Graco 4Ever DLX 4 in 1 Car Seat – Long Ride with Full Protection

Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat

Graco 4Ever DLX

Overall Rating
4.8/5
Key Specs

If the term ‘ultra-performance car seat’ was in the dictionary, it’d probably be linked there next to a picture of the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat. After all, this thing can hit up to a flabbergasting 120 pounds of the weight limit and scorch surfaces at a long lifespan of up to 10 years. With the patented ProtectPlus technique for all-rounded protection, an integrated belt lock-off for easy installation, and rubberized fuss-free harness storage to help you get baby in and out, the 4Ever DLX encapsulates all the innovation and imagination of the Graco brand – with a few surprises thrown in. Gather around, then, as we run you through the top 10 things you need to know about one of the most impressive devices that the Graco line has put out. But come quickly – there’s a storm brewing and this thing is set to launch.

*Price may change due to e-commerce platform and brand sales promotion.

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Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat Review - Long Ride with Full Protection

Pros & Cons

The good and the bad

What is it best for

Who we recommend it for

Value for Money

Is it worth the price tag?

Design

Dimensions, weight, color, etc

Safety Rating

Crash tests, FMVSS213, SIP

Performance

Weight/height limits, airplane, etc

Installation

Install with LATCH or seat belt

Alternatives

Other car seats to consider

1. Graco 4Ever DLX Review: Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

2. Who Is It Best For?

Will the Graco 4Ever DLX be a good option for your child and your family?

If you prefer a money saver that will ride your child through birth to tween, the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat is absolutely the best option. 

This thing’s meant to be the ultimate car seat the baby and parents need. The Graco 4Ever DLX is everywhere: from high weight limit, multiple stages, great comfort for children, and easy maintenance for parents. It even allows you to hide the harness off the back of the seat to ensure your child’s luxury as they grow.

Let’s make the usual disclaimer – the Graco 4Ever DLX is an all-in-one car seat. That means it combines the three-staged car seats into one – infant, convertible, and booster, AKA, going through up to more than 8 years of usage. That’s why you’ll see this car seat comes with a label of 10 years of lifespan. 

It enables your child to safely ride in the car seat until they don’t need a car seat any more.

3. Value for Money

Is the price tag worth it?

The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat is able to ride through three car seat stages, along with a long time usage purpose and additional features in the latest upgrades.

Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth the price tag? Also yes. If you’re looking for an all-in-one car seat that combines luxury, long-lasting life, and effortless maintenance, then the Graco 4Ever DLX may be the car seat for both your child and you.

Compared to similar scooters, the Graco 4Ever DLX is competitively priced. Take the Britax One4Life and Chicco Fit4  for instance. These models retail for a price between $300 and $400, yet the Graco 4Ever DLX is priced significantly less. As a result, the 4Ever DLX makes it into our list of favorite all-in-one car seats. 

No matter the installation difficulty, safety crash performance, construction, and materials, the Graco 4Ever DLX is primed for anything you can throw its way. With bucket-loads of versatility and a feature stack that puts other all-in-one car seats to shame, the 4Ever DLX is worth the layout.

Plus, it’s a real 4 in 1 car seat that can be turned into a backless booster for big kids, saving money to purchase another no-back booster.

Graco 4Ever DLX Installation in Car

4. Graco 4Ever DLX Review: Design

Dimension and Width

The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat features dimensions of 21.5 inches in width plus 20 inches in depth plus 24 inches in height. It’s a bit bulky and large in size to take up a bit more space in the backseat.

The 21.5-inch width is 4-5 inches wider than other slimmest car seats, making it need more than one spot for installation. This width is a bit hard to fit 3 across in the back seat, we also make it clear while comparing it to the Diono Radian 3RXT, which is the one of most popular all-in-one car seats on Amazon for its fit-3-across design.

The 20-inch depth is friendly to install in most average-sized vehicles. It works better than Graco 4Ever DLX’s 21.5-inch depth, taking less space from front to back. This gives the driver or front passenger more space on the front row if you install it on either side of the back seat.

But if you plan to place this car seat in the middle spot, it should not affect the passengers in the front row.

Portability

The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat weighs up to 23 pounds, not as heavy as other all-in-one models like Britax One4Life. This weight range is acceptable because a few moms can also carry it and switch it between different vehicles for installation. 

However, it’s not easy for most moms. As a result, the 4Ever DLX gets a score of 6 for its portability.

