Graco SlimFit 3 in 1

The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 all-in-one car seat performed well in our fit-to-vehicle, booster fit, and ease-of-use evaluations. Its narrow design and rotating cupholders facilitate fitting three car seats across the back seat, making it a good choice for smaller cars. Based on CR’s independent crash test results, we would not recommend using the seat past 52 lbs in harnessed mode. See the “Detailed Test Results” section for how it performed in our crash testing. 

This seat may be a good choice for: 

• Families who want to purchase an all-in-one car seat (as opposed to using an infant seat for the first year and then switching to a convertible seat)
• Anyone who needs a simple and straightforward installation process, thanks to the push-on LATCH connectors
• Families who need a seat that’s easy to move between multiple cars
• Families who need to fit three car seats across the back seat
• Cars with a small backseat

Ease of use: Our testers found this seat easy to use, with clear labeling and instructions, excellent LATCH installation and easy harness adjustments, along with easy chest clip and buckle use.

Fit-to-vehicle LATCH: This seat scored very highly for LATCH installation in both rear-facing and forward-facing modes in CR’s tests. 

Fit-to-vehicle belt: The Graco SlimFit scored well for secure seat belt installation in rear-facing mode, but performed less well in forward-facing mode.

Booster fit: This seat does an excellent job of positioning the lap and shoulder belts for booster-aged kids. The SlimFit’s shell shape prevents interference with the vehicle head restraints in many seating positions, which should make it compatible with more vehicles.

Crash protection: As part of Consumer Reports’ car seat evaluation program, CR conducts its own simulated frontal crash tests. In 2 of 2 tests using the Hybrid III weighted 6-year-old crash test dummy (62 lbs.) with the seat installed forward-facing using the lap-and-shoulder belt and top tether, the shoulder belt tore into the shell, resulting in very sharp, jagged edges at the crack location. The sharp edges of the cracked shell could cause injury to the child. 

Additional Information

Good to know: All child car seats sold in the United States are required to meet government safety standards. 

About our testing: Consumer Reports’ child car seat tests are not designed to test compliance with federal standards. Rather, we evaluate car seat performance under conditions designed by our experts that go beyond the required federal safety standards. Consumer Reports’ independent car seat crash test program has been carefully designed to simulate the forces encountered during a crash, while replicating some of the real-world factors that might impact a car seat’s performance. Our testing aims to determine which car seats could provide an extra level of safety when compared to other models in the same category. 

Basic, Better, or Best: CR rates the child car seats we crash test on a scale of Basic, Better, and Best, based on the additional margin of safety they may provide. Read about how we test car seats to learn more about our crash test protocol.

The Graco SlimFit 3 in 1 is part of the Car Seats test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Harnessed Car Seats models like the SlimFit 3 in 1 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 between modes and installation features such as LATCH connections, belt paths, top tethers and booster guides.

Forward facing fit-to-vehicle: A rating of how compatible, easy and secure a child car seat can be correctly installed in the forward-facing direction. This rating is a combination of the LATCH system and belt ratings that are available individually on the model page.

Rear facing fit-to-vehicle: A rating of how compatible, easy and secure a child car seat can be correctly installed in the rear-facing direction. This rating is a combination of LATCH system and belt ratings that are available individually on the model page.