All posts by Mike

3 Across Installations: Which Car Seats Fit a Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander (known as the Kluger overseas) is easily one of the most popular mid-sized SUVs available in the United States and Canada, competing with SUVs like the Honda Pilot, Ford Edge, Dodge Journey, Ford ExplorerJeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Flex, Chevy Tahoe, Toyota 4RunnerMercedes-Benz M-Class, and Volvo XC90. It’s a reliable SUV and one of the few mid-sized SUVs with an available 3rd row option. I borrowed Highlanders from all 3 generations as well as a Highlander Hybrid from some friends over the last week and set to work to find out which car seats I could install in 3 across configurations in the Toyota Highlander.

Before going into the details, however, let’s review some best practices in terms of car seat safety. For me, that means rear-facing children as long as possible (ideally until 4!), and then forward-facing our kiddos as long as feasible (ideally until at least 6!), and then placing them in booster seats until they’re capable of using a regular seat belt (which typically happens between 10 and 12). These guidelines are meant to keep our little ones as safe as possible by restraining them appropriately as long as feasible.

With that out of the way, I wrote this guide so you’d know which car seats would work well in your Highlander, regardless of whether you were interested in using infant seats, convertibles, combination seats, or boosters. The list isn’t complete yet and I’ll keep on adding to it, but I think it’s off to a good start for now. I definitely think it’s the most complete guide to 3 across installations for the Toyota Highlander on the Internet. If you find it helpful when shopping for car seats for your Highlander, you can show your support by shopping through my Amazon links below. I’ll add more seats as I test them with newer and older Highlanders.

You can access the complete 3 across guide for every vehicle here and the complete list of recommended seats here. The Canadian car seat guide is here. 3 across car seat images are courtesy of Wikipedia.

2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Toyota Highlander (XU50)

highlander - 2014 - publicdomain

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Clek Oobr (x3).

Peg Perego Flex 120 (x3).

Maxi-Cosi RodiFix (x3).

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Chicco KeyFit 30 (x3).

Britax B-Safe 35 Elite (x3).

Britax B-Safe 35 (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Graco Snugride 30, Diono Radian / RXT,  Recaro Performance Sport (2nd row).

Clek Foonf, Combi Coccoro, Diono Radian / RXT.

Clek Fllo, Combi Coccoro, Diono Radian / RXT.

Tips and Tricks:

This generation of the Toyota Highlander is 191 inches long and 76 inches wide, which means it is the most friendly Highlander for 3 across installations yet in terms of width. You’ll be able to install most seats without issue as long as you use seat belt installations. The 2nd row is significantly easier to achieve 3 across installations than the 3rd row, which is narrower than the 2nd row, so try the 2nd row if at all possible instead of the 3rd for better luck.

Unfortunately, there is only one top tether anchor in the 3rd row, located behind the center seat. There really should be more for forward-seating safety; hopefully this change occurs in the 2016 Highlander. There aren’t any LATCH anchors in the 3rd row either; you’ll want to look toward the Honda Odyssey or Pilot if you’re interested in more spots.

These 3 across installation setups apply equally to the Toyota Highlander and Toyota Highlander Hybrid, or HiHy, as it’s known in a number of online forums.

Something else to keep in mind is that Toyota prohibits a passenger’s sitting in the 2nd or 3rd row center seat if a car seat is installed in the passenger outboard position. The same restriction also applies to using booster seats in the 2nd or 3rd row center seat; you can’t do it, per Toyota, if you have an adjacent seat on the passenger side. This is to prevent a potential issue of the passenger seat blocking the center seat belt and preventing it from retracting.

2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 Toyota Highlander (XU40)

highlander-2008-publicdomain

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

 

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Chicco KeyFit 30 (x3).

Britax B-Safe 35 Elite (x3).

Britax B-Safe 35 (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Recaro Performance Sport, Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Frontier 90.

Recaro Performance Sport, Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Pioneer 70.

Britax Marathon ClickTight / Marathon G4.1 / Marathon G4,  Diono Radian / RXT, Graco Snugride 30.

Tips and Tricks:

This generation of the Toyota Highlander is 188 inches long and 75 inches wide. The width would suggest most 3 across installations would be a straightforward affair, but that’s unfortunately not the case, as the center seat in the 2nd row is ridiculously narrow. You’ll really want a narrow seat in the center position if you want a 3 across installation.

Something else to keep in mind if you’re thinking of using the 3rd row is that there aren’t any top tether anchors there, which is a no-no considering how you should always use a top tether when forward-facing.

2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Toyota Highlander (XU20)

highlander-2001-publicdomain

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Clek Oobr (x3).

Peg Perego Flex 120 (x3).

