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Graco Contender 65 Review (2021): A Simple, Reliable & Affordable Car Seat

January 7, 2021 by Sam Webster Leave a Comment

Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat and Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat

Please click image for more info

When doing their research, many parents look for a high quality and reliable convertible car seat that's also affordable. They want to protect their child, and so they're also looking for exceptional safety. AND they want a car seat that is easy to use and install, and something that fits well in a wide variety of vehicles.

But they don't want to spend a fortune, and don't need all the bells and whistles of many of the luxury models of convertible car seats. The Graco Contender 65 was designed exactly for those parents: it's a simple, reliable, safe, simple car seat, offered at a reasonable price.

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Quick Navigation
Who is the Graco Contender 65 Most Suitable For?
Pros and Cons of Graco Contender 65
Overview of Graco Contender 65
Graco Contender 65 Video Overview
Graco Contender Convertible Car Seat - FAQs
Graco Contender 65 Specs
Graco Contender 65 Features
What is included with the Graco Contender 65?
Graco Contender 65 Installation
Graco Contender 65 Manual
Graco Contender 65 vs. Graco My Ride 65
Julie's Graco Contender 65 Review
Conclusion

Who is the Graco Contender 65 Most Suitable For?

source

The Graco Contender 65 may be the Goldilocks of convertible car seats: not too big, not too small, not too heavy, not too expensive, not too flimsy, but just right.

In terms of price, it's middle-of-the road: far more affordable than big, all-in-one premium car seats, but also more expensive than cheap, disposable car seats.

In terms of size, it's also in the middle. At just over 15 pounds, it's light and maneuverable, but not as light as the most portable car seats, and not as heavy as steel-framed car seats. It's narrow enough to fit 3-across in mid-size or large vehicles, and not so tall that it blocks the view out the back, but there are much smaller, more compact car seats available.

It has nice fabrics but not the most plush, good versatility for child fit and positioning but not the best, decent installation but not the easiest. In other words, it isn't the single best convertible car seat for any one use or feature, but it's an excellent all-around car seat; it's affordable, versatile, portable, safe, and has a good range of adjustments to keep a child protected and comfortable for several years.

It's also produced by Graco, a company with an excellent reputation for quality, comfort, and safety.

For parents who don't want the expense of a top-of-the-line car seat, but who also don't want a car seat that feels cheap and flimsy, the Graco Contender 65 may be the exact car seat they are looking for.


Pros and Cons of Graco Contender 65

Pros

  • Multiple headrest, harness, and buckle positions for a comfortable, secure fit over time
  • Harness adjusts quickly and easily with one hand
  • Extensively crash, impact, and temperature tested
  • Cup holder is integrated into the arm rest, so it can't be easily removed or dislodged
  • Easy-to-read level
  • FAA approved

Cons

  • No recline settings
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Overview of Graco Contender 65

Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat and Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat

The Graco Contender 65 is made of plastic and dense, energy absorbing foam, so it's both easier to clean and lighter in weight than a steel-framed car seat. But it has also been extensively crash tested, and made with Graco quality, so it's perfectly safe and reliable.

Installation is relatively simple with the included LATCH system or a vehicle's belt system. And the single harness and headrest adjustment provides simple, one-handed adjustment with one hand and no rethreading, so it always fits correctly. The integrated cup holder can't be spilled or knocked over by an active child, and the cushions are machine washable. It's an excellent convertible car seat for the price.

Safety

What are this model’s NHTSA ratings? All car seats sold in the USA must meet strict federal safety standards, so the NHTSA does not rate car seats for safety. Instead, they offer ratings and evaluations for ease of use.


According to the NHTSA, the Graco Contender 65 has earned (for the rear-facing installation):

  • Labels: 3/5 stars because the labels do not explain the use of LATCH attachments and the restraint is not depicted in a rear vehicle seat in illustrations on the label.
  • Instructions: 4/5 stars because the illustration pictograms are not labeled for each method of installation, the owner's manual does not show how to remove the LATCH attachments from storage, and because the manual storage location may not be obvious.
  • Securing the child: 5/5 stars
  • Installation features:  2/5 stars because interference is possible between the crotch buckle and the seat belt during seat belt routing, LATCH attachments require twisting to remove from vehicle anchors, and because there are fewer than three levels of recline.
  • Overall ease of use: 4/5 stars

The Graco Contender 65 has an overall rating of 3/5 for the forward-facing installation, for different reasons.

  • Does this model have:
  • Side impact protection? Yes
  • Energy-absorbing base? Energy-absorbing foam
  • Metal frame? No

Longevity

  • What is this model’s child height limit? Rear-facing: 1 inch below the upper handle, forward-facing: 49 inches
  • What is this model’s child weight limit? Rear-facing: 4 – 40 pounds, forward-facing: 20 – 65 pounds

Ease of Use

  • Does this model have the LATCH system? InRight LATCH System
  • Seat belt installation? No
  • Non-rethread harness system? Yes

Ease of Installation

  • What is this model’s weight? 15.2 pounds
  • What is this model’s width? 20.7 inches
  • What type of harness adjustment system does this model have? Five point Safe Adjust harness
  • Is the seat cover machine-washable? Yes

Comfort and Quality

  • What is the quality of padding (overall)? N/A
  • What is the quality of padding in the head area? N/A
  • Is the seat fabric breathable? N/A
  • Does this model include an infant insert pillow? Yes

Graco Contender 65 Video Overview


Graco Contender Convertible Car Seat - FAQs

What year did Graco Contender 65 come out?

Graco Contender 65 came out in 2013.

How long do Graco Contender 65 car seats last before they expire?

Graco states on their website that “Expiration dates can range anywhere from six to ten years or more depending on the car seat, so it’s important to check yours.”


