UPPAbaby Knox Review

Family-owned UPPAbaby specializes in creating a variety of baby gear with a concentration on strollers and car seats. This American company pulls inspiration from family and has over a decade of experience creating baby-friendly products.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

This car seat earned a below-average crash test analysis score compared to the crash test sensor results from the competition. It isn't the lowest-scoring option, but it is still not impressive compared to higher-scoring seats.

While all seats in our review have passed federal safety guidelines and are considered safe, we hoped to identify those seats that stand out from the competition. To do this, we ran a faster test on a crash sled that aligns closer to the modern vehicle than that used in the federal testing.

We assumed we'd see a wider range of sensor data than we might using the federal standard. The Knox HIC and chest sensors recorded more G-forces than the average seat. Fewer G-forces are better, and the combined higher results for the Knox hurt its overall analysis score. While it wasn't the lowest performer, it was in the lower third of the convertible seats we tested.

Ease of Install - LATCH

With a LATCH installation score below the average, the Knox is neither easy nor super challenging to install using this method. The Knox has no lock-off, typically leading to more issues during installation than those with lock-offs or tensioners. There is a bead-in-liquid level indicator on both sides, and the LATCH connectors are push-style on a flexible strap.

The Knox has a lot of steps for LATCH installation, especially when you consider it is supposed to be the easier and more foolproof installation process. The LATCH strap pathway isn't apparent, and even the manual didn't clarify it.

The recline handle is on the back, which we like, and it is easy to adjust but doesn't go back very far. UPPAbaby does offer a setup video, which can help make things easier and answer common questions about installation.

A lot is going on with this seat, including unzipping fabric for the access you need and a relatively unique tether strap for the rear-facing configuration. We also had trouble getting the main LATCH strap tight enough and had to put a knee in the seat for leverage. The Knox is a big seat, and it was cumbersome to manipulate in tight back seats.

There is a color change indicator to let you know it is tight enough. It seems like a reassuring idea for nervous parents, but we struggled to get a complete switch to green. We were exhausted getting it to part green. It did feel pretty solid once installed.

The Knox is a big seat and more challenging to move around than many competitors. The pathway has insets, making moving the strap through more of a challenge, and you'll need the manual to confirm the path (always use the manual!). Pushing the car seat into the vehicle seat to tighten the strap takes a lot of effort and feels like a workout. Once installed, it feels secure, probably due to its size and tightening. Nothing for the Knox is overly hard, but a lot is going on, and it felt more convoluted than some of the easier-to-install seats we tested.

Ease of Install - Belt

The Knox continues to be challenging to install with the vehicle belt, with a score that is once again below average for the group but isn't as frustrating as those that lack features like a lock-off.

The rear-facing installation of the Knox includes a bead-in-water level indicator, a color-coded pathway, and a lock-off. The recline adjustment handle is on the back of the seat, which makes it easier to use and adjust without shifting the whole seat back and forth to check it. The color-coded pathway is a bonus, but the division of the shoulder and lap portions of the belt took some consideration.

The pathway has lock-off clips along with a directional pull slit underneath for the lap belt. The belt was easy to pull and get it where it needed to go without twisting, and there is a color indicator to reassure you it is tight enough. The wide, solid base and useful lock-off make it one of the more stable options we tested.

The Knox forward-facing installation has color coding and a slit-style lock-off. The indicator is confusing, and there isn't enough guidance to know how to use it for forward-facing. The lock-off is hard to work with and requires lots of shimmying of the strap to get things in place. If it isn't tight enough, you have to take it out, tighten it, keep it taunt, and then shimmy it back in place. Whew! It felt pretty stable, but the tightening hurt its overall score compared to top contenders.

Ease of Use

The Knox isn't that easy to use, but it isn't the hardest, and we suspect that while not a standout, parents who haven't tried anything else won't be overly frustrated.

Harness

This harness needs more webbing on the shoulder straps. They are relatively short, and it makes getting them around arms more of a challenge than it is with other seats. The crotch buckle comes up high, and it has a big button that is easy to press, and the prongs sort of pop out to help. The buckle button is easy to press, and the chest clip works smoothly.

The tightening strap has a curious loop on the end that isn't big enough for even petite fingers. It's not a big deal; you don't need it, but it seems strange. The strap is easy to pull, but it is shorter than most, and you can tell when using it that there is less webbing for fitting than the harness than most competitors. The button has sort of a double button with a plastic part over the lever that releases the strap. We had to push it back to get the strap to release. The Knox system is average compared to most of these tests.

Shoulder strap height adjustment is a non-rethread style adjustment with eight potential height options and one crotch strap. We worry that some of these seats with only one buckle strap position could make getting a snug fit more challenging. Getting the shoulder straps moving takes more effort than most, but it is relatively smooth once you get it going. It does have some resistance due to the padding on the sides.

LATCH Storage

LATCH connector storage is on the front of the seat, and there are a few buttons to operate to gain access, but it is still average for the group.

Cover

The slots on this attachment make it super hard to pull the cover off, and we somewhat damaged the fabric trying to get it off. Removal and replacement are below average for the Knox compared to the others we tested.

Comfort/Quality

Like other UPPAbaby products, the Knox is an impressive option for comfort and quality. The Knox has very good and better-than-average results in the sub-metrics within this metric.

The main seat and headrest are all the same fabric. It feels skin-friendly when tested on our cheeks. The infant insert also has smooth fabric and lush padding. There is an additional booster block with a foam pad, but nothing extra for the head area beyond the main cushy headrest.

The padding on the seat is somewhat lacking. When you pull up on the impressive headrest, the backside underneath doesn't offer much on the lower back. The sides are oddly super padded when the bottom area is not. This design feels like a misstep, given where you'd want more support.

The plastic shell is higher quality than most, and you can't see any scratches. It has a slight texture and is one of the best-looking in the group. There is one cup holder you can place on either side.

Weight/Size

The Knox is heavy at 31.4 lbs. Only a handful of seats are heavier; the lightest is closer to 9 lbs. If you plan to use it on travel or carpooling or need to carry it, we suspect it isn't the right choice for your needs.

It is also only average for width, with the GearLab measured width of 18.6 inches, which is the average for this review. Whether its weight or width will work for you, it is noteworthy that it is very top-heavy and will not stay upright unless it has weight in the seat or is securely installed.

Should You Buy the UPPAbaby Knox?

We love UPPAbaby, but the Knox did not meet our expectations of other products in the UPPAbaby lineup. With below-average performance in almost every test metric, it is hard to recommend this option, even for hardcore UPPAbaby lovers (we see you!). Except for comfort and quality, which is on par with our expectations for this brand, the Knox struggled to meet the average scores of the competition, and we were left feeling uninspired. The lower crash test analysis result and higher price sealed the deal that this is not a seat we think many families will love.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?

The Graco 4Ever DLX is the best all-around seat in this lineup. It has the best crash test analysis results and a comfy seating area with a non-rethread harness and dual cup holders. Parents will find it easy to install, and it has a reasonable price that is average for this group of competitors. If price is an issue, the Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 should also be considered, as it has a very similar metric makeup to the 4Ever but has a lower budget-friendly price. If your goal is the highest-scoring seat and money isn't a factor, the Nuna Rava has impressive performance in crash testing, ease of installation, and more. The only drawback here is the unusually high price and perhaps the bigger size.

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