The 4Ever DLX is not a lightweight car seat anyway, especially when you compare it with infant car seats or backless boosters. Parents who drive small babies can use it as the major car seat in one vehicle, without uninstalling and reinstalling it and switching it to another vehicle. 

But it’s not as convenient as infant car seats for easy switches between different automobiles when your baby still needs to ride facing the rear in the car seat, especially for small infants less than one-year-old. So it’s better to have another baby car seat that can be changed between different family vehicles.

The Graco 4Ever DLX does not feature a foldable design. That’s why you’ll receive a large packing box. The car seat is 99% assembled before shipping, and you only need to attach a few small accessories, like cup holders. 

Actually, there are a few foldable car seats on the market, including its competitors like Diono Radian 3RXT and its siblings, and more.

Two Cup Holders

As a traditional car seat manufacturer, Graco always knows what should be included in a car seat. The cup holder is a great example.

It’s common that children need to have their own leisure time on the car trip when they’re awake, even if they’re asleep most of the time during the trip. Snacks and drinks are good things to keep them cheerful. 

And it’s ultra-convenient for parents who set aside the kids to have their drinks in the cup holders. Don’t worry! There are two cup holders on both sides. 

The cup holders are built-in and designed into the car seat. There are only two cutouts and you need to attach them to the car seat by yourself. 

Some parents complain that the cup holders are the hardest part to install so you may need to follow the user manual installation guide with a little ingenuity. After removing the seat cover, you should line up the tab on the bottom of the cupholder with a hole in the shell, then press and snap it into place, replacing the cover. 

The cup holders included the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat are designed with a circular shape. They are large enough to hold most water bottles for kids and adults. This is a huge improvement from square cup holders. 

Supposedly the company listens to the customers’ complaints about the square cupholders on Graco Extend2Fit, which can not fit well for too small cylindrical water bottles.

Graco 4Ever DLX Two Cup Holders

Infant Head and Body Support

Both the head and body support are designed for infants, who are too small to fit well in the car seat. 

The head support provides extra support around the infant’s head, especially when they’re asleep or when the vehicle turns left or right suddenly. 

The head support will keep your child’s head steady and stable. It’s also adjustable along with harness straps, just slide it into the opening in the headrest. 

The body support is friendly for small babies and infants. For example, their shoulders are below the lowest harness buckle spot after sitting in the car seat.

At this time, you should use the body support to raise them up to sit well in the car seat. 

Just like the car seats are used to ensure the little passengers fit well in the vehicle’s seat belt, the body support is designed to add extra height to help the littles reach the minimum height requirement to use the harness.

The body support can be removable when the infants grow bigger.

Materials

Made of baby-safe textiles and washable fabrics in the seat pad and outer, the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat is comfortable and practical.

The inner foam and thick padding around the body and head ensure both safety and comfort.

The steel-reinforced frame is strong for durability and safety in case of any crashes. 

Five different available colors for toddler girls and boys, but a few parents do not like its mediocre design, which is no less appealing than other high-end and expensive models like Clek Foonf.

5. Graco 4Ever DLX Review: Crash Tests and Safety Ratings

The 4Ever DLX might be one of the safest car seats from Graco. Inherited from previous models, the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat also features the company’s unique ProtectPlus Engineered, which is boasted of protecting the little passengers in every possible hurting direction: frontal, side, rear, and rollover, in the event of crashes.

This can be considered as bonus protection for the child in the car seat. As a matter of fact, the car seats sold on the US market are required to pass the most rigorous crash tests and standards from the US and Europe before going to market for sale.

It’s understandable that Graco 4Ever DLX meets or exceeds the child restraint criteria for a frontal crash test under the US FMVSS 213.

It’s side-impact tested for occupant retention with the built-in 5-point harness system, which is required for most car seats with a 5-point harness. 

Plus, the Graco 4Ever DLX is also tested and approved by EU crash test standards.

Its rear-impact was tested based on the European Rear-Impact Crash Pulses and tested to Graco’s RollSafe™ testing standard based on the European rollover testing procedure.

The all-around crash tests earn this car seat a high safety rating in protection performance.

6. Graco 4Ever DLX Review: Performance

Weight and Height Limits

Graco 4Ever DLX Weight Limit

Graco 4Ever DLX Height Limit

The Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat is able to transport a newborn as light as 4 pounds. That means preemies can also ride in this all-in-one convertible car seat, with the included baby insert.

