Full Review ⭐ Graco Extend LX R129 Convertible Car Seat: Rearward Facing for Longer from Birth to Approx. 4 Years (40-105cm). Forward Facing from 15 Months to Approx. 4 Years (76-105cm), Midnight Fashion

The Graco Extend LX is an innovative convertible car seat designed to provide extended rear-facing use for infants and toddlers. This popular seat accommodates children from birth up to approximately 4 years old, allowing parents to keep kids rear-facing for longer.

With its range of recline positions and no-rethread harness, the Extend LX aims to make installation and adjustments simple. It features thick cushions and padding for comfort, along with side impact protection to help absorb crash forces. Parents can choose from multiple color options to match their vehicle's interior.

Overall, the Graco Extend LX convertible car seat aims to provide exceptional safety, comfort, and convenience from infancy through the preschool years. Its emphasis on extended rear-facing makes it an attractive option for safety-focused parents.

Key Features

The Graco Extend LX R129 is a convertible car seat designed to grow with your child from birth through the toddler years. It has two modes of use:

Rear-Facing Mode

The Extend LX R129 can be used rear-facing from birth up to around 4 years old. In this mode, the seat reclines and allows infants to lie flat to support their head, neck and spine. There are 5 recline positions to choose from to ensure the proper seat angle. Rear-facing is the safest way for infants and toddlers to ride. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children rear-facing until at least age 2.

The rear-facing weight limit is 5-40 lbs (2.3-18 kg) and height limit is up to 40 in (102 cm). The seat features an infant body support and headrest to provide extra comfort and support for smaller babies. The no-rethread harness makes adjustments easy as your child grows.

Forward-Facing Mode

Once your child outgrows the rear-facing limits, the Extend LX R129 transitions to a forward-facing seat. This is for children approximately 15 months to 4 years old. Forward-facing has a higher weight limit of 22-65 lbs (10-30 kg) and max height of 49 in (125 cm). The harness and headrest adjust together in one motion for proper fit.

For parents looking for an alternative car seat option, the Graco SlimFit LX Car Seat is a great choice. It can be used from birth up to 12 years old, with a weight range of 0-36 kg. The SlimFit LX has a slim design to help provide more legroom for passengers while still providing side impact protection. It can be used rear-facing from birth until around 4 years old (up to 18 kg), then transitions to forward-facing from around 4-12 years old (9-36 kg). The headrest and harness adjust together, and it features ISOCATCH connectors for easy installation. With its long-lasting use through the toddler and child years, the SlimFit LX is an excellent alternative to consider.

When choosing a convertible car seat, it's important to think about your child's age, weight, and height limits to find one that will meet their needs over time. Read reviews and safety ratings as well to ensure you find a high-quality, safe option. Take your child along when buying a car seat to test it out. Be sure to register your car seat and properly install it according to the manual. With features like extended rear-facing, adjustable harnesses, and slim space-saving designs, today's convertible seats provide convenience, comfort and protection as your child grows.

Rear-Facing Mode

The Graco Extend LX can be used in rear-facing mode for infants from birth up to around 4 years old. It has a weight limit of 4-40 lbs (1.8-18 kg) and a height limit of up to 40 inches (102 cm) when rear-facing.

Rear-facing is the safest position for babies and toddlers as it provides optimal support and protection for their head, neck and spine in the event of a crash. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children rear-facing until at least 2 years old.

In rear-facing mode, the Extend LX has a no-rethread harness that adjusts easily with one hand to properly fit your growing child. There are 5 positions to ensure a snug and secure fit. It also features EPS foam and side impact protection to absorb crash forces and shield your little one.

The seat can recline to multiple positions for your child's comfort but must be reclined within a safe angle for rear-facing use. Always make sure the level indicator confirms the seat is reclined appropriately to protect your child.

When your child outgrows the rear-facing limits of the Extend LX, you'll need to transition to a forward-facing car seat. The Graco Affix Backless Booster Car Seat is an excellent option to consider. This highback booster provides a safe and comfortable ride for kids from 30-100 lbs and 38-57 inches tall.

The Affix has unique safety features like a one-hand adjust headrest and integrated belt guides to help properly position the seat belt. The open-loop belt guides block the seat belt from getting into an unsafe position as your child enters and exits the car. This helps prevent injury.

For added convenience, this Graco booster seat has side cup holders to hold drinks and snacks during the ride. It's also easy to wipe clean. The seat pad and armrests can be removed for machine washing.

With 10 height positions and adjustable headrest, the Affix Booster can be customized to fit your growing child. The padded seat provides comfort and support in the car. It helps position the seat belt properly across your child's body.

The Affix Backless Booster transitions to a backless mode when your child is ready. Simply remove the back for a lightweight and portable booster. This extended use makes it a smart investment that will last for many years.

Forward-Facing Mode

The Graco Extend2Fit allows children to remain rear-facing longer by providing extra legroom. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing weight and height limits, it's time to transition to forward-facing mode. This seat has a forward-facing weight range of 15-40 lbs and height range of 76-105 cm.

To switch to forward-facing, move the harness to the forward-facing belt path and adjust the headrest to the proper height for your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children rear-facing until at least age 2. While extended rear-facing is ideal, the Extend2Fit provides the option to keep children rear-facing up to 50 lbs, allowing for rear-facing well past age 2 for many kids. Once your child meets the minimum forward-facing requirements, transitioning to forward-facing can provide more legroom.

In forward-facing mode, the Extend2Fit still provides side impact protection and a steel-reinforced frame for safety. Features like the InRight LATCH system make it easy to get a secure installation. The harness holders keep straps out of the way while loading your child. Overall, the Extend2Fit provides an excellent option for both rear and forward-facing to keep kids safe.

