Cybex Anoris T i-Size car seat review

ADAC tests a variety of car seats each year, and in 2022 the Anoris T was the only one to receive a coveted ‘very good’ rating.

According to Cybex, the R129-standard seat offers 50% more protection than conventional forward-facing car seats, giving parents a strong alternative to extended rearfacing seats.

The Anoris T is suitable for children starting from 76cm (around 15 months) up to 115cm, with a maximum weight of 21kg (around 6 years).

Tested by

Tested by parent and journalist Sascha, with 24-month-old Cora and 6-year-old Carmen. They mainly used it for shorter journeys like the school run and to the shops. They also tested the Anoris on a 180-mile round trip to visit family.

First impressions when you get it out of the box?

The moment I took the Anoris T out of the box I was impressed by the quality. It feels incredibly sturdy with plush memory-foam style padding and gorgeous upholstery. And although it tips the scales at 12kg, it’s surprisingly easy to lift.

There was one slight surprise when I unpacked the seat though. One of the safety features - the Linear Side-impact Protection ‘wings’ - automatically popped out. But after an initial panic that I might have broken something, it turns out that’s exactly what they are supposed to do. And if they don’t, you need to do it yourself before installation.

What were the instructions like?

It took me a while to find the instructions, as they’re tucked away behind the back cover of the seat. I didn’t actually find the instructions that useful - the diagrams seemed overly complicated and hard to follow. So instead I Googled and found the company’s online installation video, which was a delight. Clear, simple, and very easy to follow.

How do you install the Cybex Anoris T car seat?

This is an isofix-only car seat, and it was one of the easiest ones I’ve ever installed.

The isofix arms move independently of each other, making it easy to click in one side at a time.

The isofix slotted in well, and there’s an easy to follow light up guide to show when you have it in right - if all the signs are green you’re good to go.

If there are any red lights, it also beeps. A lot. Until you get it right. And there was a bit of fiddling to get the leg to lock properly at first. But we actually found the warnings really reassuring (just don’t forget to remove the battery protection strip from the base first).

Although not overly heavy, this is still a bulky car seat you’re likely to want to leave in the car rather than take in and out. We installed it next to big sister’s more ‘grown up’ group 2 high-backed booster seat and both kids had enough space.

What are the Anoris T’s best safety features?

I'd say the Anoris T has some of the most sophisticated safety features of any car seat on the market.

• Cybex claims this forward-facing seat offers approximately 50% more protection than conventional forward-facing seats, thanks mainly to the full body airbag integrated into the impact shield (the chunky lap bar that looks a bit like a rollercoaster belt)

• In the event of a crash, the airbag forms a C shape around the impact shield and is designed to hold the child in place while stopping forward motion and reducing abdominal pressure
• On top of this, there’s the aforementioned Advanced Linear Side-impact Protection – two pop out ‘wings’ which reduce the force of a side-impact collision
• Cybex suggests there are also some passive benefits of being forward-facing, including more leg room and easier communication with your precious cargo, since you can see them in your rear view mirror.

Is this rear and forward facing?

This seat is forward facing only, a fact that may give some parents pause for thought given the well-promoted benefits of rearfacing for longer. However, Cybex claims the Anoris T’s airbag feature actually makes it at least as safe as rearfacing seats, and provides approximately 50% more protection than conventional forward-facing seats.

Personally, our 2 year old has been front-facing since she was about 18 months because she got so sick going backwards (which caused stress all round). So for us, a forward-facing seat with advanced safety features is perfect. Of course, the position of the seat would be a consideration if you wanted to use rear facing seats for longer.

Does it rotate?

If there’s a slight downside to the Anoris T, it’s that it doesn’t rotate. So it’s slightly more tricky to get the smaller kids in and out (and of course to transfer sleeping children from car to bed.)

Does it recline?

The Anoris T does have a recline feature, with three different positions. The easy-to-access button is just under the front of the seat between the child’s legs, meaning we could reach it from the front seat when needed.

The chair reclined far enough back to lull the smallest member of the car to sleep on our longer journey home at night, and that is something money can’t buy.

How comfortable did your child find the car seat ?

When our 2 year old got into the seat it was something of a novelty for her, and although she did take a little time to get used to the impact shield, she looked comfy enough.