Maxi-Cosi RodiFix (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Diono Radian RXT (x3).

Diono Radian R120 (x3).

Diono Radian R100 (x3).

Graco Nautilus, Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Marathon ClickTight / Marathon G4.1 / Marathon G4.

Graco Nautilus, Chicco KeyFit 30 (baseless), Graco My Ride 65.

Chicco KeyFit 30, Graco Nautilus, Diono Radian / RXT.

Britax Frontier 90, Diono Radian / RXT, Graco Nautilus.

Chicco KeyFit 30, Diono Radian / RXT, Evenflo Triumph.

Tips and Tricks:

This initial generation of the Toyota Highlander is 184 inches long and 72 inches wide, which is significantly smaller than the current generation. That said, it’s quite versatile when it comes to 3 across installations. You’ll want to use your seat belt with each seat instead of LATCH to maximize your available space in the 2nd row.

If you find my information on best practices in car and car seat safety helpful, you can do your shopping through this Amazon link. Canadians can  shop here for Canadian purchases. Have a question or want to discuss best practices? Join us in the forums!

Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller Review: It’s The Best.

indietwinnyBumbleride is a small mom and pop shop of a stroller company that grew out of a couple’s business aspirations back in 2004. They’ve carved out a small but growing niche in the world of strollers by offering a few select high end strollers for discerning parents with a sense of style. Yesterday, we reviewed the Indie, and today we’re reviewing the Bumbleride Indie Twin.

The Indie Twin is a side by side double stroller recently launched by Bumbleride and designed to compete with high end all terrain strollers like the Mountain Buggy Duet and Valco Baby Tri Mode EX Twin. These are strollers that thread the line between jogging and walking strollers, offering the comfort of walkers with the versatility of joggers. You might think of them as the crossovers of the stroller world.

The Bumbleride was designed by stylish young professionals with a nod to hipsterdom, hence the name, and as a result, offers various nods to ecological and stylistic sensibilities. For example, it’s completely made from polyester, with 50% of the interior polyester made from rayon created from bamboo and 50% of the exterior polyester made from recycled plastic bottles. It’s a slick-looking stroller that comes in a range of gorgeous colors and comes from a company with a commitment to quality over quality. And it comes in so many colors you’re guaranteed to find one that works well with your sense of chic.

We recently had the chance to borrow the Bumbleride Indie Twin double stroller for a while and see whether it lived up to its makers’ claims of being active, essential, and uniquely us. Here’s a thorough review of the Bumbleride Indie Twin with the pros, cons, and a final judgment on whether or not it’s worth its higher than average price tag. The short version of the review is that we definitely think it’s worth it if you can afford it, and you can buy it here. For the long version, keep reading!

Buy the Bumbleride Indie Twin stroller on Sale at Amazon.

Weight and Dimensions of the Bumbleride Indie Twin

How much does the Bumbleride Indie Twin weigh?

The Indie Twin weighs 34 pounds, which is about average for a side by side double stroller. There are definitely a few lighter double strollers out there, but not by many pounds. At least it’s not as heavy as the City Select.

What’s the narrowest door you can fit a Bumbleride Indie Twin through?

indietwin02The Indie Twin is narrower than many side by side double strollers and is capable of fitting through a door 29.5″ wide. Practically speaking, that means a 30″ door, since most doors are measured to the nearest inch. And practically speaking, this also meant we were able to get through pretty much every part of our test mall in the Chicago suburbs (Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg) without a problem. It’s not quite the transcendental experience of a stroller like the Mountain Buggy Duet, but it’s still fun to know you’re not going to get stuck when passing through the average door.

What are the length, width, and height of the  Bumbleride Indie Twin?

The Bumbleride Indie Twin is 35″ long, 29.5″ wide, and 43″ tall when unfolded and 32″ long, 29.5″ wide and 15″ tall when folded. In other words, it folds up very nicely and has a very stable design when it is unfolded, which dramatically reduces the risk of it tipping over while kids are getting into or out of it. Of course, it’s always a good idea to be close by to help keep a stroller stable in such situations.

Using the Bumbleride Indie Twin with Children

Can you use infant seat adapters with the Bumbleride Indie Twin?

indietwin03Yes! You can use up to two infant seat adapters with the Bumbleride Indie Twin. A universal car seat adapter bar is included that’s compatible with a range of car seats, including the Graco Snugride 32, 35, and 40, as well as the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio, Chicco KeyFit 30, Combi Shuttle, Baby Trend Flex Loc, and Britax Chaperone.

What are the recommended height, weight, and age limits for children you can fit in the Bumbleride Indie Twin?

