The Complete BeSafe Izi Plus X1 Review

Posted by Julie Monson on

besafe izi plus review

Julie Monson
Occupational Therapist & Car Seat Technician


The BeSafe iZi Plus X1 is a rear facing only toddler seat, approved from 9-25kg. It installs with seatbelt and lower tether straps. The iZi Plus X1 is the successor of the highly popular iZi Plus. It has two new features which add even more safety and comfort; the additional side impact protection (SIP+) and a more padded body hugger insert. It is a comfortable, well-padded car seat with ample legroom. It is ideal for taller/bigger than average children or for cars without isofix. 

PRO'S AND CONS OF THE BESAFE IZI PLUS X1

PROS 

  • Highest safety ratings in Europe
  • Good recline settings
  • Good leg room for child
  • Good padding
  • Magnets in harness for easy in/out
  • Good view out the window

CONS

  • Takes up a lot of room from front passenger
  • Difficult to install

WHAT ARE THE WEIGHT AND HEIGHT LIMITS OF THE BESAFE IZI PLUS X1?

The BeSafe iZi Plus X1 is approved from 6 months to 25 kg. It has a long backrest, allowing children to rear face up to the age of approx. 5 years. The height limits are approximately 61 to 115/118cm. The iZi Plus X1 cannot be used forward facing. It is safest for children to rear face as long as possible.

besafe izi plus installed

WHAT ARE THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE BESAFE IZI PLUS X1?

The new BeSafe iZi Plus X1 i-Size has passed the toughest requirements on the market; the Swedish Plus Test.

BeSafe izi Plus Swedish Plus Test

It passes the most stringent crash test; Swedish Plus. Folksam scored it “very good” and it was awarded “Best in Test”.

besafe izi plus sip

It features built-in Side Impact Protection (SIP) in the seat shell and headrest. On top of that, iZi Plus X1 comes with the newest generation of SIP+, an add-on feature that gives up to 20% more safety in a side impact.

WHAT ARE THE COMFORT FEATURES OF THE BESAFE IZI PLUS X1?

The BeSafe iZi Plus X1 has 3-recline settings to offer maximum comfort to your little one especially during naps. It can be installed to hover off the seat for maximum recline.

The seat sits high on the vehicle seat, allowing children a better view out the window. It has ample legroom for the child. This is a huge advantage to keep kids comfortable in rear facing for as long as possible. This unfortunately does mean it takes quite a lot of legroom from the person sitting in front of it, making the front seat inaccessible in smaller cars. It requires 91cm cabin space. If it fits and is permitted to be installed in the middle seat, it interferes less with the legroom up front. 

All BeSafe car seats have magnets in the harness in order to keep it out the way while putting your child in.

The new iZi Plus X1 has a softly padded insert to be used for children under 2 years. 

Besafe izi plus

The iZi Plus X1 has several height adjustment positions to ensure safety and comfort as your child grows.

The headrest and 5-point harness are integrated, meaning that you can adjust the height very easily, just by squeezing the handle on the headrest and raising or lowering the headrest to the desired height. 

To adjust the recline of the seat, you simply squeeze the lever and raise or lower it to one of the three recline settings. 

HOW IS THE BESAFE IZI PLUS X1 INSTALLED?

The iZi Plus X1 installs with the vehicle’s 3-point seatbelt. The iZi Plus X1 takes time and muscle to install, but once it is installed properly, it is very secure.

It weighs 12kg and is not an easy or quick seat to transfer between cars. The seatbelt is routed through the front of the seat, so it does not get in the way when putting your little one in or out the car.

The anti-rebound bar is ratcheted out to tension the seatbelt, but also to give your child additional legroom if required.

It has a support leg, to reduce downward forces in a crash. This means it cannot be installed on top of underfloor storage compartments. In addition, it has 2 lower tether straps, which are installed under the front runner rails or through the seatbelt.

No additional tether anchors are required to install the tether straps. 

besafe izi plus rear facing installation

See the video below on how to install the Besafe Izi Plus X1:

HOW TO REMOVE AND WASH THE BESAFE IZI PLUS X1:

The covers can be washed, however, they are a bit tricky to remove and replace. Fortunately, summer covers are available which not only protect the textiles but they also make it easier to peel the summer cover off to wash.

Remove and wash the covers as per the user manual. Below is a video on the IZi Plus X1 cover removal:

HOW LONG CAN BESAFE IZI PLUS X1 CAR SEATS BE USED FOR?

BeSafe recommends that the BeSafe Izi Plus X1 not be used for longer than 7 years, provided it has not been in a crash. Due to ageing, the quality of the material may change as the seat ages. 

WHAT IS THE WARRANTY ON THE BESAFE IZI PLUS X1?

The warranty is 1 year on the seat and 6 months on the fabric. BeSafe is well supported in South Africa, with the local importer situated in Johannesburg. They have the tools and spare parts to carry out any repairs. 

IS THE BESAFE IZI PLUS X1 COMPATIBLE WITH MY CAR?

In order to install the IZi Plus X1, it requires a full 3-point seatbelt and no underfloor storage compartments. A rear facing car seat must never be installed in front of an active airbag.

Click here to check if your car is on the approved fit list: BeSafe Izi Plus X1 Fit List

Not all cars sold in SA will be found on European fit lists. Please contact us if your car is not on the approved fit list.

WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS OF THE BESAFE IZI PLUS X1?

The BeSafe Izi Plus weighs 12kg.  It measures 65cm in length, 45cm in width and has a height of 56cm.

WHERE CAN I FIND THE BESAFE IZI PLUS X1 MANUAL?

The manual is conveniently stored in a pocket at the back of the seat (just below the logo), so it doesn’t get lost.

OUR VERDICT

The BeSafe iZi Plus is THE highest safety rated car seat in Europe, and for this reason, it is definitely a seat worth considering.  It offers maximum comfort for your child, with soft padding, ample legroom and good recline settings. It is, however, a very big and complicated to install.

Be sure to seek professional advice from us before buying it. Once installed properly, it is very secure and easy to see why it gets such high safety ratings. 

Our Products

Precious Cargo is a proud distributor of BeSafe products in South Africa. Feel free to contact us for more information or to arrange a fitting. 

besafe izi plus sale


BESAFE IZI PLUS X1




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