Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Car Seat Review [2023] - 50lbs Rear-Facing
Table of Contents
While the definition of comfort is relative according to what a parent perceives as ‘comfort,’ there is a level to it, and we can’t deny that there can even be an ‘extra’ comfort for our little ones.
The Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 car seat offers that extra comfort with the adjustable extension panel that provides up to 5 inches of additional legroom and extends usage in rear-facing up to 50 lbs.
That means so much and guarantees that comfort for a growing child in a car seat that also offers three seat modes to see a child through their growing stages in;
- Rear-facing – 4-50 lbs.
- Forward-facing – 22-65 lbs.; and
- Highback belt-positioning booster seat – 40-100 lbs.
Read on to learn more on the Extend2Fit reviews, the height and weight limits, safety rating, crash test, the 3-in-1 and 2-in-1 models, PROS and CONS, and what other parents have had to say if it’s worth the money, and alternative comparisons.
Basis Of This Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat Reviews and Why You Can Trust the Assessment
Deciding on a car seat to buy can be overwhelming, and it can take such a long time to choose one.
While some parents are already familiar with car seats and stick to a brand and may be confused about which model to buy, new parents are entirely new to car seats and find it challenging to find a brand or a model to settle for.
Like me, it takes a good time to research a product, read reviews, and study specifications and features before settling for one.
I have employed such a skill and spent several hours researching this Graco Extend2Fit convertible car seat and writing this review. My assessment is based beyond just what the manufacturer’s claim, but rather on what parents who have used reported on the different features and how they were satisfied or not.
Therefore, you can trust this review is devoid of sentiment, bias, or to soothe your appeal but to help you make the right buying decision.
Graco Extend2Fit Car Seat Reviews
If you are ready to know my assessment, here is my summary of the PROS and CONS of the convertible car seat.
Pros and Cons
Unbiased Review on theGraco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Car Seat
As a convertible car seat that comes in 4 series, you have a wide range of options to pick from.
However, the Extend2Fit, from my extensive research, meets up to its name, featuring an extended usage in rear-facing up to 50 lbs. for weight and additional legroom to give your child that comfort as they grow.
However, the seat may not be so compatible with small cars to enjoy the extended legroom.
On the other hand, it is comfortable, easy to install, clean, and affordable.
- Extendable usage in rear-facing – up to 50 lbs.
- Extra legroom (use only in RF) – up to 5 inches.
- Very comfortable – well-padded, cushioned, and soft plush fabrics
- LATCH supports up to 45 lbs. limit before switching to seat belt
- Super easy to install and secure (the level indicator is also easy to read – very important)
- 6 recline positions (1-3 positions for rear-facing and 4-6 for forward-facing)
- You don't need to rethread the harness
- Adjustable headrest – 10 positions
- It has 2 removable cup holders (square shaped)
- Compatible with a wide range of vehicles types from different manufacturers
- Steel reinforced frame
- Extra safety features and extensive crash tests carried out
- Exceeds federal safety standards and other rigorous tests – Graco® ProtectPlus Engineered™ (frontal, side, rear, and rollover impact crashes)
- Affordable pricing – budget-friendly (yet packed with amazing features and comfort)
- Durability - excellent for long-term use (expiration – 10 years)
- FAA Approved (label on the side of seat): rear-facing and forward-facing – must not use a booster seat
- The car seat has to be uninstalled before removing the car seat cover
- Not compatible with a stroller (convertible car seats are not compatible, to begin with)
- May not maximize the benefit of the “extension panel” (extra legroom) in small cars
- Straps may be challenging to tighten (not a big deal, though with some trials)
- Seat cover can be challenging to fix back (first time you take it off)
- Cupholders are square – may not fit well for any type of cup
- May not fit 3 across the back seat, depending on the size of the vehicle
- There's a sticker in the center of the seat that can usually get hot during summer (you can use a clothing to cover the car seat when not in use to avoid getting hot)
- ONLY certified for use in the USA
How to Use the Extend 2 Fit Graco 6-Recline Positions, Headrest, and 4-Position Extension Panel
The Extend 2 Fit car seat features reclining in 6 positions in rear-facing and forward-facing positions.
The 4-position extension panel is for adjusting the legroom.
These are the recommended recline positions, headrest position, and extension panel for each recline position.
Note: These recline positions are very important as it helps keep a child’s head in a good position.
The recline position can be changed while the car seat is installed, but it is recommended that you reinstall it each time you change the recline to ensure the seat is tight.