The Bumbleride Indie Twin can be used with infants and older children as long as they fit. The weight limits for individual seats is 45 pounds while the combined weight limit is 90 pounds; there is no upper age limit. We’ve found with similar strollers that they can typically hold our kids until age 5 or 6, depending on the build of the child, and the Bumbleride Indie Twin was similar in this respect. Our 8 year old did not fit, while our 6 and 4 year olds did, as did our younger kids. Keep in mind that you can also purchase a bassinet to install in the Indie Twin, which is only an option in a handful of double strollers in the United States. This fact alone won over Suzy and had her itching to sell our BOB for the Bumbleride.

Buy the Bumbleride Indie Twin on Sale at Amazon here.

What are the seats, sun canopies, and seat support like in the Bumbleride Indie Twin?

The seats in the Bumbleride Indie Twin are very, very comfortable. Our kids love them and they easily pass the sleep test. Bumbleride also confirmed that they use a blended bamboo-like fabric inside the seats, which results in their not only being comfortable but also moisture absorbing and temperature regulating. The exterior fabric also looks strong and durable, which adds confidence when you’re spending a pretty penny on a stroller like this.

Both seats also come with a 5-point breakaway harness, which is great for securing the kids and keeping their arms from getting tangled in the harness straps. The seats themselves are 11″ wide and 10″ long, while the backrests are 18″ long, 11″ wide, and 19″ high when measured to the top of the backrest from the seat. The canopies themselves are 22″ high, while the footrest is 10″ long and 11″ wide for each child. Did I mention that the footrest is adjustable? Because my 4 year old keeps wanting me to add that to the review.

indietwin04The sun canopies are large and angled nicely; they adjust independently so one child can be in the sun while the other is in the shade, or vice versa. They also have built-in SPF 45 sun protection, which is nice when you forget sunscreen on the really hot days at the Brookfield Zoo in the summer. The only other stroller we’ve come across with SPF 45 protection in the canopies was the Valco Baby Tri Mode SE, which costs almost exactly as much as the Indie Twin.

Can you recline the seats in the Bumbleride Indie Twin?

Yes! You get a near-flat recline in the Bumbleride Indie Twin and you also get a pair of adjustable footrests for the little ones. The fact that the recline is almost flat makes the Bumbleride Indie Twin a great choice for infant transport. Of course, if you choose, you can also purchase a Bumbleride bassinet, which they call a Carrycot, and tote your little ones around in that instead.

Moving, Using, and Storing the Bumbleride Indie Twin

What is it like to push the Bumbleride Indie Twin, and is the handlebar adjustable?

indietwin05Pushing the Bumbleride Indie Twin is like pushing air. The stroller is definitely one of the three smoothest we’ve ever had the pleasure of pushing–the other two being the Valco Baby Tri Mode EX and the Mountain Buggy Duet. Is it a coincidence that the three smoothest double strollers out there are all all-terrain strollers? Probably not; they’re all clearly influenced by each other and clearly are sharing a number of good ideas.

The Bumbleride Indie Twin simply glided wherever we took it, whether we were on road or doing some light off-roading. It’s not a true jogging stroller in the traditional three-wheel configuration, run a marathon or 5k sense, but you could definitely use it for light jogging or hiking in a state park without problems. In fact, we took ours down to Starved Rock, and had a great time there looking for bald eagles with the kids. You can lock the front wheels if you’re in the mood for light jogging, of course.

The handlebar in the Bumbleride Indie Twin adjusts between 25″ and 43″, which means that anyone from a hobbit to a giant should be able to maneuver the stroller without problems.

Buy the Bumbleride Indie Twin on Sale at Amazon here.

What are the brakes, tires, suspension, and wheels like on the Bumbleride Indie Twin?

The tires are one of our favorite parts of the Bumbleride Indie Twin, as we’re pretty sure they’re part of why the stroller is such a joy to push. They’re air inflated and 12″ in diameter, which means you’ve got a solid foot of tire all the way around the stroller, which certainly makes it an easier affair to push through grass, mud, or a bit of snow now and then. You get rear-wheel suspension as well to soften the impact of the ride.

How easy is it to pack up, assemble, or disassemble the Bumbleride Indie Twin?

Assembly, disassembly, and general packing up of the Bumbleride Indie Twin is a piece of cake. The stroller practically folds itself up, although you do need to pay attention the first couple of times you do it to make sure everything closes properly.

