Cybex Sirona S Review

Goodbaby International Holdings Ltd. is a German company that owns Cybex. Cybex focuses on functionality and safety in their baby gear. They make various strollers, and some of the options in our best car seats review.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

The Sirona earned a below-average crash test analysis result that tries hard to be average and struggles compared to the higher-ranking competition. While it meets federal guidelines and is considered safe by these standards, it couldn't match the higher-scoring options in our test group.

This Cybex isn't the best Cybex in the group, nor is it as good as several of the competing options we tested.

The head sensor results were lower than most and fairly impressive since a lower result is preferable. However, the chest clip score wasn't great and significantly over the average result in the group (lower is better), and it struggled to compete with the competition.

The Sirona has a side impact feature that pops out or can be pressed back in depending on if the seat next to it is occupied. We recommend reading the manual for use and to remember it is hard to say what level of protection this offers in a real-world situation.

Ease of Install - LATCH

Installing the Sirona using LATCH is straightforward and one of the easiest in the group, and we preferred it over much of the competition. The main plus here is that once installed, you don't need to turn it around and reinstall it when it is time for forward-facing. It is a one-and-done as long as you aren't switching cars.

This Cybex has flexible push-style LATCH connectors with a bead-in-liquid indicator on both sides and a lock-off. The recline adjustment is in the front between the chair portion and the base that curves up, so you don't need to shove your hand between the base and the vehicle seat.

The button is easy to press, and it moves smoothly. You have to recline the seat fully to access the belt path cover, and the connectors are in a cubby that is easy to grab by the red release webbing tabs. The pathway has a pop-up lever, and the area feels crowded and could be challenging for larger hands to operate well. The lock-off diagram is not in the same orientation as you will be during installation, which is a minor but important design choice we think should have been caught during development. There is a slight wobble when you tug hard on the side, but it's pretty stable and more stable than the belt installation. The lock-off is convoluted, but it works well.

Forward-facing installation on this Cybex requires rotating the seat around and using the tether strap that goes over the vehicle seat back.

Ease of Install - Belt

Installing the Sirona with the vehicle belt is somewhat more challenging, but it is still easy, and the seat scored higher than the average seat in the group.

The rear-facing setup includes a bubble level indicator on both sides and a color-coded pathway with a belt lock-off. The setup for installation is not very intuitive, and the space you need to access is very cramped. You need to push the seat and rotate it back to gain access under a front panel and pull a tab to lift the tensioner. The space for the tensioner to open is tight, and it requires constant adjustment with a finicky mechanism that makes the process feel more involved than it really is.

There is a learning curve, and it does get easier. The pathway is shallow, and it requires pushing the lap and shoulder belt in place. You need to ensure they lay flat for them to fit in the tensioner. We like that the belt pull direction is intuitive, but it didn't feel as stable as we pulled. It passed the wiggle test, but it wasn't the best, in our opinion. Overall, it didn't feel like an efficient or intuitive process.

To uninstall the process is just the opposite of installation. The lock-off button is a persnickety button to release, and it is easier if you unbuckle the belt first to relieve some tension on the lock-off.

Installing in the forward-facing position is the same method as rear-facing; if you don't need to switch cars, you are good to go with rotating the seat forward and attaching the tether.

Ease of Use

The Sirona is super easy to use, with a score for day-to-day performance that exceeds most of the competition.

Harness

The buckle is larger and easier to use than the average option. The prongs push in easily, but getting the release takes a little more pressure. The harness prongs have magnet retainers high on each side. They seem almost too high, and the prongs are so small that they don't swiftly attach but require some effort to get them exactly right. But if you use them, you won't need to search for prongs under tiny tushies.

The chest clip on the Sirona is unique in our lineup of options. It includes what Cybex calls “Sensor Safe Technology.” This chest clip connects to an app on your phone that sends you four kinds of alerts. You need to download an app and set up the chest clip before use. It will even alert pre-listed family members if the nearby caregiver doesn't respond to a “child in car” alert within three minutes.