Rear-facing:
- Recline position 1 – rear-facing; Headrest position 1 + Panel extension 1 – perfect for newborn; Dimension: 28D x 18H x 19.5W
- Recline position 2 – rear-facing; Recline position 3 – rear-facing
- Recline position 4 – rear-facing; Headrest position 10 + Panel extension 4; Dimension: 32D x 30H x 19.5W
Forward-facing:
- Recline position 4 – forward-facing; children weighing less than 40 lbs.: Headrest position 5 + Panel extension 1; Dimension: 24.5D x 25H x 19.5W
- Recline position 5 – forward-facing; children weighing less than 40 lbs.
- Recline position 6 – forward-facing; children weighing over 40 lbs.: Headrest position 10 + Panel extension 1; Dimension: 24.5D x 33.5H x 19.5W
Booster seat:
- Recline position 6 – Highback and backless booster
Note: Do not use the extension panel in forward-facing
Graco Extend2Fit Height and Weight + Specifications
| FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Product Dimension | 20.75D X 24.5H X 19.0W (inches) |
Base dimension (not detachable) | 15 x 15 (inches) |
Product Weight | 20.61 lbs. |
Recommended Weight Range | 4 – 100 lbs. |
Recommended Height Limit | 57 inches |
Rear-facing Weight Limits | min. 4 lbs.; max. 50 lbs. (extended room for growth) |
Rear-facing Height Limits | 19 - 49 inches |
Forward-facing Weight Limits | min. 22 lbs.; max. 65 lbs. (more comfort) |
Forward-facing Height Limits | 29-49 inches |
Highback belt-positioning Booster Seat Weight Limits | min. 40 lbs.; max. 100 lb. |
Belt-positioning Booster Seat Height Limits | min. 43 in.; max. 57 in. |
Life span (expiration) | 10 years from the date of manufacture (label on the side of the seat) (extra value for money) |
Graco Extend2Fit 3 In 1 Safety Rating
While all car seats must meet stringent federal safety standards before being released to the market, most manufacturers try to go above board to exceed these standards. As such, all car seats are optimally safe.
However, many parents are extra conscious of a car seat safety rating before choosing a car seat.
On the other hand, a car seat must be correctly installed to maximize the full potential of its safety.
Here are the safety and ease-of-use ratings for Extend2Fit car seat as obtained from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHSTA) and IIHS.
| Ease-of-Use rating | Rear-facing | Forward-facing | Booster seat |
|---|---|---|---|
Overall rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | BEST BEST |
Graco Extend2Fit 3 In 1 Crash Test
Graco is known to carry out extensive crash tests on their car seats using the Graco ProtectPlus Engineering, a crash testing system that involves the following crash tests
- Frontal impact
- Rear impact
- Side impacts
- Rollover crash
The Graco Extend2Fit has been extensively crash tested to sustain these impacts while keeping the occupant safe.
Graco Extend2Fit Car Seat Features
| FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Safety Features |
|
Installation |
|
Ease of use |
|
Comfortability for a Child |
|
Longevity and Suitability |
|
Who is it best for? |
|
Quick Overview of Key Decision-making Factors for a Convertible Car Seat
As I stated earlier in this extend2fit review, it can be overwhelming when deciding to buy a car seat.
There’re key decision-making factors to consider that can help make the process easier.
Here are some factors to look into:
- Installation features: this is usually the most challenging aspect of securing a car seat in your vehicle. A car seat doesn’t serve its full potential when not correctly installed in a car. As such, you want to be sure what installation features a car seat is coming with.
- Compatibility with a vehicle: this has to do with the size of your car and the available seat space for an extra car seat. The car seat dimensions help you in this regard. You can check the dimensions of a car seat and match it with your vehicle seat to know if it will be compatible or not. A car seat must occupy at least 80% of the vehicle seat.
- Size: while this goes in hand with compatibility, it is another important feature to consider in a car seat. The bigger a car seat is, the heavier it’ll be, and the less likely it may be compatible with a small car. You also need to be aware that a convertible car seat is generally bulky and designed for permanent use in a vehicle, not as a carrier.
- Ease of use: a car seat should be easy to use. Beyond the protection it offers a child, it must also be easy to handle, clean, get your child out of the seat easily, etc.
- Comfort and growing room space: you want to consider a car seat that offers good comfort and enough growing room space to accommodate your child as they grow. In the event that you have a tiny baby, a car seat should have newborn inserts so they can be comfortable as they ride in the seat while growing.
- Weight and height requirement: according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, infants are to ride rear-facing for as long as possible. Many states’ car seat laws recommend this guideline and require parents to follow manufacturers’ weight and height limits.
- Safety features: all car seats must pass stringent federal safety standards before being released to the market. That means all car seats are optimally safe. However, some manufacturers go overboard to exceed the requirement and even add extra safety features to guarantee additional protection in any car crash impact – frontal, rear, side, and rollover.
