Evenflo Symphony Elite All-in-One Car Seat in 2023 Review
The Evenflo Symphony DLX all-in-one convertible car seat first hit the shelves way back in 2008. Over the years, the Evenflo car seat has been updated and several different models have debuted since it first arrived on the scene. The latest model, the DLX, brings with it some variations and has a few different features compared to its predecessors. In this review, we are going to take a closer look at the Evenflo Symphony all-in-one car seat and help you decide what to buy if you are a parent or guardian scanning various brands to find the best car seat for your little one.
For parents who do not want an expensive purchase to become obsolete after just a short while, the Evenflo Symphony car seat is a much more favorable option. The seat is suitable for babies weighing at least 5 pounds to 110 pounds. This means that your baby will be able to use the chair even when he/she grows up enough to not even need a booster chair. With long-term usability, there is a downside, which is the fact that it is on the bigger and bulkier end of the spectrum when it comes to baby car seats. This is something to keep in mind, particularly when you are trying to check if a seat is compatible with your vehicle or not. The seat is also not portable, once you install it, that is where the seat will remain.
The Evenflo Symphony Elite all in one will set you back quite a bit. But consider the fact that once you have the seat, you will not have to worry about finding a replacement as your little one hits a couple of growth spurts. The product’s longevity certainly adds value to it. And in the long run, you end up with a bargain.
Side note: there are some other versions of the product that specific retailers may have up for sale; a much more affordable version of this product is the Symphony LX, which has a slightly different design and comes with regular LATCH connectors.
Below, we will discuss the Evenflo Symphony car seat in more detail so you can make a well-informed decision about what will be the best for your baby’s safety and your personal needs.
Evenflo Symphony Dlx All-in-One Product Features:
6 vibrant colors to choose from, which include Modesto (blue), Raspberry Sorbet (black/pink), Paramount (black/gray), *Ocala (Red) and Porter (Green) Concord (black/silver)
*Ocala and Porter may not be the latest versions of the car seat. Double check before purchasing.
The Evenflo Symphony all-in-one has a no-rethread harness with infinite slide.
The car seat rates high when it comes to security thanks to the SureLATCH feature.
For security in case of side collision impact, the Evenflo Symphony 3 zone side impact protection will ensure minimum damage.
The Evenflo Symphony car seat has an adjustable 5-point headrest. It is important to note that the bottom two positions are for the rear-facing configuration only.
With the Evenflo Symphony car seat, you get a sturdy and reliable product, thanks to the steel frame.
The lower anchor makes it easy for when you need to set up your seat in booster mode
For the front-facing configuration, you can adjust two reclining positions. If you are using the seat in a rear-facing position, then you get one position.
The Evenflo Symphony car seat gives you great value for money and has an 8-year lifespan.
The product has undergone rigorous safety tests and is FAA approved.
The Evenflo Symphony car seat is equipped with two cup holders. Though, the cup holders have limited usability. For example, the plastic strap like cup holders may be able to hold a cup stable, but will not be able to hold snacks or a juice box.
Side Note: Users have noticed that the crotch buckle may not adjust to suit the needs of smaller sized babies.
What are the child size limits of Evenflo Symphony Elite All-in-One?
As the Evenflo All-in-One name suggests, you get three modes in one. The weight and height ranges for these modes are mentioned below.
- Rear-Facing Mode
Rear-facing gives you a weight range of 5 to 40 pounds and a height range of 19 to 40 inches
- Forward-Facing Mode
The forward-facing mode supports babies that weight 22 pounds up to 65 pounds and the height suitability is from 28 inches to 50 inches.
- Booster Seat
The booster seat has a weight range of 40 to 110 pounds while the height range is 44 to 57 inches.
In booster mode, it is possible that the baby may no longer fit properly even before the 110-pound mark. Several parents have reported this; therefore, we advise that if you do purchase the Evenflo Symphony all-in-one seat, you should think about transitioning your child to boosters before he or she inches closer to the maximum weight limit.
The Evenflo Symphony has been rated highly by IIHS. It is the “Best Bet” according to them. This ensures that the product meets the bar for well-designed and secure baby car seats.
Is the Evenflo Symphony Elite All-in-One Compatible with Your Vehicle? Check out the Dimensions Below to See If It Will Fit:
The Evenflo Symphony all-in-one car seat is pretty bulk. This might be a problem if you have a compact vehicle and may not be ideal if you tend to switch vehicles a lot. With that said, plenty of parents have commented that the seat fits well in their mid-sized cars but the front passenger will end up sacrificing legroom. Seat dimension mentioned below.
- Seat height comes in at 27.5 inches
- Seat weight: 25 pounds
- The seat’s width (at widest point) is: 21 inches
- The seat’s depth is 20.8 inches
- Width at narrowest point measures in at 15.5 inches
- The Evenflo Symphony car seat’s lowest harness position comes in at about 6 inches while the highest harness position is 16 inches
Safety Feature Issues and How to Resolve Them:
We mentioned earlier that the seat got a “Best Bet” rating from the IIHS. Below we will take a look at where the Evenflo Symphony lacks and how the design flaws can be remedied with ease.
One of the biggest complaints people have about the Evenflo Symphony car seat is the lack of recline adjustment options in the rare-facing mode. There is only one option due to which there is a lack of head support. Parents have managed to circumvent this issue using a pool noodle underneath to provide the baby the head support he or she needs to ride with comfort and security. Speaking of headrests, the wings have been reported to be problematic as well. The wings may break off too easily.
Do you think Evenflo Symphony is the all-in-one car seat for you? If yes, then you should take a look at some of these installation tips we have found.
The SureLATCH makes it relatively easy to install the seat. Parents liked this technology more compared to the regular LATCH system
Adjusting the straps may be an issue. Parents have complained about not being able to hook up the straps to the lower anchors because they were too short. It is important to note that the forward-facing and rare-facing configuration both have their separate LATCH systems. For proper installation, it is important that you use the correct system for the position you are trying to set up.
There is no carry handle and the seat is by no means portable.
Final Verdict:
As far as useful life is concerned, the Evenflo Symphony car seat certainly is a great option. You get good usage out of the seat and you will not have to switch to another seat just when your little one has a growth spurt.
If the poor headrest situation in the rare-facing mode is bothering you, you could use the pool noodle like other parents. If you’re not sure, however, consult an expert and ask them what they think.
Another thing to note is the weight. The seat may be bulky like most 3-in-1 car seats are, but it does have the advantage of staying securely in place one installed thanks to that weight. It also fits in a majority of vehicles, despite its size, but we recommend checking the dimensions to see if the Evenflo Symphony is compatible with your car or not.
Overall, the Evenflo Symphony seems like a great baby car seat that will get you plenty of mileage. Be sure to check out other car seats on the market to make sure you are getting the right product that suits your child’s and your needs to the best possible degree.
