NUNA recently released a new all-in-one car seat called the EXEC that I have been dying to try. If you know NUNA, they are known for their stylish, practical, safe, and high-quality products thoughtfully designed for today’s families. If you’re familiar with their brand and products, I’m sure you’ve at some point seen or heard of their Pipa infant car seat (and their Pipa Lite), their RAVA convertible car seat (read our review of the RAVA convertible car seat), or their AACE booster seat. Now they have an amazing all-in-one car seat that I’m excited to show you. I got to test out their new EXEC car seat, and I’m sharing all the details you need to know and some safety tips all parents should keep in mind.
The EXEC from NUNA
NUNA’s new all-in-one car seat may be the only car seat your child will ever need and the car seat you have been looking for. The EXEC has 3 modes: rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster. It is similar to their RAVA convertible car seat, but it also converts to a booster seat, which makes it an all-in-one car seat. Incredibly, the EXEC is usable from five to 120 lbs! Many new parents don’t realize there is an option like this and invest in an infant car seat first. They quickly realize that their child will outgrow their infant-only seat at around 8 to 12 months old and that they will need to invest in another car seat. Some parents prefer an infant car seat first, but it’s good to know that all-in-one car seats are just as safe for your little ones. This is why I love the EXEC. It ensures your child will ride safely and comfortably well into grade school. The EXEC is exec-tly what I’ve been looking for. 🙂
Specs
The NUNA EXEC is 22.5″ long, 18.5″ wide, and 26–33″ tall (depending on how high you adjust the headrest). It weighs 26.6 pounds, slightly less than the RAVA at 27.2 pounds.
Quality & Safety
What I have always loved about NUNA is their attention to detail, their high safety standards, and their phenomenal product quality. The EXEC is no different. This all-in-one has Aeroflex™ side impact protection, energy-absorbing EPP foam, and an all-steel frame with reinforced belt paths (one for rear-facing and one for forward-facing) for complete security.
Each element of this car seat is sourced to be flame resistant with no added fire retardant chemicals. The body and head inserts are made of merino wool. They also come with an additional GOTS-certified organic cotton insert and a quilted slipcover for the anti-rebound panel/footrest. NUNA claims that their EXEC all-in-one car seat gives your child their first chance at experiencing first class. Now I can see why.
Features
The NUNA EXEC is packed with amazing features.
- Simply™ secure installation
- Aeroflex™ side impact protection system
- Converts from rear-facing to forward-facing to booster mode
- 8 reclining positions
- 12-position head support
- Multi-functional and adjustable anti-rebound panel and leg rest
- True tension™ doors for an ultra-secure fit
- Merino wool + GOTS™ certified organic cotton fabric inserts
- Ventilation panels and breathable knit fabric
- Dual flip-open cupholders
- No-rethread five-point harness
- Magnet harness keepers
- Spring touch shoulder belt guide
- Washable covers
Installation
Did you know three out of four car seats are incorrectly used or installed?4 That’s terrifying to discover. Road injuries are the leading cause of unintentional, preventable deaths and injuries to children in the United States. By correctly using our child’s safety seat, we can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent! This is why we must read the instruction manual and ensure we correctly install our children’s car seats.
I believe many car seats can be difficult and confusing to install, which is one reason why car seats are installed incorrectly. Parents are guessing, working up a sweat, and assuming that what they have done is correct or good enough for installation. This is why it’s great to find a car seat that has an easy installation, and that is why I like and recommend the EXEC from NUNA. Their Simply™ secure installation with their True tension™ doors ensures an ultra-secure fit without the struggle. They make it super simple for parents to correctly install their little ones’ car seats, ultimately giving them major peace of mind while on the road. You’ll be positive you’ve properly secured the car seat with your most precious cargo.
Open the True tension™ door.
Guide the seat belt and buckle through the belt path under the True tension™ door.
Tighten the seat belt and then close the True tension™ door to install. Finally, lock the vehicle shoulder belt – see your vehicle owner’s manual on how to achieve this, but it may be as easy as pulling the shoulder belt all the way out, and then it automatically converts to locking or ratcheting mode – which is a mode designed for child restraint use.
Grows with Your Child
The NUNA EXEC truly grows with your child. You can use it from day one with your child (as little as 5 pounds) up to 120 pounds and 57 inches, which makes it the only car seat you will ever need.
Rear-Facing
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that infants and toddlers ride in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible.1 It’s encouraged not to switch when your child turns two years old and to wait until your child has reached the maximum weight or height your car seat allows.
With the NUNA EXEC, your child can ride rear-facing from 5 pounds to 50 pounds with a maximum height of 49 inches.
Forward-Facing
Once your child has exceeded those measurements, you can turn the NUNA EXEC to forward-facing. The AAP recommends using a forward-facing car seat with a harness for as long as possible.1 This means until they reach that seat’s height and weight limits.
With the NUNA EXEC, your child can ride forward-facing with the harness from 25 pounds to 65 pounds with a maximum height of 49 inches. (Installing with the seatbelt is the preferred method of installation.)
