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Graco My Ride 65 Review (2021): A Solid, Competitively-Priced All-Rounder

January 7, 2021 by Sam Webster Leave a Comment

Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat, Appleicious

Please click image for more info

Many new parents agonize over their choice of car seat, looking for the best safety, the most important features, and the best price. They’re looking for the perfect car seat for their child and making the best choice among the alternatives.

However, what often happens in real life is that there isn't a single perfect car seat. Most families end up buying multiple car seats. They may have their big, heavy, premium, all-in-one in their primary car, but a different car seat in a secondary car. They may need a car seat that is designed for travel, or a simple car seat to loan to occasional caregivers or family members.

The Graco My Ride 65 strikes a balance among all of those needs, and is a solid, competitively-priced all-rounder that will last for years.

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

Who is the Graco My Ride 65 Most Suitable For?

Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat, Appleicious

The Graco My Ride 65 is a safe, affordable car seat with Graco quality and safety standards, and without a lot of bells and whistles.

In fact, the Graco My Ride 65 is a somewhat inconvenient car seat. The harness needs rethreading for cleaning and adjustment, which can be time-consuming.

While it isn't heavy, it's a big car seat for seats in its class, and the limited recline range can take up a lot of front passenger space. More upscale car seats have easier installation and adjustment features, have a larger weight range or life span, or are compact and easy to travel with, and the My Ride 65 isn't any of those.

However, it's a great choice for a safe, basic, useful car seat. For parents who want an affordable seat without compromising on quality or safety, as a backup car seat for a second car, or for family members and care givers who only occasionally need a car seat, the Graco My Ride 65 is a great choice.

It's also a great choice for kids who are bigger than average, since this car seat is on the large side. While it has the same height and weight ranges as competitor products, it has a generous interior that may be a better fit for kids who are above average in size.


Pros and Cons of Graco My Ride 65

Pros

  • Meets and exceeds federal safety standards
  • Side impact tested
  • Dual cupholders
  • Easy-to-read level indicator
  • Machine-washable seat cushion
  • Removable newborn pillow
  • FAA Approved

Cons

  • Harness needs rethreading for cleaning and for sizing adjustments
  • Fairly large car seat for the child's weight and size range
  • Straps can be narrow and rub on the child's neck
  • Less than three recline positions in rear-facing mode
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Overview of Graco My Ride 65

Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat, Appleicious

The Graco My Ride 65 is a good convertible car seat, keeping children safe and comfortable from 4-65 pounds. Although it has undergone crash testing and side impact testing, it is light in weight, at just under 16 pounds. It doesn't have a lot of advanced features and bells and whistles of other car seats, but then, it doesn't have a big price tag either.

It's a large car seat, with plenty of room for larger-than-average babies and children, with roomy construction, and it's simple, functional, and comfortable.

The good lifespan and reliable quality of the Graco My Ride 65 make it a good choice as a primary car seat, but the simplicity and affordability of this model also make it a great choice as a backup car seat, occasional car seat, or emergency car seat.

Safety

What are this model’s NHTSA ratings? All car seats sold in the US must meet or exceed strict federal safety and crash test 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 My Ride 65 has earned (for the rear-facing installation):

  • Labels: 5/5 stars
  • Instructions: 4/5 stars because the manual does not show how to remove the LATCH attachments from storage, the instruction manual storage itself may not be obvious, and because the illustration pictograms aren't labeled for every method of installation.
  • Securing the child: 4/5 stars because there is a head hugger or body pillow that blocks visibility of the harness slots, and because the harness must be rethreaded during cleaning and to adjust for the child's growth, and rethreading may generate loose parts.
  • Installation features: 2/5 stars because there are fewer than three levels of recline, the hook-style LATCH restraints may require twisting to remove from a vehicle, and because there is possible interference between the crotch buckle and the seat belt during installation.
  • Overall ease of use: 4/5 stars
  • 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: top of child's head must be at least 1 inch below the handle
  • What is this model’s child weight limit? Rear-facing weight limit of 40 pounds, front-facing weighForward-facing: 49 inchest limit of 65 pounds

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? Yes
  • Seat belt installation? No
  • Non-rethread harness system? No

Ease of Installation

  • What is this model’s weight? 15.8 pounds
  • What is this model’s width? 17 inches
  • What type of harness adjustment system does this model have? 5-point, front-adjusting harness
  • Is the seat cover machine-washable? Yes

Comfort and Quality

  • What is the quality of padding (overall)?
  • 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

Video Overview of Graco My Ride 65

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Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat - FAQs

What year did Graco My Ride 65 come out?