Installation

The Graco Extend2Fit LX convertible car seat has a straightforward installation process whether using LATCH or the vehicle seat belt.

The LATCH system on the Extend2Fit makes proper installation easy. There are premium push-on LATCH connectors that click audibly when attached correctly. The LATCH straps can be tightened easily from the front of the seat by pulling the adjustment strap. For added security, a tether must also be attached when installing rear-facing.

Installing with the vehicle seat belt is just as simple. The seat belt feeds smoothly through the belt path guides. The lock-off on the side of the seat helps keep the belt tight and secure. When rear-facing, the seat belt needs to be routed through the rear-facing belt path. Forward-facing uses the front belt path.

Overall, parents report that the Graco Extend2Fit installs securely and doesn't shift or wobble, giving peace of mind that proper installation has been achieved. The user manual provides clear instructions and diagrams for both LATCH and seat belt installation.

Comfort

The Graco Extend2Fit convertible car seat prioritizes comfort in both rear-facing and forward-facing modes. The seat features thick foam padding on the headrest, harness straps, and seat bottom. This provides ample cushioning and prevents irritation from long car rides.

The headrest is adjustable to 6 different height positions, allowing you to customize the fit as your child grows. For smaller babies, you can remove the infant body support to create more leg room. The seat also has a no-rethread harness that adjusts the shoulder straps and headrest simultaneously.

In rear-facing mode, your child has plenty of leg room thanks to the extendable foot panel. When extended, it provides an extra 5 inches of space for your child's legs. This helps prevent cramping or discomfort. Once your child is forward-facing, you can tuck the panel away for more front seat leg room.

Overall, the generous padding coupled with the adjustable headrest and extendable foot panel allow your child to ride in comfort at every stage. The seat accommodates growing children while providing the cushioning needed for long trips.

Fabric and Appearance

The Graco Extend LX R129 car seat comes in a stylish Midnight fashion colorway that will look great in any vehicle. The dark gray fabric has a modern, sleek appearance that doesn't show dirt or stains easily.

The seat pad and headrest cover are removable and machine washable, making it easy to keep clean. The fabric has also been tested to meet or exceed all applicable flammability standards.

For maximum comfort, the seat features plush foam padding. The contoured armrests and padded headrest help provide a cozy environment for naps or longer rides. The seat fabric has a smooth, soft finish that feels gentle against your child's skin.

The overall aesthetics are quite sophisticated, especially compared to many bright and cartoonish car seats aimed at young children. The muted Midnight tones will blend in well as your child grows, rather than looking out of place or babyish.

If you're seeking a fashion-forward car seat with subtle styling, the Graco Extend LX R129 is an attractive choice that doesn't compromise on safety or comfort. The high-quality fabrics offer durability and easy cleaning too.

Safety

The Graco Extend LX R129 convertible car seat prioritizes safety in its design and construction. It features EPS foam energy absorbing technology to provide effective crash protection. The steel reinforced frame creates a sturdy foundation to withstand impact forces.

The seat fabric is tested to meet or exceed all applicable flammability standards. The materials used do not contain toxic flame retardants.

The Extend LX R129 meets or exceeds all applicable US safety standards. It achieves excellent results in NHTSA frontal crash tests, providing advanced protection for rear-facing infants and forward-facing toddlers. The 5-point harness system with front adjust true lock technology also helps keep children securely contained.

This convertible seat has been engineered and rigorously crash tested to provide peace of mind to parents. The extensive safety testing and features make the Extend LX R129 a smart choice for protecting children while travelling.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rear-facing from birth up to 18 kg provides extended rear-facing protection for infants and toddlers. This is recommended as the safest position.

• Forward-facing from 9 kg up to 18 kg keeps children harnessed longer than a booster. The 5-point harness distributes crash forces over the body.

• The no-rethread harness makes adjusting the height quick and easy as your child grows.

• The harness holders keep straps out of the way when placing your child in the seat.

• Machine washable seat pad, harness covers, and infant inserts make cleanup simpler.

• The steel-reinforced frame provides strength and durability.

• Meets or exceeds all applicable US safety standards.

Cons

• Heavier and larger than some other convertible seats, not ideal for compact cars or frequent switching between vehicles.

• Only reclines in rear-facing mode, cannot recline upright when forward-facing.

• Fabric and inserts can get hot, lacks breathable mesh panels.

• Installation with LATCH system can be tricky, may require use of seatbelt instead.

• Does not convert to a booster seat like some other models. Must transition to a dedicated booster around age 4.

• Price is on the higher end, may be expensive for families on a budget.

Conclusion

The Graco Extend2Fit Convertible Car Seat is an excellent choice for families looking for a long-lasting convertible seat. It can be used rear-facing from birth up to around 4 years old, providing extended rear-facing support for infants and toddlers. Once your child is ready, it transitions to forward-facing mode for older kids up to around 4 years old.

The Extend2Fit stands out for its 50% more legroom in rear-facing mode, allowing your child's legs to stay comfortable even when rear-facing longer. It has thick cushioning and an adjustable headrest to grow with your child. Safety features like the steel-reinforced frame, EPS energy absorbing foam, and rigorous crash testing give peace of mind.

Installation is straightforward with the InRight LATCH system and bubble level indicators. The seat cover is machine washable, making messes easy to clean. Overall, the Extend2Fit provides excellent safety, comfort, and value at a mid-range price point. For families wanting an extended rear-facing convertible seat packed with features, the Graco Extend2Fit is a superb choice offering great quality and value for money.