I’ve decided to document how various combination (harness/booster) seats fit my youngest son in booster mode. In these photos he is 5-years-old, 46 lbs and 45 1/2″ tall. He’s at the size where most parents would be thinking about switching from the 5-pt harness to the vehicle’s lap/shoulder belt in booster mode if they had this particular seat. Even though the Evenflo 
Symphony65 has a 65 lb weight limit for the 5-point harness (please note: the original Symphony model is only rated to 40 lbs), realistically most kids will probably outgrow the harness by height before reaching that weight. While technically he still fits height-wise in the 5-point harness, he’s close to being too tall for it. He’s also well within the age and size range to use this seat in booster mode. As with all the previous combo seat as booster reviews that I’ve done – I’ve used the same seating position in my van – driver’s side captain’s chair in a 2005 Ford Freestar.
The IIHS booster study compared the fit of various boosters using the 6-year-old Hybrid lll dummy who weighs 51.6 lbs (23.41 kg) and has a standing height of almost 45″. In the most recent round of IIHS booster fit testing, the Symphony65 model was rated a “Good Bet”. After seeing the belt fit on my son (whose size is currently comparable to the 6 year old Hybrid III dummy) I would have to agree. Actually, I think the belt fit on my child in my vehicle using the Symphony65 is better than good – I think it rocks!
In these pictures the adjustable headrest is positioned above his shoulders in the 3rd tallest height position (there are a total of 4 height positions for the headrest). The seat is adjusted to the fully upright position (#3), which is the required position for booster mode.
The Good: Everything – in this situation. Lap belt is low, touching the tops of his thighs (no where near his soft abdominal area). Shoulder belt is positioned properly across his collar bone and making contact with his chest. Head support for sleeping seemed adequate and my son thought the seat was comfortable.
The Bad: Honestly, the only negative I can comment on is that it doesn’t adjust very high. It definitely won’t accommodate most kids until they’re tall enough to pass the 5-Step Test and ride without a booster. This means you will probably still need to purchase another booster seat after this one is outgrown. Officially, the seat is rated to 100 lbs and up to 57″ tall in booster mode but that’s a pipe dream as far as I’m concerned.
Bottom Line: Based on Ulrike’s positive review of the original Symphony model, the 8-year lifespan, plus the increased weight limit on the 5-point harness of this newest model – I’d say we finally have a good 3-in-1 seat to recommend for those parents who really want a seat that can be used rear-facing, forward-facing and as a booster. Just don’t expect it to fit your child for as long as most dedicated boosters will.
I have this seat and mine says the base is suppose to be removed after 40 pounds or while using in booster mode. We took our base off today and it fits even better without it on there. Love this seat by the way.
I’ll try to include some info on potential RF height accommodation when I post a more general review of this CR in the near future.
As for lifespan – it’s 8 years. The Sym65 that I have has a DOM of 12/3/2009 and the stamp on the back says DO NOT USE AFTER 2017.
Does the seat have a standard six-year expiration? If so, it seems like a parent who bought it when their baby was around a year (after outgrowing the infant seat) would be able to use it pretty much until it expired, at which point they could move their child to an inexpensive backless booster (obviously high back would be better, but we know the less expensive option is always appealing). Could be an economical option!
I like this seat! So glad it works well as a booster.
Thank you, Kecia! Do you have any idea how much torso room that 2nd position gives? Is it reasonable to think a three year old could fit rear facing in it?
Love how low the lap belt is! I really want to get this seat for my mom since she has grandkids to take with her that are various sizes.
According to the instructions on pg 14 of the Sym65 manual – Child Requirements (in RF position)
Weight: 5-35 lbs
Height: Top of head is at least 1″ below top of headrest in either of its two lowest positions
Regarding the base – it isn’t removeable.
HTH!
I can’t believe the base isn’t removable! Smh
I couldn’t tell… do you have to remove the base for use as a booster… and if so, did you do that?
Great review!
Can anyone with a Symphony 65 confirm that you can use it rear facing with the slot in the second position, and if so, how tall of a child will that generally accommodate? If it could get a kid to 3 years rear facing by height, at least, I’d be very happy to recommend this seat.
Thanks Kecia! I always recommend this seat where I work, and it’s a very popular seller. It’s pretty easy to point out how the belt will fit better, and how the belts on the pictures of a certain competing brand, even on their own hang tags!, don’t fit well, and convince parents of the better seat to buy if they intend to use it as a booster later 🙂
Nice fit!
Now if only they could fix the problemw with that stupid LATCH– in about 3/4 of cars I’ve put it in, the LATCH gave me problems. Do that, and make the booster go a bit higher, and I’d, well, not have such animosity toward it. :p
Great to know that we finally have a 3-in-1 seat that actually works well at all three stages!
As always, thanks Kecia for a thorough and informative review. wow, so Evenflo *finally* managed to make a combo seat that provides good belt fit as a booster! Maybe there’s hope that they can modify the Generations and Maestro so that they’ll be decent boosters.