Comparing the Factors above with What the Graco Extend to Fit Car Seat Offers
| Key Decision-making Factors | Extend2Fit Features | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
Safety |
| Excellent |
Installation Features |
| Excellent |
Compatibility With Vehicle |
| Excellent |
Size |
| Excellent for regular cars |
Ease of Usage |
| Excellent |
Comfort And Growing Room Space |
| Excellent |
Weight And Height Requirement |
| Excellent |
Other Graco Extend2Fit Models
The Graco Extend2Fit model has different series like the 3-in-1, 2-in-1, 4Ever® Extend2Fit® 4-in-1, and the Platinum.
The majority of this review, from the beginning until now, has been about the 3 in 1.
In this section, I shall be covering the Platinum, 4-in-1, and the 2-in-1. There are slightly few differences in specifications and features.
Graco Extend2Fit Platinum
The Graco Extend2Fit Platinum features the ‘Rapid Remover cover’ just like the Graco 4Ever DLX car seat, making it easy to remove the car seat cover in under 1 minute without uninstalling the car seat like the 3-in-1.
The Platinum also features EZ Tight™ LATCH, unlike the InRight™ LATCH attachment of the 3-in-1.
Other features are similar.
4Ever® Extend2Fit® 4-in-1
The 4Ever® Extend2Fit® 4-in-1 is the premium version of the Extend2Fit series and is similar to the 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat.
The 4Ever® Extend2Fit® comes with premium features and an additional seat mode – backless booster seat which can accommodate your child up to 120 lbs.
The following table highlights the features of the 4Ever® Extend2Fit® 4-in-1 car seat. The major differences are highlighted in bold.
|
4Ever® Extend2Fit® 4-in-1 FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Product Dimension | 20D X 24H X 21.5W (inches) - wider than the others by 2.5 inches |
Base dimension (not detachable) | 15 x 15 (inches) |
Product Weight | 25.99 lbs. (weighs 5.38 lbs. more) |
Recommended Weight Range | 4 – 120 lbs. |
Recommended Height Limit | 57 inches |
Rear-facing Weight Limits | min. 4 lbs.; max. 50 lbs. |
Rear-facing Height Limits | 19 - 49 inches |
Forward-facing Weight Limits | min. 22 lbs.; max. 65 lbs. |
Forward-facing Height Limits | 29-49 inches |
Highback Booster Seat Weight Limits | min. 40 lbs.; max. 100 lb. |
Backless Booster Seat Weight Limits | min. 40 lbs.; max. 120 lb. |
Booster Seat Height Limits | min. 43 in.; max. 57 in. |
Life span (expiration) | 10 years from the date of manufacture |
Other Features |
|
Graco Extend2Fit 2 in 1 vs 3 in 1
The major difference between both seats is the highback booster seat mode (100 lbs.) for the 3-in-1, which is lacking in the 2-in-1.
The 2-in-1 supports only 2 modes – rear-facing and forward-facing.
| Features | Extend2Fit 2 in 1 | Extend2Fit 3 in 1 |
|---|---|---|
Also known as | Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat | - |
Product Dimensions (inches) | 21.5D X 23.5H X 19.5W | 20.75D X 24.5H X 19.0W |
Product Weight | 19 lbs. | 20.61 lbs. |
Suitability | 2 modes | 3 modes |
Modes | Rear-facing & Forward-facing | Rear-facing, Forward-facing, Highback belt-positioning booster seat |
Weight and height limits | Rear-facing
Forward-facing
| Rear-facing
Forward-facing
Highback Booster
|
Material | Polyester cotton blend | Plush |
Color | 4 colors | 4 colors |
Extra model features | - | model featuring Anti-rebound bar* & model featuring TrueShield Technology** |
Price | $$$ | $$$+ |
*Anti-rebound bar – is a bar that helps reduce the movement of a car seat towards the back of the vehicle back seat and from rotating. It stabilizes the seat and prevents such excess movement. It is best used when rear-facing (and protects a child’s face, neck, and head from hitting the vehicle).
**TrueShield Technology – is an advanced type of engineered Side-Impact Protection technology designed by Graco that protects a child from head to hips in the event of a side-impact car crash.
Detailed Insight to this Graco Extend2Fit Review Based on the Features – PROS and CONS in Detail
It is one thing for the manufacturer to make claims on the features; it is another thing for the car seat to perform to expectations truly.
No product review is complete without learning feedback from previous users. However, first users rely on word of mouth of the manufacturer and lay the path for new users to come.