It provides the following alerts:

• Interior vehicle temperature is too hot or too cold (above

• The chest clip has become unbuckled
• The chest clip has been buckled for more than 2 hours
• The device with the app has moved away from a buckled chest clip (i.e., the child has been left in the car)

Certainly, the most critical alert is the final one to avoid death from a baby being left in a hot car. The clip is easy to use, and we love the idea of additional safety to help prevent children from being left in hot cars. We worry some parents will turn off notifications after repeatedly being notified when their child leaves the car or about car temperatures, which can happen every 5 minutes or until the temperature is safe.

Tightening and loosening the harness on the Sirona is easier than the average seat in our tests. We didn't feel any resistance on the tightening strap, but there was the need for a slightly more exaggerated pull at the end to ensure a snug fit. The harness release works well, and pulling the harness loose is also smooth. The button is easy to press, but it is deeper into the slot than we thought it would be. You can still use your thumb to operate it if you wish.

The shoulder height adjustment on the Sirona is a non-rethread style with 12 height options and three crotch placement options. The buckle strap is easy to move from the top of the seat, and the harness height assembly moves smoothly, especially when pulling it up.

LATCH Storage

The LATCH connectors are on the side and easy to access. The pull tab on the connectors makes removing them easier, but there is nowhere for the extra strap webbing to go.

Cover

The cover is easy and quick to remove on the Sirona. It has small slots to thread the fabric into and requires pushing it in around the edges; it isn't hard; you follow the outside edge with your fingers.

Comfort/Quality

If comfort and quality are your main goals, the Sirona earned a reasonably high score in this metric, with better performance than most of the competition.

The fabric here is a bit rougher than the average. We wouldn't worry about it, but we weren't thrilled either. It has a distinct chemical smell that is a real turn-off, and we imagine this will be worse when left in a hot car. Users might want to air this out for as long as possible before using it.

The infant insert has great head padding, and the whole insert creates a good space for small infants. It has a lumpy look, and there is an inch gap in the back panel between the bottom and back portions. It seems more significant, given the thicker padding, and we wonder how this will work with a baby.

The main seat padding is almost like an overstuffed armchair from the 80s (look it up if you need to, youngins). No part looks or feels neglected here, and we like that the padding is in all locations equally. The padding has some substance and doesn't squash like it is full of air; instead, it feels like some dense memory foam with a slow bounce back after pressure is applied.

The shell back is flush, but the rotating bottom can be a place for gunk to hide, and it isn't hard to imagine that the gunk will cause rotation issues over time, something confirmed by online reviewers. There is one cup holder that can go on either side. It attaches to the outside for quick clean up, but it isn't as nice looking as those that fit in the chair itself.

Weight/Size

The Sirona is light for a rotating seat but isn't carry-worthy at 31.2 lb. We suspect no one will want to carry this big guy with his 7 lbs weight difference over the average and his longer length from front to back. With a length of 29.8 inches, it might not be a good choice for small cars or tall parents as the front vehicle seat might be unable to move back far enough to accommodate the passenger and the car seat.

The Sirona is relatively narrow, given how long and heavy it is, with a width of 18.5in. This is just hair below the average for the group of 18.6 in. The narrowest option is 16.9, but neither of those competitors scored well in key metrics.

Should You Buy the Cybex Sirona S?

If you're looking for a rotating seat, the Sirona is our favorite. With a 360-spinning design you only install once for forward-facing and rear-facing, this seat is tough to beat. It combines the higher quality and comfort Cybex is known for and comes with easy-to-use features parents love. If you desire a rotating seat, it is hard to beat this Cybex option. However, the Sirona is expensive and huge, either of which could be a deal breaker for some families. It also didn't earn crash test results above the average, so while safe, it isn't a standout. If you aren't set on a rotating seat, and there are reasons not to be, we don't think the Sirona is suitable for everyone, and it is only if it meets your goals of rotation that it should be your go-to option.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?

The Graco 4Ever DLX is a non-rotating seat that scored somewhat better than the SIrona and will save you money to boot. This Graco has one of the best crash test analysis scores and comes with dual cup holders. This seat is easy enough to install and has straightforward features. If you want rotation, but you are okay if it only works rear-facing, then the Baby Jogger City Turn is one to consider. This seat has better crash test analysis than the Cybex and is easy to install and use. It has a similar price point and would have won an award for rotation if it worked forward-facing, too.

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