The Complete Cybex Sirona Z2 Review
Posted by Julie Monson on
Julie Monson
Occupational Therapist & Car Seat Technician
The Cybex Sirona Z2 is a 360 degree rotating toddler car seat, making it easier to put your child in and out the car. This is a great option for smaller cars as it is more compact, without compromising on legroom. It is quick and easy to install and is easy to move between cars.
PROS AND CONS OF THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2
- 360 degree swivel
- Ideal for 2-door cars and for users with back problems
- Easy and fast installation
- Good padding
- 5 position recline
- Compact
- Additional bases can be bought for 2nd car
CONS
- Infants don’t always fit &/recline safely depending on the recline of your vehicle seat. We recommend it from 3 months +
- Quite Expensive
WHAT ARE THE WEIGHT AND HEIGHT LIMITS OF THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2?
The Sirona Z2 is an iSize approved car seat from birth/45cm-105cm/18kg in rear facing or 76-105cm 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 Z2 does allow extended rear facing until 105cm.
WHAT ARE THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2?
The Cybex Sirona Z2 i-Size clicks onto the Base Z2 isofix base, with visual indicators to ensure correct installation. It also has an audible alarm if the support leg comes loose to warn you that it needs to be corrected. 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) offers increased safety in the event of a side-impact collision. It reduces the force of a side-impact in combination with the energy-absorbing shell by approximately 25%.
It scored an overall safety score of 1.7 (good) by ADAC with very low risk of injury in a side impact collision and low risk of injury in a frontal collision.
The Energy Reduction Technology of the Sirona Z2 i-Size offers increased safety for your child in the forward-facing position in the event of a head-on collision. The "ER-Tech" reduces the forces on the neck of a child during a front crash by more than 20%, compared to other existing 5-point harness systems.
The Driving Direction Control (DDC) on the Base Z2 prevents forward-facing use before the child is at least 16 months old and 76 cm tall.
SENSORSAFE
Cybex SensorSafe provides essential alerts to help prevent critical situations: when your child unbuckles the clip, when the ambient temperature of your child is too hot or too cold, if your little one is left unattended in the car, and if your child has been seated for too long.
All alerts are received via Bluetooth on your smartphone through a user friendly app that also provides guidance on installation, how-to videos, FAQs and more. It is an optional accessory that is compatible with all Cybex infant and toddler car seats. Vehicle must have OBD port in order to work.
WHAT ARE THE COMFORT FEATURES OF THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2?
The Sirona Z2 has 5 recline settings for rear facing, which offer maximum comfort for naps and prevents your baby’s head falling forward. As your child gets older, the seat should be used in more upright recline settings. This also gives older children more legroom in rear facing as they grow.
There are also 5 recline settings that can be used in forward facing too.
There are 12 height adjustments of the integrated headrest and 5-point harness. The Cybex toddler seats have memory foam in the headrest for added comfort and safety, which not many car seats offer. The included infant inlay should be removed at 61cm (approx. 3 months)
The Sirona Z2 has magnets on the sides of the seat in order to keep the harness out the way while putting your child in.
HOW IS THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2 INSTALLED?
The Sirona Z2 is quick and easy to install, and relatively foolproof! The Sirona Z2 can be detached off the isofix base, making it lighter and easy to move between cars. It is only possible to install it in cars with isofix brackets. It can only be installed with Base Z2 isofix base, and cannot be installed with the seatbelt. The Sirona Z2 is quite compact for a rear facing toddler seat.
HOW TO INSTALL THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2 REAR FACING?
Attach the isofix connectors of the base Z and check that the indicators turn green. The base should then be pushed as close to the vehicle backrest as possible for a secure installation.
The support leg should then be adjusted to the correct height in the footwell of the car, until the indicator turns green.
Simply click the seat onto the base, and check that the indicator turns green. You can then adjust the seat to one of the recline positions. The seat should be more reclined for younger babies.
HOW TO INSTALL THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2 IN FORWARD FACING?
The Sirona Z2 is very easy to switch from rear facing to forward facing. Simply squeeze the lever and swivel the seat around. Don't forget to switch off the Driver Direction Control (DDC) on the isofix base in order to allow it to forward face! The seat can then be reclined to one of the 5 forward facing recline positions. It is mandatory to use it rearward-facing up to an age of 15 months and a size of 75 cm.
The Driving Direction Control (DDC) prevents misuse of the forward-facing position of the car seat. It ensures the forward-facing position cannot used before the child is at least 16 months old and 76 cm tall. Even beyond this limit Cybex recommend that rearward-facing transport is the safest. And we agree!
HOW TO REMOVE AND WASH THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2 COVERS?
The covers are fairly easy to be removed and are machine washable. There are six 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.
Summer covers are available, which protect the fabric of the Sirona Z2 and make it much easier to clean.
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 colour bleeding. Wash separately from other items and never tumble dry! Never dry in strong sunlight!
HOW LONG CAN THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2 BE USED FOR?
Cybex recommends that their harnessed car seats not be used for longer than 8 years, provided it has not been in a crash. Due to ageing, the quality of the material may change as the seat ages.
WHAT IS THE WARRANTY ON THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2?
The warranty is 3 years on the seat excluding textiles. The Cybex importer in South Africa carries the tools and can import spare parts if needed, to carry out any repairs.
IS THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2 COMPATIBLE WITH MY CAR?
In order to install the Sirona Z2, the car requires isofix and no underfloor storage compartments. A rear facing car seat must never be installed in front of an active airbag. Click here to check if your car is on the approved fit list:
WHAT ARE THE DIMENSIONS OF THE CYBEX SIRONA Z2?
The Cybex Sirona Z2 including the base weighs 15kg. It can be separated from the base making it easier to move between cars. Its dimensions are 67cm in height, 43cm in width and has a depth of 71.5cm. It takes up approximately 74-76cm of cabin space.
OUR VERDICT
The Sirona Z2 is one of the highest safety rated toddler seats, with fantastic features including the 360 degree swivel and multiple recline settings. It is easy to install and move between cars. It is expensive, but if budget allows, this is a very good option.
