The Complete Cybex Sirona M2 Review
Posted by Julie Monson on
Julie Monson
Occupational Therapist & Car Seat Technician
In this review, I will be covering the Cybex Sirona M2 car seat and everything you need to know about it; including the practicalities, safety features, pros and cons. This seat has been very popular since it was launched in South Africa in 2019. Below, I'll be discussing my experience with the Sirona M2.
The Sirona M2 is made by Cybex in Germany, with the core of their brand and its product developments being the combination of unique design, unsurpassed safety and quality and intelligent functionality. The Cybex Sirona M2 is part of the Cybex Gold Range. Both the Aton M infant seat and Sirona M2 toddler seat install on the same isofix Base M.
PRO'S AND CONS OF THE CYBEX SIRONA M2
PROS
- Quick and easy installation
- Good padding
- Multiple recline positions
- Easy to remove cover
- Compact
- Additional bases can be bought for 2nd car
- More legroom as child gets older
- Affordable
CONS
- Cannot be installed in cars without isofix
- Infants don't always fit &/ recline safely. Recommended from 3 months +
WHAT ARE THE WEIGHT AND HEIGHT LIMITS OF THE SIRONA M2?
The Sirona M2 is an iSize approved car seat approved from birth/45cm to 105cm/19kg in rear facing or 76 to 105cm in forward facing. This usually lasts average-sized children until they are approximately 4 years old. It is safest for children to rear face as long as possible, and the Sirona M2 does allow extended rear facing until approximately 4 years.
WHAT ARE THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE SIRONA M2?
The Cybex Sirona M2 i-Size installs with the Base M isofix base, with visual indicators to ensure correct installation.
It performs well in crash tests and meets the severe UN R129 (iSize) side impact criteria. In combination with the side impact protection of the headrest which is well padded with memory foam, the LSP (Linear Side Protection) is extended out on the side towards the car door, increasing the safety of the child in rear or forward facing if an impact should happen. It scored an overall score of 2.2 (good) by ADAC with low risk of injury in a frontal collision and low risk of injury in a side impact collision.
WHAT ARE THE COMFORT FEATURES OF THE SIRONA M2?
The Sirona M2 has 5 recline settings for rear facing, which offer maximum comfort for naps. As your child gets older, the seat should be used in more upright settings. This also gives older children more legroom in rear facing as they grow. There are 3 recline settings that can be used in forward facing.
There are 12 height adjustments of the integrated headrest and 5-point harness. This no-rethread harness makes it simple to adjust the height settings.
The Cybex toddler seats have memory foam in the headrest for added comfort and safety. The included infant inlay should be removed at 61cm (approx. 3 months).
The Sirona M2 has hooks on the sides of the seat in order to keep the harness out the way while putting your child in the seat.
It has a fairly low base, so children may not have a full view out the window. This does mean that it is less likely to obstruct the driver's view though.
HOW IS THE SIRONA M2 INSTALLED?
Installation is simple, quick and easy! The Sirona M2 must be installed with the Cybex Base M isofix base. It is therefore only possible to install it in cars with isofix brackets. Being able to separate the seat from the base makes it lighter and easier to move between cars. A second base can be purchased for a second vehicle, to make transfers even easier. The Sirona M2 is quite compact for a rear facing toddler seat.
REARFACING INSTALLATION
The Sirona M2 is easy to switch from rear facing to forward facing. Simply remove the car seat from the base, and click the seat back into the base in the forward facing position. The seat can then be reclined to one of the 3 forward facing recline positions. It is mandatory to use rearward-facing up to an age of 15 months and a size of 75 cm. There is a red indicator on the seat to show the minimum height to forward face. Even beyond this limit Cybex (and we agree!) recommend that rearward-facing transport is the safest
HOW TO REMOVE AND WASH THE COVERS
The covers are easy to be removed and are machine washable. There are seven components fixed to the seat shell by hook and loop fastener, elastic piping, snap buttons and brackets.
Once you have released all the fastenings, you can remove the individual components for washing. The manual is quite clear and provides step-by-step instructions on how to remove the cover. It is a bit trickier to put it back on, so take photos of each step as you remove the cover so you can reverse it to put them back on.
The cover should be washed at 30° C in a delicate wash cycle. Washing at higher temperatures than 30° C or by hand may result in color bleeding. Wash separately from other items and never tumble dry! Never dry in strong sunlight!
HOW LONG CAN THE SIRONA M2 BE USED FOR?
Cybex Group 0/1 seats can be used from birth up to 4 years of age. This corresponds to a usage period of 4 years. The Cybex Sirona M2 has a lifespan of 4 years from the date of first use.
WHAT IS THE WARRANTY ON CYBEX?
The warranty on a Cybex Sirona M2 is 3 years on the seat excluding the textiles. The Cybex importer in South Africa carries the tools and can import spare parts if needed (which can take up to 90 days), to carry out any repairs.
OUR VERDICT
The Sirona M2 is a well-padded seat with good recline options. It is very easy to install and adjust. It is compact and suitable for smaller cars but still offers some legroom in rear facing as children get older. It is a bit lower than other seats, so children may not have a good view out the window. And, of course, we love this seat because of the high safety ratings.