What are the cargo storage and weight limits of the Bumbleride Indie Twin?

indietwin06There isn’t a supplied weight limit for the storage compartments of the Bumbleride Indie Twin, but based on the solid construction throughout the rest of the stroller, I wouldn’t spend any time worrying about it. You get a generous amount of space in the lower basket and there are additional pockets behind the seats for extra storage. The stroller does take up a bit of space in the back of trunk despite its compact folding, but that has more to do with the fact that it’s a double stroller than anything poor in the design.There are a few extras that aren’t included that you’ll probably want to pick up if you get the Indie Twin, such as the parent console and the non-PVC rain shield. Both are modestly priced and are good to have on hand. The Carrycot is more expensive but in line with typical bassinet prices and is well made; our youngest was quite the fan of sleeping in it.

Concluding thoughts on the Bumbleride Indie Twin

Is the Bumbleride Indie Twin worth it?

In a word, yes. The Bumbleride Indie Twin is more expensive than the strollers most people are going to pick up, but if you’re looking for an incredibly attractive stroller that works well with infants and all kinds of terrain, this is definitely one you should keep in mind. To put it simply, it’s easily the best double stroller on the market right now. You can buy the Bumbleride Indie Twin in Jet Black, Aquamarine, Grey/Orange, Cayenne Red, and Green Papyrus here.

If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

Bumbleride Indie Stroller Review: Best Single Stroller.

indie01Bumbleride is perhaps my favorite stroller company right now, thanks to the Indie Twin stroller, which is our go-to stroller these days when carting the kids around. My husband and I decided to take a look at the single stroller version, the Indie, in order to see if it could measure up to its sibling, and the good news is that it does. The Bumbleride Indie is an amazing single all-terrain stroller. It’s clearly marketed toward parents who value style, safety, and functionality; you can do light jogging with it and it doesn’t take up an entire sidewalk or store aisle when you’re using it on regular terrain. What follows is what I believe to be the most detailed Bumbleride Indie stroller review on the Internet.

Quick Review of the Bumbleride Indie Single Stroller

indie02The Bumbleride Indie stroller, frankly, is a mom or dad’s dream. The canopy is huge, the foot  rest is adjustable, the recline goes waaaay down, the seat is roomy, the under seat basket is generously sized, and the frame is nice and light. I had to whip out the scale the other day because it felt too light to be real. In fact, it only weighs 20 pounds. The fact that it comes with air-filled tires and has a suspension system along the rear tires only helps make the ride an even smoother one. It practically pushes itself when on the move, and you only need one hand to make it glide. I also like the fact that eco-friendly fabrics were used to make the seats, and that as an aside, they aid in temperature regulation and in moisture absorption. It’s a pretty futuristic stroller, isn’t it?

However, it’s also a highly functional one. You can turn the Bumbleride Indie into a travel system by using the car seat adapter that’s included with the stroller, or by buying the matching bassinet. You can also recline the seat low enough to make it similar to a bassinet and quite newborn-friendly if you choose to, which gets rid of the need to buy a bassinet to begin with. You even get a bumper bar! The stroller itself is usable from birth and has a maximum child weight of 45 pounds. If you’d like to transport twins or siblings, you’ll want to check out the Bumbleride Indie Twin review , which goes into why the Bumbleride Indie Twin is our favorite double stroller on the market. Similarly, if you want an all-terrain stroller but don’t need one that’s quite as attuned to jogging as the Indie, you’ll want to look into our review of the Bumbleride Indie 4, which will likely suit your needs.

I’d rate the Bumbleride Indie Single stroller with 5 out 5 stars due to the sheer amount of quality it provides in terms of both form and function. I love the features, the handling, and the look of it, and I wouldn’t change anything except to add an automatic brake to it. Pretty much everything else is included in it, and I’m not easy to please.  The stroller isn’t cheap by any means, but when it comes to strollers, I’ve learned that you get what you pay for, and if you’re interested in high levels of quality and long-lasting reliability, the Indie stroller is the best single all-terrain stroller on the market. The cheapest price I’ve found so far for the Bumbleride Indie is on Amazon here, which also gets you the car seat adapter, bumper bar, and a cup holder. Keep in mind that some colors are cheaper than others. You can also pick up the Indie Twin on Amazon for their sale price with free shipping, free returns, and without sales tax.

Buy the Bumbleride Indie Single Stroller on Sale at Amazon.

Pros of the Bumbleride Indie Stroller

indie03Huge canopy. The canopy on the Bumbleride Indie is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time on a single stroller, and it makes me happy every time I put my kids into it. It extends from its storage area by the handle bar to the bumper bar in the front of the stroller, which means your little ones can get complete coverage and shade from the sun at any time, regardless of the weather. Even if you completely recline the seat, you can keep your child covered and out of the sun.

The sun’s rays also won’t be an issue for your child’s skin, as SPF 45 UV protection is built into the canopy. The canopy connects to the seat back with metallic snap buttons and a zipper is also located in the back part of the canopy so it can be turned into a floating canopy that you can move with the path of the sun. When the days get hot, I tend to unzip the canopy so more air can circulate throughout the seating area.