Perhaps that’s unsurprising given the padded upholstery with criss-cross stitching that wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end sports car. She did look a little small in it at times, and I was initially concerned her arms were sticking out a bit too much – but she fell asleep straight away so it can’t have been bad!

Is it comfortable for older children?

Cybex recommend the Anoris T can be used ‘until around 6 years old’, so we tried it with our just-turned 6 year old.
She was at the very top end of being able to use the seat - since she’s exactly 115cm tall (the upper limit for height) and weighs 19kg (the limit is 21kg).

Although technically she’s allowed to use it and we were easily able to extend the headrest to make it more comfortable for her, we felt her head was poking out a little too much. She said she felt a bit ‘squished’ when we clicked in the impact shield but she travelled without too much fuss and said it was pretty comfortable.

Realistically we felt she was a few months too old for the seat and while some petite six year olds may be able to use it, it felt more likely the age limit is nearer 5 years old.

What did you think of the Anoris T’s impact shield?

As a Cybex newbie, this was a learning curve for our 2 year old.

For the first time she didn’t have straps and to start with she wanted to get out. But the more we used it, the more she got used to it and she ended up rather liking it.

Safety claims aside, the single chunky lap belt is a massive bonus for any parent whose toddler has perfected the back-arching protest at getting in the car seat. Instead of battling with the five-point harness while your small person writhes, you secure them with one click. (Although since I’d only ever used 5-point harness car seats, I did have to check the manufacturer video to see how tight the shield should be).

A few small points to consider though. The shield is hinged on one side, so when you’re using it on the passenger side (as we did due to another car seat in the back) you do have to lean over to click in. But if you had this on the driver side then obviously the buckle would be door-side.

We also found the shield could make our little tester rather warm across her chest - particularly on the longer journeys. While she didn’t complain, she was a tad clammy when we got her out of the seat.

How robust does the car seat feel?

This is a seriously robust, high-quality feeling car seat.

How do you adjust the headrest height for a growing child?

The adjust lever is just at the back of the headrest itself and was super easy to use. If it could have extended an extra couple of centimetres I feel we could have used it more confidently for our six year old. But the range is still pretty good and thus can be used for longer than most similar seats which you tend to have to change at 4 years old.

How easy is it to clean?

All the covers are all machine washable at 30 degrees. And the dark grey we had is a stroke of genius - it seemed to hide most normal child stains!

What’s in the box?

Literally just the car seat. The instructions are buried deep in the back of the seat.

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

No accessories but the Anoris T comes in 7 different colours. We tested Soho Grey but it’s also available in · Deep Black, Nautical Blue, Khaki Green, Mountain Blue, Mustard Yellow, and Autumn Gold.

Is there anything you would have wanted to know before using the Anoris T?

Since most people buying the Anoris will be doing so because of the integrated airbag, it’s worth knowing that at some point during the few years you’re using the seat, you may need to change its batteries.

The battery indicator will warn you at 30% and 10% when this time comes. But it’s important not to ignore that warning, since the battery operates the airbag. (BUT Cybex says the seat will still secure your child in the event of an accident even if the airbag doesn’t inflate.)

Who is this aimed at?

With a high price tag and the ‘world first’ airbag, this car is most definitely aimed squarely at the more affluent, tech-savvy parent. For parents who prefer a forward-facing seat, or who choose one because their child gets sick facing backwards as our does, it’s an appealing option.

Is the Cybex Anoris T car seat good value for money?

There’s no getting around the fact this is an expensive seat. But innovation often comes at a premium, and the Anoris T is certainly the first of its kind. And as eyewatering as the price tag is, it does feel worth it. Especially since you can use it for longer than other similar forward-facing seats.

If, like us, you’ve not had a Cybex before, it may feel like a leap of faith to spend so much money on a seat which doesn’t have the 5-point harness you’ve been using for so long. But for this family, it was definitely a leap worth taking.

Where can I buy the Cybex Anoris T car seat?

It is available from Cybex, Pram Centre and Mamas & Papas.

MadeForMums verdict:

This is the most innovative seat we’ve ever used. It’s intuitive, comfortable and looks impressive too. Although it’s expensive, it did feel worth every penny and convinced us that this really is the way forward when it comes to forward-facing car seats.