Graco My Ride 65 came out in 2009.

How long do Graco My Ride 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 much does the Graco My Ride 65 weigh?

Graco My Ride 65 weighs 15.8 pounds.

How wide is the Graco My Ride 65?

Width of Graco My Ride 65 seat is 20.8 inches externally and base is 11 inches wide.

What is the height limit on the Graco My Ride 65 carseat?

Shell Height of Graco My Ride 65 carseat 24 inches. Height limit in different positions are:

  • REAR-FACING: 1” inch from the top of the seat
  • FORWARD-FACING: Up to 50 inches
Will a Graco My Ride 65 fit in any size car?

Graco My Ride 65 will fit in any size car but it's a bit bulky in a small car.

Can Graco My Ride 65 fit three across in the back seat of a car?

Graco My Ride 65 can fit three across in the back seat of a car.

Can Graco My Ride 65 car seat go on airplane?

My Ride 65 is FAA approved for airplane travel. 

What is the difference between Graco My Ride 65 and Graco Extend2fit car seat?

The similarities between the models are:

  • Both models have almost same height and weight limit for all positions.
  • Both models are engineered & rigorously crash tested to meet or exceed US Standard FMVSS 213.
  • Both models have dual cup holders that keep drinks within your child's reach.
  • Both of them have Energy Absorbing Foam and steel-reinforced frame.
  • They have 5-point, front-adjust harness thay helps you get baby in and out.

The differences between the models are:

  • Graco My Ride 65 car seats last for 6 years before they expire.  Graco Extend2Fit car seats last for 10 years before they expire.
  • Graco My Ride 65 weighs 15.8 pounds. Graco Extend2Fit weighs 23.2 pounds.
  • Graco Extend2Fit has additional 5" leg room.
  • Graco Extend2Fit has InRight LATCH system.
  • Extend2fit comes with 6-position recline which isn't applicable for Graco My Ride 65
What is the difference between Graco My Ride 65 LX and DLX?

The similarities of the models are:

  • Both models have same weight and height limits in all installation.
  • LATCH equipped with an easy-to-read level indicator for simple installation.
  • Both these My Ride 65 products satisfy all the US safety requirements. 
  • They have been successfully tested for side impact and are also crash tested.
  • These seats come with EPS energy absorbing foam for better impact energy dissipation. 

The differences between the models are:

  • The My Ride 65 LX includes an infant head rest only, while the DLX includes an insert which adds support for both the infant’s head and torso.
  • The DLX costs about $20-$30 more.
  • The specifications for LX are (26Ă—20.8Ă—27) (HxWxD) and for DLX are (21.2Ă—20.1Ă—32). The seat’s height in LX is more than the DLX. 
  • The DLX seat is wider than that of LX. Now although this makes it comfortable for the kid,placing three such seats in the backside could become slightly difficult, especially for smaller cars.
  • DLX comes with greater depth than LX, This is good in terms of better neck support and added safety
  • The DLX models are difficult to unbuckle.
Which is better: Graco Nautilus vs My Ride 65?

The similarities of the models are:

  • They have been successfully tested for side impact and are also crash tested.
  • Both models have Machine Washable Seat Cushion.
  • Both of them have cup holders but My Ride 65  has duel.
  • They are suitable for mimiler types of car.

The differences between the models are:

  • Graco Nautilus 65 comes as harness booster car seat, while Graco My Ride 65 is convertible car seat. 
  • Graco Nautilus 65 is intended to be used by 22-100 lbs child, while Graco My Ride 65 comes for children with 4-65 lbs weight.
  • Graco Nautilus 65 comes with steel-reinforced frame, EPS energy absorbing foam, Simply Safe Adjust Harness System and 3-recline positions that We can’t find in Graco My Ride 65.
  • Graco Nautilus 65 is offered at the higher price than Graco My Ride 65. 
  • Graco Nautilus 65 has Premium push-on LATCH connectors but  Graco My Ride 65 has SuperCinch LATCH Connectors.

