Evenflo Symphony Elite Review [Safety Ratings & Specs]

Every parent should have access to a good convertible car seat. Not only do they save money, but they save time as well. I tested the Evenflo Symphony DLX (Elite) and was impressed by its performance. 

First thing first, installation was very easy. It has a SureLATCH anchor system that allowed me to easily connect the latches to the anchors. Once it was connected, it seemed to stay secure and in its place.

It was quite hot when I installed the seat and rather than myself or my child being burnt by the buckle, I was able to place it in the buckle pockets that kept them cool while not in use. 

I appreciate the fact that this booster can accommodate children from 5 to 110-pounds. This is a great weight range. It doesn’t convert to a backless booster, so you’ll have to buy one once your child is ready. One thing I didn’t like were the elastic cup holders. They aren’t very solid when it came to keeping my childs sippy cup in place. 

I recommend this convertible car seat to just about everybody. I liked how it worked with my child and it seemed to be secure and durable. 

Price Comparison

Evenflo Symphony Elite All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, Solid Print Gray

$224.49

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Evenflo Symphony Elite All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, Porter, 27.625 x 20.875 x 20.875

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According to Evenflo, their car seat safety standards include the following

• Rigorous product testing
• To go above and beyond set safety standards, these include
  • Rollover Testing: including standards set by the industry but also roof-to-ground contact incidents.
  • Side Impact Protection: Known as E3, their side protection has three layers that exceed federal safety standards and Evenflo’s rigorous standards
  • Structural integrity surpassed testing at 2x the energy levels required in the federal standard.
  • Federal Standard Safety: meets all safety standards concerning restraint systems and flammability.
  • FAA Certified: Safe for plane use as long as it is used with the 5-point harness
  • Temperature Testing: tested to withstand ultra-high and low temperatures and remain safe and durable
• SureLATCH Installation: an automatically ratcheting LATCH system that takes the guesswork out of installation
• SureSafe Installation: Locking connectors that push-on and can be manually tightened for a safe and easy installation

Evenflo’s Reliability

Evenflo rigorously tests their car seats numerous times to ensure optimal safety. Their goal is to construct products that parents can trust and rely upon. Their car seats often exceed national and federal safety standards, testing to energy levels approximately double the federal crash test standard.

In addition, they have developed their own safety testing measures, such as their Evenflo Side Impact Test protocol.

Which according to their engineers “simulates the energy in severe 5-star government side impact tests conducted for automobiles”. They are currently developing a dynamic roll-over test, new to the car seat industry.

Symphony Car Seats

1.Evenflo Symphony DLX (or Elite)

The Evenflo Symphony DLX car seat is an all-in-one car seat, meaning that it can accommodate children weighing 5 pounds up to 110 pounds.

The seat has three positions for use as your child grows; rear-facing, forward-facing, and seat belt booster.

The Symphony Elite has a few excellent features both to keep kids safe and make life easier for parents. One is the buckle pockets. These pockets can help to prevent burns by keeping the buckles cool when not in use.

The SureLATCH anchor system makes installation simple for parents and caregivers. Kids will enjoy the dual cup holders and parents will love the removable and washable seat pad for easy cleanup.

Evenflo Symphony Elite All-In-One Convertible Car Seat, 5-Point Infinite Slide Harness, Easy to Install, Forward / Rear Facing, Booster Seat, 110-lb Capacity, Multiple-Position Recline, Paramount Gray

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Recommended Use

Rear-Facing Harness: 5 – 40 lbs and a height of 19 – 40”

Forward-Facing Harness: 22 – 65 lbs, a height of 28 – 50”, and an age of at least one year

Seat Belt Booster: 40 – 110 lbs, a height of 44 – 57”, and an age of at least four years

Unique Features

• All-in-one suitable for children birth up to 110 pounds
• Three different position options (rear-facing, forward-facing, seat belt booster)
• Removable and washable seat pad
• Steel reinforced frame
• Approved for use by FAA
• Six available colors

Pros

• Buckle pockets
• SureLATCH anchors
• Eight-year lifespan
• E3 side impact protection

Cons

• Dual elastic cup holders on either side, not a solid unit however
• Bulky

Specifications

• weight: 21lbs
• height: 19.5”
• depth: 28”
• Seat width: 21.5”

Evenflo Symphony LX

The Evenflo Symphony LX is very similar to the DLX model, though the DLX is considered a higher model. The Symphony LX is an all-in-one car seat that grows with your child from birth (5 pounds) to 110 pounds.

In order to keep your child safe and comfortable, the seat features three positions; rear-facing, forward-facing, and a seat belt booster.

