The Revolve crash test sensor results were close to average. While all seats in the review are assumed ot have met federal guidelines and are therefore considered safe, we like to run a slightly faster test on a sled that better mimics newer cars to find options that stand out and potentially offer an additional margin of protection over the average seat. The Revolve is not a standout seat.
The HIC (head) sensor results are actually pretty good for the Revolve. It is one of the lower G-forces recorded in the group (lower is desired). However, combined with the chest clip sensor results, the overall picture isn't that impressive. The chest clip sensor recorded G-forces above average, with only a handful of seats recording higher values (again, lower is better).
It is difficult to explain what is so wrong with the LATCH installation for the Revolve, but in short, we tried it in multiple cars and never had any luck getting a stable final result. It earned one of the lowest scores ever for this test. In theory, it has all the components to be easy to install, but in practice, we couldn't get it to work.
In short, pulling the LATCH strap tight can be impossible due to the base's and the strap's design. As you tighten the strap in the pathway, the plastic release mechanism on the strap will clash with the plastic bevel on the base. This collision prevents tightening the strap enough to prevent excessive wiggling. After following the manual and watching videos, we still didn't feel confident in the final result. We even had multiple testers give it a go with no luck. Nothing we tried solved the problem or made the installation foolproof. Given that LATCH is supposed to simplify installation, this was a disappointment.
Once we had it installed as best we could, uninstalling was almost as difficult. Getting the strap loose enough to remove the LATCH hooks and the manual showed an entirely different style of LATCH connectors, further creating confusion.
Installing the Revolve with a vehicle belt would be our preferred method. Compared to the LATCH install, it is by far and away easier. However, its performance with the belt is only just above the average and nothing spectacular compared to the competition. The difficulty level for rear-facing is about the same as forward-facing. The belt path is color-coded, and there is a lock-off.
The base and the seat are separate parts, and you need to remove the seat from the base before installation and before removal. Some people like this, as the base alone can feel more manageable. Others dislike it as two parts to mess with can be overwhelming, and what if there isn't a good place to put the seat during installation?
We struggled to use this lock-off following the manufacturer's directions that instruct pulling the belt as tight as possible. A tight belt results in a more secure fit, but pulling it as tight as we could meant the lock-off wouldn't close. Loosening the belt allowed us to lock the lock-off, but it didn't feel as stable afterward. We don't think the tensioner/lock-off is the best for this reason.
Removing the base creates anxiety as the tight buckle sort of pops out at us unless we put our weight on the base to help keep the belt loose. Opening the lock-off required some fiddling.
Forward-facing has the same tight belt and inability to close the lock-off issue as rear-facing. Worse, it will feel closed, but the color indicator will still show red, and then it will reopen.
The Revolve isn't that easy to use, and our tests showed results that fell below the group average. While nothing is overly difficult, this kind of seat has more going on, which can lead to more complicated features or functions.
The buckle is easy to press but requires a little effort as the parts do not pop out on their own. We had to use two hands to extract the latch plates from the buckle.
LATCH storage is easy to access on the back, bottom side of the seat. Only one clip hooks in, and the other kind of stuffs in as you tighten the strap. There is a lot of slack, and we think things could easily get caught up trying to get it back out, but it stays in pretty well.
The user manual is stored on the back of the seat in a slide-in pocket. It is well placed and easy to use when rear-facing, but forward-facing will require rotating the seat to access it.
The cover on the Revolve Slim is one of the hardest to remove and put back on, leading one tester to remark, “It is a huge pain in the Butt.” While how often you need to clean a car seat cover varies on several factors, you can rest assured that at least once it will ned a deep clean, and only removal will suffice. The fabric is tightly tucked in the grooves, making it difficult to pull free. The directions do not give clear guidance on how to get the strap around the cup holder. There are a lot of loops to undo, and the headrest needs to be up to remove one part and down to remove another. Putting the cover back on was also annoying, and working the fabric back into the crevice around the seat edge is a lesson in patience.
The Revolve earned a below-average result in our tests for comfort and quality. Given that the materials fall short of those of the higher-performing seats, it is hard to justify the higher price.
The fabric on the Revolve isn't as soft as some competitors. It feels cheap, and there are tiny ridges akin to corduroy that feel rough. While it isn't as bad as sandpaper, it could irritate bare skin on summer days over rough roads. The padding feels thick but not supportive or comfortable under weight. The foam compresses more than average, and we could feel the hard plastic shell underneath. The back padding is thin, and it would be nice if it were supportive, but at least there aren't channels or pokey bits.
The shell is average and solid along the back, but there are gaps and places where liquids could pool, including holes near the bottom that drain into a mysterious place that would require taking the seat apart to clean.
The cup holders are small and taper. Our Thermos water bottle didn't fit all the way in, but it didn't fall out either.
The Revolve Slim is smaller than the earlier version we tested, but it is still bigger than the average seat. It is now almost 2 inches narrower than the Gold version, measuring only 17.1 inches, making it one of the narrowest options in the group.
However, it is still almost 30 lbs, while the average is closer to 25, which makes it one we wouldn't want to lug through an airport.
The Revolve Slim would be an average seat if it weren't so hard to install properly. The difficulties we had with the LATCH design in our test cars, which prevented tightening the strap for a secure fit, make it one we aren't huge fans of. If this had been easier to perform, it would have been a more compelling choice, but even then, the crash tests are only average, and there are other rotating choices that are easier to install, easier to use, and perform better in our crash test analysis. Overall, we think this Evenflo is a miss.
If rotation is what you seek, the Chicco Fit 360 is easier to install and has exceptional comfort and unique features. The Graco Turn2Me has better crash-test sensor results, a lower price than the Chicco, the same price as Evenflo, and is also lighter than both.
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $400 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | The struggle for a secure install using LATCH makes this seat underwhelming |
| Pros | Rotates easily, removable cup holders, 15 harness height positions |
| Cons | 2 parts, LATCH may not work in all cars, narrow seat, no forward-facing recline |
| Rating Categories | Evenflo Revolve360 S... |
| Crash Test (35%) | |
| Ease of Installation - LATCH (20%) | |
| Ease of Installation - Belt (15%) | |
| Ease of Use (15%) | |
| Comfort/Quality (10%) | |
| Weight/ Size (5%) | |
| Specifications | Evenflo Revolve360 S... |
| Min/Max Rear Facing Passenger Weight | 4-50 lb |
| Min/Max Forward Facing Passenger Weight | 30-65 lb |
| Rear Facing Maximum Height | 48 in |
| Forward Facing Maximum Height | 49 in |
| Weight | 29.5 lb |
| Harness Type | Non-rethread |
| Anti-rebound Device | No |
| Measured Minimum Rear Facing Length | 31 in |
| Measured Minimum Seat Width | 17 in |
| Headrest/Shoulder Harness Positions | 15 |
| Crotch Strap Positions | 3 |
| Number Of Recline positions | 4 |
| Head Support | Yes |
| Infant Positioning Insert | Yes |
| Rear Facing Level Indicator On Seat | None |
| Booster Mode Available | No |
| Foam Type | Not mentioned |
| Seat Lifespan | 10 years |
| Onboard Manual Storage | Yes, slot on the back backrest |
| Aircraft Certified | Yes |
| Warranty | 90 day limited |