Booster
When children exceed these limits, AAP recommends using a belt-positioning booster seat until the vehicle’s lap and shoulder seat belt fits properly.1 NHTSA also recommends keeping our children in booster seats until they are big enough to fit in a seat belt properly.2 They say for a seat belt to fit properly, the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snug across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face and should stay in the back seat since it’s safer there.
With the NUNA EXEC, your child can ride in the booster mode from 40 pounds to 120 pounds, between 38″ and 57″, and for all ages 4+.
I tried the EXEC with multiple children of different ages and sizes. We were able to find a perfect fit for each child. With the 8-position recline (4 positions for rear-facing and 4 for forward-facing), height-adjustable 12-position head support, and adjustable anti-rebound panel/ leg rest, each could comfortably and safely use the EXEC.
Convenience Features
No-rethread five-point harness
Ensuring your child is harnessed properly when buckling up is always important. The EXEC has a 5-point no-rethread harness that is easy to use with just one hand. Let’s face it, moms usually have to do everything with one hand, so this is amazing. It grows and will fit well with your growing riders.
I also love how the harness easily stores inside the seat for booster mode.
Dual flip-open cupholders
Who doesn’t want an extra cupholder? I love how these can easily be flipped down when not in use.
Magnet harness keepers
Now, these things are cool! Located on the sides of the seat, you will find the magnet harness keepers. These keep your buckles away from the seat as you get your child situated in the car seat. So quick and easy. Love them!
Washable covers = Easy cleaning
The seat cover, infant insert, and harness covers are all machine washable. 🙂 Car seats can get gross, and every parent loathes cleaning the car seat. When cleaning them is this simple, it is no longer a headache. Here is the EXEC care instructions manual for more information on cleaning.
Spring touch shoulder belt guide
When your child graduates to the booster seat and can use the shoulder belt, you’ll see that the EXEC has a spring touch shoulder belt guide. This helps with proper belt routing for big kids and makes the transition super simple.
You can fit three across!
Many convertible and all-in-one car seats are really bulky, but not the NUNA EXEC. This will fit three across most mid-sized vehicles. I absolutely love that. Its compact size allows your newborn, toddler, and big kid to sit together safely in their seats, side by side.
Comfort Features
8 reclining positions
12-position head support
Multi-functional and adjustable anti-rebound panel and leg rest
The anti-rebound panel also acts as an adjustable leg rest while in the forward-facing position. The kids we tested it on really liked it and called it their “recliner.” I particularly like this because it can be extended for kids with longer legs.
When rear-facing, it acts as an anti-rebound panel which is very similar to an anti-rebound bar.3 I love this extra convenient safety feature.
Merino wool + GOTS™ certified organic cotton fabric inserts
Car seats can get hot and so can our little ones when riding in them. It’s great that NUNA thought of this and added breathable merino wool inserts and airflow-advancing ventilation panels. This keeps our children more comfortable as they ride along.
Who Would Benefit from the EXEC?
I think several types of parents and family members would benefit from and love the EXEC.
- Eco-conscious parents — for parents who care about the environment and are not wanting to create more waste, this is the car seat for you. You will not have to purchase another car seat. One and done!
- Minimalists — if you are all about living with less and getting rid of excess stuff, the EXEC is an excellent choice. This car seat will work for any of your children as they grow.
- Parents with taller children — the EXEC can accommodate a taller child compared to the RAVA. If you have a taller child, this is worth looking into.
- Second car/ primary caretaker — if you’re a mom and you want the convenience of an infant car seat when your child is an infant but don’t want to buy two bases and then two convertible car seats, I recommend buying one infant car seat for your car and your partner having the NUNA EXEC all-in-one. This car seat will accommodate your child as they grow.
- Grandparents — if you’re a grandparent, you might have more than one grandchild. Having the EXEC in your car means that no matter which grandchild you visit, you can have them ride in your vehicle safely.
Now You May Want One, But Where Can You Get It?
The NUNA EXEC is found at various retailers, including Pottery Barn Kids and Nordstrom.
What colors does it come in?
They have two color options: Cavier (black — the one I tested) and Granite (dark gray). They will likely expand their colors in the future.
How much is it?
The NUNA EXEC costs $750 I know that the price is high, but I can understand why. Its high quality, safety features, convenience, and comfort features definitely make it a higher-priced product. The price may deter some, but think of it this way. If you were to buy an infant car seat, convertible car seat, and a booster, it would come out to about the same, if not more. And are those seats meeting the same type of quality? It’s also no more expensive than buying the RAVA convertible car seat and AACE booster seat separately. Either way, you’re investing in your child’s safety and must determine what that price is worth.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love the NUNA EXEC all-in-one car seat. The features are fantastic, the quality is incredible, and I appreciate that it is completely free of fire-retardant chemicals. I will be recommending this car seat to parents for years to come. Or until NUNA comes out with a newer model. 😉