Above the canopy is a mesh peekaboo window that also allows for air ventilation. The peekaboo window is opened and closed through Velcro straps, which can be a bit noisy, but it works well enough. It would also be nice if the window were a bit larger, but besides that, I have absolutely no complaints, and would easily label this as the best single stroller canopy you’re going to find on the market.

indie04Adjustable handle bar. I think every stroller should have an adjustable handle bar, and Bumbleride clearly agrees. You can adjust the height from 25″ above the ground to 43″, which is generous enough to accommodate parents of all sizes. There is a foam covering on the handle bar on the left and right sides while there’s a metal grip in the center that allows you to steer the stroller with a single hand. I like the grip, as it adds a stylish touch to the stroller and it also makes it easier to move the stroller around when I’m using the other hand to talk on the phone or manage my dogs on their leash.

Adjustable cup holder. I’m also a fan of the fact that a cup holder is actually included in this stroller; this is an increasingly rare phenomenon! I can fit a typical bottle of water inside it or a generously sized cup of coffee. There’s a curved opening in the center of the cup holder that allows it to adjust to fit cups of different sizes, which adds to its utility. You can remove the cup holder to place it on either side of the stroller. As a coffee drinker, I love this.

Large and roomy seat. The seat is 12.5″ in width and 22″ in height as measured from the bottom of the seat to the canopy top. You can recline the seat nearly completely with one hand, but in order to raise the seat, you will need a pair of hands. The recline isn’t completely flat, but it’s incredibly close to a flat position. The Bumbleride Indie is usable from birth and can support children until they reach 45 pounds. Examples of good car seats you can use with the Indie as a travel system include the Chicco KeyFit 30 and other great infant seats I recommend.

Built-in almost bassinetPart of what I like the most about the Bumbleride Indie is that you can turn it into a bassinet-like seat for your child. If you set the recline as far back as possible to its nearly-flat position and pull the leg rest to its highest setting, you get what looks almost completely like a bassinet. It’s not necessary to remove your bumper bar to make this happen. You can clip a pair of materials located beneath the leg rest to each side of the seat for additional support, as well as a big rap of material around the seat top designed to keep your baby safe if you unclip the canopy from behind the seat.

In other words, this feature was designed intentionally and with safety in mind; these are some of the details that make this a luxury stroller. Of course, it’s also possible to buy an actual bassinet from Bumbleride so you can make the stroller a pram. And let me tell you, there aren’t very many all-terrain or jogging strollers that allow you to purchase bassinets as accessories.

Buy the Bumbleride Indie Single Stroller on Sale at Amazon.

indie05Environmentally friendly fabricThe fabrics used for the Bumbleride canopy and seat are designed to both help regulate the body temperature of your little one and absorb moisture naturally. The fabrics are made of a blend of bamboo and nylon and are organic and designed with the Earth in mind. As an ecologically-conscious parent, I appreciate that. The stroller exterior is made from recycled materials, and are tough and resistant to the elements, which gives me a lot of confidence while using it.

Padded 5-point harness. The harness for the Bumbleride Indie is adjustable and padded and includes a recently redesigned center release button. The button is designed to make it difficult for restless children to get themselves out, and it seems to do the job quite well. There are 4 positions for harness height and the shoulder straps may be separated from the lower waist straps, which makes it easier to get children into and out of the seat.

Padded bumper barThe bumper bar is included with the Bumbleride, which is nice when you consider the fact that it’s not the cheapest stroller on the market. You can adjust the bumper bar and snap it in and out quite easily. It has the same weatherproof fabric as that used in the canopy, and the fabric can be removed simply by unzipping it.

Adjustable foot rest. The foot rest, which was updated recently, is adjustable in the leg rest area. You can set the leg rest at a flat horizontal angle and at a negative, drop down angle. Because the foot drop angle has been steepened, it’s possible to fit taller children now in the Bumbleride, which makes it more useful in my perspective.

Deep, large basket. The basket beneath the Bumbleride is a good one; quite deep and large and wide. You can get to it without any trouble even if you’ve fully reclined the seat, which is a blessing, considering how hard that it to do with a number of other strollers. You can fit a full diaper bag and a few small groceries or toys there, and you also can access it from the left and right sides of the stroller.

indie06All-terrain wheels. There are three tires on the Bumbleride Indie, and they work marvelously. They are 12″ in diameter and air-filled. You can easily remove the rear wheels in order to achieve a more compact fold. You can swivel the front wheel at up to 360 degrees to achieve full maneuverability while on the move or you can lock it in place to give you extra stability while jogging or on trails.

