Concord Ion review

The adjustable sunshade, neatly stowed in the back pocket, doubles up as a window sunscreen and the lightweight aluminum handle, which can be used as an anti-roll bar, can be adjusted using one hand: there’s a clip at the top, so there’s always one hand free. It has a five-point harness, which is simple to slacken and tighten while obvious, well-placed seat belt slots make it impossible to install incorrectly.

What we love

If ever a product warranted a round of applause, this is it. The quality, design and super-soft padding give an overall luxurious feel – I couldn’t stop touching it! The one-handed adjustable handle is something I really appreciate when getting in and out of the car. It fits well on top of a supermarket trolley and is very portable because of its light chassis.

Inside its reassuring protective shell is a roomy seat covered in layers of touchy-feely padded fabric that’s easy to remove and wash – essential when you have a baby who suffers with reflux, like my little one Elsie. For extra comfort, it has an air circulation system for a baby’s upper and lower back, and an extra padded inset and head hugger.

Everything’s molded, smooth and sturdy – there’s no sharp plastic sticking out and it even has a soothing rocker function when placed on the ground. The seat is roomy and yet fits nicely into even the smallest car and, thanks to its generous size, I can definitely see Elsie in this until she’s 18 months.

The functions aren’t gimmicky, they’re well made and well thought out and I love this year’s colours. Buy on its own or as part of a travel system and you’ve got an uber cool piece of kit. While the comfort is impressive, it’s the neat little touches that make a really big difference with this seat.

What to watch out for

There’s really not much to fault here. Little tweaks have ironed out any minor complaints from last year’s original model. Just make sure you buy this year’s model, as the belt protector wasn’t covered in any padding before, which wasn’t good for a wriggly baby like Elsie. It still doesn’t come with an optional base, which is surprising and the funky, futuristic design may not be to everyone’s taste.

Who is the Concord Ion car seat best for?

Those with a nose for quality and who like to stand out from the crowd.

MadeForMums verdict

A good-looking, solid and safe seat that’s easy to use, lightweight and fits neatly into any car, this seat is worth buying even if you weren’t considering a Concord travel system. Faultless in terms of design and quality but disappointing that there isn’t a base available.