I was particularly interested in seeing how the seats compared side-by-side when installed rear-facing.
The vehicle used for this comparison was a 2014 Dodge Charger. Both the driver seat and the front passenger seat were set in the same positions at the same recline angle in order to accurately compare how much room each seat took up while rear-facing. On one side we installed the Britax Boulevard G4, on the other side we installed the new Britax Boulevard ClickTight. Both seats were installed with seatbelt.
Since the new ClickTight convertible models have 7 recline positions that can be used to achieve an appropriate recline, I took several different measurements so you can have an idea of how these new seats will fit rear-facing in backseats as compared with the Britax G4 convertible models which have a reputation for fitting exceptionally well in tight spaces.
Installed at a recline angle appropriate for a newborn or young baby with the headrest in a low height setting- the Boulevard ClickTight model took up approximately 3/4 of an inch (.75″) more room than the G4 model did. That’s still better (space wise) than most other convertibles currently on the market.
  
Installed at a angle that was more upright (which would be consistent with the overall comfort of a toddler or older rear-facing child) with the headrest fully extended, the ClickTight model took up slightly less room than the G4 model did. And I do mean slightly – the difference was only 1/4 of an inch (.25″).
  
Â
Installed at an angle that was bolt upright – suitable for older children who really don’t need any recline at all (basically it’s how they would be seated if they were forward-facing). The ClickTight model took up a whopping 3″ LESS space than the G4 model did! I was really shocked by that because as I stated earlier, the G4 convertible models are already known for being great seats for tight spaces. In reality, most parents probably won’t install the CT models this upright rear-facing because it is VERY upright. But I asked the Britax engineer how he felt about it and we both agreed that there is no such thing as “too upright” for older RF kids who don’t have any special healthcare needs. If your older kid is comfortable sitting at 20 degrees from vertical – Britax has no issue with that.
 
The new ClickTight models offer a wide range of recline angles and these options create more potential for finding a suitable recline angle and taking up less space in the vehicle. Children under 6 months old generally need more recline but as they grow and gain good head and neck control – the seat can be installed more upright. The recline angle indicator on these new models is excellent and pretty self-explanatory. For rear-facing, the angle indicator should be in the light blue zone for younger babies and in the dark blue zone for older babies, toddlers and preschool age kids who still ride rear-facing.
I took a few pictures of the Blvd ClickTight forward-facing as well. I just set the seat in the vehicle – I didn’t bother to install it because we were short on time but this will give everyone a general idea of what the Blvd CT looks like forward-facing.
    