Rear-wheel suspensionThe rear-wheel suspension works in tandem with those large and beefy tires to create a stroller that can handle just about any kind of terrain without giving you bumps. It’s really easy to push and I don’t have any trouble steering it with one hand, which is great when I’m trying to make it to the minivan to get too many groceries put away. I’ve tried it in a couple of inches of snow and the Bumbleride didn’t give me a lick of trouble there either.

Rear foot-activated parking brake. Between the two rear wheels, you’ll find the foot brake. It’s a paddle-style brake, which means you just press on it with your foot to activate it and then pull up with your foot to release it. It takes a bit of force to move in either direction.

Easy (though not the easiest) fold. You can fold the Bumbleride Indie with a pair of hands in three steps. You first need to retract the canopy and pull down the bumper bar to its lowest position. You then pull on a pair of levers, one on either side of the stroller, and at the same time, move the handle bar into a forward position. If you want to fold the stroller in half, there’s a strap in the middle of the seat that you’ll need to pull. Keep in mind that the stroller can’t stand on its own, which means you’ll need to lower it to the ground when you want to lock it, as there isn’t an automatic lock. The folded dimensions are reasonably compact at 32″ in length, 24.5″ in width, and 15″ in height. The rear wheels can also be removed if you’ve got a shortage of space in your trunk.

Car seat adapter. Finally, I’m a fan of the included car seat adapter, as it lets you form a travel system from your Indie stroller. You can use the adapter with Graco, Britax, Combi, Peg Perego, and Chicco car seats. There are a number of highly capable infant seats that will work with the Indie.

Cons of the Bumbleride Indie Stroller

No automatic braking system. The biggest drawback, from my perspective, of the Indie stroller is that it doesn’t come with a system for automatically braking the stroller if you lose contact with it, the way the Navigator and Classic strollers do. This is a feature that should come with every stroller, in my opinion, due to the great safety boost it provides. Hopefully Bumbleride adds it in the next update to the Indie.

Two hand fold. This is a minor qualm, but I wish you could fold the stroller up completely with a single hand. It would also be nice if there were an automatic locking system included.

Specifications of the Bumbleride Indie Stroller

The Indie Stroller weighs 20 pounds and has a 45 pound weight limit. Its folded dimensions are 32″ in height, 24.5″ in width, and 15″ in length. The handle bar can range from 25″ to 43″ in height, and the seat itself is 22″ high. The air-filled wheels are 12″ in diameter.

Warranty on the Bumbleride Indie Stroller

There is a 3-year-warranty from Bumbleride with the purchase of the Indie. The clock starts ticking on the date of purchase. You can find more information about the warranty here.

Where to buy the Bumbleride Indie Stroller

I prefer buying my strollers and similar baby items from Amazon, since they often have the lowest prices, free returns and shipping, and don’t charge sales tax. I completely recommend the Bumbleride Indie Stroller. You can buy it here in Green Papyrus, Aquamarine, Jet Black, Cayenne Red, and Fog Grey.

If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.

3 Across Installations: Which Car Seats Fit In a Kia Sedona?

The Kia Sedona is one of the most popular non-Japanese minivans available in the United States, competing with the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna, as well as with US offerings like the Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, and Chrysler Pacifica. The Sedona has developed a reputation as an affordable alternative to the Sienna and Odyssey, and fills a niche for families interested in safety and reliability without the top sticker prices of the more famous minivans on the market. I borrowed a new and old Sedona this weekend in order to see how well they worked when it came to 3 across installations in a Kia Sedona.

It’s a good idea to review best practice principles when it comes to car seat safety, and that means rear-facing children as long as possible (ideally until 4!), and then forward-facing our kiddos as long as feasible (ideally until 6!), and then placing them in booster seats until they’re capable of using a regular seat belt (which typically happens between 10 and 12). These guidelines are meant to keep our little ones as safe as possible by restraining them appropriately as long as feasible.

However, to apply best practices, we need to know which car seats we’re going to be able to use in the Kia Sedona, which is why I wrote this guide. I had a small army of car seats available in my garage and got to work. Several hours later, I came up with what I believe to be the most detailed list of 3 across combinations possible in the Kia Sedona. It’s not a complete list, but it’s off to a very strong start. If you find the list helpful when shopping for car seats for your Sedona, you can show your support by shopping through my Amazon link below. I’ll add more seats as I test them over time.

You can access the complete 3 across guide for every vehicle here and the complete list of recommended seats here. The Canadian car seat guide is here. 3 across car seat images are courtesy of Wikipedia.

sedona - 2015 - publicdomain2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Kia Sedona

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

2nd or 3rd row:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Diono Radian / RXT (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

2nd row only:

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Boulevard ClickTight, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Boulevard G4.1, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Boulevard G4, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Marathon ClickTight, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Marathon G4.1, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Marathon G4, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Roundabout G4.1, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Roundabout G4, Graco TurboBooster.