The Symphony LX also offers buckle pockets to keep buckles cool and prevent burns, two cup holders, a machine-washable seat pad, and the Quick Connectors LATCH system.

Recommended Use

Rear-Facing Harness: 5 – 40 lbs and a height of 19 – 40”

Forward-Facing Harness: 22 – 65 lbs and a height of 28 – 50”, and age at least one year

Seat Belt Booster: 40 – 110 lbs, and a height of 44 – 57”, and an age of at least four years

Unique Features

• All-in-one suitable for children birth up to 110 pounds
• Three different position options (rear-facing, forward-facing, seat belt booster)
• Removable and washable seat pad
• Steel reinforced frame
• Approved for use by FAA
• Ten available colors

Pros

• Buckle pockets
• Eight-year lifespan
• E3 side impact protection
• Infinite Slide (no-rethread harness)

Cons

• Manually tightening Quick Connect LATCH system
• Dual elastic cup holders on either side, not a solid unit however
• Bulk

Specifications

• weight: 21lbs
• height: 19.5”
• depth: 28”
• width: 21.5”

The DLX vs. The LX Model

The DLX is very similar to the LX model aside from one notable upgrade. Both seats have an expiration date eight years after manufacture and are all-in-one seats usable by children 5 pounds to 110 pounds.

Additional commonalities include E3 side impact protection, dual cup holders, infinite slide no-rethread harness, and buckle pockets. The differences lie with the LATCH systems. The DLX offers SureLATCH connectors and the LX features Quick LATCH connectors.

The SureLATCH is a ratcheting connector that automatically tightens once the seat is connected. The Quick LATCH connectors have to be manually tightened once the seat is attached.

Evenflo Symphony DLX and Evenflo Symphony LX Similarities

•  8 year lifespan
• E3 Side Impact Protection
• dual cup holders
• an Infinite Slide No Rethread harness
• Buckle Pockets
• a washable Seat Pad

Evenflo Symphony DLX and Evenflo Symphony LX Differences

• Installation Connectors
  • DLX – SureLATCH
  • LX – Quick Connect LATCH

Installation

Rear-Facing using Seat Belt

• Ensure the LATCH anchors are properly stored
• Move the car seat to recline position one
• Place the car seat rear-facing in the back seat of your vehicle ensuring that it is as flat as possible
• Route the seatbelt through the rear-facing belt path, making sure to keep the crotch buckle in front of the vehicle belt
• Pull the seatbelt all the way out from the point at which it attaches to your vehicle seat, this should allow it to move to the automatically locking position
  • If your vehicle was manufactured before 1996 and has a seat belt with an Emergency Lock Retractor and a sliding latch plate you must use a locking clip and properly install it on your seat belt
• Buckle the seatbelt
• Place your weight in the car seat and remove all slack from the seat belt by pulling it securely at the buckle
• Ensure that the seat is level and that it does not move more than one inch from side to side or front to back at the belt path

Rear-Facing using LATCH

• Ensure the LATCH anchors are routed through the rear-facing belt path
• Move the car seat to recline position one
• Place the car seat rear-facing in the back seat of your vehicle seat ensuring that it is as flat as possible
• Loosen the latch strap and making sure it is not twisted attach each connector to your vehicle’s anchors
• Tighten the LATCH strap
  • If you are using the Quick Connect LATCH system, tighten the LATCH strap by pulling the strap, you may need to place your weight in the car seat
  • If you are using the SureLATCH system, place your full weight into the car seat so that it may lock into place
• Ensure the level indicator shows that the seat is level
• Ensure that it is snug and does not move more than one inch from side to side or front to back at the belt path

Front Facing using Seat Belt

• Ensure the LATCH anchors are properly stored
• Move the car seat to recline position 2 or 3
• Detach the tether hook from the car seat and fully extend it
• Place the car seat in the forward-facing position in the backseat of your vehicle making sure that it is as flat as possible
• Lay the tether strap over the back of the vehicle seat
• Route the seat belt through the forward-facing belt path
• Pull the seatbelt all the way out from the point at which it attaches to your vehicle seat, this should allow it to move to the automatically locking position
  • If your vehicle was manufactured prior to 1996 and has a seat belt with an Emergency Lock Retractor and a sliding latch plate you must use a locking clip and properly install it on your seat belt
• Buckle the seatbelt
• Place your weight in the car seat and remove all slack from the seat belt by pulling it securely at the buckle
• Ensure that the seat is level and that it does not move more than one inch from side to side or front to back at the belt path
• Connect the tether hook to your vehicle’s tether anchor and tighten it securely
• Recheck that the seat is level and secure