The top weight limit for rear-facing is only 40 pounds, a bit better than infant car seats, but not as good as the best car seats with a 50 lb rear-facing weight limit. For example, the Graco Extend2Fit allows infants or toddlers up to 50 pounds to stay facing the back, making it rank top on the list of best rear-facing car seats for 2 years old.

The company does not specify the rear-facing height limit for Graco 4Ever DLX, but you can find in the user manual that the 49-inch top rear-facing height limit is also applicable. Make sure the infants’ heads must be at least 1-inch (2.5 cm) below the headrest and adjust the handle when in a rear-facing position.

If your baby grows over this 49-inch height limit or more than 40 pounds in weight, whichever comes first, you need to turn the 4Ever DLX to forward-facing. 

The forward-facing weight and height limits are relatively high to fit big kids well. After all, it’s an all-in-one car seat to go through three car seat stages. 

With the 5-point harness installed, the Graco 4Ever DLX is capable of riding preschoolers between 22-65 pounds, along with a top height limit of 49-inch.

Bonus

After your kid grows bigger, more than 65-pound or higher than 49-inch, you need to remove the harness and transfer the car seat into booster mode. 

The Graco 4Ever DLX supports two booster modes – high back and backless, with different weight limits. When used as a high back booster, it allows 100-pound kids; if removing the back support and turning it into a backless booster, the Graco 4Ever DLX supports a child up to 120-pound in the car seat. 

However, no matter high back or backless booster mode, it only allows a child below 57-inch to stay in the car seat. That’s understandable, as, in most states’ child car seat laws, children higher than 57-inch can be out of a car seat and use the seat belt for security.

Age Range/Longevity

As an all-in-one car seat that is designed to go through three car seat stages from birth to preteen, Graco 4Ever DLX absolutely lasts the longest time.

It is able to ride your child up to 10-12 years old until they are big enough to wear the vehicle’s seat belt for security.

The rear-facing low weight limit starts from 4 pounds, which is very great for newborns from the day when they leave the hospital.

The upper rear-facing limit is 40-pound. It’s not as high as 50-pounds of Graco Extend2Fit, but good enough for infants and small toddlers up to 2 years old.

Generally, the rear-facing height limit can be a possible factor that decides the age range for babies in the car seat, but 4Ever DLX is not specified on this limitation.

The company only states that the head of the little passenger should be at least 1-inch (2.5 cm) below the headrest adjustment handle. 

After turning the car seat from rear-facing to forward-facing, the car seat will perform at the top. 

The 5-point harness protection is as good as other convertible and all-in-one car seats, up to 65-pound weight and 49-inch height limit allows the kid to stay in the car seat till their preschooler age.

Extendable Usage for Booster Riding

The amazing point is the booster mode. More than the average weight and height limits for big kids, this all-performance car seat combines two booster modes into one.

It can be used as a high back booster for optimal protection for small kids above 4 years old, which is the minimum age requirement for a booster seat. 

As kids grow, the seatback is removable to turn it into a backless car seat for big kids who don’t want to be seen sitting in a car seat. In this mode, the kids can stay in the car seat for up to a 120-pound weight limit and a 57-inch height limit. 

That means a 10-12-year-old can stay in Graco 4Ever DLX until they are no need to ride in a car seat.

The car seat rules in most US states don’t require the kids to travel in a car seat after they’re 8 years or older. 

But age requirement is just one factor. If your child can’t wear the seat belt correctly, they should stay in the car seat until the seat belt can secure them in the right position.

Stage

The Graco 4Ever DLX is an all-in-one car seat, meaning that it can go through three car seat stages (based on the definition of NHTSA) – rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster

Your kids don’t need a car seat after a booster. They can be secured with the vehicle’s seat belt anyway if they’re big enough. 

In the first two stages, the kids need a 5-point harness for best protection because they’re small to fit well in the car seat. 

In the last stage – booster, the kids are large and can be out of a 5-point harness.

Only in the first stage, the car seat is placed facing the back, which is supposed to the best and safest position to ride infants and small toddlers.

Before your child grows out of the rear-facing weight or height limit, it’s time to turn the car seat from rear-facing to forward-facing, going into the second stage. 

In the third stage – booster,  the car seat is still placed in a forward-facing position.

Airplane

Is a Graco 4Ever DLX all-in-one car seat allowed on planes?

