Both our daughters are growing at an exponential rate and our eldest girl, being the bustling toddler she is, needs a Group 1 2 3 car seat Isofix bundle for travel, but which also fits along the back of our Vauxhall Zafira with another Group 1 2 3 car seat for our youngest girl.
Read on to learn more about the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Group 1/2/3 Car Seat, which you can buy here.
Claire Leach – 8th July 2021
Bought one of these when my daughter outgrew the 18kg harness. We still wanted her harnessed, so went for the Excalibur. I have to say we are so impressed with it. Our daughter loves travelling in it and often falls asleep. I was worried about her head flopping down, but the recline ensures she is very comfortable. Would recommend.
Cozy N Safe was created in 2006 in the Midlands and is a multi-award winning car seat manufacturer with their own manufacturing site. They identified an important gap in the car seat market regarding the affordability of travelling in comfort and safety without the added cost or compromise. Their Cozy N Safe Excalibur car seat was created by sourcing the best possible materials, research, and development of new technologies to ensure comfort and safety of little ones.
The car seat has even won awards!
What are Group 1 2 3 car seats?
Group 1 2 3 car seats are forward-facing car seats where the toddler uses the seat’s integral five-point safety harness initially or an impact cushion until they are 15kg (Group 1 Isofix car seat) and then uses the car seat’s five-point seatbelt to secure the child and the seat.
The seat then converts into a high-backed booster seat when your child is older/bigger and the five-point harness is no longer used. The car’s own seat belt secures the child to the seat.
Car seats can come with an Isofix base, which is clicked onto the car’s Isofix mechanism if they have one.
Multi-group car seats can be cheaper as they are convertible car seats and your child will grow with the car seat.
How much is the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and Isofix and where can you buy it?
You can get the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat in Black Grey, Red and Graphite for the recommended retail price of £129.99 here.
You can pay later with Klarna and there is a 24 month warranty attached to every purchase.
What can you get in the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and IsoFix box?
The Car Seat either in Black Grey, Graphite or Red
Isofix base built in
Cozy N Safe Excalibur Installation Document Guide, ISOFix Guides, User Manual and Car Seat Safety Guide
Removable Cushion/s
How long will it take to be delivered?
UK Standard Delivery 2 – 5 working days
FREE Mainland UK* Standard Delivery over £50
Order values under £50 will be charged at £6.00 up to 10kg.
Cozy N Safe aims to send your goods within 48 hours of receipt of order. In most cases, delivery takes place within 2-5 working days; you will receive an email when your order has been scheduled for dispatch.
Goods are dispatched using a courier service who will deliver Monday-Friday between 9-5.
*Free delivery is to mainland UK only. You can check your delivery costs at the basket stage of checkout by entering your postcode.
Delivery time will depend on the stockist from which you purchase the car seat. Please check the website’s delivery, shipping and return terms before buying. You can also contact Cozy N Safe’s customer service for more information here: +44 (0) 1902 494 905
5-point integral self adjusting harness up to 25kg (Group 2)
Side impact protection
Washable covers
Insert cushions
4-point recline to support child use for younger babies through to toddler stages
Car Seat Safety Rating – Is the Cozy N Safe Excalibur safe?
We couldn’t find a Cozy N Safe Excalibur ADAC rating but the car seat is ECE R44.04 Safety Certified.
Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Compatibility
To find out if your car has Isofix points, look for Isofix labels between the base and back of your car seats (the fitting points themselves may also be visible) or check your vehicle’s handbook or contact the manufacturer or dealer.
You prepare the ISOFIX if your car has the insert mechanism to support it. If it doesn’t, you clip the two insert guides included with the seat with the cut facing upwards on the two ISOFIX attachment points of your car. Pull the fabric loop to pull out both locking arms to the longest position. See below:
Adjusting the headrest in 5-point harness installation
The headrest (07) must be adjusted so that the shoulder belts are at the same level as your child’s shoulders (see fig. 3). The shoulder belts (08) must not run behind the back of the child or at ear height or above the ears.
You can adjust the shoulder belts by pressing the adjusting button and at the same time pull both shoulder belts forward. Do not pull on the shoulder pads too, but loosen the 5-point harness of the child seat as much as possible (fig. 4).
Press the button of the shoulder belt height adjuster (10) at the rear of the seat shell and tilt the shoulder belt height adjuster (19) towards you. Slide the shoulder belt height adjuster (1) to select the correct height of the shoulder belts (08) and engage it in the position that fits for your child by releasing the button (fig. 5).
Read more about how to correctly install the car seat here.