Britax Roundabout G4.1, Recaro Performance RIDE, Graco TurboBooster.

Britax Roundabout G4.1, Recaro ProRIDE, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Parkway SGL, Diono Radian / RXT.

Britax Parkway SGL, Graco My Ride 65, Diono Radian / RXT.

Tips and Tricks:

This generation of the Kia Sedona is 201 inches long and 78 inches wide, or 1 inch shorter than the previous generation. This means that in general, any car seat configurations you can install in the previous generation will work well in this generation. It’s important to note that the 3rd row is much narrower than the 2nd row, and you’re only going to be able to fit the narrowest of seats (17″ or narrower) in 3 across configurations there. The 2nd row is much more amenable, although you’ll need an 8-passenger Sedona to get any 3 across configurations to work, of course.

sedona - 2009 - publicdomain2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 Kia Sedona

Guaranteed 3 across installations:

Clek Fllo (x3).

Clek Foonf (x3).

Combi Coccoro (x3).

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Boulevard ClickTight, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Boulevard G4.1, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Boulevard G4, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Marathon ClickTight, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Marathon G4.1, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Marathon G4, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Roundabout G4.1, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Roundabout G4, Graco TurboBooster.

Britax Roundabout G4.1, Recaro Performance RIDE, Graco TurboBooster.

Britax Roundabout G4.1, Recaro ProRIDE, Graco TurboBooster.

Diono Radian / RXT, Britax Parkway SGL, Diono Radian / RXT.

Britax Parkway SGL, Graco My Ride 65, Diono Radian / RXT.

Tips and Tricks:

This generation of the Kia Sedona is 202 inches long and 78 inches wide, which means 3 across installations are going to be rather easy to accomplish, both in terms of width and in terms of front-to-back length. However, it’s important to note that you can’t achieve a 3 across installation in the 3rd row with the Diono Radian / RXT in the center seat of the 3rd row; it needs to be in an outboard position.

If you find my information on best practices in car and car seat safety helpful, you can do your shopping through this Amazon link. Canadians can  shop here for Canadian purchases. Have a question or want to discuss best practices? Join us in the forums!

 

Recaro Performance SPORT Combination Seat Review

Recaro has been making a number of quality car seats for several years now as an extension of their work to design safer racing car seats. In the last few months, I’ve had the opportunity to review the Performance Coupe, Performance RIDE, and ProRIDE, so it was only natural that when there was a recent Recaro Performance SPORT sale on Amazon, I’d pick up a copy for a review, especially since it’s my general goal to review every single forward-facing combination seat on the market. The Recaro Performance SPORT is essentially an update of the Recaro ProSPORT, which has since been discontinued. Overall, it’s a solid seat and I’d be happy to use it with my family. For more details, read on!

2015 Recaro Performance SPORT – What’s the big deal?

The Recaro Performance SPORT is yet another child car seat derived from the racing technology Recaro has been pioneering for years in their adult racing car seats, which means that you’re going to get a lot more side impact protection from one of their seats than you would from the typical car seat on the market, per Recaro. Given the rate at which side impact collisions become fatal compared to head on or rear collisions, I’m a fan of any company that makes side impact protection and force reduction a priority.

The Performance SPORT is a combination seat, which means you can use it both as a forward-facing harnessed seat and as a booster seat once your child has outgrown the forward-facing phase. In this respect, it’s a better value than a seat that only forward-faces or a seat that only works as a dedicated booster. How well does it live up to its reputation as a great combination seat? Let’s take a closer look to find out.

Buy the Recaro Performance SPORT on Sale at Amazon.

Recaro Performance SPORT Limits for Weight and Height

Forward-facing: 20 to 65 pounds. Children should be at least 1 year old per Recaro, and between 27″ and 50″ in height. Of course, as a fan of The Car Crash Detective, you’re not going to forward face at 1, but will aim to keep children rear-facing as long as possible (ideally until at least 4), and then forward-facing for as long as possible (ideally until at least 8) before switching to a booster (typically between 10 and 12). I measure the lowest harness height at 12″ and the highest at 18.” There are 4 positions in total.

Booster: 30 to 120 pounds. Children must be between 37″ and 59″ in height. Again, best practices suggest children should be kept in forward-facing seats and not in boosters until they’re at least 8 or so, and then kept in boosters until they can pass the 5 step test and are ready for adult seat belts. I measure the highest seat belt belt guide at 20.”

