Diono Monterey XT Fix Expandable High back Booster Car Seat with Expandable Height and Width, Group 2/3 (4 to 12 Years Approx, 15-36 kg), Gray Dark

Product Information

We can find the key specs and features of Diono Monterey 4DXT and Monterey XT in the table of similarities and differences below. It’s important for us to look at their specs and features before we can talk more about their key differences. The diono Monterey XT Fix Booster Car Seat is a really flexible car seat ideal for growing children. It has an extending headrest which can be adapted into 11 different positions and the seat has a really easy one-handed height adjustment.

The Monterey XT includes lower anchor connectors. While they aren’t required for use, they do secure the booster in the vehicle when it’s not in use. They also secure the bottom portion of the booster in place when the child is climbing in and out. The other folding booster seat in our family’s fleet is the the hifold by mifold. You can read my full hifold review for tons of info. While the Monterey 5iST FixSafe is about making a traditional booster seat more compact and somewhat more travel-worthy, the hifold puts the travel aspect first. The underside of the bottom is not smooth and could cause wear on your vehicle seat over time if you don't use a protective mat. While some might argue that the quality is on par with the lower price, at least one competitor scored higher for quality and costs less. Should You Buy the Monterey XT? But being a research nerd, I relished the challenge of finding the best seat for my needs. And in the process, I gathered a ton of info!The Monterey XT’s lower anchors are not required and can only be used in vehicles where the lower anchors align directly behind the connectors on the Monterey XT. You shouldn’t use the lower anchor connectors on a booster in a vehicle seating position with offset anchors, as the booster won’t be positioned correctly for the seat belt to fit properly. The Diono Headrest/height adjusts from behind and may need to be done prior to installation and before the child is in the seat. In addition to the stated limits, there are some physical limits that come into play with booster seats. On the small end, we found that our younger child didn’t get a good fit in her other Diono booster seat until she was around 43″ since she’s more legs than torso. Fortunately the 5iST gets a lot smaller! I think she would have been just fine around 40″ since the lowest belt guide height I measured is 13.5″. You can see here how the 5iST compares to its cousin the Diono Monterey 4DXT in their smallest sizes. Not only does the headrest adjust but the seat has a 6″ deep sidewall expansion. Simply turn the dial at the rear of the car seat to expand or reduce the sidewalls. This is a fantastic feature and will accommodate children who have wider frames and will also be good for when children wear extra layers in the winter. I love how versatile this car booster seat is. It could be used for any child who needs a Group 2 or 3 car booster seat and can be adapted to suit a different child within a few minutes.

I have to say that from a subjective perspective I’m really impressed with the Monterey 5iST, and my kids are as well. Nothing is perfect so here’s my personal list of Diono Monterey 5iST advantages and disadvantages: Diono Monterey 5iST advantages The Monterey XT is a well-fitting option for any child who is ready to ride in a booster seat, especially those with larger builds and those who prefer some extra padding. The Monterey XT is easy to install and use. The lower anchor connectors, cup holders, and adjustable width make the Monterey XT uniquely customizable to fit a wide variety of passengers. While it is bulky and won’t work well in a three across situation, the Diono Monterey XT is a great option for bigger littles and littles who prefer extra padding. If you’re considering the Diono Monterey 5iST for kids near the upper end of the size range, you won’t be disappointed! The side wings automatically widen as you raise the head rest, giving lots of room for growing shoulders. Diono boosters are deservedly known as great options for broad kids and this one is no exception. This time, Design Center for the Baden-Württemberg International Design Award Focus Open awarded Monterey® 5iST FixSafe™ winner of the Gold Focus Open 2021.Diono won prestigious iF DESIGN AWARDS in product design for the Monterey® 5iST FixSafe™ chosen by the 98-member jury, made up of independent experts from all over the world in 2021 and 2022. A collection of posts taking part in the Me and Mine photography project; a monthly family portrait to treasure and to capture the memories Me and Mine The diono Monterey XT Fix Booster Car Seat is a forward-facing Group 2 and Group 3 car seat which means it is suitable for children who weigh between 15 – 36kg (generally aged between 3 and 12 years old and up to a maximum height of 150cm tall). Flexible features Thread the shoulder belt into the red guide. It’s wide enough to avoid most seatbelt retraction issues, while the little metal gate should avoid the shoulder belt slipping out accidentally. Nice! Honouring the first collaboration between Diono and Berlin based design studio, WhiteID, Monterey® 5iST FixSafe™ combined our signature world-class American engineering with forward-thinking, edgy European design to create the next generation of child car seat. Monterey® 5iST FixSafe™ continued to turn heads across Europe, catching the attention of industry experts and innovators of the technology of tomorrow.