Graco sells a range of car seats as one of the best-known brands in the industry. This Graco Extend2Fit review takes a detailed look at one of Graco’s most popular models. In our roundup of the best convertible car seats, we listed the Extend2Fit as one of our favorites. Here, we’ll offer a closer look at the features of the seat and how it performed in testing.
In this article:
- Graco Extend2Fit Overview And Features
- Graco Extend2Fit Testing Process
- What We Like About The Graco Extend2Fit
- What We Don’t Like About The Graco Extend2Fit
- Graco Extend2Fit Reviews
- Our Take On The Graco Extend2Fit: 4.3 Stars
- Frequently Asked Questions
Graco Extend2Fit Overview And Features
GracoExtend2Fit | |
|---|---|
| Our Take - A high-quality convertible car seat with soft and easy-to-clean fabrics. | |
| Pros | Cons |
| – High-quality latches – 4-position adjustable extension panel for additional legroom – Several color options – No-rethread harness and headrest | – Square cup holders – Difficult to reposition anchor LATCH system – Some users claim it’s hard to tighten – Difficult to remove and reattach padding |
We believe the Graco Extend2Fit is one of the best convertible car seats in the $200 range. It is a well-built seat with excellent safety features. This car seat is highly adjustable and includes a 10-position headrest, 6 recline positions, and a 4-position extension panel leg rest to help your little one ride rear-facing for longer (the rear-facing position is generally considered safer for children up to 4).
Key Features
- Cost: About $210
- Weight range: 4.0 to 65.0 pounds
- Height limit: Up to 49.0 inches
- Car seat weight: 19.0 pounds
Graco Extend2Fit Testing Process
To test the Graco Extend2Fit, we installed it in the back of a small sedan, trying every buckle and adjustment mechanism. While we handled the seat, we considered ease of use, adjustability, and material quality when determining our rating.
In addition to our in-person testing, we also read through hundreds of customer reviews to see how the Extend2Fit worked out for other parents. We tried to find reviews from those who had experienced accidents while using this seat and those that used it for several years.
Ease Of Use
Every car seat sold in the United States must pass federal safety standards, but even approved car seats are unsafe if improperly installed. If a car seat is easier to install, there’s less of a chance for user error.
Adjustability
Any car seat will need to be adjusted to ensure a safe fit. Convertible car seats are supposed to accommodate a range of heights and weights as your child grows. We gave the highest ratings in this category for car seats with the most adjustment positions and with smoothly-operating levers.
Quality Of Materials
We examined the materials for quality and comfort. Seats with soft padding, quality stitching, and durable frames scored best in this category.
What We Like About The Graco Extend2Fit
The Extend2Fit is a $200 car seat that rivals the quality of pricier models. It features high-quality materials and is easy to install in both the forward- and rear-facing positions. We like that it uses LATCH anchors, which are easier to operate and sturdier than plain metal clips. You can also install this car seat using a seat belt.
Helpful stickers and guides make this fuss-free seat easy to install and provide peace of mind that you’ve fit it into your vehicle properly. A ball level indicator shows the seat is at the appropriate recline angle and stickers show you how far the Extend2Fit can hang over your seat and which settings are appropriate for which configuration (forward- or rear-facing).
Another benefit of the Extend2Fit is that it is rated for children up to 50.0 pounds in the rear-facing position. Many car seats cannot accommodate larger children in this position, though it is generally safer for children four and under to be placed this way. The Extend2Fit has an extendable footboard that can keep your child comfortable in the rear-facing mode as they grow.
Perhaps most importantly, the Extend2Fit vehicle seat has undergone a front and side-impact crash test to meet federal safety standards and for peace of mind.
While the seat cover takes some time and searching to remove, it is machine-washable. The harness storage pockets are also nice for tucking away the parts you aren’t using.
What We Don’t Like About The Graco Extend2Fit
The Extend2Fit is great, but it isn’t perfect. Repositioning the anchor latches to switch from rear- to forward-facing modes is a bit of a pain. This is because it requires removing almost all of the outer fabric layer, which is attached by several anchor points.
