Nuna TODL car seat review: a rotating car seat with slide-out BASE curv and a Good ADAC rating

The Nuna TODL car seat works well with the Nuna BASE curv

How we tested the Nuna TODL car seat

• Tested with a 15-month-old child

• Used daily as the main car seat on both short and longer journeys

• Tested primarily in rear-facing mode

• Moved between more than one car to test portability and reinstallation

Anna used the Nuna TODL as her child’s everyday car seat, testing it across both short trips and longer journeys, with the seat mainly installed in the family’s main car throughout. “We chose to put it into the main car as we could tell straight away that it was fantastic quality and would best suit the longer journeys,” she says.

Although she used it rear-facing throughout testing, she noted that “it looks great for forward facing as well.” She also removed and reinstalled the seat in another vehicle a few times to test how manageable it was to move between cars, finding the process straightforward. “We have removed the car seat a few times so we can put it in a different car, and it is very easy. Instructions are included and they were very clear,” she adds.

After testing was complete, Anna scored the Nuna TODL and BASE curv on eight key criteria, including: performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety and stability, comfort and adjustability. This gave a total score of 96 out of 100, which then translated to a five-star rating overall.

What’s in the box: Nuna TODL car seat

• Nuna TODL car seat

• Merino wool infant head and body inserts

• Removable support wedge

The BASE curv is sold separately and was included in Anna’s test setup.

Nuna BASE curv

• Nuna BASE curv ISOFIX base

• Integrated load leg

• Latch guides

• User guide storage pocket

The BASE curv is the rotating ISOFIX base compatible with the NEXT system, designed to work with the Nuna TODL car seat (and other compatible seats). It includes the ProxiPivot sliding rotation system, smart-swivel lock, and colour indicators to confirm correct installation.

Nuna TODL car seat: How easy is it to install?

Very. Anna found the installation process quick and straightforward from the start. “The assembly of the car seat and ISOFIX base was incredibly simple. The base was very easy to install in the car and took less than five minutes,” she says.

Fitting the system involves clicking the ISOFIX connectors into the car’s anchor points, adjusting the load leg for stability, and securing the seat until the colour indicators confirm everything is correctly in place. Once installed, the seat clicks on and off the BASE curv with ease, which she felt made everyday use more convenient. “The car seat slides onto the base and feels very secure,” she explains.

While the base itself is on the heavier side, Anna still found it manageable. “The base was easy to install and un-install. Although its heavy, it’s easy enough to get out the car if you need to put it into a different car,” she adds.

The Nuna TODL car seat is available in Caviar and Chestnut

How does it look?

Anna felt the Nuna TODL car seat and BASE curv had a smart, premium finish in use, noting: “The car seat looks very smart and is aesthetically pleasing! We tested the dark grey colour (known as Chestnut) and it’s a lovely colour – we have a dull blue car and they complement each other.”

She also felt the seat had a soft, cushioned feel all around. “The seat is made from luxe fabrics and memory foam to make it extra cosy!” she says. Breathability wasn’t a standout feature for Anna, although she didn’t see it as a fault unique to this model. “Our child has been quite sweaty in the car in the warm weather, but I wouldn’t say any more than any other car seat,” she says.

Nuna TODL’s shell includes ventilation panels to help air circulate, but it also uses removable inserts and patented Tailor tech™ memory foam, along with EPP energy-absorbing foam and Steel Strength Technology™, all of which add structure and protection but can feel warmer in hot conditions.

In terms of practical design, the Nuna TODL is available in Caviar (black) and Chestnut (grey), which keeps things simple but limits colour choice. The base system itself is also fairly substantial, weighing in at around 8g (14kg with the base), which is worth bearing in mind if you plan to move it between vehicles.

The Nuna TODL harness is a 5-point, no-rethread system designed for ease of use

What are the safety features like?

In terms of safety features, the Nuna TODL system is well supported. It holds a Good (2.3) ADAC rating, which adds extra reassurance from independent testing, alongside a strong set of built-in safety features.

During testing, Anna felt the seat itself was solid and well protected, with side impact protection and supportive newborn inserts helping to give her confidence from day one. “It is sturdy, with the side impact protection pod, as well as sufficient padding and inserts for when your children are younger, plus padding on the five-point harness,” she explains.

In everyday use, she also found the harness simple to work with without it feeling restrictive. “Even with the extra padding and the safety aspects, you can quickly strap your child in when in a rush and know they are safe,” she adds.

The system is R129 certified, allowing extended rear-facing use from birth up to 105cm (and under 18.5kg), with forward-facing from 76–105cm. A no-rethread five-point harness with magnetic buckle holder means the seat adjusts as your child grows without constant re-threading. True Lock™ ISOFIX installation and a reinforced shell help keep the seat securely in place, while the headrest and harness expand together to support each stage of development.