First impressions of the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Child Car Seat
Our first impressions straight out the box was that the car seat has a premium quality with comfortable and soft material. Our little one was very excited sitting in the car seat for the first time.
Was the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and IsoFix easy to put together?
Yes, it was really easy to put together. It comes in one piece and fitting the Isofix and safety strap is simple and quick.
Did baby seem comfortable in the car seat?
The soft padding for younger babies is excellent, as is the side impact protection which made our daughter feel very comfortable. She struggled to stay awake in the seat. She’s almost three years old and sits in the seat upright. When she falls asleep, we recline the car seat for extra comfort.
What are the pros of using the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat?
The car seat is very quick to fit into the Isofix and our daughter is extremely comfortable against the premium quality material. The seat looks fabulous.
What are the cons of using the Cozy N Safe Excalibur seat?
Fixing the Isofix is simple, however when you want to move the seat and release the fix, it can be a bit tricky to release the Isofix latch. This could have been made a bit easier to handle. The harness straps also get tangled at the back, making it difficult to adjust the tightness of the harness length.
What and who would the Cozy N Safe Car Seat and Isofix be useful for?
This car seat is a very useful investment for any family. Even if it stretches the budget a bit, it is a long-term investment that can last for many years. It is quite chunky, so not ideal if you have a narrower car and/or two kids that need child seats in the back.
Is the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat and Isofix worth the money?
Yes, it is definitely worth the money as it’s a premium car seat for an affordable price.
What is my overall opinion of the Cozy N Safe Excalibur Car Seat?
A very comfortable and premium car seat which our child loves to sit in. I would buy again,
4 out of 5
Ease of use
The car seat is easy to clip in via the Isofix, recline and clip together with the harness. The design is effortless.
4 out of 5
Fits the purpose
The car seat definitely fits the purpose of travelling with our daughter in comfort and style. She seems to be happy in it and has napped on many occasions.
5 out of 5
Style and comfort
The car seat has a very sort premium feel to it and there is no compromise on safety. The headrest offers an amazing 14 positions and removable inserts ensure the best fit for our daughter no matter her height. All the covers are machine washable at 30 degrees centigrade. Our daughter struggles to stay awake!
5 out of 5
Functionality
The seat clip is tricky to use. But compared to others, it is a lighter item with an easy to use Isofix clip and safety strap. The car seat reclines for younger babies.
3 out of 5
Kerry Acres – 19th March 2022
Seat belt clip is awful and extending to release the belt and then tightening was a work out and really difficult. But otherwise – the seat is lovely , kids are both happy and comfortable and both slept in seats. Overall happy just hoping I’ll get used to clip and tightening straps.
A note from Cozy N Safe regarding the straps
The Excalibur has 2 headrest adjustments, (one is for when you are using the harness, and the other is for when the harness has been hidden). If you use the wrong headrest adjustment it can cause the harness to be pinched making it difficult to tighten. This can be fixed easily by using the correct headrest adjustment.
Value for money
With the high quality material used, the ease of design and the lighter weight, this car seat is definitely value for money.
Very high quality with durable steel reinforced shell, side impact protection, four-position reclined and deep padding. This is definitely a great way for the little one to travel without compromising on quality.
5 out of 5
Safety and security
The car seta is safe and secure. It features all the newest added safety measures you would expect from a modern car seat and security is top of the range.
This really is fantastic value for money, I wanted a 5 point harness for my 3 year old and was surprised that there aren’t many on the market. We bought this one and the joie bold for our 2 cars, we expected to prefer the joie one (being the better known brand and more expensive) but hands down this one is our preferred one, super comfortable and easy to use, excellent product and would recommend to anyone.
*The Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat and Isofix was gifted to us for review but all opinions are 100% our own.
*Photos by Tomas Preston Photography
Our daughter is growing up fast and as a bustling toddler, she now needs a Group 1 2 3 car seat Isofix bundle for travel while we put away our Grade 0 car seat ready for our newborn due any day now.
Ickle Bubba* gifted us a Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat and Isofix Review (Solar 1 2 3 Isofix Car Seat) for review and as part of our feature series on picking the right car seat for your child (watch this space for the guide coming out soon!)
In 2011, founders Fran and Veronica Vaughn were on the lookout for stylish and affordable travel systems when they were expecting their first baby. After spending too much money they decided to create stylish and affordable travel systems of their own. Shortly thereafter, Ickle Bubba was born.
Ickle Bubba provides stylish, practical and budget-friendly products, including travel systems, nursery furniture, car seats and strollers. They even won some awards too!
