Diono Radian RXT Review

March 7, 2014 By Kristian

List Price: $339
Weight Range: 5 to 120 lbs (RF to 45 lbs)
Average Age Range: birth to 12 years

The Good – Super LATCH connectors for secure installation; Can be fitted using the adult seat belt if your vehicle does not have LATCH anchor points; Steel alloy frame with energy-absorbing EPS foam; Re-inforced head support; Multiple recline positions; Safe Stop 5-point harness; Rear-facing tether connector strap; machine washable seat cover; slimmest convertible seat on the market.

The Bad – Can be quite difficult to install (but shouldn’t need to do it very often)

The Bottom Line – The Diono Radian RXT is one of the most popular child car seats on the market. It is a comfortable seat that comes with a very impressive list of safety features. It could possibly be the only car seat that you would ever need to buy for your child. It is an excellent choice if you need to fit 3 seats in a row.

Diono Radian RXT – Overview

The Diono Radian RXT is a very popular convertible car seat that can be used by children weighing between 5 – 120 lbs (provided they are not more than 57 inches in height). The weight / height range for this seat is much greater than other convertible car seats.

Given the fact that this seat is suitable for use from 5 to 120 lbs, it could be the only car seat that you will ever need to buy for your child. One of its biggest selling points (aside from its safety features) is the fact that it is a pretty slim seat and you will probably be able to fit 3 of them side-by-side in the back of your vehicle.

The Diono Radian RXT is packed with premium safety features like a steel frame, aluminum reinforced side walls, energy absorbing EPS foam, adjustable head support and a five-point harness. It is also one of the only convertible car seats that comes fitted with a rear-facing tether strap for added stability in a collision situation.

Key Features

The Diono Radian family of car seats are the only convertible+booster seats with a full steel frame making them one of the safest car seats available today
Rear facing 5 to 45 pounds. Forward facing 20-80 pounds (up to 57″) in a 5-point harness. Booster to 120 pounds
Infant body support cushions and memory foam for added comfort
Adjustable headrest with reinforced sidewalls
Lined with EPS foam and energy-absorbing harness system for added safety
Folds flat for travel and fits 3 across in mid-sized vehicles
Additional forward-facing recline position to accommodate different types of contoured vehicle seats
12-position adjustable headrest
5 shoulder and 3 buckle positions
Measures just 17 inches wide at the base
Folds flat for Travel and FAA certified
Extra set of harness pads are supplied for use when child is over 65 lbs in the 5-point harness
Expandable sides and long seat bottom for proper leg support
Sits low on vehicle seat to make loading easier and improve safety performance
Angled cup holder keeps drinks upright and reachable
Machine washable and dryable seat cover
Rubber bottom grips for no-slip installation

Watch the Diono Radian RXT Review Video below:

A Great Video Review of the Diono Radian RXT by “Janet D’Oliveira”:

Peace of Mind

The RadianRXT’s design begins with a steel alloy frame for a foundation that stands strong while other features disseminate crash forces away from your child. Aluminum reinforced side walls and head support lined with thick, energy absorbing EPS foam provide excellent side impact protection.

The SafeStop energy absorbing harness provides extra protection for children 20 to 40 pounds in the forward-facing position. When installed, SafeStop provides bungee-like energy absorption which reduces impact on the child. Additionally, the RadianRXT boasts rear-facing tether capability to reduce seat rotation during an impact.

This car seat surpasses Federal crash test standards and meets NCAP standards, the industry benchmark for verifying child seat performance in severe accident conditions.

One of the best things about this seat is that you can use it rear-facing up to 45 lbs. This is a very positive safety feature since experts recommend that you keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible.

The American Academy of Paediatrics suggests that children should remain rear-facing for at least 2 years and preferably longer.

Note: the new Diono Ranier enables rear facing for an extra 5 lbs (total of 50 lbs) – see below. It also allows harnessing of your child in the front-facing position up to a very impressive 90 lbs!

The new Ranier also has thicker and deeper head wings for improve side impact protection.

Read my in-depth comparison review of the Radian RXT and Rainier seats.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Booster Evaluation (IIHS) Test Results

The IIHS assessors are primarily looking to see if the shoulder belt and lap belt fit correctly when children are using booster seats in a variety of different situations and vehicle set-ups. Although these are not dynamic crash tests, properly fitting shoulder and lap belts are an essential part of car seat safety, and incorrectly fitted belts can cause unnecessary harm to children in collisions.

A properly fitted lap belt will lie flat across your child’s upper thighs, not across the soft abdomen. A properly fitted shoulder belt will cross snugly over the middle of a child’s shoulder, not across the neck or upper arm.

The IIHS gives each booster seat one of the following ratings:

Best Bet
Good Bet
Check Fit
Not Recommended

The Diono Radian RXT always scores highly in the IIHS Booster Evaluation Tests and continues to receive a “BEST BET” rating.

Value for Money

The price of the Diono Radian RXT has fallen since the release of the Rainier.

It is clearly not a cheap seat However, if you do use it from birth then it will prove to be significantly cheaper than buying separate infant, convertible, and then booster car seats.

February 2014 LATCH Guidelines

Since this seat uses Super LATCH, the rules are slightly different.

If your vehicle was manufactured after September 2005, you can continue to use the lower LATCH connectors until your child weighs more than 80 lbs.

If your vehicle was manufactured before that date, you can continue to use the lower LATCH connectors until your child weighs more than 48 lbs.

You can still continue to use the seat itself beyond these points, but you must re-install it using the adult seat belt instead of using the LATCH connectors.

Where to Buy the Diono Radian RXT

Check Latest Price of the Diono Radian RXT.

Diono Car Seats in Canada

Find Diono Car Seats in Canada here.

Safety Information

After purchasing any child car seat, you should always read the User Manual thoroughly before using it. It is also advisable to visit your local Fire Department or NHTSA Child Car Seat Inspection Centre to ensure that the seat is definitely suitable for your child’s specific requirements and that you have installed it correctly. These services are usually provided free of charge.

You can find your nearest NHTSA Centre here.

Further Information

If you have any feedback or questions about my Diono Radian RXT Review, please feel free to leave a comment below or send an email to kristian@kidsafetyfirst.com