Among the Graco child restraint systems, Extend2Fit seems to be the convertible parents most frequently choose to install. You can tell by the product description that there are plenty of reasons why this car seat is popular, but sometimes what the manufacturers tell us is not exactly how the seat performs.
For this reason, exactly, I tested this car seat myself, and today I’ll share with you my experience in this Extensive Graco Extend2fit Reviews.
Enjoy!
Table of Contents
Currently, Amazon is offering a 39% discount for this seat, so before you start reading the review, check this offer out.
My Unbiased Review of the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible
1. Design
Source: Amazon.com
I’d like to begin with a general description of the car seat type and structure.
We have a classic convertible car seat with two integrated modes: a rear-facing mode and a forward-facing mode.
Supporting the weight range from four to sixty-five pounds, this car seat will accommodate your child from day one to approximately six years. They can ride rear-facing until they reach fifty pounds in weight, while the forward-facing mode can be used as soon as your kid reaches twenty-two pounds.
The one thing I can say with certainty is that this seat offers the widest weight range on the market in the rear-facing mode.
Most of the convertibles offer a weight range between 5 and 35 pounds, while only infant car seats can be used from day one. In addition to this, it was designed with some extra legroom in the rear-facing position, so it really grows with your child.
With all that in mind, Graco Extend2Fit seems to be a perfect choice for newborns.
- Convertible car seat grows with your child from rear-facing harness (4-50lbs) to forward-facing harness (22-65 pounds)
- Made of Steel reinforced | Product dimensions – 20.75” D x 19” W x 24.5” H | Product weight – 19.25 lbs.
- Up to 50 pounds rear facing, allowing your child to safely ride rear-facing longer
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered | Simply Safe Adjust no-rethread headrest and harness adjust together.Do not use bleach
- Extend2Fit 4-position adjustable extension panel provides up to 5" additional legroom, allowing your child to safely ride rear facing longer
2. Installation
Whenever I am buying a new car seat, I am anxious about the installation. Luckily, this Graco convertible wasn’t a troublemaker.
First of all, Graco patented their InRight™ LATCH system that allows one-second installation. In practice, it takes more than a second, but it is effortless as they are promoted.
Secondly, a no-rethread harness also features a patented system - Simply Safe Adjust™ so you can adjust the harness and headrest in one motion only. Additionally, the seat includes harness storage pockets to keep the harness out of the way while you’re accommodating your little one.
What I especially like is the level indicator. I always worry whether the seat is perfectly aligned, but with this small addition, I can drive with peace of mind.
All in all, I give the installation 10/10, especially because the audible clicks help me rest assured I attached everything correctly.
Since I mentioned installation, here are some helpful videos that made things so much easier for me. Click for details here, here, and here.
3. Adjustability
Once you buy a convertible car seat, you soon realize what really matters.
People usually check how many modes the child restraint system offers and the weight limit, but these are not the features that guarantee that the seat will work for years to come. What truly enables the seat to grow with your kid is the adjustability. That being said, I was surprised by the adjustability of Graco Extend2Fit.
It offers ten headrest positions, six recline positions, and removable body inserts. These features allow you to really adapt the seat accurately for your kids as they grow. The only thing that needs improvement, from my experience, is the stiffness of the straps. They can be tough to tighten, which may eventually result in an unsafe fit.
All in all, the adjustability gets 8/10—excellent performance for a mid-ranger.
4. Safety
One thing I love about Graco is the rigorous testing they perform.
This brand is definitely among the safest options on the market. All their child restraint systems are rear, side, and rollover tested to meet and exceed the federal safety standards.
The procedure is based on the European model, which is more rigorous than the American. Thus, the seats are honestly reliable.
Extend2Fit incorporates an efficient side impact protection, soft cushions, and a secure fit to protect your child from crashes. It is also FAA-approved.
I noticed that parents are concerned because of the recalls that Graco issued in the past. But let me assure you that it’s a good thing.
Recalls show that manufacturers continue testing and updating their products even after they go to the market. If you want to learn more about it, check out this article:
Read more —
5. Additional Features
Besides everything already mentioned, I would like to add a few seemingly irrelevant details that go a long way.
