Our Review of the Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL convertible car seat
Sunshine Kids improves car seat installation with the Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL. Did you know that 85% of car seats are installed incorrectly? LATCH makes car seat installation easier.
Most vehicle and car seat manufacturers enforce a maximum weight limit of 40 - 48 lbs with LATCH. Now, with so many higher harness weight car seats on the market accommodating children up to 80 lbs, incorrect LATCH use and installation still remain a problem.
The solution? Sunshine Kids SuperLATCH (SL). 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. No more tricky seat belt installations, and best of all, with SuperLATCH, the Radian XTSL convertible car seat installs in one minute and doesn't require reinstallation after 48 lbs.
And for those who like to keep their options open, the Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL also can be installed using your vehicle's seat belts.
Standout Features:
- SuperLATCH installs in one minute and allows use of LATCH up to 80 lbs!
- No need to reinstall the seat after 48 lbs
- No seat belt required, no top tether required
- Rear-facing to 45 lbs
- Side Impact Protection
- Adjustable headrest
- Forward-facing to 80 lbs
Convenience: For parents with smaller cars and more than one child, the Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL convertible car seat fits 3 seats across, even in 4-door sedans. The XTSL folds and can be slung over your shoulder for transport (thought it is a bit heavy!).
Installation: Thanks to SuperLATCH, the Sunshine Kids Radian XTSL installs in just a minute using LATCH and requires neither seatbelts nor the top tether. You can also install the car seat using your vehicle's seatbelts.
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 XTSL's steel alloy frame, makes Sunshine Kids SuperLATCH the only LATCH system that can be used up to 80 lbs.
You may be wondering how Sunshine Kids overcomes the usual 48 lb LATCH limit. All lower LATCH anchor bars in cars meet the same NHTSA requirements, so a LATCH bar in a Toyota is the same as a LATCH bar in a Ford. Sunshine Kids tested the Radian XTSL up to 80 lbs using both FMVSS 213 and NCAP standards and using only SuperLATCH and no top tether. The XTSL convertible car seat 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: Thick, memory foam padding in the seat provides cushion for the tush, while the sophisticated look means the Radian XTSL appeals to older children. The XTSL also offers 3" more shoulder room over comparable convertible car seats like the Britax Boulevard and an adjustable headrest, adding extra comfort for growing kids.
Because the Sunshine Kids has a rear-facing limit of 45 lbs, your child can remain rear-facing probably past their 2nd birthday. The 80 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 45 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: The companion to the XTSL is the Sunshine Kids Radian 80SL. The Radian 80SL forgoes the XTSL's adjustable headrest and deeper sidewings, but still offers SuperLATCH, a slim profile and a high harness weight limit of 80 lbs.
For a car seat with an 80 lb weight limit that doubles as a car booster seat, check out the Britax Frontier. The Frontier cannot be used rear-facing like the Radian 80SL or Radian XTSL. Furthermore, the Frontier does not have SuperLATCH and so must be installed with your vehicle seat belts past 48 lbs.
What's the difference between the Radian XTSL and Radian 80 SL?
- The Radian XTSL has a height-adjustable headrest while the Radian 80 has a stationary headrest.
- The Radian XTSL offers amazing side impact protection thanks to 7" deep sides. The Radian 80SL offers side impact protection, but the sides are not as deep as on the XTSL.
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Car seat specs
- Min child weight
- 5 lbs.
- Max child weight
- 80 lbs.
- Rear-facing minimum weight
- 5 lbs.
- Max child weight - Rear Facing mode
- 45 lbs.
- Min child weight - Forward Facing mode
- 20 lbs.
- Max child weight - Forward facing mode
- 80 lbs.
- Max harness weight capacity
- 80 lbs.
- Max child height
- 53"
- Max 5-pt harness child height capacity
- 53"
- EPP/EPS Energy Absorbing Foam
- Yes
Car seat dimensions
- Product weight
- 27 lbs.
- Seat Base / Foot Width
- 17"
- Seat height
- 28.5"
- Interior seat width
- 13"
- Bottom to lowest harness slot
- 8"
- Bottom to highest harness slot
- 18"
- SuperLATCH installation up to 80 lbs - no seat belt required
- Easy-Tite adjuster for quick and easy tightening - installs in 1 minute
- SafeStop energy absorbing harness system
- Total Side Impact Protection thanks to the aluminum reinforced head support with 7" deep sides and energy-absorbing EPS foam that surrounds your child's head and body.
- Height adjustable head-rest to accommodate growth spurts.
- 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 XTSL installs rear-facing from 5 - 45 lbs and forward facing from at least one-year-old and 22 - 80 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 XTSL convertible car seat Reviews
All Customer Reviews
- Average Rating:
- Highest Rating:
- Lowest Rating:
- Number of Reviews:
- 3
Love this seat!
I went back and forth forever before getting her the perfect convertible seat. I decided on this one. First of all it's the only that RF to 45# and that is what we plan on--RFing as long as possible for safety reasons.
The seat is a cinch to install (using LATCH, I haven't used a seatbelt install) and although the biggest complaint I read on all the reviews I could find was how heavy it was. And it is heavy for sure. But I don't care and not sure if that should be a reason to give this seat any flak. It's sturdy. It's one of the best made and safest out there, IMO. So if it has to be heavy that's fine with me. I mean are people toting their car seats around?
The complaints I do have are these: The top tether has nowhere to go when the seat is RFing. It dangles behind the seat. I used a cable tie and tied it up but would love to see some sort of compartment on the back of the seat for it to tuck away into.
Also the pad that goes on the seat (not the infant insert but the other with the wings) doesn't stay in place and has two straps that honestly I am baffled at what to do with those straps.
The good about this: Everything else. The bad is not even bad just somethings they could improve on the next one they design.
My daughter fits easily in it, it's easy to get her in and strap her. It's a breeze to take out and install (again, using LATCH, I haven't used a seatbelt install) into another car. Takes about 2 minutes total.
If you can't figure out the manual, which I admit could use some revisions, you can download install videos from the company on YouTube and from their Facebook page.
I am looking at getting a second seat for my hubby's car as right now we only have the one and switch it out back and forth. Not hard just inconvenient. So I will be getting my second seat soon!
Too narrow
Fantastic Seat
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