Frontier vs. Radian XTSL vs. Recaro Young Sport

[ecofem]

Hi There!

My nearly 3 year old DS is about done with his Britax Roundabout, and I'm trying to decide on a new seat. I would like to keep him in a 5-pt harness as long as possible, and am trying identify a seat for the next stage....

I've narrowed it down to the Britax Frontier, Radian XTSL or Recaro Young Sport. I drive a 2006 Subaru Outback Wagon. I've loved the Roundabout because of its easy and solid install.

You opinions/thoughts are most welcome! Thanks!

[shburks]

We love our Young Sport, but I will say that unless your dc is on the small side, there are probably better options. When we bought ours, the Frontier and Nautilus weren't out yet, and I didn't like the Radian. (I know...everyone else loves it!) Anyway, my son outgrew his RA at about 3--3 and few months, I'd guess--and we moved him into the Young Sport. He is now 5y3m and is still riding in this seat. He is hovering right around 39/40 lbs, so I'm still able to keep him harnessed in it. DS is kind of on the small side, though, and I'd say most kids his age would have outgrown this seat by weight. It does make a great booster, too, though that we'll be utilizing fairly soon. :)

[jjordan]

I'd probably go with a frontier, even though the install will probably be trickier than you are used to. You'll get more use out of the frontier than you would out of the other seats.

[AnnieW625]

DD has been quite happy with her Frontiers; the headwings are great if you have a car seat sleeper. Also the no rethread harness is nice too. I have never seen a Young Sport locally or I most likely would've look at that one too. The worst thing about the Frontier is the install, but once you get it once it's pretty easy to do and can get installed pretty fast. DH usually takes care of the carseat installations in our family, but I was able to figure it out and do it in our Pilot with no problems. We have it installed in an 06 Pilot, and a 01 Corolla so it should fit no problem in the 06 Outback.

[kate2128]

I can only comment on the Young Sport since I have one and I used it in an Outback, but ours was an '03. I agree with the comment on it only being a good choice for smaller kids. I bought it for my first ds who outgrew the 40 lb weight limit about 3 months after I bought it around age 2.5. I didn't know about all my options then. He moved into a Britax Regent. I am currently using the Young Sport for ds 2 who is 3 years old and 33 lbs. Not sure how tall. He has been riding in it for about a year. It is a great seat for him since he weighs so much less than ds1 did at the same age. I also like the fact that it can be used as a HBB, so it gives me a little flexibility when transporting other kids. It is very easy to install solidly both in the Outback, and our current car, an '08 Odyssey. If I was in the same position again with a bigger kid, I would probably buy a Frontier.

[arivecchi]

I'd probably go with a frontier, even though the install will probably be trickier than you are used to. You'll get more use out of the frontier than you would out of the other seats.:yeahthat:

[ecofem]

Thanks to all who replied! I'm off to Frontier-land!