Review on Diono Radian 3RXT SafePlus, 4-In-1 Convertible Car Seat, Rear And Forward Facing, SafePlus Engineering, 3 Stage Infant Protection, 10 Years 1 Car Seat, Slim Fit 3 Across, Black Jet by Duke Ballard

We bought a Radian RXT in 2018 for our second child and loved it. It is easily the most secure car seat I have ever strapped my kid into, and we have owned a lot of Graco and installed in several different models and types of car. Also the easiest install, I've fought for more than 30 minutes in my mom's Ford Explorer with Graco and wanted to set the car on fire afterward for her making me move it over in 105 degree Texas weather. It is heavy, but I install mine and won't move it for any force in heaven or hell unless I am flying, so its not like I do a daily ruck march with it.Unfortunately, Diono is charging the same price they did for once a premium fabric car seat cover and giving you a crappy, thin car seat cover. Just feeling the difference between the two year models, you can tell they downgraded for the 3RXT severely since putting out the RXT. It has less padding, it is much thinner and I don't see how it isn't going to pill in the wash. My kid is going to destroy it.I've included pics of old versus new for reference, but most of it is in the "feel".I find this very disappointing, because you want a quality fabric in a "upper trim" series car seat that is supposed to last 10 years and costs $300. It's the same cheap, slick microfiber that I have on a couple of wal-mart $30 booster seats, or on universal car covers. I imagine it will turn green/gray in the sun just like those did. My Radian RXT is the same color it was when I bought it and even at two years older, looks better and its been washed a zillion times.At first, I thought they sent me a car seat with the wrong cover, because it says "Radian R" and my RXT was embroidered on, not stamped on the fabric like this one. It also shows on the box as "Radian RXT", so I think my confusion is reasonable. Then I looked at the pictures on their website and revain. Nope. They are all universally the same crappy fabric across the entire Radian series.Shame on you, Diono, car seats are expensive enough when you have to replace them constantly as you have kids, or have more than one so you aren't dealing with the logistics of switching cars with your spouse or parents just to get kids from point A to point B. And parents could easily save themselves $100 or $200 by buying something a little less "premium".Removing a star for the cheapness, because seeing it there makes me wonder if they are as "premium and innovative" as Diono claims. Companies that do things well would do well to do it across the board, especially if they want repeat business. I came back because I loved the RTX so much. Not sure if I needed another one that I would come back for a "4RTX" or whatever comes next unless they go back to better covers.For reference, these install amazingly well in Toyota Corolla, Sienna and Highlander and even the tiny Prius, but rear face in a Prius puts the front seat up too far for anyone over 5'6 to sit comfortably (basically every adult in our family). It will install in a Ford Explorer, but you will still be angry if its leather, cause they really didn't want anyone to get anywhere near their latch to actually use them and they are set too close together, so actually cranking down and getting the seat tight enough is a hassle, but easier than installing a Graco carrier or convertible car seat. Don't let an entertainment package on a Ford Explorer fool you, not a young family with car seats car. :p