Tried & Tested: Chicco Unico Evo Baby Car Seat

I wear many hats in life. Son, brother, husband, cinematographer and plenty more. Recently, I have taken on a new one. I’ve become a father. Being a father is easily the most fulfilling of these, but it’s also quietly terrifying, because your mind never really switches off. You’re constantly running scenarios – what could go wrong, what could be better, what’s going to happen in the future? There’s a lot to worry about, but I figured out how I could worry about one thing less. That’s where the Chicco Unico Evo baby car seat comes into the picture. The reason is simple. I can’t be with her 24x7. But I can choose what protects her when I’m not holding her. That’s the lens I judged this seat through.

The fundamentals are strong. Multiple size adjustments (from birth to 12 years of age), ISOFIX tether, and the ability to keep the child rear- or front-facing. The 360-degree rotation means you can lift the child in and out without destroying your back. The five-step recline, in both orientations, makes it adaptable to different cars and different stages. If your car doesn’t have ISOFIX mounts, this can be secured using the seat belts as well. Installation on our Maruti Suzuki Ciaz took barely a minute. Once locked in, it felt stable and reassuring. Build quality is solid. Cushioning is supportive and the baby seems to love it. Maintaining it should be easy too, since all the cushions come out – cleaning should be straightforward.

The compromise is bulk. You do lose cabin space. During rotation, the base can brush against the seat and leave light marks. Not deal-breakers, but worth knowing. I’ve not owned another car seat to compare this with. But as a first-time father, this feels like a well-built product that makes my baby a much safer passenger on the road. It costs serious money, but the safety of my child is priceless.

Price: ₹25,492/-

More info: chicco.in