Our Review of the Sunshine Kids Radian 65SL convertible car seat
One of the strongest car seats on the market, the Sunshine Kids Radian 65SL allows use of LATCH up to 65 lbs and features a steel alloy frame for super strength.
The Radian 65SL solves a major car eat safety problem: incorrect car seat installation. Of all the convertible car seats available on the market today, only Sunshine Kids offers a SuperLATCH system that allows the use of LATCH beyond 48 lbs.
Now parents can use easier, more intuitive LATCH to install their car seat right up to 65 lbs instead of having to revert to more difficult seatbelt installation after 48 lbs.
Standout Features:
- SuperLATCH installs in one minute and allows use of LATCH up to 65 lbs!
- No need to reinstall the seat after 48 lbs
- No seat belt required, no top tether required
- Rear-facing to 40 lbs
- Side Impact Protection
- Forward-facing to 65 lbs
Convenience: The Radian 65SL convertible car seat is a great choice for travel. Fold it up; move it from car to car. The Sunshine Kids Radian 65SL is even FAA approved for use on aircraft.
And hey Mom and Dad, when you're traveling with baby, you can fold up the seat for easy carrying! One downfall is its weight. Although designed with the traveler in mind, this seat is not lightweight.
Installation: Thanks to SuperLATCH, the Sunshine Kids Radian 65SL convertible car seat installs in just a minute using LATCH and requires neither seatbelts nor the top tether. The Radian 65SL can be installed with your vehicle's seatbelts if you prefer.
SuperLATCH incorporates high strength connectors, Steelweave webbing, and the Easy-Tite adjuster, which makes getting a rock-solid installation just a matter of giving a quick pull. These features, combined with the Radian 65SL's steel alloy frame, makes Sunshine Kids SuperLATCH the only LATCH system that can be used up to 65 lbs.
You might be worried about using LATCH over 48 lbs, but don't worry - all LATCH anchors in cars meet the same NHTSA requirements, so a LATCH anchor in a Toyota is made to the same specifications as a LATCH anchor in a Ford. Sunshine Kids tested the Radian 65SL to both FMVSS 213 and NCAP standards using only SuperLATCH and no top tether, and passed both tests.
Sunshine Kids and EliteCarSeats.com recommends using Top Tether, but for those with vehicles with no Top Tether anchor, the XTSL does not require the use of Top Tether for proper safety.
Note: SuperLATCH past 48 lbs is only intended for use on vehicles manufactured after September 2005. If your vehicle was manufactured before September 2005, you will need to reinstall your Sunshine Kids car seat after 48 lbs using your vehicle's seat belts.
Benefits for Baby: The Sunshine Kids Radian 65SL provides both safety and comfort for your precious passenger. Soft foam in the seat feels comfy even after long car rides. The side wings not only protect, they also offer a place for nodding heads to rest.
Because the Sunshine Kids Radian 65SL has a rear-facing limit of 40 lbs, your child can remain rear-facing well past their first birthday. The 65 lb forward-facing limit keeps your child in a harness longer.
For added safety, the SafeStop harness system prevents serious neck injury for forward-facing children under 40 lbs in the event of collision. Both EliteCarSeats.com and Sunshine Kids strongly recommend keeping children rear-facing until the 40 lb rear-facing limit.
Safety:
- SuperLATCH encourages proper installation
- Side Impact Protection
- EPS foam
- 5-point harness
- Meets or exceeds FMVSS 213 and NCAP
Comparison: For a higher forward-facing limit with SuperLATCH, check out the Sunshine Kids Radian 80SL. The Radian 80SL also has a higher rear-facing limit of 45 lbs.
Another great 65 lb weight limit car seat is the Graco MyRide 65. The MyRide has a rear-facing limit of 40 lbs and a forward-facing limit of 65 lbs. While the MyRide cannot be used with LATCH over 48 lbs, it does feature cupholders!
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Car seat specs
- Min child weight
- 5 lbs.
- Max child weight
- 65 lbs.
- Rear-facing minimum weight
- 5 lbs.
- Max child weight - Rear Facing mode
- 40 lbs.
- Min child weight - Forward Facing mode
- 22 lbs.
- Max child weight - Forward facing mode
- 65 lbs.
- Max harness weight capacity
- 65 lbs.
- Max child height
- 53"
- Max 5-pt harness child height capacity
- 53"
Car seat dimensions
- Product weight
- 20 lbs.
- Seat Base / Foot Width
- 17"
- Seat height
- 28"
- Interior seat width
- 11.4"
- Bottom to lowest harness slot
- 9"
- Bottom to highest harness slot
- 18"
- Seat weight (without base)
- 20.5 lbs.
- SuperLATCH installation up to 65 lbs - no seat belt required
- Easy-Tite adjuster for quick and easy tightening - installs in 1 minute
- SafeStop energy absorbing harness system
- Side Impact Protection
- 3" more shoulder room than comparable car seats like the Britax Marathon.
- Fit 3 seats across in the back seat.
- Folds flat to be carried over your shoulder or like a back pack. Great for travel!
- Steel alloy frame for strength.
- Thick memory foam padding in the seat for comfort.
- The Radian 65SL installs rear-facing from 5 - 40 lbs and forward facing from at least one-year-old and 22 - 65 lbs.
- Install the seat using LATCH or your vehicle's seat belts.
- Folds and comes with a carry strap.
- Memory foam cushion for comfort.
Sunshine Kids Radian 65SL convertible car seat Reviews
All Customer Reviews
- Average Rating:
- Highest Rating:
- Lowest Rating:
- Number of Reviews:
- 4
Great Seats!
When we were expecting our 3rd living child, I really didn't want to have to move to a minivan/SUV. Not only do I hate driving huge vehicles (I'm not the world's best backer-upper), my oldest daughter (4) gets tremendously carsick and I wasn't comfortable with the idea of putting her so far away from me in the car. On top of that, I really didn't want to have to fit a car payment into our budget.
I read review after review, tried every possible configuration with the carseats we had and ended up buying six of these. Yes, it was an investment but, even so, it was a heck of a lot cheaper than a new car.
They're heavy - if you're going to be moving them around a lot, better start lifting weights. Honestly, though, I'm more comfortable with them being heavy. I feel my kids are safer being protected by steel rather than plastic.
We've been using them now since September and I highly recommend them.
(And now I don't have to drive a minivan - YAY!)
I have 7 of these seats!
Super sturdy, safe, narrow & versatile
Excellent Seat
