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With its adjustable leg support for children sitting rear-facing, the Graco Extend2Fit is an excellent choice for parents who want to keep their kids sitting in the rear-facing position for as long as possible (which is recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
Combine that with Graco's long safety track record and you've got one of the safest car seats on the market.
Who is the Graco Extend2Fit Most Suitable For?
The Graco Extend2Fit is the perfect convertible car seat for parents who have read the statistics about vehicle safety for children and want to provide the best possible car safety for their child, by keeping them rear-facing for as long as possible.
The lower extension panel of the Graco Extend2Fit creates adjustable leg support for rear-facing children as they grow, allowing them to comfortably remain in a rear-facing car seat as their legs get longer.
The lower extension is designed to allow more leg room in the car seat without taking up significantly more back-to-front space in the car, impeding front-seat legroom. However, at its fullest extension, depending on the vehicle, it may take up more legroom than some parents prefer.
The Graco Extend2Fit is specifically designed for extended rear-facing, so in the forward-facing mode, it's a decent, but not extraordinary, car seat.
The harness adjusts easily without rethreading, it's sturdy and safe, and the built-in cupholders are convenient. It's a reliable, comfortable, easy to install car seat in forward facing mode. But in rear-facing mode, it's a significant advancement over competitors.
Pros and Cons of Graco Extend2Fit
Pros
Cons
Overview of Graco Extend2Fit
The Graco Extend2Fit is an innovative convertible car seat that is capable of much longer rear-facing than other car seats. One of the primary problems of prolonged rear-facing is that, as children get taller, they have to bend their legs in awkward positions to fit into the car seat.
The Graco Extend2Fit not only allows children to remain rear-facing up to an impressive 50 pound weight limit, but it has a convenient, 4-position extending panel that can provide up to 5 inches of additional leg room and support for a growing child.
This unusual design helps rear-facing children remain comfortable and accommodates their growth over time, so that prolonged rear-facing is no longer as awkward or uncomfortable as it has been in other car seats.
Safety
What are this model’s NHTSA ratings? All car seats sold in the USA must meet or exceed 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 Extend2Fit has earned (for the rear-facing installation):
The Graco Extend2Fit has earned an overall ease of use rating of 3/5 stars in the forward-facing mode, for different reasons.
- Side impact protection? Yes
- Energy-absorbing base? No
- Metal frame? Plastic body, steel reinforced frame
Longevity
Ease of Use
Ease of Installation
Comfort and Quality
Expiration
Video Overview of Graco Extend2Fit
Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat - FAQs
Graco Extend2Fit came out in 2016.
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.
Widest point of Graco Extend2Fit is 19 inches.
Graco Extend2Fit weighs 23.2 pounds.
The Graco Extend2Fit carseat height with headrest is 27 inches. But it has different height limit in different positions. They are:
The Extend2Fit is FAA-approved, but you will most likely need to raise the armrests on the airplane seat to get it to fit because of the cup holders.
Similarities between Grace Extend2fit Platinum vs Regular:
Differences between Grace Extend2fit Platinum vs Regular:
Similarities between Graco My Ride 65 and Graco Extend2Fit:
Differences between Graco My Ride 65 and Graco Extend2Fit:
Graco Extend2Fit Specs
FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Rear-facing child weight | 4 -50 pounds |
Rear-facing child height | head must be at least 1 inch below red handle |
Forward-facing child weight | 22 – 65 pounds |
Forward-facing child height | up to 49 inches |
Car seat weight | 23.19 pounds |
Car seat dimensions | 22.1" high x 19.2" wide x 25.2" deep |
Car seat expiration | 10 years |
Graco Extend2Fit Features
FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Safety features | |
Ease of use | |
Longevity features | |
Quality and comfort features |
What is included with the Graco Extend2Fit?
The Graco Extend2Fit comes with a removable newborn insert cushion.
Graco Extend2Fit Installation
Because LATCH should not be used rear-facing above 45 pounds, for parents who want to use this car seat rear-facing for as long as possible, they will need to eventually convert to a belt and tether install. For that reason, Graco has produced a number of YouTube videos covering all the installation options.
For rear-facing LATCH installation, watch this video.
For rear-facing belt installation, watch this video
For forward-facing LATCH installation, watch this video
and for forward-facing seat belt installation, watch this video
Many parents find it difficult to remove and replace the seat cover for cleaning, so Graco has also produced this video demonstrating how to do it.
