Silver Cross Simplicity Car Seat and Simplifix Base Review

Nursery Product Review

 

Silver Cross is a well known and well loved baby company dating back to 1877. The Simplicity is their new car seat that is suitable from birth. They claim it is one of the most advanced baby car seats available in the world. Here at Mumii we have been putting it through its paces, read on for our Silver Cross Simplicity Review.

What’s in the box?

• Ready assembled car seat
• Instruction booklet
• Apron.

RRP of the Simplicity car seat is £130

Accessories:

• Simplifix Isofix Base - RRP £125
• Car seat raincover

Colour options:

Black, Chilli, Lime and Sand

Specifications:

Car seat Group: Group 0+
Child weight: 0-13kg
Childs Age: 0-12 months

Silver Cross Simplicity installation in the vehicle:

This rear facing infant carrier can be installed using a standard seatbelt, or with the Simplifix Isofix base.

To install using the seatbelt, Silver Cross have furnished the seat with clearly visible bright blue seatbelt guides to make it really easy! Simply slide the lap belt underneath the 2 guides over baby’s legs and plug the seatbelt in as normal. Then stretch the diagonal seatbelt strap around the back of the seat and slot through the bright blue guide on the rear. Then pull the seatbelt tight to secure – that’s it!

 

To install with the Simplifix base is even easier. You fit the base by simply slotting into the Isofix attachments in your car. The one-click attachment base has four sensors that show green when all four are correctly activated, so you know you have a safe and secure fit. For extra safety, the easily-adjusted front leg features an additional green indicator to show contact with the floor. Once your base is in place, you just pop the Simplicity car seat onto the base with one easy click. The green indicators reassure you that the car seat is correctly fitted, so you don’t have to worry about whether you have done it properly (perfect for those sleep deprived days!)

Whether using the seatbelt or the Simplifix base, I had this car seat fitted in 5 minutes. The instructions are clear and easy to follow; even for me (I am not great with instruction manuals….).

Silver Cross Simplicity safety and security:

One of the main features all parents look for in a car seat is a high safety rating. The Silver Cross Simplicity car seat has been 4 years in the making, so you can be assured it has been highly safety tested! It has great side impact protection which would protect your precious cargo in the event of an accident. The seat is very deep and well padded so you know your baby will feel secure and snug, and the 5 point safety harness keeps them in the optimum position for travel. The harness itself is very easy to adjust - it’s just a case of pressing in a button and pulling the straps. You can also adjust the head support, ensuring your baby’s head is well supported and comfortable.

The Simplifix base also adds in a new safety dimension, as the green indicator lights show you that you have fitted the car seat correctly. This takes away a lot of the hassle, and means you can avoid the pulling-over-in-a-layby-just-to-check manoeuvre (come on, we have all done it!) as you know your car seat is properly secured.

Silver Cross Simplicity day to day use:

How comfortable and happy your child is in their car seat is one of the most important factors. The deep, padded seat on the Silver Cross Simplicity means Max looks well positioned and happy in this car seat, and doesn’t seem to slouch or be ‘scrunched up’. It can be slightly fiddly to get him in and out as there is nothing to hold the straps back while you put baby in, so you end up having to dig the straps out from underneath once he is in. Fitting the 5 point harness is easy though – just a click and go job, and adjusting is just a case of pressing the grey button underneath the crotch strap and pulling the shoulder straps to loosen the harness, or pulling the tensioner strap to tighten them. You can also move the head support up and down using the same button, so you can get a perfect set up for maximum comfort!

The seat comes with a newborn comfort wedge slotted under the cover, so it helps position tiny babies, and makes it more snug and cosy for them. It means that Max is always sat in the correct position in the seat every time I pop him in. This is easy to remove, making more space for older babies. With the wedge removed, the seat is ever so spacious, and would comfortably last until your little one is big enough for the next stage.

I love the apron that comes with this car seat. It slides easily over the foot section of the seat and attaches with elastic straps. This is a great option for busy new parents, as it saves having to carry around blankets, and also means little feet can’t kick it off! This also comes in handy when using the car seat as part of a travel system, as it provides a bit of protection from the elements when you are out and about. The optional car seat raincover also comes into its own here – perfect for popping on when you are moving from car to home, or whizzing round the shops with the pushchair (compatible with the Silver Cross Surf and Wayfarer pushchairs). Using the seat as part of a travel system couldn’t be easier – you just slot it onto the chassis and away you go!

 

My only real niggle with this car seat is the retractable hood. It’s a great feature to have, but it doesn’t move up and down very smoothly, and it is a bit small – it doesn’t provide much shade for Max. It is a small minus point on an otherwise very well thought out seat, but it would make a difference during the summer (if we ever have one!)

Silver Cross Simplicity and Simplifix Base Conclusion:

The Silver Cross Simplicity is a safe and comfortable infant carrier, with a reasonable price tag. It offers the flexibility of being able to use as part of a travel system, and the option to fit to any car with either the seatbelt, or the Simplifix base.

The small touches such as the apron and the newborn wedge make it an appealing option for parents, and the quality of the deep, padded seat means your little one gets all the support they need from birth upwards.

The Simplifix base offers the ultimate in safety and peace of mind. You know your car seat is fitted correctly every single time due to the handy green indicator lights, and as the base itself is also easy-peasy to install, it is well worth having alongside the car seat.

Overall? A very well designed car seat from a well renowned company, that will comfortably seat both newborns and older babies alike. Great value for money, and with the addition of the Simplifix base, a safe and secure all round package. Pop it on your must have list now!

 

We give the Silver Cross Simplicity Car Seat and Simplifix base 4.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

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