Absolutely yes. This Graco 4Ever DLX is FAA approved for use in aircraft, but you should use it only on forward-facing airplane seats.

This is because forward-facing is the only position allowed on a plane. The seat belt is the only way to install the car seat on an airplane. No LATCH connectors in the aircraft seats. 

And you’d better call the airline to make sure this car seat can be installed on their planes before onboarding.

Lifespan

How long is a Graco 4Ever DLX all-in-one car seat good for

Up to 10 years of time from its manufacturer date. 

The Graco 4Ever DLX has a lifespan of 10 years of usage. That’s the longest of the car seats. Most all-in-one or convertible car seats are manufactured to last so long to grow with your kid. 

But the real case might be shorter than 10 years of lifespan. Because the date you purchase the car seat is commonly after the date it was manufactured. 

However, that should be long enough to ride your child until they are large enough to use the seat belt.

8-year-old is the most common age requirement in most state car seat laws that no need to travel in a car seat.

If your child grows slower than their peers, a cheaper backless car seat is also a good option if the car seat is expired.

Warranty

The Graco 4Ever DLX does not specify its warranty on the user manual. Its warranty is in accordance with the limited warranty of all the Graco products.

Typically, the warranty is at least 12 months for the major parts, but the manufacturer does not make this clear.

7. Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Installation

Which Installation Method Should I Use?

Most car seats can be installed in your vehicle using either the vehicle seat belt or the LATCH system, and so does the Graco 4Ever DLX. 

Both ways are equally safe to ride your child as long as you install it properly following the 4Ever DLX’s user manual.

It’s NOT allowed to use both methods at the same time.

How to Install Graco 4Ever DLX Rear-facing

Intall Graco 4Ever DLX with LATCH
Install Graco 4Ever DLX with vehicle seat belt

How to install Graco 4Ever DLX forward-facing

Weight between 22-65 lb (10-30 kg) and height between 49” (125 cm) or less

  • For children 40 lb or less (18 kg), MUST use recline position 4 or 5.
  • For children over 40 lb (18.1 kg) you MUST use recline position 6.
  • Place the car seat forward-facing in the vehicle back seat.
  • Make sure LATCH strap or vehicle seat belt is routed through the forward-facing belt path marked with an orange label.
  • Install this car seat tightly in your vehicle. Car seat should not move at the forward-facing belt path more than 1” (2.5 cm) from side to side, front to back.
  • Harness straps need to be just above the top of the child’s shoulders and the chest clip is at armpit level
Install Graco 4Ever DLX Forward-facing with LATCH
Install Graco 4Ever Forward-facing with vehicle seat belt
Advanced tips to make sure everything is correct
  • Car Seat Does Not Move More than 1” (2.5 cm) at the Belt Path
  • Level Indicator’s Bubble in the Blue Zone and Vehicle on Level Ground
  • Harness Straps at or Just Below the Child’s Shoulders
  • Chest Clip Even With Armpits
  • Cannot Pinch Harness Straps at the Shoulder

How to install Graco 4Ever DLX booster

Highback Booster
  • Weight range: 40-100 lb (18.1-45 kg) 
  • Height range: 43- 57” (110.1-145 cm) 
  • Age requirement: at least 4 years old
Highback Booster
  • Weight range: 40-100 lb (18.1-45 kg) 
  • Height range: 43- 57” (110.1-145 cm) 
  • Age requirement: at least 4 years old

Advanced tips:

  • Place car seat forward-facing in the vehicle back seat.
  • Make sure vehicle seat’s lap belt is adjusted snugly and lays low on the child’s hip and is routed behind the armrest in the booster’s belt path marked with green label.
  • Vehicle belts MUST lie flat against child and MUST NOT be twisted.
  • Vehicle seat’s shoulder belt is adjusted snugly and should lie between child’s neck and edge of shoulder.
Install Graco 4Ever DLX in Highback Booster Mode
Install Graco 4Ever DLX in Backless Booster Mode

Headrest and Harness

As an ultra-performance all-in-one car seat to grow with your child, the Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat takes the little passenger’s comfort into consideration.

The headrest works more than protection but also comfort. 

The padding in the headrest provides two layers of side impact protection, reducing the shockness in case of any crashes. 

Made of mesh-breathable fabric materials, the headrest holds your kid’s head for not falling ahead and avoiding any sweaty moments, especially in the states with hot weather. 

The headrest can be adjusted in 10-position, AKA 5-level of the regulation upon your child’s growth. 