Last but not least – here are a few measurement pics since the ones I took of the Advocate model at the launch event in NYC weren’t 100% accurate because those seats were still prototypes. The top harness slots on the Blvd CT and Advocate CT models measure about 19″ tall and the overall internal height with the headrest fully extended is about 29″. The Marathon CT is a little shorter both in terms of overall height and top harness slots.
For more info see our comprehensive review of the Britax Boulevard ClickTight posted here:
Britax Boulevard ClickTight Convertible Review – Sometimes Things Just Click
Can someone tell me if they would recommend the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 over the Britax Boulevard/Marsthon Clicktight? Can I please have the inside seat depth and width. I know the Maxi is 13″ deep.
I am confused by the Britax engineer saying there’s no “too upright” for toddlers RF when the car seat states on it that the line on their recline guidelines sticker has to be parallel with the ground and 30 degrees or more. I just bought a Boulevard G4.1 for my 15 month son. Our car has very little front to back room, so I wanted to install it more upright so it’d fit better (he has no medical issues and of course at this age has total head control). But the sticker, as well as what is written in the manual makes it sound like it has to be in recline position 3, or at least be 30 degrees and have the line be parallel with the ground, so basically advising not to put it in Position 1 at all. I’m confused!
Hi Telina – that comment is regarding the ClickTight convertibles that have 7 recline positions on the base. You have the G4.1 model which is a completely different seat with different rules. All the G4 convertible models require you to use the fully reclined position on the base when rear-facing. The other two positions (fully upright and semi-reclined) are for forward-facing only.
The line on the side of the carseat does NOT have to be level with the ground. However, with the model you have, there is no way to make the seat more upright when rear-facing. How it installs will depend on the slope of your vehicle seats. In a vehicle with sloped seats – the seat will naturally install more upright. On a vehicle seat that is flatter – it will naturally install more reclined. So the installation angle will vary depending on the vehicle but there is nothing you can do to make it more upright besides changing the vehicle or possibly the seating position.
Is your backseat totally uniform? In many vehicles the outboard positions may be contoured (aka sloped) and the center position is flatter. In these vehicles you will get a more upright installation by placing the rear-facing seat in one of the outboard positions instead of the center.
PS – here is a picture of a Britax Roundabout (which is based on the same platform of your Blvd G4.1) installed in a 2008 Civic. You can see how upright the seat is just because of how sloped the vehicle seats are. https://carseatblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/027.jpg
https://carseatblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/029.jpg
HTH!
Do you know the difference in the seat depth of the Boulevard click tight and the Marathon G4.1 by chance? Debating between the two thanks for any input 🙂
You can find our full Britax Boulevard ClickTight review here: https://carseatblog.com/30080/
Hi, great review. If you take the Boulevard G4 and compare to Boulevard CT, how does it measure in terms of actual seat weight, and the actual height of the seat? I am concerned with obstruction of the view.
Thanks
This is great!! I was about to get a Britax Pavilion G4, because it was the only of many seats we tried that would fit in our very small back seat rear facing without us tall adults miserable up front. The G4 shell “tapers” in the middle back, which fits right between our front seats without touching and allows both driver and front passenger tons of room. Is the shell of the CT similarly shaped in the back (sides flare out around child, but middle of seat shell is narrow?). Trying to decide if I should return and re-order the CT! Thanks 🙂
@Mick – if your son is on the verge of outgrowing his infant seat then you shouldn’t wait 5-6 weeks for the new models to be available. However, if he still fits in his current seat and the price difference won’t break the bank or your budget – then yes, I think it’s worth waiting for the CT models. HTH!
@Wagonlover – don’t expect an increase in the RF weight limit anytime soon. I’m sure they (and all the other manufacturers) have considered it but most are not willing to raise their limits at this time. It’s a complicated situation. There is a big difference between 40 and 45 lbs. when it comes to rear-facing. Crash dynamics, federal standards and lack of a testing protocol for testing seats at higher limits RF are all problematic. Keep in mind there are no dummies available that are in between the 3 year old and the 6 year old.
So a question… My son is getting to the point where he needs a convertible seat so I just ordered the britax advocate g4 today and an hour later discovered the the CT model is coming out, considering the updates / improvements and price difference will it make sense to cancel my order and preorder the CT model?
Any word on an increase in the RF weight limit? The website says the limit is 40 lbs. We won’t be able to take advantage of the crazy ERF potential without a weight limit increase.
That makes sense. I honestly have no idea how tall a typical kid would be seated compared to standing, but my 3 year old is 39 inches, so I realize that another ten inches is probably going to be several years. I guess I was assuming that a child of average proportions would max out the seated height limit and overall height limit of any given seat at the same time when that is not necessarily the case. What would be the danger of a child who fits torso-wise but is taller than 49 inches? Or am I describing a completely disproportionate child?
@Alyssa- the original limit was indeed 54″ when the product was first announced. It was changed to 49″ about a week ago. This was due to some issues we identified with the federal standard requirements, not related to the design of the product itself. That 49″ is the overall standing height limit and I have tried to go back and update this in previous blogs as well. Both limits technically apply, so the limit is whichever height (or weight) limit your child reaches first. I think 49″ should be generous enough for the majority of kids to reach the seated height limit. A few very leggy kids could reach the standing limit or weight limit first perhaps, but either way it should last many kids rear-facing until beyond 4 years. Some competitive extended rear-facing products have 43″ or 44″ standing height limits, so 49″ is pretty good!
Your info says 54 inches max overall height, but the Britax website says 49 inches, same as the G4. Why would a seat with nearly 2 inch higher seated height limit not have a higher overall height limit? Which height limit takes priority?
Wow! Can’t wait to play with it! Guess it’s time to start saving!
Hurrah! Love the ability to be more upright for older kids. With the new taller height and an arb, I have a skinny tall child who is going to max this out and more upright is awesome when she gets older!
@kecia I totally get what you’re saying! Thank you 🙂
@Danielle – the seat pans are very similar to the G4 models so I think RF legroom will be about the same. But I also think the low profile sides on the bottom will help because kids should be able to bend their knees in a way that’s comfortable and not restrictive. I’m not sure if I’m being clear in trying to explain what I’m visualizing- it’s been a long day.
One of the biggest reasons to love Britax is the fact that they listen to the consumer and to safety advocates. I can’t wait to get my hands on the new CT seats. My expectations are very high. I hope they don’t disappoint!
Any idea if the leg room rearfacing has increased?! I neeeed one, but my long legged kiddos may disagree 😉
Awww… thanks. I love you too, jjordan! And I agree that there is a lot to love about these new convertibles.
With the seat, that is. You already know I love you, Kecia. 🙂
I think I’m falling in love. 🙂