Head over to our YouTube Channel to see the review and installation how-to of the Graco Extend2Fit. The Extend2Fit Convertible has a one-year warranty and a lifespan of 10 years from the date of manufacture. The seat scored well (PDF) in front-impact crash tests conducted by the NHTSA (the agency tests with dummies the size of 1-, 3-, and 6-year-olds), earning strong Head Injury Criterion (HIC) scores. Whenever possible, we sought feedback about the seats from kid testers. It grows with them and changes to a booster when they’re older. The Extend3Fit is a comfortable and better-quality option than most of the competition, and it is one of the best of the Graco options we tested.
Since the panel can increase the Extend2Fit’s footprint quite a bit, Graco allows 20% front to back overhang. Rather than make caregivers guess about what 20% of the base may be, they’ve kindly included 2 labels on the side of the Extend2Fit’s base — one for forward facing and one for rear facing. The inserts that came with the seat are thick and easy to use at the head and under the bum.
The chest clip pinch release is on the left shoulder strap and is easy to use; while not in the usual location, it didn’t hinder the process. From a value standpoint, it can be hard to justify spending over $500 on a car seat when there are great alternatives that cost about half as much—including our top pick, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible. And it’s irritating that if you do decide to shell out half a grand on a Foonf, you’d still have to buy a cupholder. Even though the ClickTight graco car seat system is easy to use—and we have yet to hear anyone say otherwise—it’s not perfect. When the seat bottom is open, it doesn’t always stay fully propped open on its own; one mom with a large SUV complained that the seat lid kept falling on her head as she was trying to do the install. And getting the lid of the seat to close completely can take a few hard pushes—although when it does close, it gives a substantial click, so there’s no question as to whether the task has been completed.
The Foonf performed well (PDF) in the NHTSA’s front-impact crash testing, with good Head Injury Criterion (HIC) and chest acceleration scores. We love the Foonf’s sleek, minimalist look; it’s a handsome seat. It is available in a range of colors, with either white or black plastic sides.
It is much easier to release, so whatever gets caught during tightening isn’t involved in the release process. Overall, nothing significant stood out for either installation direction, which is not something we can say about very many seats. The Graco Extend2Fit earned one of the highest crash test analysis scores in this lineup. They indicate a potential additional margin of protection over the average seat in this review, where all pass the federal minimum and should be considered safe.
The Boulevard can be used in the rear-facing position for kids up to 40 pounds (the size of a typical 4-year-old, and an average rear-facing weight limit for a convertible car seat). But we think it could be difficult, in practice, to actually keep a kid rear-facing in the Boulevard for that long. Unlike with our other convertible picks, with the Boulevard the design of the seat itself doesn’t really accommodate larger kids in the rear-facing position. Our top pick, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible, has a pull-out extension panel to create extra legroom. Our also-great pick, the Clek Foonf, reclines in the rear-facing position to create more space, and it has narrow, upright sides that help accommodate a larger rear-facing child. But the Boulevard’s flared, thick sides seem to provide less room for a child’s legs.
Note that there’s quite a bit of space between this adult passenger’s legs and the dashboard. With the extender tucked into the seat, this model was still comfortable, but had 5 fewer inches of leg room. Installation with the panel out and lower anchors requires some of our reviewers to stand behind the seat and pull the lower anchors directly up in order to get the install secure. The Extend2Fit includes the Fuss Free pockets for buckle storage when the seat is not in use. That means you don’t need to dig around by your child’s hips searching for the buckle tongues every time you get them in or out.
For help on how to install a car seat with a locking clip, check out our video here. For help with all things airplane travel and car seats, check out our Wheels Up Course and private Facebook group. This seat has 4 recline options for the rear-facing installation. Once the seat is in the most upright recline position, it takes up very little space front to back.
Even though the fabric isn’t as stain resistant as we’d like (consider going with a dark color), the cover is machine washable. As the name implies, a convertible car seat is designed to evolve as your child grows. Once you transition to the convertible seat, you’ll start out with a baby or toddler sitting in it rear-facing and eventually end up with a much bigger kid riding in it forward-facing. Whatever seat you choose, we’ve also included plenty graco convertible car seat of helpful tips on how to navigate the road ahead. The term convertible refers to the fact that this type of car seat can be installed either rear-facing or forward-facing, whereas infant seats are meant to be installed facing the rear only. Although the laws vary, many states require that a kid remain in a car seat with a five-point harness—which all infant seats and convertible seats have—until they’re at least 40 pounds or 4 years old.