For proper product usage, please refer to the safety instructions included on the packaging, product labels and manuals. A safe car seat is one of the most important purchases a parent will make—and use—from infancy through early childhood. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top graco car seat testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). 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.
The Cybex Sirona S does have a smart chest clip that provides alerts and information about car temperature and if a child has been left behind. The seats lacking a lock-off typically didn’t perform as well and included the Diono Radian 3RXT Safe+, Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible, Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One, and the Maxi-Cosi Pria All-in-One. Interestingly, the Clek Foonf and the Clek Fllo both have lock-offs but were challenging to install despite this and didn’t score well for this installation method. After receiving the crash test data we commission, we perform a detailed analysis of the sensor data from each car seat’s crash dummy to determine how they compare to the competition and the federal standard. The Tribute is hard to install, so much so that if you can afford something like the Graco SlimFit 3-in-1, we think it is worth the extra money for good crash test results and more straightforward installation performance. While more than twice the price of the Tribute, if you can swing it, we think it is worth it.
In the past, we have made it known that the 4Ever seats are not SITS favorites due to the bulky backless booster mode. But now, with their 4Ever DLX Grad, Graco has added a 5th mode, with a seat belt trainer that’s very similar to the Graco Right Guide. This version also features SnugLock, which makes the installation in the rear and forward-facing harness modes very simple. The well-designed three-in-one toddler car seat can be used as a rear-facing harness, a forward-facing harness, and a high-back booster seat.
All of the fabrics are free of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, and the mammoth and railroad are free of added flame retardants. The Boulevard ClickTight does not have cupholders, which is a bit of a bummer. The fabric on the Extend2Fit Convertible is not the smoothest or the softest—we prefer the material on our runner-up Britax Boulevard ClickTight and our also-great Clek Foonf picks. The Extend2Fit Convertible’s fabric feels a bit like that of a wetsuit, slightly nubby and rough. And it’s prone to staining—the material was not as easy to casually wipe clean as that of the Britax or the Clek.
Also, in our food-and-drink tests, when we smeared peanut butter on the seat, it left a stain that we couldn’t get off with a soapy damp rag. Car seat manufacturers frequently release new models and update their existing ones. Though we didn’t rule out any seats on the basis of their being brand new, whenever possible we chose to test models that had been available for at least a year, in order to give us a more solid track record of user reviews. Like the other seats in Britax’s ClickTight line, the Boulevard ClickTight requires less effort to install than any other seat we tested. The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible does a superior job of keeping your child rear-facing longer—and it’s straightforward to install and use.
We recognize that this is easier said than done, and we understand that many caregivers are eager to switch their child to the forward-facing position. This can be because it’s easier to see them or hand them things from the front seat when they’re facing forward, because caregivers are hoping to reduce graco convertible car seat car sickness, or because their child simply prefers it. Still, we think the trade-offs and inconveniences of keeping your child rear-facing for as long as possible—ideally until your child reaches their seat’s rear-facing height or weight limit—are worth it for the added safety and security.
Plus, once you get to the high back and backless modes, it would be difficult for the child to buckle themselves in. The seat belt trainer mode, however, does fit very well in most 3-across situations. The best car seat is the one that fits your child, vehicle, budget, and lifestyle and has the features important to you. The safest car seat is the one you can install correctly and use properly on every ride! Let us know in the comment section what questions you have about this review of the Graco 4Ever DLX Grad car seat.
Every car seat needs to be installed using either the lower anchors or a seat belt to secure it in place, never both. If you choose to use a seat belt to install your car seat, pay close attention to how to “lock” your seat belt according to the vehicle’s owner manual. Before installing your car seat make sure you understand the function and location of the vehicle and car seat parts that are used in installation.