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We have predominantly used Nuna products for our daughter since the day she was born. from the Pipa lite, Sena Aire, Rava for our sedan, and the Exec in our SUV.
For anyone thinking about dropping the dough for something marketed as the all in one 10 year solution, hopefully this review can give you some insight as to whether the features are truly worth the premium price.
Installation
The first time I installed the Exec into our SUV it took me about 10 minutes just due to the nature of double checking everything. I can safely say that I can securely install the seat now within a minute.
Cleaning and breakdown
It's tedious to say the least, velcro, buttons, snapping points, flimsy plastic you have to be careful with. The first time your kid pukes in your car seat, is also the first time you'll realize that underneath the fancy branding and the 'premium' look of the car seat....it's all plastic and foam just like any other carseat.
This was harder to break down than a 150 USD graco, and seems to be designed for people who want a fancy car seat to go along with their luxury car and NOT parents that actually haul their kids around.
Underneath the washable padding you'll find an almost full plastic frame with an insane amount of nooks and crannies that a normal portable vacuum will have a hard time getting into.
The harness cannot be removed unless you're willing to take apart the entire seat because whoever designed this apparently couldn't imagine a child vomiting or having an accident. This means wiping it over and over and hoping you get everything off the nylon.
If any sort of bodily fluids leak through into the plastic cavities below, you're never going to be able to clean it out.
Comfort
My daughter loves this seat. She's never fidgeted and often sleeps during long road trips.
Materials
They don't hide the materials used, not much to say about it other than the leg rest already fraying from the friction caused by swinging legs. Unfortunately isn't a replaceable part as you'd have to replace the entire main padding to replace that portion.
Nothing premium to note of considering I can get an all leather Steelcase leap v2 for around this price.
Seems to have been designed without the idea of a child that moves their legs around.
This was a product built to look good, and be comfortable for a child sized adult with perfect bowel control that also won't drop liquids or food in it.
My LO is rapidly outgrowing her infant car seat and we need to switch to a convertible ASAP but we are having indecision and seeking advice/recommendations/experience.
Important to us:
Safety, good crash test ratings (not sure whose crash test ratings to trust)
rear facing as long as possible
preferably car seats withOUT flame retardant chemicals
preferably car seat that is easy to clean
slim fit might be nice since Mom likes to sit in the back with the baby and we may have another HOWEVER we anticipating our baby to be above average height so she might benefit from extra leg room
We are currently considering Chicco Nextfit Max ClearTex (more leg room) vs. Britax Poplar S (Slim Fit & anti-rebound bar). However, some websites (Baby Gear Lab) gives these average crash test ratings. We are a little confused and open to all advice and alternative car seats. We would like to make the decision soonish. Thank you in advance for all your help. We are in the United States.
My oldest is in the exec and with such a high price tag I’m underwhelmed. I need to move my youngest to a better car seat. He’s currently in the UppaBaby Mesa. Is there anything better that he can grow with? Or at least better bang for your buck? Will not be buying another one of these.