Great car seat. I bought this around 2 months ago for our daughter who is now 18 months she had outgrown her previous car seat. She loves to be forward-facing, it was very easy to instal; and feels very sturdy and secure, also great to be able to recline the seat when she falls asleep. ★★★★★
Catmac, Highlands, Scotland
What are Group 1 2 3 car seats?
Group 1 2 3 car seats are forward-facing car seats where the toddler uses the seat’s integral five-point safety harness initially or an impact cushion until they are 15kg (Group 1 Isofix car seat) and then uses the car seat’s five-point seatbelt belt to secure the child and the seat.
The seat then converts into a high-backed booster seat when your child is older and bigger and the five-point harness is no longer used. The child is secured using the car’s own seat belt.
Car seats can come with an Isofix base which is clicked onto a mechanism on the seat of cars that offer Isofix options.
Multi-group car seats can be cheaper as they are convertible car seats and your child will grow with the car seat.
How much is the Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat and Isofix and where can you buy it?
The Isofix car seat group 1 2 3 bundle currently costs £129 (RRP £169.99)* and you can buy it from here.*
Great car seat! Great quality, easy to install in the car. Worth the money. ★★★★★
Ailsa Burton
Can you pay in instalments?
You can make three payments of £43.00 via Klarna and there are no fees attached. Learn more here.*
What can you get in the Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat and IsoFix box?
The Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat either in Black, Dark Grey or Light Grey
Ickle Bubba Isofix base
Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat Installation Guide, Ickle Bubba Car Seat Manual and Ickle Bubba Car Seat Safety Guide
4-year warranty
Two snooze shades
Two side protection cushions
How long will it take to be delivered?
UK standard delivery takes 2 – 5 working days and you can get free shipping if you spend over £50.
Order values under £50 will be charged at £4.
Ickle Bubba aims to dispatch the car seat within 48 hours of receipt of order, but in most cases, it will take around 2 -5 working days. You will receive an email when your order has been scheduled for shipping.
Ickle Bubba delivers via courier Monday to Friday between 8.30 am and 5 pm. If you provide an email and mobile number, the courier will text or email you within a 1-hour delivery time slot on the day of arrival.
Ickle Bubba Solar Isofix car seat size and specifications
The material offers a luxury two-tone suede fabric designed to keep the child cool and includes a reversible headrest cushion, seat cushion and buckle pad to alternate the colour combination if you wanted to.
Size bullet points and key features
Forward-facing Group 1-2-3 car seat
Weight range: 9kg – 36kg
Age range: 9 months to 12 years
Integrated Isofix fitting
Seat belt compatible
Top tether strap
Luxury stay cool fabric
Magnetic buckle retainer
3 recline positions: upright, mid-recline and full recline
5 point safety harness with shoulder, lap and crotch straps
Reversible headrest cushion, seat cushion and buckle pad
Includes 2 x sun shades
Specifications bullet points
Product usage from 9kg – 36kg – approximately 9 months to 12 year
Group 1 (approx 9kg to 18kg / 15 months to 4 years)
Group 2 and 3 (approx 15kg to 36kg / 3 years to 12 years)
Minimum dimensions: L47cm x W53cm x H67cm
Maximum dimensions: L47 x W53cm x H71cm
Weight: 13.3kg
Tested & approved to ECE R44 / 04 British & European safety standards
Colour: Black, Dark Grey or Light Grey
4-year warranty
Ickle Bubba Solar Safety Rating
We couldn’t find a car seat safety rating but you do get 4 years warranty once you’ve registered your product online and kept your proof of purchase for any future claim. If you register within 28 days of receiving the item, Ickle Bubba will extend your standard warranty to 4 years from the date of purchase at no extra cost.
The Ickle Bubba Solar car seat is only suitable for use in vehicles fitted with a three-point retractable safety belt or Isofix attachments.
For Group 1 car seats always give preference to using the rear seats even if the front seat is permitted. Check your vehicle manual for advice on fitting your car seat in the front of the vehicle. Airbags can cause injury so do not use the car seat on a passenger seat fitted with a front airbag.
Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat Instructions
Make sure to store the booklet instructions provided with the car seat at all times. There is a pocket provided on the back of the car seat marked as number (2) below.
