Kiddy Evoluna i-Size with Base 2 – Review

We bought the Kiddy Evoluna i-Size (here) because we do a lot of journeys over an hour and this seat lies flat. This enables us to lie the baby in a less than 30 degree angle which is better for the baby on longer journeys. In fact, we do a lot of journeys over 30 minutes, and there is a variety of guidance out there around how long babies should be in car seats. This research around how long babies should be in car seats reviewed the impact of babies being in the seat for 30 minutes at an angle of 40 degrees. It was done in the NHS and was on an NHS website so it’s reasonable to read this and draw your own conclusions. I’ve not found an official study suggesting 30 minutes is the right period of time. I’m not about to tell you what you should and should not do with your child in their car seat. That’s your decision. We took the decision to buy a car seat with potentially lower risks for the baby on longer journeys.

Kiddy Evoluna i-Size – The Basics

This seat is designed to be for babies from birth up to 15 months, a height up to 83cm orweight of 0-13kg. It has met the ECE R129 (aka ‘i-Size’) regulations. It sits on an isofix base which is handy because it’s easy to install (you just have to make sure your car has isofix fittings). The seat itself simply clicks into the base very easily.

In terms of the lie flat functionality, you simply move the handle above the head of the seat and the part of the seat where the baby’s bottom sits lifts up so the child is more in a flat position.

Kiddy Evoluna i-Size – Usability 5/5

This seat is pretty easy to use to be honest, at least as far as baby seats go. The most important thing of course is putting the baby in the car seat which is fairly similar on most seats as far as I can tell. It’s not particularly difficult to put a baby in the seat. It’s quite easy to change the shoulder height of he straps too which is good for when they are larger.

In terms of putting the car seat on to the base it’s extremely ease to use. You just put it facing backwards on the base, shuffle it around a bit and it clicks in with a green indicator to show it is fitted correctly.

Kiddy Evoluna i-Size – Convenience 3/5

For us, with the pram that we have, the Evoluna is convenient as it fits on the pram chassis straight out of the car (well, with a couple of bits of plastic that match the fittings). This is of great benefit when you’re just going out for a short time.

The fact that it it lie flat is very convenient too as it means we are comfortable going for a longer journey (subject to feeding time!) with our baby in the car.

However, there is one major issue with this seat. We bought the car seat for the benefit of the lie flat technology and i-size regulations. We purchased it online so unfortunately didn’t get chance to try it in the car (that’s something we’ve learned now!). However, you would think all car seats generally fit in every car. Let me be clear, this car does fit in our car (DS4). The trouble is when you lie it flat it takes up a lot more room, mainly due to the handle being at the front of the seat. My wife really doesn’t have much room in the front when it’s flat. Certainly we couldn’t drive for an hour with her in the position she would need to sit in.

We knew we would buy a new car to replace the small DS3 we have. We looked at all sorts of ‘large’ cars, including a Qashqai, Sportage, Tucson amongst others. The only cars in which the seat fitted (that we tried) with enough room for my wife in the front were the Nissan X-Trail and Skoda Superb. I think this indicates the size needed in the car to lie this seat flat.

This is why the seat gets 3/5 Dads for convenience. The easiest way to fix this for Kiddy would be to use another method to make the seat lie flat, such as a small handle or button somewhere. If you don’t have to move the handle then it would get 5/5 I imagine.

Kiddy Evoluna i-Size – Quality 4/5

The seat looks and feels of very good quality. All of the individual elements feel solid and well made. All the parts that move do so well and smoothly.

I have two little niggle with this seat:

• When driving along in the car it does rattle a little when there is no seat on it (i.e. just the base). I do mean a little though. It rattled more but i fixed the leg and it resolved most of it. I’m the sort of person that likes to find rattles in cars and stop them so for most people it’s probably not an issue at all. I think some of the rattle comes from where it connects with the isofix as it does move and rattle a bit. To be clear though, it is a solid fit and doesn’t come off at all.
• When I attach it to my pram chassis it does move about quite a bit. I think this is because it’s not properly designed to fit the pram so I can’t be too harsh.

Kiddy Evoluna i-Size – Value 4/5

At £389 it’s not cheap. You can certainly find some car seats that are less expensive, significantly less expensive to be precise. What you’re paying for here is two main things:

1. The ability to lie the child flat
2. The safety rating of meeting the new i-Size regulations

For us this counts for a lot, and I mean a lot. Essentially number one above ruled out the vast majority of the market we felt it was that important for us and the journeys we are making. Having said that, at £389 it is at the very top end of the market and is a lot to pay for what you get. That’s why I am giving it 4/5 Dads for value.

Kiddy Evoluna I-Size – Summary

Overall I am pleased that we got this car seat as it gives me peace of mind that my child is safe. It also gives me confidence to drive for longer without there being any adverse implications on the baby. The quality is good and it’s easy to use too.

On the flip side it is costly and needs loads of room in the back. As such, overall I give it four Dads out of five.

Have you bought this car seat? How have you found it?

See here for my other reviews.