Front Facing using LATCH

• Ensure the LATCH anchors are routed through the forward-facing belt path
• Move the car seat to recline position 2 or 3
• Detach the tether hook from the car seat and fully extend it
• Place the car seat in the forward-facing position in the backseat of your vehicle making sure that it is as flat as possible
• Lay the tether strap over the back of the vehicle seat
• Loosen the latch strap and making sure it is not twisted attach each connector to your vehicle’s anchors
• Tighten the LATCH strap
  • If you are using the Quick Connect LATCH system, tighten the LATCH strap by pulling the strap, you may need to place your weight in the car seat
  • If you are using the SureLATCH system, place your full weight into the car seat so that it may lock into place
• Connect the tether hook to your vehicle’s tether anchor and tighten it securely
• Ensure the level indicator shows that the seat is level
• Ensure that it is snug and does not move more than one inch from side to side or front to back at the belt path

Seat Belt Booster

• Convert the child seat to a booster seat by
  • Removing the seat pad and storing the harness
  • Inserting the lower anchor connectors through the forward-facing belt path
  • Removing the crotch strap and reinstalling the seat pad
• Make sure the seat is in recline position 3
• Place the booster in the backseat of your vehicle so that the booster is level and the back and bottom of the booster are touching the back and top of your vehicle seat
• Adjust the headrest so that the shoulder belt can fit properly on your child, midway between their shoulder and neck
• Thread the seat belt through the shoulder belt guide, across your child, and buckle the seat belt
• The seat belt should fit snugly across their hips and through the lower belt guides
• The shoulder belt should be secure across their chest and midway between their shoulder and neck
• Note: You may use the Tether Strap and Lower Anchor Connectors (LATCH) to secure the booster seat to your vehicle seat ONLY IF the position of the booster seat in the vehicle and/or the resulting fit of the vehicle seat belt over the child is not affected.

Expiration Information

The Evenflo Symphony Elite car seat has an expiration date of eight years after the printed date of manufacture. The Evenflo Symphony debuted in 2008, so this should be true of car seats manufactured after that year.

As with all car seats, be sure to refer to the printed expiration date information on your specific seat, your owner’s manual, or the manufacturer.

Recall and Solution

Evenflo has had one recall of the Symphony car seat line, it encompassed both the LX and the DLX. In 2014, Evenflo recalled select convertible car seats manufactured between 2011 and 2014.

For the symphony LX and DLX, the specific manufacture dates included in the recall were 0/2/2012 through 8/26/2013. The company learned that the harness buckle may become difficult to unlatch, resulting in trouble removing the child from the seat, especially in the case of an emergency.

In some cases, the buckle’s release button failed to unlatch, resulting in the harness becoming stuck in the latched position. Affected Models: Symphony 65, Symphony 65 E3, Symphony LX, Symphony DLX and Snugli All-in-One with the Model Number Prefix 345 or 346

Solution: The company provides replacement buckles and instructions in the form of a remedy kit. You must contact the manufacturer (Evenflo) or place an order with them if your seat is affected.

Cleaning Evenflo Symphony Car Seats

The car seat should never be lubricated or immersed in water, except for the removable and washable pad. In addition, the harness straps should never be soaked or immersed as it could damage the integrity of the straps.

The harness can be wiped clean with water and mild soap, taking care only to dampen it and not soak it. It can then air dry. All buckles, plastic, and metal parts can be cleaned with mild soap and water. Then they can be dried with a soft cloth. It is important not to use any abrasive soap or solvent.

The seat pad can be removed and washed in cold water on the delicate setting. The pad should then be tumbled dried only for ten to fifteen minutes on the lowest heat setting.

The crotch buckle should be routinely inspected for food, debris, and buildup in order to ensure that it functions properly. To clean the buckle, place it in a cup of warm water and gently move it back and forth.

Press the red release button several times while it is in the water. Do not immerse the strap and do not lubricate the buckle in any way. Once it is clean, let it dry.

Customer Reviews

Ultimately, parents love car seats that can last their child through the entire car seat phase. The Evenflo Symphony DLX (and LX) fit the bill, accommodating children from birth through the booster.

From five pounds to 110. The forty-pound rear-facing weight limit keeps your child rear-facing longer, the safest position in a vehicle for little ones.

The Evenflo Symphony DLX also comes with some great features such as the buckle pockets, SureLATCH system, and dual cup holders.

Most of parents’ concerns surround the bulk of the seat as it is on the larger side and may make it difficult to fit the most number of seats across the backseat of your vehicle.

Another issue is with the cup holders, as they are not one solid unit they are not conducive to holding crayons, loose snacks, or anything not in a container.