Here is a detailed insight into the Pros and Cons of the Graco Extend2Fit car seat.
PROS and CONS
Safety
The primary reason for a car seat to start with is to protect a child in a car crash. The history of car seats can be traced back to the 30s.
The true way to know the safety efficiency of a car seat is to be involved in an accident, but we definitely don’t pray for such.
Unfortunately, some parents have been involved in a car crash (different types) with this car seat in their vehicles. Some had their child secured, and they came out without a scratch after the crash. While others didn’t have their child in the vehicle, and the seat was still intact.
It goes to show the car seat truly protects a child.
Installation
Car seats are unarguably challenging to install ‘correctly,’ and the difficulty varies with brands and models. While some parents may think they have already installed their seats, they may not have done it correctly.
A car seat should not move more than 1 inch when pushed front-to-back and side-to-side while holding at the belt side.
Many parents rate the ease of installation as “very easy.” Many also say the indicator is easy to read, taking the guesswork away in knowing if the car seat is at the correct recline angle.
This is very impressive and assures that when you install the Extend2Fit, you’d have done that easily and correctly.
Comfort
Many parents praise the Extend to Fit seat as cozy and comfortable for their little one. The newborn inserts are also great for tiny babies and offer extra comfort.
There is not much way to emphasize the level of comfort with this car seat.
In summary, according to parents’ reports, the Extend2Fit is very comfortable.
Ease of Use
The car seat is easy to handle – easy to adjust the harness and easy to get a child out, clean, wash, and other accessories (cup holders)
Compatibility
While this car seat is compatible with many types of vehicles from different manufacturers, it still has its limitation.
It is not exactly ideal for really small cars, but it truly fits a wide range of vehicles according to different parents. A perfect Graco car seat for small cars will be the SlimFit 3-in-1 which has the slimmer configuration (SlimFit3 LX 3-in-1) that fits 3 across the back seat. You can read a comparison of the Graco Extend2Fit vs SlimFit here.
On the other hand, some parents complain that they are either unable to utilize the extension panel or have to adjust the front passenger seat for the car seat to fit in the back seat.
You may expect this situation for really small cars. While the extension panel shouldn’t be much of a problem as some other car seats don’t come with it yet, parents and their little ones enjoy it; adjusting the front seat may be a pain.
Graco Extend2Fit Installation & Videos
Installing a car seat is usually challenging, irrespective of brand. However, some models and product lines are usually easy when the manufacturer considers it a top feature to include at a premium.
The Extend2Fit features two installation methods – the LATCH system, which comes with an additional InRight™ LATCH attachment that allows an easy installation, and the seat belt method, which is regular (no special feature in this model).
Here’s a guide on how to install Graco car seats.
Note: do not install using the LATCH system in forward-facing when a child is weighing more than 45 lbs.
Extend2Fit Installation - Rear-facing
Graco Extend2Fit Installation - Forward-facing
How to Remove and Replace Seat Cover - Video
How to Lengthen Car Seat Straps - Video
Extend2Fit Manual
The car seat manual is your best guide on any information regarding your car seat – registration, date of manufacture, installation, and maintenance.
You can find the Extend 2 Fit manual here.
You can find the expiry dates for all Graco car seats here.
Frequently Asked Questions for the Extend2Fit Car Seat
Is the Graco Extend2Fit safe for Newborns?
The Graco Extend2Fit is perfectly safe for newborns. The car seat is rigorously tested in frontal, rear, side, and rollover crashes to ensure it is safe for an occupant. The seat is well-padded and comes with newborn inserts that make it suitable for tiny babies and can be removed as they grow.
Is Graco Extend2Fit FAA Approved?
Yes, the Graco Extend2Fit car seat is FAA approved and has the label on the side of the seat. The car seat can be used as rear-facing and forward-facing on only forward-facing aircraft seats but should not be used as a booster seat.
How long is Graco Extend2Fit good for?
The Graco Extend2Fit has a lifespan of 10 years. That means the car seat is good for 10 years, counting from the date of manufacture. The DOM label can be found on the side of the car seat.
Final Wrap-up
The Extend2Fit truly meets the expectation of its name. The extended usage in rear-facing up to 50 lbs. and the adjustable four-position extension panel for enough legroom give the car seat a top-notch quality in its cliché.
According to other parents, the car seat is comfortable, easy to use, and more affordable than the Graco 4Ever DLX. You can read my comparative study of both seats here – Extend2Fit vs. 4Ever DLX.
I recommend the Extend2Fit car seat, and you can pick any series confidently – Extend2Fit 4Ever 4-in-1, 3-in-1, 2-in-1, and Platinum.
Happy Parenting!
