Silver Cross Motion 2 All Size car seat review: the toddler car seat that grows with your child

How we tested the Silver Cross Motion 2 car seat

• Tested with a six-month-old for four months

• Used daily as the main car seat on both short and long trips

• Tested in a larger car

Alice used the Motion 2 as her primary car seat to make short, local journeys in her area and also used it to drive to the Midlands from London as well as to the Netherlands to visit friends and family. “Our son was very comfortable in the car seat with regular breaks,” says Alice.

Silver Cross Motion 2 car seat: what’s in the box?

• The car seat which is attached to the ISOFIX base.

• Newborn bamboo insert

• Hydro Protect Liner

• Instruction booklet

Keep in mind that this is a fixed ISOFIX car seat, so the base can’t be detached from the seat. The upside? You won’t need to buy a separate base, which means one less expense to worry about.

How easy is the Is the Silver Cross Motion 2 car seat to install?

Very! One of the perks of the Motion 2 is that it comes with an integrated ISOFIX base, so there’s no need for assembly—it’s ready to go straight out of the box. Installing it in the car is quick and straightforward. Alice found the process hassle-free, saying, "Installing the car seat in the car took five minutes and was very easy to do."

However, one thing to keep in mind is the weight. Since the base is fixed to the seat, it’s on the heavier side, which can make carrying it to the vehicle a bit of a challenge. Alice noted, "The only downside was that the seat and base is really heavy to carry to the car." While this might not be an issue if you’re keeping it in one car, it’s something to consider if you plan to move it between vehicles frequently.

Silver Cross Motion 2 car seat: how does it look?

Just like the brand’s range of lightweight strollers such as the Silver Cross Pop, the Motion 2 has a sleek, premium design, made with high-quality materials and a nice finish.

According to Alice, the 360 spin function is a standout feature. "We really love that you can swivel the seat around when getting your child in and out of the car—this makes it so much easier to use."

On the downside, "If you use your car daily, not being able to lift the seat out might be a disadvantage if you don’t want to wake your sleeping baby. We mostly do short or very long journeys, so this isn’t really an issue for us,” she adds.

When it comes to size, the Silver Cross Motion 2 is 44cm wide, making it similar in width to the Cybex Anoris T i-Size and just slightly wider than the Maxi-Cosi Pearl Pro2 i-Size. While it’s not the most compact option, its width is fairly standard for a multi-stage car seat.

Alice appreciates the recycled, machine-washable fabric and hypoallergenic bamboo, which help keep little ones comfortable by regulating temperature. She also likes the Hydro Protect liner, which is leakproof, reversible, and easy to clean. "Luckily, we haven't had to test it with any accidents yet! But the fact that it's reversible, leakproof, and machine washable means it adapts well to messy situations with a little one," she says.

Is the Silver Cross Motion 2 car seat safe?

When choosing a car seat, safety is one of the biggest concerns for parents, and the Motion 2 delivers on this front. It’s the second generation of the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360, which received the best-ever all-stage car seat rating from ADAC, an independent testing body known for its rigorous safety standards. The Motion 2 itself holds an impressive ADAC rating of 2.5, proving it has been tested above and beyond standard regulations to ensure strong protection.

Alice felt reassured by how sturdy and secure the seat is, saying, "Our son feels very protected. The straps are easy to clip in, and the padding feels like good quality, with extra cushioning on the shoulders and main strap." The five-point harness provides a snug and secure fit, and the 360 spin function makes it quick and easy to strap in a wriggly child - especially when you're in a rush.

The enhanced side-impact protection adds another layer of safety, helping to shield your child in the event of a collision. Alice found this particularly reassuring, noting, "He feels very protected inside the car seat."

One minor drawback is the shoulder strap padding, which sometimes gets bunched up, especially when her baby is wearing thicker layers. "You have to make sure the padding is unfolded properly, as it can bunch up on his shoulders," she adds.

What age is the Silver Cross Motion 2 car seat suitable for and is it easy to adjust?

The Motion 2 is an all-stage car seat, designed to grow with your child from birth to age 12. Silver Cross even claims it’s ‘the only car seat you’ll ever need’, thanks to its adjustable features that adapt as your little one grows.

For newborns, the seat includes a bamboo soft-touch newborn insert, providing extra support and comfort. As your child gets bigger, the insert can be gradually adjusted, starting with the removal of the head hugger, then the side wings, and finally the main body of the insert—allowing for a custom fit at every stage.

