Chicco Fit2 Rear-Facing Infant & Toddler Car Seat & Base

The Chicco Fit2 Rear-Facing Infant & Toddler Car Seat & Base is a well-designed, good-looking and innovative car seat. The innovative nature of the Fit2 is that it evolves from a traditional infant seat into a rear-facing car seat for toddlers by moving a lever between Stage 1 and Stage 2 on the Fit2 base. More on the different stages in a bit.

Overall, the Fit2 car seat’s design was well-thought out. The Fit2 is made up of premium fabric and high quality finishes. When I took the car seat out of the box, I was immediately impressed with the design—it looks cozy and comfortable for baby, yet sleek enough for mom and dad. I loved the generously sized canopy on the Fit2. It extends further than many other car seat canopies—a huge plus for keeping a newborn out of the sun or providing some quiet time for a nap.

Another detail that impressed me was the Fit2 handle which adjusts with only one hand. This may not seem like a big deal, but our previous car seats have required pressing buttons on both sides of the handle to adjust. I loved the ability to move the handle with only one hand, especially when repositioning the handle as we moved the car seat in and out of the car on the go. It is not the lightest infant car seat on the market—weighing in at just over 11 pounds, the Fit2 was noticeably heavier than other infant car seats we’ve used.

In addition to looking good, the Fit2 is easy and intuitive to operate. The headrest is easily adjustable, and the harness has seven different height positions and does not require you to rethread the harness to raise or lower the harness position. As quickly as babies grow, the ability to raise the harness without rethreading the entire car seat is a great new feature. The release button for the Fit2’s straps is visible and easily utilized, another great feature to ensure a proper fit to keep your little one safe.

But the key feature of the Fit2 is its ability to grow with your child from the infant in Stage 1 to a toddler in Stage 2. Stage 1 is a traditional infant seat. In Stage 1, the Fit2 is rated for infants from 4 to 35 pounds and less than 35 inches. Chicco includes a newborn insert (for babies 4 to 11 pounds) and headrest insert with the Fit2. The Fit2’s headrest support does a great job supporting a newborn’s head and keeping it upright.

Chicco says that Stage 2 is appropriate for babies 9 to 24 months who weigh 15 to 35 pounds and who are already crawling or walking. Stage 2 remains a rear-facing seat, but it provides a more upright position for your growing little one.

Installation of the Fit2 is a breeze. The Fit2 has LATCH connectors as well as lockoffs for easy installation using the lap/shoulder seatbelt. Once the base is installed, it’s simple and straight-forward to switch between Stage 1 and Stage 2. The lever is on the top of the base and has stickers that identify which stage the base is currently in. The side of the base also prominently identifies the stage the seat is in. The Fit2 clicks audibly into place in the base, leaving no question as to whether the seat is in the correct position. I did find it a bit more difficult to find the proper position when trying to place the car seat into the base in Stage 2. Although, once your child is big enough to be in Stage 2, it seems unlikely that you would want to remove the car seat regularly so that did not cause me any real concern.

Overall, the Fit2 is a great-looking and innovative car seat that I would recommend. The Fit2’s ability to safely transport your little one from birth through age two is a game-changer in the infant car seat arena.

Price: $280
To buy: amazon.com