Because the 4Ever Extend2Fit has a sort of gigantically large footprint, Graco was kind enough to put a label on the base. This label indicates how much of the base needs to be on the vehicle seat in rear facing mode. We found that when the panel was graco car seat even partially extended and the seat was on the more reclined settings, it was really challenging to make the 4Ever Extend2Fit fit on the vehicle seat, even in a van. Many vehicles cannot accommodate a car seat this size in a 3-across configuration.
We opted not to test these seats because they’re less widely available than the Extend2Fit Convertible and have lower rear-facing weight limits. We additionally dismissed seats that were not as well suited for extended rear-facing as the Extend2Fit Convertible, which has the extension panel for added rear-facing legroom. At just 6.8 pounds, the inexpensive Cosco Scenera Next weighs far less than most other convertible car seats.
Our tester was immediately impressed by how durable the seat felt. We found that, overall, the installation process was intuitive and took only about five minutes to complete. The buckles and straps were firm and a little hard to use at first, and we also found that the straps snagged when being adjusted.
Thankfully, the entire seat cover can be removed (video), machine-washed, and drip-dried. The light gray color of our test model didn’t do much to help hide the stain, either; for this seat, solid black is probably a better bet. 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.
To switch the 4Ever Extend2Fit from high back to backless booster mode, lift the red tabs on the seat pan and slide them towards the middle of the seat. They are attached to pins that hold the frame of the back of the seat into the base. When the pins are moved out of the frame, lift off the back of the seat to reveal a backless booster seat.
If this Graco is somewhat out of your price range, the Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is also worth considering. It is easy to install with LATCH, easy to use and offers more comfort and quality than the other 4Ever. With a price that can save you around a hundred dollars, it is worth comparing graco car seat the two seats to see which fits your needs best. The forward-facing installation of the 4Ever does provide a lock-off, which is fantastic and makes getting a stable seat easier. Moving the headrest out of the way is easy, and the pathway is apparent through larger-than-average holes.
Of course, that is one of the benefits of this seat over the other 50 pound rear facing seats on the market. The manual specifies that the panel must be extended when the seat is used with children who weigh over 40 pounds, however Graco has clarified to us that the graco convertible car seat panel doesn’t need to be out. If your family is larger, you may wonder how multiple 4Ever 4-in-1 car seats will fit into your vehicle. We drive a mid-size SUV and are able to fit two Graco seats and an infant car seat across the back row without any issues.