Also note that Graco stamps an expiration date into the bottom of each car seat, so it’s important to check the bottom of your seat to see when it expires.

How wide is the Graco Contender 65?

Graco Contender 65 is 19 inches wide.

How much does Graco Contender 65 weigh?

Graco Contender 65 weighs 15.2 pounds.

What is the height limit on the Graco Contender carseat?

Shell height of Graco Contender carseat is 28 inches.The height limit in different positions are:

  • Rear-facing: Child's head is 1” below red adjustment handle.
  • Forward-facing: 49″ or less, at least 1 year old*
Will a Graco Contender fit in any size car?

Graco Contender will fit in any size car from small to large.

Can Graco Contender car seat go on airplane?

The Contender is FAA-approved and will make a great seat for flying because it's relatively lightweight for dragging through the airport. I


Graco Contender 65 Specs

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Rear-facing child weight

 5 -40 pounds

Rear-facing child height

1 inch below handle

Forward-facing child weight

22 – 65 pounds

Forward-facing child height

49 inches

Car seat weight

15.22 pounds

Car seat dimensions

26" high x 20.75" wide x 27" deep

Car seat expiration

7 years


Graco Contender 65 Features

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Safety features

  • Engineered and crash tested to meet or exceed federal standards
  • Side impact tested
  • EPS energy absorbing foam for impact energy management
  • Tested for extreme car interior temperatures

Ease of use

  • Simply Safe Adjust harness system adjusts automatically with one hand and no rethreading
  • Easy-to-read level indicator
  • Machine washable seat pad

Longevity features

  • Five point harness adjusts in the front
  • Eight position adjustable headrest keeps pace with a growing child
  • Two buckle positions to secure children over time

Quality and comfort features

  • Removable head and body support for comfort over time
  • Cup holder keeps drinks or snacks convenient
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What is included with the Graco Contender 65?

The Graco Contender 65 comes with removable head and body support cushions to fit properly over time.


Graco Contender 65 Installation

Graco doesn't have installation videos on their YouTube channel, but YouTuber My Best Car Seat has a helpful video that shows both forward-facing and rear-facing installation, which you can watch here:

However, Graco has produced some videos that would be helpful for a new owner of the Contender. In this video, they show how to remove and replace the car seat cover.

Since the LATCH strap needs to be re-routed when converting seating modes, this video shows how to re-route the strap.

And since some people find the LATCH release difficult to use, this video shows how to operate it.


Graco Contender 65 Manual

The Graco Contender 65 manual can be found here:

Click to download Graco Contender 65 manual here. 


Graco Contender 65 vs. Graco My Ride 65

Graco Contender 65

VS

Graco MyRide 65

The Graco Contender 65 and the Graco My Ride 65 are extremely similar car seats. Both of these convertibles:

  • Are backed by Graco crash testing and side impact testing to meet or exceed federal standards
  • Have a 7 year life span from the date of manufacture
  • Have a machine washable seat cushion
  • Have EPS energy absorbing foam
  • Have a removable infant insert and toddler headrest
  • Have up-front harness adjustment
  • Have easy-to-read level indicators for correct installation
  • Do not have recline options

The Graco My Ride fits children from 4 – 40 pounds rear-facing, and from 20 – 65 pounds front facing, so it fits children just slightly lighter in weight than the Contender, and has two cup holders instead of one. It is also slightly heavier (at 15.8 pounds) and is much narrower (at just 17.28 inches) and much taller (at 34.49 inches) than the Contender 65.

Unlike the Graco My Ride, the Contender 65 has a no-rethread harness with 8 positions (instead of 5), two buckle positions, and an adjustable headrest. It is much simpler to adjust the Contender, with more options for a more accurate fit.

The Graco My Ride 65 is an incredibly slim car seat, which may be perfect for 3-across installations, and other instances where you need a narrow seat. However, it is also extremely tall, which can take up a lot of space in rear-facing installations. If you need a simple, reliable, convertible car seat with these kinds of unusual dimensions, the Graco My Ride 65 is a great choice.

Despite being so similar, having similar weight ratings, and being made of the same materials, the MyRide 65 is moderately more affordable than the Contender 65. Graco's MSRP suggests that the MyRide cost $20 less than the Contender.

For most purposes, the Contender 65 is worth the extra money, because having a good range of harness and buckle positions fits a child much better for longer, making it more comfortable. And the simplicity of a one-hand, no-rethread harness is well worth $20 for the time it will save you over the years of use.

However, there are often specials and discounts available on the Graco My Ride 65. If it's the right size for your vehicle, and you can get it for a bargain price, it may be worth sacrificing a little bit of convenience to save the money.


Julie's Graco Contender 65 Review


Conclusion

The Graco Contender 65 is a great car seat for parents who need a car seat that is simple, reliable, safe, and reasonably priced.

The variety of harness and buckle positions, along with the removable cushion and adjustable headrest, help it protect children from 5-65 pounds in comfort.

It is a Graco product, so it can be trusted for high quality, good support, and long-term use. 

Graco Contender 65 Convertible Car Seat and Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat

Graco Contender 65 (click image for more info)

It's not a fancy car seat, but it's an excellent investment in a child's safety and comfort for their first several years, when they need it most.

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Sam Webster

With two kids of my own, I’m passionate about child safety! I’m a research nerd who’s on a mission to make the world a safer place for kids – starting with car seats!

To contact me directly please click here.

Filed Under: Graco

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Hey! I’m Sam, mom of Sadie and Xavier.

When I started searching for a convertible car seat I was overwhelmed by the choices out there.

But being a research nerd, I relished the challenge of finding the best seat for my needs. And in the process, I gathered a ton of info!

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