Nuna Exec Car Seat Review: Real User & Expert Ratings (2025)

Key Takeaways

• This all-in-one car seat is one of the most expensive on the market

• Accommodates newborn through booster-seat stage

• Installs easily

The Nuna Exec car seat comes with a hefty price tag, which naturally leads parents to wonder about its value. It’s designed as an all-in-one car seat that can be used from birth all the way up to 110 lbs. But, what does it look like when put to the test? Is it user-friendly? Does it really have the staying power that its stats suggest, or are parents better off buying different seats for different phases? We’re breaking down the good and the not-so-good with a look at how the Nuna Exec functions in daily use.

Full transparency: we're a car seat brand ourselves, but when it comes to standout baby gear, we're fans first, competitors second. So here's our honest take on Nuna Exec Car Seat—what they got right, what could be better, and what it means for you.

Nuna Exec Car Seat: Quick Verdict

 

Who Nuna Exec Car Seat Works Best For 

 

The Nuna Exec car seat works well for those who can afford to invest in a top-of-the-line, all-in-one car seat. It’s pretty straightforward to install in all its iterations, although the booster max height is a bit limited. 

It’s unlikely you’d truly be able to use the Exec for as long as you ought to keep your child in a booster. 

Nuna Exec Car Seat Key Features and Specs

 

• All steel frame and reinforced belt path

• Adjustable anti-rebound panel and leg rest combination

• Children can remain rear facing up to 50 lbs

• Energy absorbing foam and side impact protection (SIP) pods take side impact security to the next level

• Infant head and body inserts are removable to grow with baby

• No rethread five-point harness easily stores inside the seat for booster mode

• Ventilation panels within the shell 

• Recline angle guides to ensure proper installation

Pricing

 

The Nuna Exec car seat starts at $780. 

Nuna Exec Car Seat Pros

 

As to be expected in a high-end car seat, the Nuna Exec has several features that make it an excellent choice.

Longevity

 

One of the most appealing aspects of the Nuna Exec is its longevity. It can be used from 5 lbs up to 110 lbs, which can make it feel like a worthwhile investment.

Ease of Installation

 

The Nuna Exec is easy to install rear or forward facing and conversion between the modes is fairly straightforward.

Extended Rear Facing

 

It’s safest for children to ride rear facing for as long as possible. With a weight limit of 50 lbs rear facing, the Nuna Exec allows for a longer window than some other car seats do.

Nuna Exec Car Seat Cons

 

While its feature list is robust, there are a few drawbacks parents will want to consider.

Limited Booster Height

 

It’s standard for 3-in-1 car seats to be a bit more limited in height when used as a booster, so it’s not surprising that the Nuna Exec is as well. However, for the price, a bit more height would’ve been nice so that it can truly be the only car seat a family needs.

Price

 

There’s no getting around it; the Nuna Exec is an expensive (one of the most expensive, actually) car seat. Budget minded parents might be better off buying different car seats for different phases.

Hard to Clean

 

Any parent will tell you that car seat accidents happen. Diapers leak, motion sickness or illness hit, drinks and snacks are spilled. 

While the Nuna Exec’s seat cover is easy to remove and washes well, the harness isn’t and the plastic shell underneath has numerous crevices that are hard to thoroughly clean.

Nuna Exec Car Seat Customer Reviews and User Ratings 

 

Hearing directly from customers and users themselves can be a great way to evaluate a car seat.

Positive Reviews

 

• “Easy to install.” - Car Seat Blog

• “It’s quite plush, it’s easy to install, and the harness is pretty darn smooth.” - Car Seats for the Littles

Negative Reviews

 

• “Initially I was really happy with the exec because of the extended rear facing weight limit of 50 pounds, however because the seat is so narrow, and even with the foot rest functioning as an anti-rebound bar - trying to extend it as far as possible, my daughter still felt extremely cramped.” - Reddit

• “The foot cover that keeps the foot pad clean hides the buckle, and gets bunchy. Everything was always bunchy and HELD the crumbs/dirt.” - Reddit

Nuna Exec Car Seat Alternatives

 

For parents who are put off by the Nuna Exec’s price tag or unsure about its staying power, here are some other options to consider.

Orbit Baby G5 Convertible Car Seat

 

The Orbit Baby G5 convertible car seat is designed for use rear or forward facing. It accommodates children from 15 to 65 lbs, and can rotate into position when used rear-facing. 

Like the Nuna Exec, its narrow profile makes it a good option for seating three car seats across. Unlike most convertible car seats, it can also be undocked and used on Orbit Baby’s G5 stroller as well.

Graco ExtendtoFit 3-in-1 

 

Parents who like the convenience of the Exec’s 3-in-1 format but not the price tag, this option from Graco could be a good fit. It’s not as plush or comfortable as the Exec, but with a price tag nearly $500 less, that’s to be expected. 

Nuna Exec Car Seat or the Orbit Baby Car Seat?

 

Car seats are always a bit of an investment. They’re one of the most expensive items of baby gear that a parent will purchase, so it’s natural to want to ensure you’re getting good value for your money. 

The Nuna Exec can be appealing as a 3-in-1 car seat. However, parents may want to consider the shortened lifespan of its booster phase, as well as the wear and tear a car seat goes through when used for years. If those drawbacks give a parent pause, they might want to consider a convertible car seat like the Orbit Baby G5.