Dimensions of the Recaro Performance SPORT

The Performance SPORT is 19″ wide at its widest point, which is at the torso wings, and 17″ wide at the base. The seat back is 27″ high and the seat is 14″ long in depth. There are 3 crotch strap buckles at 6″, 7″, and 8.”

Using the Recaro Performance SPORT

recaro4Out of the box, as is common with all of the Recaro seats I’ve had the pleasure of using and reviewing so far, the seat looks solid and designed to keep a child very safe. It’s inspiring to see a well-constructed car seat. Feature-wise, it’s similar to a number of seats already on the market, but still quite different when the extra features Recaro throws in are taken into consideration. For example, take a look at the sidewings. They’re reinforced with metal to provide extra protection against intrusion in a collision; this is the kind of technology Recaro brings over as standard practice from their racing car seats, and I’m glad we get to benefit from it in the child car seat safety world.


Installation

 

In terms of installation, something unique about the Performance SPORT is that when you install it with a seat belt, you can see the belt path from the front of the seat instead of from behind it. It looks a bit odd, but it’s very easy to do so and is gentler on the hands.

recaro5A LATCH installation is also possible and quite straightforward. There are LATCH connectors on both sides of the belt path. You can’t use LATCH past 52 pounds, and you also can’t use the top tether past 52 pounds, which is strange, considering that it’s quite important to use the top tether when forward-facing. However, since the shoulder belt routes above and behind the seat, it’s possible that it provides similar benefits.

Ease of Use

The Performance SPORT is an easy car seat to use, whether in front-facing mode or in booster mode. It’s a quick install and easy to adjust. I like how smooth the harness is when it comes to tightening it; you simply buckle it and pull it tight and that’s it. In fact, I’d say that the Performance SPORT is the single easiest harnessed seat I’ve come across so far in terms of how easy it is to tighten on a child.

Even the buckle is easy! My 4-year-old daughter was able to unbuckle it on her own, which for me was a pro, since she’s a responsible one. I could see this being a potential issue if you’ve got a child who’s more on the impulsive end. I also like how the seat sits close to the vehicle seat, as this makes it much easier for my daughter to climb in and out of the Performance SPORT.

The HERO Harness System

The harness is rather straightforward to adjust, although it’s not a no-rethread harness, unfortunately. You do it from behind the seat, which means you can’t do it once you’ve got the seat installed. You simply pull the handle behind the seat and move the bar to the proper harness height. You’ll need a bit of force to move the bar, but it’s not nearly as much work as dealing with a rethread harness.

The HERO System, however, is what I’m really a fan of. It’s also present in the Performance Coupe infant seat and in the Performance RIDE; it’s a way to keep the harness system straight and untwisted. This keeps the harness in the optimal position to protect a child in the event of a collision. Of course, I didn’t test the system in an actual collision, but I can definitely confirm that it’s much easier to keep the harness from twisting with the HERO System than it is in pretty much every other harnessed or combination seat I’ve tried.

Booster Mode
Something to keep in mind is that when you’re converting the seat from a forward-facing mode to a harnessed mode, you’ll need to remove the harness. It won’t take more than a few minutes, but it’s important to note.

recaro2Comfort

Finally, the Performance SPORT is a comfortable seat. My daughter gave it the sleep test, and it passed. The sleep test is basically a test of whether a child can fall asleep in a seat while driving. Infants tend to pass it well, but it gets harder as children get older. The Performance SPORT is a very padded chair, and it’s clearly comfortable enough to keep a child cozy while on the road.

Buy the Recaro Performance SPORT on Sale at Amazon.

Why Buy the Recaro Performance SPORT?

In the end, the most important reasons to buy a car seat come down to how well the seat will do in keeping your child or children safe. For me, the Recaro Performance SPORT is worth buying because you can use it to forward-face a child until she’s 65 pounds in weight, which will get most kids to 8 years of age, which is when I recommend switching from forward-facing to boostering.

From there, the high booster weight limit of 120 pounds and seat belt shoulder height of 20″ means children are likely going to be able to use the seat for an additional couple of years and might make it to the point when children don’t need booster seats any more, which is typically between 10 and 12. The fact that the seat has the size to make this possible makes me a big fan of it. Besides that, I’m also a fan of the HERO System, the ease of installation, the comfort of the seat, and the fact that it’s made locally in the United States.

I recommend the Recaro Performance SPORT wholeheartedly. You can buy it here in Knight, Sapphire, Plum, Rose, Marine, Slate, Haze, Vibe, and Redd. Canadians can buy it here.

If you find the information on car safety, recommended car seats, and car seat reviews on this car seat blog helpful, you can shop through this Amazon link for any purchases, car seat-related or not. Canadians can shop through this link for Canadian purchases.