Car seat features (see image above)
Headrest Adjustor
Base
Top Tether
User Guide Box
Tension Indicating Adjustor
Top Tether Lock Hook
Isofix Connectors (x 2)
Guide Hook (for 15-25kg children)
Jointshaft
Buckle Retainer
Side Impact Protection
Lock Clips (for 9-18kg children)
Lap Belt Guide (for 15-25kg children)
Belt Slots
Isofix Point Release Buttons (x 2)
Isofix Connection Indicators
Headrest
Belt Slots
Harness Shoulder Straps
Buckle Pad (Reversible)
Harness Adjustment Button
Adjustment Patch Strap
Headrest Cushion (Reversible)
Harness Pads (x2)
Seat Cushion (Reversible)
Harness Adjustment Strap
Recline Lever
Isofix System Regulator
Adult Seat Belt Buckle
Adult Seat Belt Connector
Harness Connectors
How do you use the Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat with the Isofix Base?
Group 1 fitting instructions (9-18kg)
The Ickle Bubba Solar Group 1 2 3 Car Seat can be installed using Isofix and a top tether strap.
Pull the red button out and the Isofix connector will come out automatically (see image above and B-1 below)
Unlock the Isofix connectors of the car seat by pushing the Isofix point release button (IS) (B-2)
Open the plastic panel to get the top tether out and close the panel (B-3)
Hook the top tether strap on the anchor bracket and fasten the belt tightly (B-4)
Place the car seat on the vehicle seat and connect the Isofix connectors to the vehicle Isofix attachments (B-5). There will be an indicator visible on the connector
Attach the Isofix connectors until the Isofix connection indicators (16) turn red to green and a click is heard (B-6). This will mean the seat is locked into position
Once in place pull the Isofix adjustor position until tight and the car seat is tight against the vehicle backrest
There are three reclining positions
By pulling the red recline lever up, you can choose from the following positions for your child:
upright
mid-recline
full-recline
The top tether is located at the top of the seat back. Extend the length by squeezing the tension indicating adjustor. Locate the vehicle adjustment point which may be found on the parcel shelf, at the back of the seat or the rear boot area and hook on.
Tighten the tether strap (B-7) until the adjustor indicator shows green (B-8)
Placing your child in the car seat
Loosen the harness and press on the central adjuster button (21) (F-1). Pull on the harness shoulder straps (19)
Your child’s head should sit directly in the middle of the headrest and the sides of the headrest should sit just above the child’s shoulders.
To adjust the headrest pull the headrest adjuster (1) to release the latch from the back of the seat. Pull the headrest up and locate the dial into one of the slots on the headrest (F-2) F-3)
Ensure the headrest does not obstruct the child’s shoulders. Also, make sure the top of the child’s head does not go over the top of the headrest
Open the harness buckle by pressing firmly on the red button in the centre of the buckle (F-5). Spread apart the shoulder straps to buckle retainers (10) to enable the child to be placed (F-6).
Place the child into the car seat, ensuring they are seated upright against the backrest. Pass the child’s arms through each of the shoulder straps (F-7) while bringing together the harness connectors (31). Align them together and insert them into the buckle until you hear a “click” (F-8)
Pull firmly on the harness adjustment strap (26) at the front of the seat. It’s not necessary to press on the central adjuster button (F-9)
Fitting the side impact protection cushions
Line up the two tabs located on the Side Impact Protection panels to the two holes located on the side of the car seat (see A-1 in the image below)
Push inwards and upwards until the panel clicks into place (see A-2 below)
If you are short of space there is the option to only fit the side closest to the vehicle door.
Great, comfortable car seat. I bought this for my 1-year-old, he seems really happy and comfortable in it. The straps and material are soft, breathable fabric. He also likes the recline mode for naps. ★★★★
Lp123, Plymouth
More instructions can be found in the enclosed Ickle Bubba instruction manual
Cute and comfy. I brought this for my daughter and she loves it. It’s comfortable, stylish and feels just as solid as her previous Cybex seat. And fits into my Peugeot 3008. So happy I purchased it. ★★★★
Mummie 2.0, London
First impressions of the Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat and IsoFix
Our first impressions were the premium quality of the lovely soft suede material looks and feel strong and sturdy.
Was the Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat and IsoFix easy to put together?
Yes very easy to put together. You simply release the red button and it clicks into the Isofix system. It’s also very simple to fit and remove.
Great seat. Got this just over a week ago now. Looks great and fits well in my car. Feels plush and looks very comfortable. My daughter looks very happy in it. Was a great price too. ★★★★★
Louis82, Gosport
Did baby seem comfortable in the car seat?
Our daughter was very comfortable in the car seat, although she is too big for the additional neck and headrest padding. We had to remove it, but we’re keeping it for our next baby.
