If you're concerned about room to grow while rear facing the Graco extend to fit is what we use. It gives your kid pretty much as much legroom as your car will allow while rear facing. It's also convertible to forward facing and a high back booster. It's very easy to install and very sturdy. Answer from Impressive_Number701 on reddit.com
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BabyGearLab
babygearlab.com › vehicle safety › car seat reviews
The 10 Best Car Seats | Crash Tested
Nuna Pipa RX
After spending tens of thousands of dollars on crash testing car seats in a certified testing lab, we discovered that not all car seats are equal, despite...
Rating: 4.9 ​
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NHTSA
nhtsa.gov › equipment › car-seats-and-booster-seats
Car Seat & Booster Seat Safety, Ratings, Guidelines | NHTSA
It has a harness and, in a crash, cradles and moves with your child to reduce the stress to the child's fragile neck and spinal cord. Find out how to install rear-facing car seats. Your child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat.
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Consumer Reports
consumerreports.org › babies & kids › baby & toddler › car seats
Car Seats via @ConsumerReports
We test and rate 100+ car seats so that we can make clear recommendations—and you can easily find the right fit.
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BabyGearLab
babygearlab.com › vehicle safety › car seat reviews
Best Infant Car Seats | Crash Tested
Nuna Pipa RX
We crash-tested 17 of the top infant car seats from Nuna, Chicco, Graco, Britax, UPPAbaby, and others to find the very best Every newborn needs an infant car seat when leaving the hospital or riding in a car. Choosing a seat can feel daunting when the safety concerns and...
Rating: 4.9 ​
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NYTimes
nytimes.com › baby and kid › baby › the best infant car seats
The 4 Best Infant Car Seats of 2026 | Reviews by Wirecutter
November 14, 2025 - However, because of its price, it may be out of reach for many families. And the Uppababy Aria is a tough competitor, with its lighter weight and no-rethread harness. Its standout LATCH installation makes it feel like it’s built into the car.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/toddlers › please just tell me what car seat to buy
r/toddlers on Reddit: Please just tell me what car seat to buy
May 8, 2024 -

My 17 month old needs a new car seat and I am completely overwhelmed! Any recs of ones you love? I have sedan and I want it to be safe/be able to stay rear facing as long as possible that's my only preferences. There is so much on the market I get bogged down with all the choices and the reviews. Any recs would be amazing and help us so much!

Edit: thank you for all the answers wow! 3 months of using the graco extend to fit and love it! It fits fine in my sedan. I will note I only have 1 kiddo in the back seat so I don't notice/ mind it's size. It's super comfy for LO and aligns with my desire to keep rear facing as long as possible. Noting this in case anyone comes across this post also overwhelmed lol

