Evenflo Tribute 5 Review

The Evenflo Company, Inc. is located in Ohio and resulted from a 1995 merger of Evenflo Juvenile Products and Evenflo Juvenile Furniture Company. The company's beginnings go back to 1920. Evenflo began with products for feeding babies and expanded in 1947 with glass bottles and nursing kits in 1960. They now include strollers, car seats, and more.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

If you want impressive crash test results, then the Tribute 5 is one for your shortlist, with one of the best crash test analysis results in this review. Its test results are a standout, especially given the lower price of the seat. We love that budget shoppers have an option that potentially offers an additional margin of protection, so you don't have to sacrifice safety if your budget is small.

The HIC and chest clip G-force results for the Tribute are some of the lowest in the group (lower is best). Both results are almost the lowest in the entire group, and we couldn't be more excited about this. Given the impressive results, it makes sense that the crash test analysis score would be so remarkable.

All convertible options in this review should have passed federal standards and be considered safe. Our tests ran faster and used a more modern crash sled that mimics modern cars. Our test process was chosen to identify options that perform better than the average convertible seat, and the Evenflo certainly does that.

Ease of Install - LATCH

This is one of the hardest seats to install using LATCH, and it feels like a miss. We wish it were easier, given the stellar crash test analysis. It can be done, but it will take more effort, and removing the LATCH connectors will make you want to leave it alone forever.

This Evenflo has the hook clip-style LATCH connector that we hate. Given the price point on this seat, we can accept it and be much more forgiving than when we find it on a seat that costs 2-3 times more.

They are easy enough to put on, but removing them requires loosening the strap first and then pushing, twisting, and turning to get the hook off, which is a lesson in patience.

Threading the LATCH strap is easy and requires moving some of the cover aside. This requires patience to avoid breaking off the hooks securing the seat frame's cover. The pathway is obvious but has smaller spaces, which could be challenging for larger hands. We had to use towels in each test car to get the proper installation angle, which is a bummer because the weight of this seat and crash test analysis make it a potential choice for travel. However, the lighter weight makes the entire process less of a chore. It is pretty sturdy, especially given the lack of a lock-off or tensioner.

Uninstalling the Tribute is difficult, given the hook clips, and we struggled to get the strap loose. It took two testers to loosen the strap. Several testers took a go, and across the board, men and women, no one liked it, and pain was the common denominator.

Forward-facing requires shifting the strap behind the crotch strap, so you need to undo the cover. Threading is easy, and tightening wasn't a problem. Once again, everything would be easier and better, and the seat would have scored higher for installation if they'd spent a little more money on the push-style connectors.

Ease of Install - Belt

It is easier to install using the vehicle belt than the LATCH, and we would choose this method over the other. However, it still isn't great, and you need to take care and pay attention to details when you do your installation.

The rear-facing installation for the Tribute includes a decal line with no color coding or lock-off to help you in the process. This process includes removing the material, and the pathway is more or less obvious. We had to use two towels and more force to install this seat tight enough and at the right angle. The shoulder belt alignment tends to pull the seat up at an odd angle and can end up slightly wonky.

We also had trouble with the level foot wanting to fold back under after engagement. Luckily, the seat is lightweight and easy to work with. While we didn't like how much we had to fiddle with it, it wasn't a chore, thanks to the weight. Overall, the installation was pretty stable using the two towels, and while we don't like the hassle of the towels, at least we could get a snug fit with minimal wobble.

Uninstalling the Tribute is super easy and requires little effort, and we experienced no complications, making a possible contender for scenarios where quick removal is helpful.

The forward-facing Tribute doesn't have a level indicator, and there is no color-coding or lock-off, but at least this seat is straightforward, and we could get it tight enough. The belt slides behind the back easily.

The fact that the design is so basic is a win here without much to bother with or adapt to. It did take a few tugs on the belt and some effort pushing in the seat as you retract the belt to get a tight fit, but it was achievable reasonably quickly. Stability is above average for the Tribute, but it isn't brag-worthy, and we wished we could get it just a bit tighter. We got a bit less wiggle in the second test car, so this could be car-dependent and shouldn't prevent someone on a budget from giving it a chance.

Ease of Use

The Tribute 5 is not an easy seat to use compared to other seats, but there is a chance you might not notice if you've never used another convertible car seat.

Harness

The harness buckle and chest clip are below average for the Tribute. Our testing and outside reviews all comment on the difficulty of the buckle and unbuckling. Finding a good hold on the prongs is challenging because they are small, and there isn't much plastic to hold onto. The prongs are easy to push in place but require slightly more force to release them. The buckle isn't padded, and access is easy. The chest clip has resistance putting on and taking off and was markedly harder to use than most of the competition.

Tightening the harness isn't as smooth as some of the competition, and the splitter plate location can create a lopsided tightening if you aren't careful. There is a bit of resistance when you pull because the webbing can come in folded on itself. It isn't a big deal and still works well, but it is different from higher-end competitors.

The harness height adjustment on the Tribute only has four levels for placement, which could limit how easy it is to fit the harness to your little ones at all stages. It is a rethread adjustment, and while the rethreading is pretty easy, the visibility isn't as good as it should be for a seat this basic.

LATCH Storage

LATCH storage is simplistic, with plastic clips on the side where you clip the connectors in place. The LATCH connectors are old-fashioned clip-style, but the open access makes it easy to connect and disconnect.

Cover

The cover on the Tribute comes off primarily in one piece, with the headrest being separate. It has a few snaps and a couple of loops, but that is all. You also need to unthread the harness to get the cover off, but everything is obvious and exposed, and nothing is hidden in a slot or under something else. The process is quick and easy.

Comfort/Quality

There isn't much to this inexpensive seat, and the price corresponds to the comfort and quality. It really is a barebones option with almost no padding, a flimsy cover, and a basic plastic shell. However, despite the disappointing performance here, we'd still choose this seat over more comfortable options with lower crash test analysis scores.

The metallic-looking material on the headrest and center portion of the seat has a plastic-type feel that probably isn't super breathable. It isn't rough on the skin, but it could be more skin-friendly instead of what might be sticky when little ones sweat. There is no infant insert with this option.

The headrest is markedly different from the competition and is a more expensive option. It's flat and completely unsupportive. It almost seems like it is there for looks instead of functionality for support of any kind. At some point, as your little one grows taller, you won't be able to use it at all, and we suspect no one will miss it.

The quality of the shell is less impressive than that of competitors. It is flimsy and easily scratches. Open areas on the shell show the exposed impact foam padding. Compared to the competition, it feels like a toy doll safety seat instead of a real one. The cup holder is open and relatively narrow, making it virtually useless for kid cups or a handful of snacks.

The reality of this inexpensive seat is the lower price comes with lower quality and comfort. However, despite our findings, it is important to remember it excelled in our crash test analysis, and this is not nothing and is certainly more important than fluffy padding.

Weight/Size

The Evenflo is lightweight and narrow, making it a contender for someone who wants a travel-friendly or narrow seat for crowded spaces. Given the crash test results, you won't sacrifice safety to make things work.

The Evenflo is 9.4 lbs, where the average is closer to 24 lbs. It measures 17.6 in compared to the average for the group of 18.6.

Should You Buy the Evenflo Tribute 5 ?

If your budget is uber-tight, you should absolutely have the Tribute 5 on your list of potentials. With some higher crash test analysis results and the lightest weight in the group, it is an excellent option for those who need to save money, want a second seat, or need something for travel without sacrificing safety. While this seat is not the right fit for everyone, as it lacks padding for comfort or features that are truly easy to use, we love a seat that provides an additional margin of safety at an unbelievable price.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?