Cybex Sirona S Review

German-born Cybex is a part of Goodbaby International Holdings Ltd. They focus on products with an eye for functionality and safety in their designs. They offer a variety of strollers, carriers, and some of our favorite car seats.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

The Sirona S performed better than average for crash test results in our tests. It offered impressive performance for the Head sensor result (HIC) score, but less impressive results for the chest clip compared to the competition. Like all other seats for sale in the US, it has a basic level of protection and meets the federal standards for car seat safety.

The chest sensor result on the Sirona S was 50, where 60 is the maximum allowable result. A lower result is better. The lowest, and therefore best, result in the group is 33 for the Clek Foonf (see below).

The Sirona S head sensor (HIC) result was 231, where 1000 is the maximum, making it one of the best in the group and far below the allowable max. The Britax Allegiance earned the best sense result in this metric with a result of 186. See the comparison chart above.

This Cybex Sirona also features side-impact protection, an anti-rebound feature, and a load leg to help absorb impact forces during a crash. how well these features work is anyone's guess and in our crash testing across seat types we've seen results that show the load leg to be beneficial for some seats and not for others. We love safety at BabyGearLab, but it is challenging to determine the efficacy of manufacturer claims or test results without more information on how they were derived.

Ease of Install - LATCH

The Sirona S LATCH installation is different than most of the competition as it still requires the use of the belt lock-off system that works with the vehicle belt installation. Most seats do not utilize the belt lock-off for LATCH anchor installation.

The LATCHes themselves are different than any other we've seen, with a large push button and strange red pull strap. They aren't hard to use, but we aren't convinced the changes make them better than the average LATCH. However, you only need to install this seat once, theoretically, since the seat itself swivels on the base when you're ready to move it to a forward-facing position, so perhaps the strangeness of the LATCH anchors isn't a huge deal.

Ease of Install - Belt

The Sirona belt installation isn't as simple to install as the LATCH method, which isn't shocking. It earned a slightly lower score for this type of installation. The Cybex has a removable cover on the belt path, which Is helpful because when it is off, the car seat locks into a position that keeps it out of the way while you thread the belt. The seat rotates out of the way to access the belt path, and this is better than those that require threading behind the seat padding.

The belt lock-off compartment is easy to open, and the belt is easy to get into place. However, we still had to tighten the belt significantly to feel like it was secure before pushing the belt tensioner into place. So while it is nice to have a belt lock-off, and we believe they are the key to secure belt installation, this one didn't work as well at keeping the belt tight as some of the competition.

Once installed, the Sirona angle is adjustable (above left) after installation, which is rare in convertible seats. It sports a metal ball level indicator on the base that works well (above right).

Ease of Use

The Cybex is easy to use, but it is sort of gadget-filled, which impacted its overall ease of use score, making it slightly lower than it might otherwise have been. The Cybex Sirona M with SensorSafe 2.0 is an even more gadget filled with SensorSafe technology.

Harness

The Sirona harness is a non-rethread height adjustment that moves with the headrest and can be done with a baby in the seat. There are 9 shoulder strap positions and 3 crotch strap positions. The assembly moves fairly smoothly, but the handle is somewhat hidden, and you have to pull up before you can move the headrest, which makes it marginally more difficult than some of the competition.

The buckle is stiff but pops open with a spring action when pressed, making the stiffness more tolerable. It is the chest clip that is the real hassle for this entire operation. The chest clip has a small button on the front that needs to be pressed when you put the two sides together and when you want to take it off. It makes the whole process somewhat of a chore, and we can see this being annoying with a squirmy toddler in the seat. The pull strap to tighten the harness is extra long and works well. The release button is extra deep but is easy to press and operates smoothly.

LATCH Storage

The LATCH connectors attach under the seat (above left), and while this keeps them out of the way, it doesn't look as sleek as some of the competition. The user manual tucks in a pocket on the back of the seat (above right).

Cover

The cover for this Cybex is removable, and you can wash it in the machine on cold. It is easy to remove and replace after air drying, but some kind of utensil might help you tuck the edges back in. Given babies' ability to create a huge mess, this is a big deal and not found in all of the seats we tested.

Comfort/Quality

The Sirona S earned one of the top scores for comfort and quality in this review. This seat is also one of the most expensive options as well.

The Cybex padding is better than most of the competition, and it offers firm, supportive comfort. The fabric feels softer and more friendly than the other Cybex convertible seat we reviewed. It has a very dense weave that should wear well over time and helps make it easier to wipe up messes. The foam sits well on the frame, and the fabric looks custom fit without frumpiness. The shell is enclosed, making it easier to keep clean and giving it an overall sleek and finished look. The bottom of the seat is not smooth, but the protrusions are rounded and this should help protect vehicle seats.

Weight

This Cybex weighs 30 lbs in either forward or rear-facing configuration. This makes it one of the heftiest options in the group, and we would recommend it to anyone who will need to move it from car to car frequently or need to carry it any distance.

This Cybex is 19 inches wide at its widest point. This makes it fairly large but not in contention for the widest seat in the review. This width is only a concern if you hope to fit more than two car seats across one row or two-seat and an adult passenger between them. If you hope to use more than 2, then it isn't likely your best choice.

Should You Buy the Cybex Sirona S?

This is a high-quality seat with a high-quality price tag. In this price range, higher-scoring options performed better in our tests. No matter what is most important to you, there is a seat that performs better. These factors make the Sirona one we think isn't the best choice.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?

If you want quality and comfort in a car seat, the Nuna Rava is a top-ranking seat with impressive padding and thoughtful design for passenger comfort. This seat uses high-end materials and creates a nice-looking seat. If crash test results are your priority, the Graco Extend2Fit offers some of the best results in the group and is less than half the price of the Cybex. If you have concerns about proper installation, which affects the safety of every seat, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB makes installation virtually foolproof.

Manufacturer Video