So if we compare those two car seats in their safety and comfort aspects, we can say that Graco Nautilus 65 is better than Graco My Ride 65.


Graco My Ride 65 Specs

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Rear-facing height limit

Top of head must be at least 1 inch below the handle

Rear-facing weight limit

4-40 pounds

Forward-facing height limit

 49 inches

Forward-facing weight limit

20-65 pounds

Car seat weight

15.8 pounds

Car seat dimensions

21.1 x 17.28 x 34.49 inches

Car seat expiration

7 years


Graco My Ride 65 Features

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Safety features

  • Rigorously crash tested to meet or exceed safety standards
  • Side impact tested
  • EPS energy-absorbing foam for impact energy management

Ease of use

  • Easy-to-read level indicator for simple installation
  • Front-adjusting harness to quickly get children in and out of the seat
  • Machine-washable seat cushion

Longevity features

  • Removable infant insert and toddler headrest keep kids safe and comfortable as they grow

Quality and comfort features

  • Integrated cup holders keep drinks and snacks close by
  • Graco has a great reputation for innovation, quality, and safety

What is included with the Graco My Ride 65?

The Graco My Ride 65 comes with a removable newborn insert pillow and toddler headrest.


Graco My Ride 65 Installation

Graco has published several videos about the My Ride 65 on their YouTube channel, covering every installation mode. For rear-facing installation with LATCH, you can see the video here:

For rear-facing installation with a vehicle belt, you can see the video here:

For forward-facing installation with LATCH, the video is here:

For forward-facing installation using a seat belt, you can watch the video here:


Graco My Ride 65 Manual

The Graco My Ride 65 user's manual can be found here:

Click to download Graco My Ride 65 manual here. 


Graco My Ride 65 vs. Graco Contender 65

Graco My Ride 65

VS

Graco Contender 65

The Graco My Ride 65 and the Contender 65 are both convertible car seats that protect kids up to 65 pounds. With plastic and impact-absorbing foam construction, and dual cupholders, they even look fairly similar.

They both have the same safety testing, removable newborn support pillows, and a 7 year lifespan. But the Graco Contender 65 costs more than the My Ride 65. Since the reasons aren't superficial, the cost difference is in the details. Let's take a closer look at these two convertible car seats.

Graco My Ride 65

Graco Contender 65

Rear-facing height range

Top of head must be at least 1 inch below the handle

Top of head must be at least 1 inch below the handle

Rear-facing weight range

4-40 pounds

5-40 pounds

Forward-facing height range

49 inches

49 inches

Forward-facing weight range

20-65 pounds

22-65 pounds

Car seat weight

15.8 pounds

15.22 pounds

Car seat dimensions

21.1 x 17.28 x 34.49

27 x 20.75 x 26 inches

Harness

Five-point, front-adjust non-re-threadable harness

Simply Safe Adjust harness system adjusts headrest and harness at once with no rethreading

Headrest

Removable pillow

Eight-position headrest

Buckle positions

1

2

While both car seats are safe and protective for children up to 65 pounds or 7 years, the Contender 65 has a much easier harness, with a greater range of harness, headrest, and buckle positions for a more accurate fit as a child grows. Importantly, the significantly shorter height of the Contender makes it fit more easily in smaller cars, particularly in rear-facing mode.

Many parents would feel that the greater convenience and adjustability of the Contender 65 makes it worth the extra money. And many other parents feel like these features are extras that aren't worth paying for.

It's worth remembering that both of these car seats sometimes have sales and discounts offered on Amazon, and that the MSRP for both of these car seats is only s a $20 price difference. So it may be worth looking out for a good deal on the Contender 65, as a simple upgrade to the My Ride 65.


Emeriandkiddos Graco My Ride 65 Review


How to Clean the Graco MyRide 65 Car Seat


Conclusion

The Graco My Ride 65 may be a bit big and bulky, but it's safe, comfortable, and has great longevity, protecting children up to 65 pounds or 7 years.

Many people are surprised by the quality construction of this car seat given the price, and have a pleasant surprise with the comfort, functionality, and durability of this car seat.

It's a great choice for people who want a safe, simple car seat without a lot of extra features they don't need, that will last for up to 7 years.

Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat, Appleicious

Graco My Ride 65 (click image for more info)

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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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SafeConvertibleCarSeats is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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