Car Seats

Best Car Seats

Overall Score

Graco Classic Ride 50

Recall notice

As part of an internal review process, Graco has discovered that, due to an inadvertent error, a small amount of Graco ComfortSport, Ready Ride and Classic Ride car seats did not include a statement on the labels identifying the location of the printed instruction manual and to follow the instructions in the printed manual and on the car seat. While this information does not affect the dynamic performance of the affected car seats if used in a safe manner in accordance with the owner’s manual, it is required by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standard.

Please use the following link to access manufacturer and model specific information related to this recall. Graco Recall

One of multiple convertible seats offered by Graco.

CR Expert Take

How did it perform in our expert lab testing?

Overall Score

The Overall Score for this model is derived from our expert lab test results.

Current Range of Tested Convertible Car Seats

What goes into the Overall Score?

EXPERT LAB TESTS

Ease of use

3 / 5

Rear LATCH

2 / 5

Rear belt

2 / 5

Forward LATCH

5 / 5

Forward belt

5 / 5

Crash protection

BETTER

Pros

Forward-facing fit to vehicle
Lightweight seat
Reasonable price

Cons

Ball-level indicator may show recline in "correct" zone when seat is too upright--much less than 45 degrees--in rear-facing orientation
May require a rolled towel for installation at a proper recline angle

CR's Take

A low priced and straightforward seat. Parents and caregivers should take care when using this seat rear-facing with the smallest babies to be sure the recline angle is sufficient (near 45 degrees).

Detailed Test Results

Consumer Reports has developed a new crash test that offers consumers comparative performance information on which car seats could provide an additional margin of safety when compared with other models within the same ratings group that have been subjected to the same test protocol. Our Crash Protection Ratings are based on injury criteria measured on standardized child-size dummies, contact of the dummy’s head with the back of a simulated front seat and a car seat’s ability to remain intact during the course of testing. Consumer Reports’ new crash tests are not designed to check whether a seat complies with current federal car seat safety standards;. Rather, the purpose of our new tests is to differentiate the seats’ performance on a scale that ranks the performance of tested seats ranging from “basic” to “best.” Our focus on providing an “extra margin” of safety, rather than on determining whether a seat is safe or not, is based on the fact that any car seat sold in the U.S. already must provide an essential level of safety under the government standards. The new test conditions were carefully designed to simulate the interior environment and forces encountered during a crash in contemporary vehicles. Changes from the way that convertible seats were rated previously include using a test bench that better simulates the vehicle seat design from a contemporary vehicle, with more representative cushion stiffness and seat geometry and incorporation of a “blocker” to simulate a front seatback. The new test also runs at a higher 35mph speed, with other representative dynamic characteristics that better simulate the behavior of contemporary vehicles during a crash.

About

The Graco Classic Ride 50 is part of the Car Seats test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Convertible Car Seats models like the Classic Ride 50 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Ease of use: Our judgment of how easy each seat is to use including the clarity of labels and instructions, adjustments of clips and buckles, the transition of the seat from rear facing to forward facing and installation features such as LATCH connections and top tethers.

Rear LATCH: Rear-facing installation using the LATCH system. A rating of how compatible, easy and secure a child car seat can be correctly installed in certain test vehicles. This rating is based on a rear-facing installation using the LATCH system.

Rear belt: Rear-facing installation using vehicle seat belts. A rating of how compatible, easy and secure a child car seat can be correctly installed in certain test vehicles. This rating is based on a rear-facing installation using the vehicle belts.

Additional Information

If you already own this model, please be aware that some of these seats are part of a recall initiated in the spring of 2014 for difficulty in releasing the buckle mechanism. To check if your seat is affected, use the following links to access manufacturer and model specific information related to this recall. Graco Recall

This recall does not affect products currently available for purchase at retail.

Features & Specs

Features

LATCH connectors

Hook

Harness adjustment

Threaded Slots

Recline level indicator type

Ball

Recline level indicator position

One Side

Multiple recline positions

Spanish language instructions

Included

Specs

Rear facing weight range (lbs.)

4-40

Forward facing weight range (lbs.)

20-50

Height range (in.)

45 or less

Seat weight (lbs.)

Base width (in.)

Overall width (in.)

Shell height (in.)

Overall height (in.)

Price & Shop

Graco Classic Ride 50

Price

Description

CR Expert Take

Overall Score

What goes into the Overall Score?

EXPERT LAB TESTS

CR's Take

Detailed Test Results

About

Additional Information

Features & Specs

Features & Specs

Features

Specs

Price & Shop

Price & Shop

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