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Caring for Kids
caringforkids.cps.ca › handouts › safety-and-injury-prevention › car_seat_safety
Car seat safety | Caring for kids
All infants must use a rear-facing car seat. A rear-facing seat provides the best protection for your child’s head, neck, and spine in a sudden stop or crash. Once your baby outgrows the infant seat, use a larger, rear-facing seat.
Find elsewhere
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Consumer Reports
consumerreports.org › babies & kids › baby & toddler › car seats › how to choose the safest car seat for your child
How to Choose the Safest Car Seat for Your Child via @ConsumerReports
September 13, 2024 - Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind. Babies up to 1 year of age or 30 pounds should ride in a detachable, rear-facing-only infant seat that snaps in and out of a base that’s anchored to the vehicle.
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What Car?
whatcar.com › home › advice › best car seats 2026: the safest child seats for newborns and toddlers
Best car seats 2026: the safest child seats for newborns and toddlers | What Car?
December 1, 2025 - The Pixel Pro 2.0C is not only the joint-lightest infant carrier you can buy (2.5kg), but it’s also one of the safest, with a higher ADAC test rating than the Nuna Pipa Lite, whether it’s secured with Isofix mounts or a car seatbelt.
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Parachute
parachute.ca › en › injury-topic › car-seats › choosing-the-right-car-seat
Choosing the right car seat – Parachute
Use a rear-facing-only car seat or a larger, rear-facing convertible seat; either is safe as long as your child fits correctly. Your child is safest riding rear facing until 2, 3 or even 4 years old.
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BabyGearLab
babygearlab.com › vehicle safety › car seat reviews
Best Convertible Car Seats | Crash Tested
Graco 4Ever DLX
We crash-tested convertible seats from Romer, Britax, Nuna, Chicco, Graco, and others to determine which will keep your child comfortable and safe Car seat safety can create anxiety in any parent. Whether your fears are crash test performance or perfecting your installation, finding the right seat for...
Rating: 4.8 ​
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Safe in the Seat
safeintheseat.com › home › help center › how to choose a car seat for your toddler
How to Choose a Car Seat for Your Toddler » Safe in the Seat
May 22, 2024 - If your child is already forward-facing, choosing a combination seat that will work for this current stage and the next stage/stages will make more sense for you over a swivel seat or a 4-in-1 that will have modes and features you no longer need. The last factor to consider when purchasing a car seat is your lifestyle! Your family is unique, so think through your day-to-day and try to picture the process of unloading and loading your child into their seat as well as other passengers. If you and your kiddos are out and about often, then a swivel seat might be a must-have convenience item for you! Additionally, if you have older family members or differently-abled caretakers who will be assisting with transportation responsibilities, that swivel will be a worthy feature.
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BabyCenter
babycenter.ca › home › groups › april 2022 birth club
Best toddler car seat for 1 year old | BabyCenter
May 29, 2023 - Looking for answers for same question. should 11months old use … · Just seconding what a pp said. Legally, they need to be rear facing until at least 2 years. But, rear facing as long as possible is safest, even if their legs look a bit crammed its fine and better to be rear facing as long as the seat allows.
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Babies R Us
babiesrus.ca › en › babiesrus › Category › Baby-Gear › Car-Seats
Car Seats | Rear & Forward Facing Infant Seats | Babies R Us Canada
Most car seats sold in Canada have an expiry date or recommended useful life date on a label or in the instruction manual; however, a quality all-in-one car seat designed to be used rear-facing, forward-facing and as a booster seat can be used for years with proper care.
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Safety 1st
safety1st.com
Safety 1st Official US Site | Car Seats, Strollers & Baby Gear
Safety 1st is for parents who want their children’s lives to be full of happiness, love, and firsts of all kinds. When you grew your family, you grew ours, too. ... We help parents access affordable car seats through domestic production.
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Mother & Baby
motherandbaby.com › reviews › car-seats › best-toddler-car-seat
9 toddler car seats, parent-tested for safety and comfort.
April 24, 2023 - ... The Graco SlimFit R129 is a two-in-one car seat that will be suitable from birth to about 12 years – meaning you only need to invest in one car seat to last you for years, growing and changing as your child develops.
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Ontario
ontario.ca › page › choosing-child-car-seat
Government of Ontario | Gouvernement de l'Ontario
May 4, 2023 - A child’s developmental stage, weight and height can help determine what type of child car seat is best suited for them: Your child can use a seatbelt alone when they reach any of the following milestones: ... It’s safest to keep your child in a child car seat or booster seat until they reach the maximum weight and height limits of the child car seat.
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Childsafetylink
childsafetylink.ca › car-seat-safety
Car Seat Safety | IWK Child Safety Link
Your child is safest riding rear-facing until 2, 3, or even 4 years old. Keep your child rear facing as long as they still fit within the height and weight limits for their larger, rear-facing seat. Read your vehicle manual and follow the instructions for your seat. Place the car seat in the back seat, facing the back of the vehicle. Attach the seat using the lower anchors (UAS) or seat belt and tighten. If you use the seat belt, it must be locked. The seat should move less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) where it is attached to the car.