Nuna Revv Review

Nuna is an Amsterdam company that launched in 2007 with the creation of a table-friendly highchair. With parenting adventures in mind, Nuna hopes to improve parenthood with “practical and beautiful with clever, design-thoughtful” parenting solutions.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

With crash test sensor results below the average for the group, the crash test analysis score is one of the lowest for the group. This seat meets federal guidelines and should be considered safe, but it does not seem to offer much beyond that based on our hotter crash test.

The Revv has the worst result for the HIC sensor in the group, with a result that is a significant outlier from the rest of the competition. So much so that it gave us pause. The chest clip sensor result was just below average for the group, not a positive or negative standout.

Unfortunately, the HIC result heavily influenced the crash test analysis of the Revv, and it scored near the bottom of the group. For this reason, we think there are better options, with higher crash test analysis scores and likely lower prices, that parents should consider.

Ease of Install - LATCH

The Revv is one of the easiest options in our lineup to install using LATCH. Nuna definitely understands that a lock-off makes all the difference, and the lack of indicator means one less thing to worry about. The Revv has push-style LATCH connectors on a flexible strap, and you must use the tether strap for all installations, which is different from the typical setup.

The installation for the Revv was not intuitive, and we had to watch a video to ensure we understood the manual. The manual focuses on using the vehicle belt and uses phrases like “belt pathway,” which could be confusing when installing the LATCH strap and connectors. The lock-off area is somewhat hidden, and the seat needs to be fully upright to access it. The strap is easy to thread under the lock-off, and we didn't have to fight with fabric or tiny holes. The pathway and lock-off decrease the potential for twisting the strap, and as long as you pull it tight enough, the lock-off works well. Overall, it is straightforward and painless, and we wish they all were so easy and stable.

Forward-facing installation is identical to rear-facing, so if you never need to move the seat, you never have to reinstall it. Easy-peasy!

Ease of Install - Belt

Installing the Revv with a belt is better than average, but it isn't the best, and we'd rather install it using the LATCH method if given the choice.

The Revv has no angle indicator, which makes things somewhat less nerve-wracking. It has a color-coded pathway and a lock-off, so getting it threaded and tightened is much easier. While the angle adjustment is on the front foot portion of the chair, it isn't smushed too much against the vehicle seat, and you can still reach it with the seat installed. Rotating it can give you better access to the lock-off. The slots for threading are easy to see and access, and the lock-off is simple. The lock-off provides some tension to help get the belt tight, and it takes a little pressure to close it, but nothing too challenging. The Revv feels pretty stable once installed, and while we might have been able to get it tighter, it still feels like it was snug. Tightening was more awkward in the second test car than the first, but neither was prohibitively hard. Because of this trouble, we preferred the LATCH installation.

The Revv on forward facing also has no level indicator but includes a color-coded pathway and a belt lock-off. The best part of this seat is that once you have it installed in rear-facing, all you need to do to move forward is to rotate the seat.

Ease of Use

The ease of use for the Revv is somewhat better than average, but nothing is compelling here. While not hard to use, it isn't a standout for being simple or straightforward.

Harness

The Revv buckle and chest clip are average compared to competitors. The crotch buckle doesn't come up very high and is further back on the seating area than most. The buckle is pretty standard, with a big square button requiring slightly more force. The chest clip is also standard and is easy to push in and unclip.

Tightening the harness is easy, and the strap moves smoothly when pulled. The release button is sandwiched between two pieces of material, and the opening is small, making it challenging for larger fingers. This button is set back, making it harder to access using a thumb, and we had to use our index finger to operate the button.

Adjusting the height of the shoulder straps is above average and a non-rethread style operation, so there is no need for rethreading or a splitter plate in the back. There are two crotch strap positions and ten possible height options, so there should be a snug fit for most kids. Pinching the handle is easy enough, and the movement of the assembly is smooth without a hiccup.

LATCH Storage

LATCH storage is on the back of the base bottom. It isn't a great place for ease of use, but the cubby is large, and you only need to cram the connectors and straps inside; there is nothing to clip them to, making it easy to put them in and take them out.

Cover

Putting the cover on and taking it off is pretty simplistic. It comes off in two pieces, with some snaps/buttons to attach and a slight shifting to adjust.

Comfort/Quality

With one of the highest price tags in the group, it is a good thing it also has one of the highest performance results for comfort and quality.

The headrest and main seat material differs from the insert installed on the seat. It looks the same, but it isn't. It is a much nicer feeling than the insert. It has a nicer feeling but isn't anything to brag about, but it is much better than the insert. There is yet a third kind of material on the outer edges of the seat that reminds us of outdoor furniture. It has a tad rougher feel, but the distance from most body parts makes it much more acceptable to us.

The Revv comes with a goodie bag of inserts along with the one that comes on the seat. It is a useful cushion system with one cotton insert and one polyester mix. The cotton feels better than the blend but might get dirty faster. The Revv has impressive padding and feels like a soft and supportively dense microform. This seat isn't as fluffy as some of the competition, but it isn't far behind the top options for padding.

The smooth and sleek shell makes it a good option for those seeking something stylish and more polished. It has lots of additional panels and sweeping angles that are very pleasing. The main seat body extends over the base, so we hope the design will prohibit the collection of gunk that could hinder the seat rotation over time. The dual cup holders are not integrated into the main seat and stick out to the sides, possibly the only non-pleasing aspect of the overall finish. Once again, they don't look big enough to be truly useful.

Weight/Size

The Revv is a big old seat with the weight to match. It comes in at 29.2 lbs, which, while not the heaviest in the group, is much heavier than the average for this group of 24.3. Five pounds will feel like a lot when carrying this beast through a crowded airport.

However, it is narrow in an odd way, with a width of 18.5, smaller than the average of 18.6 inches. Before you get too excited about this narrow width, it's good to know that it is one of the longest seats in the group and could be a poor fit for smaller cars or taller front-seat passengers. It is over 30 inches long, while the average here is 28 inches.

Should You Buy the Nuna Revv?

The Revv is one of several rotating seats we tested in this update. While rotating seats are gaining popularity, the Revv struggled with the competition in our tests. It did not impress us during crash testing, and it is ridiculously hefty and bulky. While we get the appeal of this seat style, we think others in the lineup do it better, cost less, and perform better during crash testing. Unless you absolutely must have a Nuna rotational seat, other seats in our lineup will likely meet your needs with better results and a potential for an additional margin of safety.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?

While the Baby Jogger City Turn did not win an award, it is a higher-scoring seat with better crash test analysis than much of the rotating crowd. It is less expensive than the Revv and is easier to use and install using the vehicle belt. The downside is it only rotates in the rear-facing position. This might be a deal breaker, or it could be no big deal, as most kids can get in a car seat on their own by the time it is forward-facing. Alternatively, if you must have 360 degrees of rotation, our top pick for a rotating seat is the Cybex Sirona S. While this seat is only about average for crash testing, it is a one-time installation that works for forward-facing or rear-facing, and the comfort and quality are next level. We believe either of these competing options would be better than the Revv.

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