Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat in Matrix: The Seat that Lasts

Parents spend an average of $300 for a car seat that accommodates their little ones for about a year or two.  Well, how about spending less than half of this for a forward-facing car seat that will last up to seven years?  Nah, I’m not kidding!  There really is one car seat out there that lasts this long, thus saving all of us from the hassle and the expense of going car seat-hunting every two years.

Overview:  The new Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat in Matrix is available online for a price of around $137.  Nautilus is a three-in-one car seat; that is, it has three functions.  It is mainly a five-point harness car seat.  However, it can be transformed to a high-back booster or a backless booster, depending on the height and weight of the child seated on it.  The five-point harness seat accommodates infants and kids from 20 to 65 pounds.  The high-back booster can support children that weigh from 30 to 100 pounds.  The backless booster seat, on the other hand, can support kids that weigh 40-100 pounds.  This Graco Nautilus car seat is also equipped with a cup holder and has a storage compartment at the side for your kid’s must-haves.

What You’ll Love:  Nautilus exceeds US safety standards.  It has passed the extensive crash testing and Extreme Car Interior Temperatures test.  It also has EPS energy-absorbing foam that offers added comfort and safety during unexpected bumps and sudden turns.  Its wide armrests and flexible head support allows the car seat to grow with your child, therefore giving you years of use.

You do have to read the manual so you can take full advantage of this seat’s features. Of course you should always read the manual when installing any carseat.  The manual is clear and to the point; it will teach you when it is safe and reasonable to convert the car seat into a high-back or backless booster seat.

The seat is well designed to keep the child safe and the parents unruffled.  Its steel-reinforced structure assures parents that their child is never at risk during road trips.  The seats’ straps can be loosened and tightened easily.  Installation should not be a problem; it will take you only a little over 30 minutes to put everything together.

Full Disclosure:  Unfortunately, this 5-point harness car seat’s back does not recline to an angle that allows for a good and deep sleep.  In fairness to Graco, they did provide a good alternative by adding a padded headrest so children that can sleep upright will be comfortable.