List Price: $299
Weight Range: 20 to 70 lbs (RF to 40 lbs)
The Good – Easy to install using the push-button LATCH system; Custom-fit recline to help you fit the seat into your particular vehicle; Side-impact protection system; four zones of CoolMesh Air Ventilation to help keep your child cool and comfortable; Convenient storage pockets for drinks and snacks; Comfort enhancing & energy-absorbing EPS memory foam; Twist-resistant buckle and HERO technology.
The Bad – The seat cover is not machine-washable; It is difficult to fit in some vehicles due to its size.
The Bottom Line – The Recaro Performance Ride is a convertible car seat that is clearly designed with supreme safety in mind. It also looks great with it’s sleek racing-car inspired design. It is slightly more expensive than the Recaro ProRide, but is probably worth the small additional investment due to the extra safety features described below.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PERFORMANCE RIDE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE – ITS HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE PERFORMANCE RACER SEAT
READ MY REVIEW OF THE RECARO PERFORMANCE RACER AND RALLY SEATS HERE.
Recaro Performance Ride – Overview
The Recaro Performance Ride is a top-of-the-range convertible car seat. It is very similar to the Recaro ProRide, but it comes with some additional safety features to justify its slightly higher price tag.
It looks comfortable and stylish, yet solid and sturdy. It is suitable for use as a rear-facing seat from 5 – 40 lbs and forwards-facing between 20 – 70 lbs. The child height limit for the Recaro Performance Ride is 50 inches.
Extra Safety Features
In addition to the many safety features found on the Recaro ProRide, the Recaro Performance Ride also comes fitted with:
- HERO harness system
- Cup Holder
The HERO harness system ensures the highest level of protection and comfort for your child by positioning the shoulder pads to appropriately fit the their neck, head and shoulders while resisting harness twisting and ensuring proper chest clip positioning.
The Removeable Cup Holder is … well … a cup holder that you can remove – these are always a hit with my kids!
Key Features
- Racing-inspired side impact protection
- Tested to international standards
- Energy-absorbing EPS foam
- Twist-resistant buckle and HERO technology
- Performance-infused fashions with four zones of CoolMesh Air Ventilation temperature-balancing fabrics
- Comfort-enhancing memory foam
- EasyAdjust, no re-thread, five-point harness
- Built-in LATCH system, universal top tether system (forward-facing)
- Protective and comfortable PUR foam in the head restraint
- Removable cup holder
- Chest-clip storage pockets
- Weight limits: 5 to 40 pounds in rear-facing position; 20 to 70 pounds in forward-facing position.
- Height limits: Under 50 inches (and under 22-1/2 inches when seated) for rear-facing position; under 50 inches when seated for forward-facing position.
- Certified for air travel when used in harness mode with the plane’s seat belt
Watch the Recaro Performance Ride Review Video below:
Peace of Mind
The Recaro Performance is a very solid yet comfortable car seat that is made by a company with a very impressive history of manufacturing top quality safety seats.
It has everything that the ProRide has and a little more (see above).
February 2014 LATCH Guidelines
Recaro now advises that the LATCH lower tethers should only be used on this model until the child weighs more than 40 lbs. You can still continue to use the seat until the child weighs 70 lbs, but only if you re-install the seat using the adult seat belt instead. You should still use the top tethers as they are not affected by the law change.
This seat weighs almost 25 lbs and so it is about 4 lbs heavier than then Recaro ProRide. It’s weight is on a par with many other convertible car seats.
Read more about this law change.
The Verdict
The Recaro Performance Ride is an excellent convertible car seat that is manufactured by a company with a fantastic reputation. In addition to its great safety features, it has the stylish look that one would expect of a premium Italian product.
Where to Buy the Recaro Performance Ride
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PERFORMANCE RIDE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE – ITS HAS BEEN REPLACED BY THE PERFORMANCE RACER SEAT
READ ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE RACER SEAT 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.
Do You Need More Help?
Click here if you are still undecided and want to read some more User Reviews.
If you need any further advice or assistance whatsoever, please feel free to contact me and I will do my very best to help.
If you have any other feedback about my “Recaro Performance Ride Review″, please just leave a comment in the box below or send an email to kristian@kidsafetyfirst.com
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