A key feature that makes the Motion 2 great value for money is its extended rear-facing capability up to 18kg (around four years old). Many parents prefer to keep their children rear-facing for as long as possible, as it’s considered safer in the event of a collision. With this car seat, there’s no need to buy a separate rear-facing toddler car seat, which can be an additional expense with other models.

The eight-position headrest and three recline positions make it easy to adjust the seat itself as your child grows, offering the right support and comfort whether they’re a newborn or a growing toddler. Alice found these adjustments straightforward, saying, "It’s really easy to adjust as my son has grown – which seems like every week! The different headrest heights and recline positions mean he’s always comfortable, whether he’s awake or asleep."

The five-point, EasyFit safety harness also ensures a secure fit, and the easy-fit sprung safety harness makes it simpler to get your child strapped in correctly and once your child reaches 18kg, you’ll need to tuck away the harness and switch to high-back booster mode, using the car’s adult seatbelt instead.

What's the Silver Cross Motion 2 car seat like to use day-to-day?

For everyday use, the Motion 2 is designed to be as practical and user-friendly as possible—especially if you're mostly using it in a single car. As a fixed ISOFIX car seat, there’s no need to constantly install and remove it, making it a hassle-free option for families who aren’t switching between vehicles frequently.

Alice found that it fit well in her estate car but noted that its size could be a challenge in smaller vehicles. She explained, "We have an estate (quite a big car), so it fits easily in the back. With two adults sitting next to it, it’s a bit of a squeeze, but modern car seats are much bigger nowadays. I imagine in a smaller car, fitting in two adults alongside it might be trickier."

One of the standout features that makes daily use easier is the 360 spin function. This allows you to turn the seat towards you when placing your child in or taking them out—saving you from awkward bending and back strain. If you’re regularly getting a wriggly toddler in and out of the car, this feature can be a real game-changer.

With its secure ISOFIX base, easy-to-use safety harness, and convenient spin function, the Motion 2 is built for ease of use.

How comfortable is the Silver Cross Motion 2 car seat?

Very! The Motion 2 is designed to keep your little one comfortable as they grow, with padding that adjusts to suit babies, toddlers, and older children. For newborns, the car seat comes with a soft insert made from bamboo that provides extra support. As your child grows, you can remove sections of the insert—starting with the head hugger, then the side wings, and eventually the main body of the insert, so it adapts to your child’s changing size.

The Hydro inlay technology in the seat features breathable, heat-regulating fabrics to help keep your baby cool. Alice appreciated this, saying, “The car seat fabric is soft and breathable, which is great for warmer days.” Plus, the Hydro Protect liner is reversible, machine-washable, and leakproof, so cleaning up after spills is easy.

In terms of recline, there are three positions, ranging from upright to a slightly more reclined setting. While the difference isn’t huge, Alice found that her six-month-old slept better in the reclined position, making it a helpful feature for comfort.

Adjusting the straps took a bit of time initially, but once everything was set up, Alice found the harness worked well. She also noted the harness padding, which added to the overall comfort of the seat.

Overall, the Motion 2 provides good comfort for your child, with features that help keep them cool and supported as they grow, though it may take a little time to adjust everything properly at first.

Does the Silver Cross Motion 2 car seat come with any extras?

No. The only extra that comes with this car seat is the newborn inlay and Hydro Protect Liner.

When testing, Alice noted that there’s no sun canopy with the Motion 2 either, so she’ll be investing in a car sunshade for the car.

Is the Silver Cross Motion 2 car seat easy to clean?

Yes, Alice found it easy to clean. The seat fabrics have a protective finish that helps guard against spills and accidents, making every day messes less of a hassle. The covers are machine washable at 30°C, just be sure to remove any foam inserts before washing and avoid using detergent to keep the fabric in top condition.

Is the Silver Cross Motion 2 car seat good value for money?

For a car seat that lasts from birth to age 12, the Silver Cross Motion 2 is a worthwhile investment. Alice agrees, “Considering the quality and design, it definitely represents good value for money.”

A key advantage is its extended rear-facing option up to age four, eliminating the need to buy a separate rear-facing toddler seat. Plus, with features like the 360 spin function, integrated ISOFIX base, and adjustable newborn insert, it’s designed for both safety and convenience as your child grows.

While the upfront cost is higher than some other toddler car seats on the market like the Cosatto All in All Ultra 360 Rotate, the Motion 2's extended rear-facing capability, long lifespan, and premium features make it a cost-effective choice in the long run. However, if you’re looking for a toddler car seat that’s lighter, more portable and comes with extras like a sun canopy, then it’s worth consulting our best toddler car seats buyer’s guide for more options.

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.