The Evenflo Tribute Sport convertible car seat is a basic and inexpensive seat that is only good for seldom use (i.e. spare car seat). Without further ado, here are the highs and the lows.
Evenflo Tribute Sport*
Ideal Use
| Rear-Facing Weight: | 5-40 pounds |
| Forward-Facing Weight: | 22-40 pounds |
| Rear-Facing Height Requirement: | 19 to 37 inches |
| Forward-Facing Height Requirement: | 28 to 40 inches |
Evenflo’s official site clearly states that your child must be at least one year of age in order to start using the Evenflo Tribute Sport car seat. The thing is, one-year-old children, come in different weights and heights.
To be safe, make sure your child is at least 19 inches when first using this seat. That is the minimum height you can put your child onto this seat rear-facing until they reach the maximum height of 40 inches when forward-facing.
Good All-In-One Car Seats
Will It Fit In My Car?
| Width | 18.5 inches |
| Height | 25.5 inches |
| Depth/Length | 22 inches |
One thing to take note of is that the edges of the base have a tendency to dig into your car’s seat. If you will be having this permanently installed in your car, there will be a tendency to leave deep grooves in your vehicle’s seat.
Best to get a seat protector.*
Good Two Way Car Seats
Installation
| Do I need to use a pool noodle/rolled towel? | Yes |
| Easy To Install Rear-Facing? | LATCH – Relatively
Seatbelt – Yes |
| Easy To Install Forward-Facing? | Yes* |
| Easy To Uninstall? | LATCH – No
Seatbelt – Yes |
Rear-facing mode installation would need you to use pool noodles or rolled towels. If you install it using the LATCH, it would be good to leave the car seat permanently in the car. Using the LATCH installation makes it extremely difficult to remove the seat. A good thing at one point since it only means that your child will stay safe in the event of an accident.
*The easiest way to install it in forward-facing mode is by using the lap/shoulder belt instead of the LATCH.
Remember, if you need to keep on changing vehicles, it would be a pain to uninstall unless you are using a seatbelt installation.
Safety
| Country Of Origin: | USA |
| Steel Frame: | No |
| Five-Point Harness? | Yes |
| Side Impact Tested: | Yes |
| Approved For Airplane Use: | Yes |
| Easy To Buckle And Unbuckle? | Yes |
Check Out The Colors*
The Seat
| Is The Material Breathable? | Yes |
| Seat Weight: | 9.1 pounds |
| Machine Washable Cover? | Yes |
| Roomy? | Yes |
| No-Rethread Harness? | No |
| Comes With An Infant Body Support? | No |
| Easy To Remove Cover? | Yes |
| Expiration | 6 years |
| Comes With A Cup Holder? | Yes |
| Shoulder Harness Has Pads? | No |
| Leg Straps Has Pads? | No |
The seat comes with a thin and wipeable fabric. Should you need to remove the car seat cover for washing, it’s easy to do so.
Because the padding is quite thin, it may not be comfortable for long rides.
You will need to manually remove the harness straps and re-feed them to the next suitable slot as your child grows.
The shoulder straps do not have pads for additional comfort. However, for the price, it is good that it still comes with a cup holder.
Conclusion
Although you can get a separate newborn insert, it is best not to use the Evenflo Tribute sport for newborns and tiny babies. It can recline, yes, but it can only do so subtly. If your child is still young and cannot yet support their necks, it would be dangerous for your little one. Bottomline: It is too upright for a young baby.
I feel it is best to start to use this seat when they are at least 19 inches. Make sure they can already comfortably support their neck without getting bothered by how “upright” the seat is.
The Tribute Sport car seat is okay to be an extra car seat. It’s good for the price point if you plan to use it for your toddler only occasionally and for short distances.
The Evenflo Tribute Sport is very similar to the Evenflo Tribute LX.* Should you need a cheaper spare car seat that is easier to install, I highly suggest you check my review of the Tribute LX.
Alternatively, I highly suggest that you check out the feedbacks of parents who bought this to see what else they have to say.
Check Out The Evenflo Tribute Sport Reviews*
What Do You Think?
Is this good enough for a temporary seat?
I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Cheers!
*affiliate links
You’re wrong about 1-year-old:
Link to Manual:
Child Requirements:
5 to 40 lbs
19 to 37 in.
Hi Eoin,
Thank you for taking time to leave your thoughts. I also know that the above figures are the weight and height requirements. However, if you research around (reviews, forums), you’ll find a common feedback about it being too upright for newborn and younger babies.
Happy New Year!
Regards,
Christine
Thank you so much for your very thorough review of this car seat! Just wanted to say thanks. I think I will check out your other reviews, as this doesn’t sound like what I need.
Hi Greg,
You’re welcome. There are so far four convertible car seats that really stood out for me based on my research. The following are the links to my reviews if you are keen to know more about them.
These seats are good until booster mode:
Safety 1st Grow and Go 3-in-1 Car Seat
Graco 4ever All-in-One Convertible Car Seat
Diono RadianRXT Convertible Car Seat
However, what I personally like most is the Evenflo Symphony DLX Convertible Car Seat.
Alternatively, you can keep on looking if you are not happy with my suggestions.
Here’s the link to my other convertible car seats reviews.
Regards,
Pitin
This is really a great review for the Evenflo Tribute Sport Convertible car seat. You have given all the facts including the not so great ones, like the fact that it will leave deep grooves in your seat. But I am thinking that most of them will do that. And I don’t like the idea of having a car seat that converts for older children. Personally, I prefer a seat like this, geared toward the age of the child. This is a great model!
Hi there,
Preferences really differ. 🙂 On my part, I would like to use an infant car seat first too. It will make me mobile on my first child’s first few months to a year instead of having to leave the car seat in the car.
After which I would jump to getting a convertible car seat that I can use the longest (booster mode of up to 100 plus pounds if possible), instead of the ones that only accommodate ’til forward-facing (usually up to 65 pounds).
Getting a 2-way car convertible car seat like this is of course okay, too. After which you can switch to booster when your child outgrows it.
As long as the seat is easy to install, comfortable for the child and of course, safe to use.
Regards,
Pitin