Graco Extend2Fit Manual
The Graco Extend2Fit owner's manual can be found here:
Graco Extend2Fit vs. Graco 4Ever
The Graco Extend2Fit is a car seat built for prolonged rear-facing in improved comfort over similar models. Not only does it hold rear-facing children up to 50 pounds, but it has an extending leg support to keep growing children comfortable in a rear-facing position.
The Graco 4Ever is a convertible car seat that transitions from rear-facing, to front-facing, to a high-backed booster seat, to a simple booster seat. It's an all-in-one that protects children up to 57 inches or 120 pounds. Let's do a comparison between the two:
Header | Graco Extend2Fit | Graco 4Ever |
|---|---|---|
Safety testing | Crash tested, side impact tested | Crash tested, side impact tested |
Material | Plastic body with steel reinforced frame | Plastic body with steel reinforced frame |
Rear-facing weight limits | 4 – 50 pounds | 4 – 40 pounds |
Rear-facing height limits | Head must be at least 1 inch below the red handle | Head must be at least 1 inch below the red handle |
Forward-facing weight limits | 22 – 65 pounds | 22 – 65 pounds |
Forward-facing height limits | Up to 49 inches | 27 – 49 inches |
High-backed booster weight limits | N/A | 30 – 100 pounds |
High-backed booster height limits | N/A | 38 – 57 inches |
Booster seat weight limits | N/A N/A | 40 – 120 pounds |
Booster seat height limits | Enter your text here... | 40 - 57 inches |
Car seat weight | 23.19 pounds | 22.75 pounds |
Car seat dimensions | 22.1" high x 19.2" wide x 25.2" deep | 24" high x 21.5" wide x 20" deep |
Recline positions | 3 rear-facing recline angles, 3 forward-facing recline angles | 3 rear-facing recline angles, 3 forward-facing recline angles |
Installation system | InRight LATCH system | InRight LATCH system |
Harness adjustment system | Simply Safe Adjust harness system | Simply Safe Adjust harness system |
Cupholders | Two integrated cupholders | Two integrated cupholders |
Cushions and covers | Removable and machine washable | Removable and machine washable |
Leg support extension panel | 4-position panel with 5 inches of additional leg room | N/A |
In addition, both carseats have similar installation with the level indicator, and a 10 year lifespan. There are some details that may not be so minor, like the fact that the 4Ever has round cupholders, while the Extend2Fit has square ones.
While the biggest obvious difference between these two car seats is that the Graco 4Ever is rated for kids up to 57 inches and 120 pounds, and converts to a booster seat when it's needed, it is also much more expensive than the Extend2Fit.
Meanwhile, there is also an important consideration for the earlier years: the fact is that the Graco Extend2Fit is much deeper than the Graco 4Ever, at more than 25 inches deep. This depth is perfect for the extended rear-facing that the car seat is designed for, but may not fit well in many vehicles, particularly if a car has bucket seats.
For parents who want a single car seat that will protect their child in comfort for a full 10 years, until they are tall enough to use an adult seat belt, the Graco 4Ever is a great choice.
For parents who want to keep their child rear-facing for as long as possible, as experts recommend, and who have vehicles that can fit the unusual depth, the Graco Extend2Fit is unlike any other convertible car seat. Extend2Fit owners will eventually need to purchase a booster seat to fit their child as they grow, but it's so much more affordable than the Graco 4Ever, that the Extend2Fit + a booster may still represent an overall cost savings.
Best Buy Canada Product Videos Graco Extend2Fit Review
Conclusion
Do you travel a lot or have a long commute? The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible car seat has some pretty dynamite features for longer rides. It has dual cupholders and a footrest that gives your child more legroom when rear-facing.
The most practical characteristics are pretty great, too. The weight limit while fear-facing is 50 pounds. Also, it has a no-thread hardness that makes use and installation pretty straightforward. Its crash test results are some of the best because it utilizes push-on LATCH connectors. It is also steel-reinforced.
Graco Extend2Fit (click image for more info)
The transition from rear-facing to forward-facing can get a little tricky at first. The Extend2Fit is a bit bulky, too. The width does not work if multiple people ride in the backseat. It does provide your bundle with more comfort, but not much room for their older siblings.
Overall, the Graco Extend2Fit Convertible car seat is reasonably priced, super safe, and provides layers of safety and comfort. It works well for suburban parents with a busy schedule and is in the vehicle for long stretches of time.
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!
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