Adjusting the incline position is also a little tricky and takes some effort to accomplish. Other car seats that we’ve tested can shift more easily. Tightening the latch connectors and straps also requires a bit more elbow grease than other models, though once tightened, these are very secure.
This seat is a little wide for a car seat, so it may not fit in your car if you need to place three across. The dual cup holders are also square-shaped, which can make for an awkward fit for some cups. And while the inserts and seat pad are easy enough to remove, the fabric cover is difficult to put back on after you wash it.
Graco Extend2Fit Reviews
Reviews on Amazon rate the Graco Extend2Fit an average score of 4.9 out of 5 stars. This near-perfect score is based on over 60,000 ratings. A total of 97 percent of reviews give this car seat 4 or more stars.
Positive Graco Extend2Fit Reviews
The Extend2Fit is popular among parents with children who are large for their ages because it accommodates a higher weight limit and height limit for the rear-facing position.
“My son is not even one and his height and weight [are that] of a [two-year-old]. In order to rear face as long as possible, this was the best product for us."
– CK via Amazon
Reviewers also like the value of this seat, which offers an excellent price-to-quality ratio.
“This was a very budget friendly convertible seat and the fact that it grows with the kid makes it that much better of a financial investment. The fabric allows a lot of breathing room for our son during the hot days."
– Dave via Amazon
There are some reports from parents using this seat during an accident.
“We were in an accident where my now totaled car [spun] from the road into a neighborhood sign and [my kid] was laughing and playing in the back seat like nothing happened!"
– Kelly via Amazon
Negative Graco Extend2Fit Reviews
The most common negative critique of the Extend2Fit regards removing the padding. The lining is machine-washable for easy cleaning, but it must be first unattached from the car seat, which is tricky.
“The cover is secured by small elastic loops strategically placed around the seat. Some of these loops need to be threaded through small holes to reach the fastening hook. Get yourself a crochet hook because otherwise you will be ready to throw the seat away."
– K Graham via Amazon
“You'll need endless patience and elves with tiny but impossibly long fingers to get the darn cover back on the seat."
– A via Amazon
Our Take On The Graco Extend2Fit: 4.3 Stars
The Graco Extend2Fit is an excellent value, offering the high-quality padding and latches one would expect from pricier options. We like the leg extender, which allows taller children to use the seat in its rear-facing position and have extra legroom.
The downsides to this seat are that the harness can be difficult to tighten and it is a pain to remove and reattach the padding when it comes time to wash it. If you buy this car seat, consider also purchasing a crochet hook.
| Overall Rating | 4.3 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Ease of Use | 4 out of 5 |
| Adjustability | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Quality of Materials | 4.5 out of 5 |
Choose this convertible car seat if your child is in the upper percentile for height and weight. It is a wide-based seat that will take up a good amount of space in your back seat, but safe and easy to use (other than cleaning the lining).
Remember that anytime you purchase a car seat, you should check to make sure there have been no recalls on the model.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Graco Extend2Fit worth it?
Absolutely. The Graco Extend2Fit runs for around $200, which is relatively inexpensive for a convertible car seat with high-quality padding, latches, and buckles. It may not be worth it if you want to buy a car seat that is easier to clean or you need something smaller (the Extend2Fit has a large base and takes up a lot of space in the back seat).
Is the Graco Extend2Fit safe for newborns?
Yes, the Extend2Fit functions as an infant car seat and can accommodate newborns in its rear-facing position. It is rated for children between 4.0 and 65.0 pounds and up to 49.0 inches tall.
How long can you use the Graco Extend2Fit?
The Extend2Fit is a convertible car seat and will fit your child until they reach 65.0 pounds or 49.0 inches. As with all car seats, the Extend2Fit does expire, having a lifespan of 10 years after the date of manufacture.
Is the Graco Extend2Fit car seat FAA-approved?
Yes, the Graco Extend2Fit is FAA-approved for airplane use, as are most other Graco products.
Does the Graco Extend2Fit turn into a booster?
The standard model for the Extend2Fit does not turn into a booster seat, nor does it attach to a stroller. However, Graco offers a 3-in-1 model of the Extend2Fit which is able to turn into a high-back booster for children up to 100.0 pounds. This is not the model that we tested for this Graco Extend2Fit review.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
