Diono Monterey XT Fix Expandable High back Booster Car Seat with Expandable Height and Width, Group 2/3 (4 to 12 Years Approx, 15-36 kg), Gray Dark

Product Information

The other folding booster seat in our family’s fleet is the the hifold by mifold. You can read my full hifold review for tons of info. While the Monterey 5iST FixSafe is about making a traditional booster seat more compact and somewhat more travel-worthy, the hifold puts the travel aspect first. But there’s no clear winner between these two products, they’re just different beasts. To get the tiny fold, it requires a lot more fiddling and a multi-step adjustment process every time you unfold and set it up. In exchange for weight, the hifold doesn’t have lower anchors and doesn’t feel nearly as sturdy. Thread the shoulder belt into the red guide. It’s wide enough to avoid most seatbelt retraction issues, while the little metal gate should avoid the shoulder belt slipping out accidentally. Nice!

We can find the key specs and features of Diono Monterey 4DXT and Monterey XT in the table of similarities and differences below. It’s important for us to look at their specs and features before we can talk more about their key differences.The Monterey XT’s lower anchors are not required and can only be used in vehicles where the lower anchors align directly behind the connectors on the Monterey XT. You shouldn’t use the lower anchor connectors on a booster in a vehicle seating position with offset anchors, as the booster won’t be positioned correctly for the seat belt to fit properly.

Diono won prestigious iF DESIGN AWARDS in product design for the Monterey® 5iST FixSafe™ chosen by the 98-member jury, made up of independent experts from all over the world in 2021 and 2022. Engineered with our most side impact protection - our rigid shell is reinforced with 8 layers of high-impact aluminum and EPS energy absorbing foam, to protect the head, shoulders, and torso. Easy-adjust - 11-position headrest that grows up with your child. Engineered for safety and comfort with 2 layers of SafePlus® Side Impact Protection. Car Seats for the Littles® is a service mark registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Donate Be sure to review the rules for flying with a booster seat– the most important thing to remember is that your child can’t use it on board, just like any booster seat.The Diono Headrest/height adjusts from behind and may need to be done prior to installation and before the child is in the seat. The LATCH anchors on the Diono are tightened from the front of the booster which makes it easier to install than a traditional car seat. The Monterey XT is a well-fitting option for any child who is ready to ride in a booster seat, especially those with larger builds and those who prefer some extra padding. The Monterey XT is easy to install and use. The lower anchor connectors, cup holders, and adjustable width make the Monterey XT uniquely customizable to fit a wide variety of passengers. While it is bulky and won’t work well in a three across situation, the Diono Monterey XT is a great option for bigger littles and littles who prefer extra padding. The diono Monterey XT Fix Booster Car Seat is a really flexible car seat ideal for growing children. It has an extending headrest which can be adapted into 11 different positions and the seat has a really easy one-handed height adjustment.

This booster has better crash test analysis results and is super comfy, it is somewhat heavy, but the price is goodIf you’re considering the Diono Monterey 5iST for kids near the upper end of the size range, you won’t be disappointed! The side wings automatically widen as you raise the head rest, giving lots of room for growing shoulders. Diono boosters are deservedly known as great options for broad kids and this one is no exception.

The car seat has ISOFIX connectors which help with the safety and performance of the car seat. We have always used car seats with ISOFIX attachments as in our opinion, it limits the risk of any of our children being injured in a collision. The seat is relatively simple to attach to the chassis of the car with ISOFIX and must be fitted prior to use. the base of the booster seat prior to fitting in the vehicle Child-friendly features The lower anchor connectors are upside down compared to the lower anchor connectors on most other car seats. This is intentional, there’s no need to flip them over. Adjustable Headrest and Side Wings The Diono did its best to keep up with the big boys, and in some metrics, it rallied valiantly. However, in the end, there are better options available. It is suitable for little ones up to 120 lbs and 63 inches, one of the largest limits in the group. It also has good crash test results and is fairly narrow at 18.4 inches. If the Diono were somewhat better quality or somewhat lighter, there might be a niche for this better-than-average booster. What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider? Remember: Kids aren’t ready to ride with the seatbelt alone until they can fit properly. That’s usually between 10 and 12 years old. Sadly we see many more serious injuries in school age kids riding in the seatbelt than in young kids in car seats. I have to say that from a subjective perspective I’m really impressed with the Monterey 5iST, and my kids are as well. Nothing is perfect so here’s my personal list of Diono Monterey 5iST advantages and disadvantages: Diono Monterey 5iST advantagesYour child will always have a comfortable, secure fit with the Diono Monterey XT, thanks to its 11-position headrest and a width that can be adjusted up to 20 inches. It boasts expandable side wings and two recline positions. This makes it easy to dial in a precise, proper fit whenever your child grows, and also makes this model is a good choice for children with larger builds, who might find many other car seats too uncomfortable and restrictive. But being a research nerd, I relished the challenge of finding the best seat for my needs. And in the process, I gathered a ton of info!