As you have probably figured out by my posts these past few months, we have been working with BeSafe. Last month we received another extended rear-facing seat to review, their Modular RF i-Size!
It’s been a hectic time for the family, so I apologise for being a little late with publishing the reviews – but it’s been out of my hands this time.
BUT enough of that! I hope you enjoy this review and that it helps you in your car seat hunt!
I also highly recommend you check out my article about the 5 most important things to know before buying a car seat, as it will also help you.
BeSafe izi Modular RF Stats:
Weight range: 0-18kg (approx. from 6 months old to 4 years old)
Height: 61-105 cm
Installation: ISOfix
Approval: R129 (iSize)
Lowest harness height: 33cm
Highest harness height: 40cm
Cabin space required: 78cm (most legroom) or 74cm (most compact install)
Wash: 30° hand wash cycle and hang to dry
PLUS TESTED
The BeSafe iZi Modular RF comes in two styles of fabric:
‘Black Cab’ at £239.99 RRP
‘Various colours’ in a Mélange at £259.99 RRP
The BeSafe iZi Modular Base is £199.99 RRP
‘Bundles’ of a seat and a base are therefore a sum of the above prices.
Colours
BeSafe is not only known for great safety testing and good results, but also for their wonderful colour choices in their car seat range. I know for many this doesn’t matter, but personally, I’ve always loved a bit of colour in the back seat! hehe
The current BeSafe colour range is also a little nostalgic for me because you see, I’m from Norway, but I live in England, I have done for 8 years now, and the thoughts behind their current Mélange range brings back a lot of happy memories for me. Because I can recognize many things from back home…
The red ‘Sunset Mélange’ which is the colour we have on our Modular RF that we were sent, reminds me of Rowan berries, which also happens to be what my mother’s front door wreath had on it.
So lots of memories and a small sense of “home” if you will.
Crash Testing
Unlike its sister seat the ‘Modular’, the Modular RF can only be installed rear facing. This also means that it was able to qualify for PLUS testing, which is passed! The Swedish PLUS Test is the strictest crash test in the world, and also the only one that is able to measure the crash forces on the child’s neck in an accident, and only rear-facing seats are able to pass because of the strict criteria.
The Modular RF being approved to the new R129 (iSize) regulation also means its side impact tested. The old regulation R44.04 does not have this testing. Because of this, the car seat has improved side impact protection via the SIP+ block that attaches to the seat.
Installation
BeSafe iZi Modular RF i-Size on iZi Modular i-Size base from HTS Hans Torgersen og Sønn AS on Vimeo.
Installing the Modular RF and the Modular base is extremely simple. It takes next to no time at all, even my husband had no problems and he doesn’t spend a lot of time installing car seats, hehe.
The base allows for both compact install, for younger children or if space is an issue, and also allows for extra legroom to be had by extending the rebound bar on the base. It’s not hard, there is a lever on the rebound bar which you pull and then you drag the rebound bar outwards or simply push it back in towards the base. There are 3 settings. Most compact – a slight increase of legroom – Extra legroom.
It might not seem like a huge difference, but Henry did feel a difference.
iZi Modular Base installation from HTS Hans Torgersen og Sønn AS on Vimeo.
Installing the BeSafe seats in cars with storage boxes (like we have in our Xsara Picasso) is not a problem at all. BeSafe allows for what we call ‘leg extension’, which means that you simply open the box lid and slip the leg to the bottom of the compartment.
In cars that offer a filler for the box (like Ford) you simply install the leg on top of a closed lid, just make sure the filler is actually in there. If it’s not, contact your local dealer to order one. There are other car manufacturers who offer fillers, the info should be in your vehicle manual.
Recline
The recline level of the seat is very much car dependent. In our car we have very flat back seats, so the recline is extremely good. Henry didn’t complain about it being too reclined on the upright setting, but it is still quite reclined compared to some of our other seats.
It is however quite good with a good recline for the younger children, the seat is approved from 6 months old, so it’s definitely got a good recline for a baby.
Suitability & Comfort
The Modular RF is approved for babies from 6 months old, but as with everything, this is child dependent. It doesn’t fit all children from 6 months old as a guarantee. Therefore it’s important to try the seat with your baby before you buy. A specialist ERF retailer will be a perfect place to go and try the seat before you buy, they will also be able to give you hands-on advice. The aftercare is also brilliant compared to what you are left with if you just shop online.
The seat has 2 inserts, one for the bottom and one for the upper body. These can be removed separately and you would generally remove the upper body insert before the lower body insert. But this is always a guide. Your manual will be able to advise you, but again, babies come in different sizes so the inserts are bound to fit some longer than others.
The seat itself is quite compact when not installing with extra legroom, which isn’t a huge necessity, so the seat fits in smaller cars quite well.
Here are a few examples of small/tiny cars:
3 Across in Our Citroen Xsara Picasso
Our Pros & Cons
As with every seat, there are some ‘pros’ as well as some ‘cons’ with a car seat.
Pros:
- VERY easy to install, easy to understand and the load leg makes a beeping sound if not correctly sat on the floor.
- Many nice colours to choose from.
- It’s PLUS tested! The strictest crash test in the world!
- It’s suitable from 6 months old and has a very nice recline for young children.
- Improved Side Impact Protection (SIP+).
- It’s a generally compact seat.
- BeSafe allows leg extension into storage boxes!
- The fabric is easily removed.
- Magnets keep the internal harness out of the way.
- Very easy for the children to get into the car seat by themselves because of lower sides near the legs, this does not compromise on safety.
Cons:
- The SIP+ box can be very fiddly to get on, it takes some practice.
- Sadly the seat is outgrown at 105cm standing height but lasts vastly longer height wise. Henry is 118cm and still fitted the seat comfortably. I would like BeSafe to look into approving the seat for use above 105cm as most children will have miles left to grow in the seat when they reach the 105cm height limit.
- If you lose the little yellow box that is attached to the load leg, the beeping noise will drive you nuts.
We were sent the BeSafe izi Modular RF for the purpose of this review. However, as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own!
Therese has completed the ‘Advanced Child Car Seat Training Course’ at TRL (Transport Research Lab) and is a CPD accredited car seat expert. She blogs about in-car safety, car seats, tips, reviews, giveaways and advice. She’s a mum on a mission to change the law and raise awareness. She is also a breastfeeding advocate and gentle parenting promoter who loves cloth nappies, baby-wearing, BLW and co-sleeping/bed-sharing.