First of all, the maintenance won’t cause you trouble.
The seat pads are removable and machine-washable, while other parts can be washed with a mild soap. It is a bit hard to get the covers off the seat and put them back on, so you’ll need a lot of patience.
Secondly, the seat comes with two removable cup holders that come in handy when you travel a bit longer and need a place for refreshment.
Finally, the weight with the base is 19.5 pounds, which is a bit heavy, yet still lighter than the competing products.
- Convertible car seat grows with your child from rear-facing harness (4-50lbs) to forward-facing harness (22-65 pounds)
- Made of Steel reinforced | Product dimensions – 20.75” D x 19” W x 24.5” H | Product weight – 19.25 lbs.
- Up to 50 pounds rear facing, allowing your child to safely ride rear-facing longer
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered | Simply Safe Adjust no-rethread headrest and harness adjust together.Do not use bleach
- Extend2Fit 4-position adjustable extension panel provides up to 5" additional legroom, allowing your child to safely ride rear facing longer
Graco Extend2Fit and The Competitions
A smart man once said - to each his own, and I couldn’t agree more. However, I always like putting my options side to side to make sure I made the right choice.
So let’s see how good Extend2Fit looks next to the competition.
1. Extend2Fit Vs. Evenflo Sonus
Source: Amazon.com
Evenflo Sonus is a convertible in a similar price range, though a bit more affordable.
Its weight range is between 5 and 50 pounds, so Graco has a slight advantage in this area. However, Evenflo Sonus is lighter and slimmer, so it is more convenient for traveling and carpooling.
Both seats are FAA-approved and meet federal safety standards, yet Graco offers more adjustability and a sturdier structure, so it’s a more favorable solution.
Yet, Graco has some more advanced models than Extend2Fit.
For example, Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 offers accommodation from four to 120 pounds in four different modes. It includes two additional features: an integrated belt lock-off and a RapidMove cover. The innovations attracted parents’ attention since the covers on Extend2Fit are a hell to take off and put back on.
With all this in mind, the Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 model is slightly more popular than today’s star.
Read more —
2. Extend2Fit Vs. Britax Boulevard
Moving on, as a more expensive alternative to Graco Extend2Fit, I have chosen Britax Boulevard.
When it comes to the weight range, Graco still rules.
This seat has a bit higher bottom limit (5 pounds) than Graco and the same upper limit (65 lbs). But in opposition to Graco’s ten height positions, Britax offers fourteen adjustable positions. So, Britax offers better optimization.
Additionally, Britax Boulevard has better side impact protection and a more comfortable base. Therefore, while both seats are fantastic solutions, it seems like the difference in price does show.
3. Graco Extend2Fit's Pros and Cons - The Sum Up
At last, I will sum everything up and list the advantages and disadvantages of Graco Extend2Fit
- Fantastic weight range
- Can be used from day one
- Longer rear-facing ride
- Exceeds safety standards
- Rigorous Testing
- Adjustable
- Durable
- Covers are hard to take off and put back on
- The straps are too stiff to tighten
Final Thoughts
To conclude, I would most certainly recommend Graco Extend2Fit to every parent looking for a decent convertible at a reasonable price.
You will get your money’s worth and more, and most importantly, you won’t put your child at risk. This seat is genuinely safe, easy to install, and functional. With no exaggeration, it is one of the best car seats I owned.
Therefore, If you’re having doubts, trust me, go for it!
- Convertible car seat grows with your child from rear-facing harness (4-50lbs) to forward-facing harness (22-65 pounds)
- Made of Steel reinforced | Product dimensions – 20.75” D x 19” W x 24.5” H | Product weight – 19.25 lbs.
- Up to 50 pounds rear facing, allowing your child to safely ride rear-facing longer
- Graco ProtectPlus Engineered | Simply Safe Adjust no-rethread headrest and harness adjust together.Do not use bleach
- Extend2Fit 4-position adjustable extension panel provides up to 5" additional legroom, allowing your child to safely ride rear facing longer