One point Anna did flag is ensuring the rotation locks fully when returning to rear-facing mode. “However, make sure the car seat is clicked into the correct position when you push it back round to rearward facing – it is incredibly smooth, but sometimes, if pushed too hard, it doesn’t click in straight away,” she notes.

What’s the Nuna TODL car seat like to use day-to-day?

In everyday life, the Nuna TODL system is straightforward to live with, particularly when it comes to moving between journeys and getting your child in and out of the car.

“We have a large car and have had no issues fitting it into the back of the car - there is plenty of room to turn around the car seat and for my child to sit comfortably. It is easy to uninstall and install the car seat to the base,” Anna says.

That ease of use is helped by the rotating design and the fact the seat clicks on and off the base without too much faff, which makes school runs and quick trips feel more manageable once it’s installed. That said, it is worth noting the overall weight. At around 14kg combined with the base, it’s on the heavier side, so it’s not something you’ll want to be lifting in and out of the car regularly.

In terms of stroller use, the Nuna TODL seat itself is designed to be compatible with pushchairs from the Nuna NEXT system when used with the appropriate adapters and base setup, so it can work as part of a travel system if you want that flexibility.

The Nuna TODL has five recline positions

How comfortable is it?

Very. In fact, comfort is one of the areas where the Nuna TODL really works well day to day, according to Anna. “My son sleeps like a dream in this car seat – however remember to tip the seat otherwise their head will tip forward. It looks so comfy, you sometimes forget it isn’t in a reclined position!”

The Nuna TODL offers five recline positions in both rear- and forward-facing modes, including deep recline angles designed to support sleep and comfort on longer journeys, while the six-position headrest adjusts alongside the harness as your child grows. In practical terms, that adjustability makes a big difference as your child grows, helping you find a more settled position for naps or longer journeys without much effort.

It’s also a relatively roomy seat, which helps support extended rear-facing use up to around four years (105cm), giving older toddlers more space to sit comfortably as they grow. Overall, it’s a seat that feels geared towards longer-term comfort rather than just short trips, with enough adjustment to grow with your child from infancy into toddlerhood.

Is the Nuna TODL car seat easy to clean?

Yes, fairly easy. Nuna TODL’s fabrics are removable, and the seat covers can be machine washed, which helps make everyday messes more manageable.

The removable infant inserts are useful here too, as they can be taken out separately if they need cleaning, rather than having to strip down the full seat each time. Because the seat uses premium materials, including Merino wool and TENCEL™ blend inserts, it’s worth following the care instructions carefully to keep the fabrics in good condition.

The five-point harness and magnetic buckle holders can also help reduce day-to-day tangles when getting children in and out, which can make the seat feel easier to keep tidy overall. While Anna didn’t flag cleaning as a particular issue during testing, there’s enough here to suggest it’s designed with practical family use in mind.

Is it good value for money?

The Nuna TODL car seat and BASE curv sit at the more premium end of the market, but there’s a good case for the price when you look at the quality, safety features and day-to-day ease of use.

Anna certainly felt that way. “This car seat and base is a more expensive car seat, however I think it is great value for money. It can be used from birth until 4 years old and I am sure it will have life left in it after this time for another child if needed. The seat is comfy, easy to install and extra safe – what more would you want!” she says.

A big part of that value comes from features you don’t always get as standard, including the Good (2.3) ADAC rating, Side Impact Protection, five recline positions and the BASE curv’s slide-out rotation mechanism, which can make everyday use easier.

Compared with the Graco Turn2Me DLX i-Size, which includes the base and comes in cheaper, the Nuna is undeniably a bigger upfront investment. But it offers a more premium finish, deeper recline angles and the ProxiPivot slide-out feature, which is closer in concept to the pull-out rotation you get with the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro. That said, the fact the BASE curv is sold separately does push the total price up, and that may be a sticking point if budget is your main priority.

Overall, if you want a rotating car seat with strong safety credentials and genuinely useful premium features, it feels like good value - though not necessarily the cheapest route in.

About the author

Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving - a parenting title focused on children's health and development. She has also contributed to various lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals and newspapers) and edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals.

As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children's development, wellbeing and safety, particularly focusing on car seats, having written extensive guides for Mumsnet on rear-facing car seats as well as car seat regulations in the UK.

Her expertise in this area is informed by both professional knowledge and personal experience as a mother. As a keen runner and cyclist Tammy has also reviewed numerous baby travel products with her daughter in tow, including strollers and pushchairs, child bike seats, all-terrain prams and the best running buggies on the market, thus offering valuable insights into safety, comfort, and convenience for families.