Nuna RAVA Review

Wanting to bring a baby closer to the dinner table, Nuna launched the ZAAZ high chair in 2007. This company was established in Amsterdam and feels parenthood should be “practical and beautiful with clever, design-thoughtful” options for families to sail through babyhood. Nuna is available internationally, selling gear from the best car seats to strollers.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

The Rava earned impressive high marks for crash test analysis in our crash tests. With better-than-average sensor data from the crash simulation seld tests, this seat potentially offers an additional margin of protection over much of the competition.

This Nuna has some of the lowest recorded G-force levels in the group for the HIC/head and chest clip sensors.

While all the seats in the review meet the federal guidelines and are assumed safe, our hotter tests look for seats that outperform competitors and stand out. The Rava is one of those seats.

Ease of Install - LATCH

The Rava is easy to install using the LATCH method. It has push-style connectors with a useful lock-off and no level indicator. We worry that no indicator isn't the best for determining the right angle for infants and positional asphyxiation. Still, if you take our advice and use an infant car seat before graduating to the convertible options, perhaps it isn't as big of a concern. Indeed, having no worries about leveling the seats decreases installation frustrations.

The recline adjustment is located on the side and is easy to push. It is so nice that the handle isn't wedged against the vehicle seat. The pathway is accessible, and we didn't have twisted webbing trouble. The lock-off works well but does not act as a tensioner, so you'll need to tighten the strap as much as possible before engaging the lock-off. The cup holders can get in the way of tightening, but the final result is stable. We did have to get in the car to get enough leverage to close the lock-off, but it is wide and easy to press, unlike those that only have space for one or two fingers. The installation process was smooth, and the final installed Rava is very sturdy.

Forward-facing is similarly straightforward, with smaller pathway holes for the LATCH strap, but the access is open, and the connectors work well. Having a tensioner and lock-off makes all the difference in ease of installation, and Nuna clearly understands the assignment. The process is quick and painless, with a very stable final installation.

Ease of Install - Belt

Installation using the belt is easier than using the LATCH method. So, either method should be easy enough to complete for most families.

This Nuna has a belt lock-off, color-coding, and no level indicator, making installation a breeze. The recline adjustment is a side button that is easy to operate, and the seat moves smoothly. The belt gets threaded through the cup holders. There is a bar you need to shimmy past, but the webbing moves past fairly easily. The tensioner is integrated into the process, and it helps you do the hard work of tightening without much effort. Pushing down on the mechanism wasn't easier than some competing tensioners/lock-offs. The lock-off makes it feel stable and solid, easily passing the wiggle test.

The pathway is color-coded in blue, which is different from forward-facing, making it less confusing and easy to navigate. It is so straightforward that we were impressed and relieved compared to some of the more convoluted options that lack helpful features like a belt lock-off.

The forward-facing installation for this Nuna is also a snap with a red color-coded pathway and a truly useful lock-off/tensioner. The path and tensioner mean you don't need to fight with the shoulder strap to get it tightened. We struggled with the harness competing for space, but once you get it out of the way, it is easy enough to snap the lock-off closed. The pathway is well-marked and large enough for most parents to use without a problem. Getting the belt tight is not a chore; the final product is rock solid in both test cars.

Ease of Use

This seat is a standout if ease of use is one of your top goals in a car seat. The Rava earned the high in this metric with straightforward, foolproof features.

Harness

The Rava has a standard buckle that is easy to access, has a square button, and requires a little effort pushing the prongs in place. The buckle comes up higher than some other seats, making it easy to access. We had no problem using the buckle or chest clip, and the clip is simple and works well.

Both tightening and releasing the harness on the Rava are simple and work as they should. The tightening strap has no resistance, but the button requires more effort than we like. However, the button is minor when you consider how easily the harness moves when operating it.

The harness height adjustment is a non-rethread style with a smooth-moving assembly with an easy-to-operate pinch handle. This harness has ten height options and two positions for the buckle strap. It feels like enough spacing and variety to find a good position for most kids for a snug-fitting harness.

LATCH Storage

The LATCH connectors are stored under the seat cushion. We like that you don't need to connect them to anything; there is plenty of room for all the strap webbing.

Cover

This cover is quick and easy to pull off but requires a more systematic touch when putting it back on. It isn't a negative experience but it will require more time than taking it off.

Comfort/Quality

This seat is also pretty comfortable and of higher quality than most, but its price indicates it should be, and you get what you pay for here. It scored very good or above average in every sub-metric for comfort and quality.

The material on the headrest is the same as the infant insert. It is soft and feels cool to the touch for sweaty summer noggins. The Rava's seating area is a bit rougher fabric, but nothing to worry about, given the placement on the seat. The infant insert is very lush, and when all components are used, it creates a cocoon and is very different than the seat without the insert.

The insert is more of a system than a single cushion. It is more than a thin, padded additional pillow. It includes thicker sides and another curved padded block below the main insert, allowing for some placement variation based on needs. The padding is cushy on top but less so in the seating area when it feels like cheaper foam, and we wish there was more padding in the tushie area.

The shell fit and finisher are nicer than most. It has some texture that sets it apart and helps it look fancier, but this could make cleaning more intensive. It also has support for the lower legs that pops out for longer legs. The cup holder flips out from the same location as the belt pathway, so it will be hard to tuck it back in if the path is used. If you press on them hard enough to get your cup in, they also collapse back down, which could be a problem with toddlers.

Weight/Size

This seat is heavier than the average for the group, with a weight of 26.4 lb, where the average is almost 3 lbs lighter. With this weight, you get more padding and foam for comfort and quality, but if you want something light, it won't fit the bill. 19.1

It also isn't genuinely narrow, with a width of 19.1 in when the average width is 18.6 in. Depending on your car, you might be unable to fit three safety seats in one row or two seats with one adult.

Should You Buy the Nuna RAVA?

If budget is no concern and you want impressive crash test analysis and the best ease-of-use results, look no further than the Rava. This high-quality seat looks good and functions better. With a padded headrest, non-rethread harness adjustment, and straightforward features, it offers the easiest day-to-day use in the group. While this seat will not be the best for all families, given its size and higher price, we think it is a great seat that can fill a niche for some families if their goals align with what the Rava offers.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?

The Rava is expensive and might not be within your budget. If you want something that is easy to use and has an additional margin of protection, then the Graco 4Ever DLX could be a great stand-in. This seat earned a great overall score and the highest for crash test analysis. It is easy to install and earned one of the highest ease-of-use performance scores, slightly lower than the Rava. With a price that can save you more than two hundred dollars at the list price, the 4Ever deserves serious consideration, in our opinion.

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