Diono offers Radian RXT and Pacifica as two options that you can consider if you are looking for convertible car seat for your kid. Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica is two models from few convertible car seat models that offered by Diono. You can find that there are several similarities between Diono Radian RXT and Diono Pacifica. But for sure, We can also find the differences between them as indeed They are different models. This article will talk about the similarities and differences of Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica to help you decide which of them is the one that you should choose for your convertible car seat.
Similarities between Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica
Diono Radian RXT
As two models of convertible car seat introduced by Diono, you can find that there are several similarities between Radian RXT and Pacifica. Let’s talk about the key similarities of those two car seats.
1. Convertible Car Seat for 5-120 Pounds kid
Both of Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica come as convertible car seat for 5-120 pounds kids. They can be used with 3 modes: Extended rear facing with 5-point harness for infants, Forward Facing mode with 5-point harness for toddler and booster mode for bigger kids.
2. Full Steel Frame with EPS Foam
To provide excellent strength and safety, both of Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica come with Full Steel Frame. It’s also completed with energy absorbing EPS Foam while aluminium reinforced is used on the side of those two car seats.
3. Infant Body Support Cushion
To make your infant more comfortable and secure in the car seat with rear-facing mode, both of Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica are completed with additional infant body support cushion.
4. SuperLATCH Installation
Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica are completed with Diono’s SuperLATCH Installation feature. It’s the feature that make installation easy while also secure and strong. It comes with audible click and visual indicator so that you can be sure that connectors are properly locked.
5. Rear-facing tether
Rear-facing tether are installed on both of Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica. Rear-facing tether provides you additional security especially when the car seat is used on rear-facing mode. Rear-facing tether is able to reduce seat rotation during an impact.
6. Folds Flat
The other unique feature of Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica is the ability of those two car seats to be folder flat. With Folds flat design, It’s easier to store or travel with those two car seats.
7. Cup Holder
You can find cup holder on both of Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica. One cup holder is included on both of Radian RXT or Pacifica, while you can add up to four cup holders on both of those two car seats.
The Similarities of Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica can be summarized with the table below.
| Diono Radian RXT | Diono Pacifica | |
| Brand | Diono | Diono |
| Car Seat Type | Convertible Car Seat | Convertible Car Seat |
| Weight Recommendation | 5-120 Pounds | 5-120 Pounds |
| Booster Mode | 50-120 Pounds | 50-120 Pounds |
| Infant body support cushions | YES | YES |
| Full Steel Frame | YES | YES |
| Aluminium Reinforced Side | YES | YES |
| EPS Foam | YES | YES |
| SuperLATCH Installation | YES | YES |
| Folds Flat | YES | YES |
| Rear-facing Top Tether | YES | YES |
| Cup Holder | 1 (included) | 1 (included) |
Differences between Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica
Diono Pacifica
Besides those similarities, There’re indeed differences between Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica. What are their differences? Let’s talk about that together.
1. Head Support
As We have talked before, both of Diono Radian RXT and Diono Pacifica come with Full Steel Frame, Aluminium reinforced side and energy Absorbing EPS foam. To complete the protection for a Total Side Impact Protection, Diono Radian RXT comes with head support. With 12 height positions and aluminium reinforcement, you can get additional layer of protection that easily adaptable as the child grows.
2. Rear-Facing and Forward-Facing Weight Limit
There’s a little different on the weight limit for the usage of the two car seats on rear-facing and forward-facing mode. Diono Radian RXT is recommended for 5-45 pounds infant on its rear-facing with 5-point harness mode and 20-80 pounds toddler on its forward facing with 5-point harness mode, while Diono Radian can be used a little longer for 5-50 pounds infant as its rear-facing with 5-point harness mode and for 20-90 Pounds toddler with its forward facing with 5-point harness mode.
3. Price
Diono Radian RXT is basically positioned as the higher model than Pacifica by Diono as manufacturer. So It’s easy to say that Diono is more expensive than Pacifica. How much is their price difference? You can commonly find that Diono Radian RXT is offered at around $30 higher than Pacifica. When We convert the different into percentage, We can find that Diono Radian RXT is around 12% higher than Diono Pacifica. It’s not a significant difference for a number of customers, but few customers with more limited budget may consider this price difference is essential.
The differences of Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica can be summarized using the table below.
| Diono Radian RXT | Diono Pacifica | |
| Adjustable Head Support | YES | NO |
| Rear-Facing Weight | 5-45 Pounds | 5-50 Pounds |
| Forward-Facing Weight | 20-80 Pounds | 20-90 Pounds |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
Which Diono’s Convertible Car Seat should You Choose?
From the discussion about the similarities and differences of Diono Radian RXT and Pacifica, We can find that Diono Radian RXT is better when It comes to side impact protection with additional adjustable head support. With 12 height positions and aluminium reinforcement, you can get more advanced protection on the head area, while It’s easily positioned as your kids grow.
In the other hand, Diono Pacifica is a good alternative choice if you have a little less budget for your convertible car seat or you simply need to use the rear-facing mode and forward-facing mode longer as you can use Diono Pacifica for up to 50 lbs kids (5 lbs weightier than Radian RXT) with rear-facing mode and for up to 90 lbs kids (10 lbs weightier than Radian RXT).
