The Graco 65 convertible car seat is ONLY ideal for you IF you intend to leave it installed in one vehicle. The ease of tightening the straps either by the LATCH or by seat belt is the primary issue you will have with this seat should you decide to keep on moving it from one vehicle to another. Read more to see if this is the seat you are looking for.
| Rear-Facing Weight: | 5 to 40 pounds |
| Forward-Facing Weight: | 20 to 65 pounds |
| Height Limit: | Up to 49 inches |
What good is a car seat when you can't fit it inside the vehicle you intend to install it into? Check out the dimensions to make sure it will fit nicely in the rear seat.
| Width | 20.75 inches |
| Height | 26 inches |
| Depth/Length | 27 inches |
| Do I need to use a pool noodle/rolled towel? | Yes |
| Easy To Install Rear-Facing? | Relatively |
| Easy To Install Forward-Facing? | Relatively |
| Easy To Uninstall? | No |
While the seat can be a bit tilted, you don't have the option to completely lay them flat, or customize the recline, unless you put a rolled towel or pool noodles.
There are mixed sentiments about how easy or hard it is to install the seat.
If you intend to transfer this seat from one vehicle to another and will be using the LATCH to install it, this seat may be a little challenging for you. There is an overwhelming number of feedback from parents who curse the ability of this seat to be taken out of the LATCH hooks in a breeze.
| Country Of Origin: | China |
| Steel Frame: | No |
| Five-Point Harness? | Yes |
| Side Impact Tested: | Yes |
| Approved For Airplane Use: | Yes |
| Easy To Buckle And Unbuckle? | No |
Some parents have noticed that the fit on the chest area does not seem to be snug enough to secure their child.
It is also troublesome to keep on adjusting the seat straps just because the straps suddenly become uneven. As a rule, you should not be able to pinch it to make sure that it is tight enough and therefore safe.
But if you are driving and keep on checking if the straps are fine, how is that any help when you are supposed to always keep your eyes on the road?
Good Convertible Car Seats Of 2023
Consider narrowing down your options by focusing on those made with EPP or EPS foam for impact management. Both materials meet government safety regulations, but EPP foam is more elastic and less brittle than EPS foam, making it better at withstanding multiple impacts and regaining its shape.
Keep in mind that any seat involved in an accident should be replaced, regardless of the foam type.
Good Convertible Car Seats With EPP Foam:
Good Convertible Car Seats With EPS Foam:
| Is The Material Breathable? | Yes |
| Seat Weight: | 15.2 pounds |
| Easy To Remove Cover? | No |
| Machine Washable Cover? | Yes |
| Roomy? | Yes |
| No-Rethread Harness? | Yes |
| Comes With An Infant Body Support? | Removable head and body support |
| Expiration | 7 years |
| Comes With A Cup Holder? | Yes |
| Shoulder Harness Has Pads? | No |
| Leg Straps Has Pads? | No |
The materials used to manufacture the car seat are surprisingly decent enough to justify the added cost without having parents overspend.
The padding does not seem to make a child sweat a lot as complemented by some parents. It's a plus to know that your little passenger can get the comfort they need to have a fuss-free trip.
Also, take note of the weight which is 15.2 pounds, just in case you need to air travel with it or transfer it often from one vehicle to another.
The fabric is easy to clean and machine washable. Unlike some seats that are good for hand washing only, you don't have to worry that it will rip out after a good machine wash.
It's convenient to know that every time your child grows inch by inch, you don't have to manually rethread the straps to adjust them to the needs of your growing child. Saves you time as well. You can, in fact, adjust the harness with a single pull of the headrest.
As the comfort of the passenger is important, note that you may have to purchase an additional strap pad to make sure that the straps do not rub against your child's neck.
Add the position of the cup holder to the good stuff to note. It is located at a comfortable distance from a child's little hands. It is good that they are able to help themselves with their drinks anytime they need them.
The Graco Contender 65 Car Seat is good-sized and not too heavy. These make it ideal to carry the seat with you should you be traveling by plane. Just don't make it too often, as you will have the same issue with tightening the straps in the plane seat.
For the price point, I believe you can get a better seat.
What Do You Think?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Cheers!
Pitin
Graco Contender 65 Vs
Very thorough review of the Graco 65 Convertible car seat. I especially like the installation video. My husband and I spend so much time trading children back and forth that this car seat would create a real headache. I do not think this is a car seat that I would choose to own, though I am a regular Graco customer.
Hi Wendy,
I agree that difficulty in installing a seat can be a real deal-breaker especially if you are constantly bringing the seat in and out of the car and installing/uninstalling it in different vehicles. My guts tells me that The Evenflo Symphony DLX Car Seat (My Review Here) is the most ideal if EASY installation is my priority as it auto-tightens by itself upon hooking in the LATCHes and pushing the seat. However, it is HUGE, but it’s something I can leave with as long as it fits comfortably in my vehicle.
Cheers,
Pitin