The group 123 car seat can recline in three positions so you can manoeuvre the seat to make it more comfortable for the baby during travel. When it’s upright our daughter’s head does tilt forward when she’s asleep, but to fix this you recline the seat back and it makes for more comfortable napping in the car seat.
What are the pros of using the Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat with Isofix?
The 123 group car seat has a very premium feel and comfort. The harness can be adjusted and fastened easily and it was easy to clip to the Isofix base in the car. The Isofix is very simple to use and there are additional reclining positions which is a bonus. Our daughter could see everything out of the car and my ten year old could lift and carry the seat for us. All added bonuses.
What are the cons of using Ickle Bubba 123 car seat?
The car seat comes with the Isofix attached and we’re not sure if this can be removed yet. The recliner handle is supported only by a spring visible under the seat, which may tear easily. The padding is not a favourite for my daughter. As she is 21 months I have to remove the padding as it stops her tilting her head back to rest. The seat is quite heavy and the extra side protection is a bonus but it does also increase the space used by the seat.
Excellent product. I purchased this for our grandson as it’s the same seat which they use and they were very satisfied with it. ★★★★★
JT2175, Bristol
What and who would The Ickle Bubba Car Seat and Isofix be useful for?
The car seat is suitable for long road trips as it’s very comfy for your toddler who has just grown out of their Group 0 car seat. The car seat will also grow with your child until they are four years old so it is long-lasting and space-saving.
Is the Ickle Bubba Solar Car Seat and Isofix worth the money?
Yes it is definitely worth the money on initial use. Time will tell if the material is durable and the parts stay intact.
What is my overall opinion of the Ickle Bubba Car Seat?
It is a fantastic car seat and my daughter loves it despite the minor issues with the headrest which is fixable. For the price you pay which at the moment is £129.99, the car seat looks much more premium than it is valued at. So, I would definitely recommend grabbing the opportunity to save £40 now and buy the car seat for your child.
Overall rating
Premium quality material, easy to click into place and comes with three reclining positions for maximum comfort and security, not to mention the sturdy five-point harness.
4 out of 5
Excellent buy. Bought only last week it’s so stylish, easy to fix and my son looks so comfortable in it! ★★★★★
Ksmith1995, Sunderland
Ease of use
Very easy to use and clicks into place easily. However, it is quite heavy and we’re not sure whether the Isofix can come apart. However, it does raise the seat so the baby can see out of the window.
4 out of 5
Fits the purpose
The car seat definitely fits the purpose of travelling with our daughter in comfort and style. She seems to be happy in it and has napped on many occasions.
5 out of 5
Style and comfort
The car seat comes with the added built-in Side Impact Cushion for safety and to reduce the impact of any side collision. The material is high quality and it looks great!
4 out of 5
Functionality
The integrated Isofix connection and top tether strap ensures easy installation and gives you that peace of mind that the car seat has been correctly fitted in the car. This is the most important part of our review. We feel like our baby is safe.
5 out of 5
Value for money
At just £129.00 at the moment you should jump at the chance to get this car seat as it’s very affordable for what you get. Plus when you sign up to Ickle Bubba’s emails, you could win a £100 voucher to pay towards the car seat!
Easy to navigate and stylish! We love Ickle Bubba, after having a travel system for our child, we decided to stick with Ickle Bubba for our next step car seat. This should last us until our little one reached a certain height or 12-year-olds. Our little one seems super comfortable in it. ★★★★
Wilson, Essex
FAQ
Is an infant car seat safer than a convertible car seat?
Infant-only car seats face only face the rear seat of the car and are intended for newborns up to approximately 9 months, depending on weight. The weight generally ranges from 4 to 5 pounds to around 30 – 35 pounds. The height limit is also around 30 – 55 inches.
Once the baby exceeds the limits of a car seat they will transition to a convertible all-in-one car seat. A convertible car seat can start off rear-facing and then convert to a forward-facing from when the child is around 40 pounds or more.
Both car seats are safe and designed for the baby’s specific height and weight provided they are rear-facing and installed properly.
What is the difference between a Group 0 car seat and Group 1 2 3 car seat?
Group 0 car seats are rear-facing car seats for the baby until 9kg in weight. They are then turned forward-facing until the baby is around 18kg.
The baby then transitions to Group 1 2 3 car seats, starting with Group 1 which are forward-facing and the child uses the car seats integral harness or impact cushion until they are 15kg. They then use the car’s seat belt which secures the child and the seat.
You then get Group 2 and 3 car seats which are high-backed booster seats, although they don’t need to have a back. The back can be removed once the child reaches 22kg, but it’s advised to keep it on in the seat.