Pros

• The SureLATCH system makes installation a cinch
• Grows with your child from five pounds all the way up to 110 pounds
• The rear-facing weight limit is 40 pounds, allowing extended rear-facing use
• The buckle pockets prevent burns
• Two cup holders
• No-rethread harness
• LATCH can be used in booster mode
• Washable seat pad
• Easy to adjust headrest and recline

Cons

• A little on the bulky side
• No infant connectors or removable base (not suitable for easy transportation)
• Not all colors come with buckle pockets
• There is only one recline position for the rear-facing option
• The cup holders are not a solid unit, one side only has an elastic strap
• Line level indicator, not a bubble level indicator
• SureLATCH straps too short to reach some vehicle anchors

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do I contact Evenflo?

Evenflo customer support can be reached at this number: 1-800-233-5921

Alternatively, they will contact you after you complete a short form found on their website: https://www.evenflo.com/contactus

What is the lifespan of the Symphony DLX and LX?

Thanks to their steel reinforced frames both car seats have an expiration date eight years after the date of manufacture (printed on the side of your seat).

Is side overhang okay with the Evenflo Symphony DLX and LX?

The Symphony DLX and LX allow approximately 20% of the bottom of the car seat to hang over the front of the vehicle seat.

The majority of the bottom of the car seat, approximately 80%, must be supported by the vehicle seat. This is true whether the car seat is installed rear-facing, forward-facing or in booster mode, and whether installed with the vehicle seat belt system or the lower anchor system.

Should the Evenflo Symphony DLX and LX be replaced after an accident?

After any type of automobile accident, Evenflo recommends that you replace your car seat, regardless of whether or not the child was in the seat at the time.

Additionally, even if your seat does not appear to have any evident damage there may be unseen structural damage that may impair its protection in future use.

How do I clean the Evenflo Symphony DLX and LX?

Cleaning is simple with a removable and washable seat pad. All other plastic and metal pieces can be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap, taking care not to immerse or soak them, especially the harness straps.

Is it easy to transport?

Because they are an all-in-one car seat, they are not conducive to frequent vehicle changes nor do they attach to a stroller. These seats do not have a removable base so they are more of an install it and leave type of car seat.

How do you install Evenflo Symphony elite car seat?

The installation instructions are easy to follow due to the clearly marked belt paths. The car seat can be installed in the rear-facing, forward-facing, or booster modes. The easy to adjust the headrest and recline assist with installation.

The car seats can be installed using your vehicle’s seat belts or the LATCH system.

What is the difference between Evenflo Symphony LX and DLX?

The seats are largely the same except for one difference. The DLX features the SureLATCH self-tightening system. The LX’s Quick Connect LATCH system has to be manually tightened.

How do you forward face on Evenflo car seat?

An Evenflo Symphony car seat can be forward-facing when in position 2 or 3 as long as your child meets the weight, height, and age restrictions.

The car seat can be installed in your vehicle using the vehicle’s seat belt or the LATCH anchors and tether.

How do I convert my Evenflo Symphony car seat to booster?

The Evenflo Symphony is not a backless booster. Therefore, conversion involves removing the seat pad to store the harness and crotch buckle and to move the lower anchor connectors through the forward-facing belt path.

Do All Evenflo car seats fit in Evenflo strollers?

The Evenflo Symphony DLX and LX are all-in-one seats. As they do not have a detachable base, they do not attach to strollers.

Are Evenflo car seats safe?

Evenflo car seats are tested over and over again with safety tests and protocol that exceed federal and national standards and regulations.

Evenflo has developed their own tests in addition to nationally recognized tests that are leading the industry in car seat safety testing.

How do I loosen my Evenflo car seat?

Evenflo car seats feature buckle buttons that are clearly marked to loosen the harness, tether, and LATCH anchors. When you depress the button you can then loosen the car seat straps.

Evenflo Symphony Elite All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, Solid Print Gray

$224.49

in stock

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Evenflo Symphony Elite All-In-One Convertible Car Seat, 5-Point Infinite Slide Harness, Easy to...

out of stock

as of September 26, 2023 8:43 pm

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Evenflo Symphony Elite All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, Porter, 27.625 x 20.875 x 20.875

out of stock

as of September 26, 2023 8:43 pm

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Too Close To Call

The Evenflo Symphony DLX and LX are great convertible car seats that may just be the only seat you will ever need. They are exceedingly easy to install and convert from position to position with clearly marked belt paths and easy-adjust headrest and recline.

The seats come in a variety of colors and offer features that will keep your child safe, comfortable, and happy. Evenflo rigorously tests their car seats and prides themselves and their safety and reliability so you can have peace of mind. If you liked this review, feel free to check out our Evenflo Safemax and Evenflo Pivot.