This seat features Graco’s no-rethread Simple Safe Adjust (SSA) harness system, which allows you to adjust the height of the harness and headrest in one motion at the same time. 

You don’t need to adjust the headrest and harness separately to achieve a perfect fitting for your child. 

As a matter of fact, this feature is built-in all the car seats on the market. Even every manufacturer has its own saying for this headrest-harness adaption.

How to secure your child with a 5-point harness?

1. Loosen Harness Straps. Push down on the harness release lever while pulling out on the harness straps at the chest clip. Unbuckle the chest clip and the crotch buckle. Place harness straps off to the sides. On select models, place harness straps in buckle storage pockets.

2. Place Your Child in the Seat. Make sure their back is flat against the car seat back. Avoid bulky or heavy clothing. Doing so will prevent the harness straps from being tightened properly. Place a blanket over the child after you have secured the child.

3. Place Harness Straps Over Child’s Shoulders and Buckle. 

You will hear a “click” when buckle tongues are securely attached. Pull up on each buckle tongue to make sure it is securely attached.

4. Be Sure the Harness Straps Are at the Proper Height. Rear-Facing: Harness straps should be at or just below the child’s shoulders. Top of head must be 1” (2.5 cm) below the headrest adjustment lever.

 Forward-Facing: Harness straps should be at or just above the child’s shoulders. Top of child’s ears below top of headrest.

5. To Raise or Lower Headrest/ Harness Height. Squeeze the adjustment handle and move headrest for the proper harness height.

6. Check the Buckle Position. The correct slot is the one that is

closest to your child without being underneath them. The crotch strap must be in the front most slot when forward facing.

7. To Adjust Crotch Strap. Recline the car seat and locate the metal retainer under the car seat shell.

8. Rotate Metal Retainer and Insert It Up Through the Shelland Pad. 

From the top of the car seat, pull the crotch buckle out.

9. Insert Metal Retainer in the New Crotch Buckle Slot. Reach underneath the car seat and pull the metal retainer through. The crotch strap must be in the frontmost slot when forward facing.

10. Pull Up on Crotch Strap to Make Sure it is Secured

11. Buckle the Chest Clip. You will hear a “click” when the chest clip is securely buckled.

12. Pull All the Slack Out From Around the Waist. Pull up on the harness strap while pushing the chest clip down. Do this to both sides.

13. Tighten the Harness by Pulling the Harness Adjustment Strap. When you are not able to pinch any of the harness webbing at your child’s shoulder, the harness is tight enough.

A snug harness should not allow any slack. It lies in a relatively straight line without sagging. It does not press on the child’s flesh or push the child’s body into an unnatural position.

14. Raise the Chest Clip to Child’s Armpit Level

Reclines

It seems that Graco only designs its car seats with six-fixed reclines. This allows the parents who always use a Graco car seat to be a very family with its all series and every model. 

Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 car seat comes with six reclines, with four for small infants’ rear face and three for toddlers’ forward face, the 4th recline is suitable for both rear-facing and forward-facing.

Graco 4Ever DLX Reclines

How to find a proper fit recline angle?

The base recline handle is under the seat pad and is used for adjusting the recline position for the perfect fit for growing children. You can easily adjust it by pulling out on the handle to adjust to one of the six positions.

The first four positions from 1 to 4 are for rear-facing only and they’re in blue color.

The fourth position is right in the middle and can fit both rear-facing and forward-facing, but it has weight requirements.

The manufacturer recommends in the user manual that children between 22-40 lb (10-18 kg) must use recline position 4 when the parents switch the Graco 4Ever DLX to forward-facing. 

It’s very understandable, small toddlers still need a flatter position when the car seat transitions from rear-facing to front-facing.

Big kids over 40 lb (> 18.1 kg) must use the recline position 5 or 6.

Manual

Everything on how to use and maintain the Graco 4Ever DLX is covered in its user manual, so it’s important for you to read it before starting to install it in your vehicle.

It’s usually included in the package, but you can always find the online user manual on its official website, or download the PDF here.

Sometimes, words are less powerful and clear to explain the usage and installation than the videos.

More than the introduction videos from the Graco company, there are plenty of YouTube videos uploaded by parents and you can search for any type of solution because the Graco 4Ever DLX is really a popular model.

Graco 4Ever DLX User Manual Storage

8. Graco 4Ever DLX Review: Specifications

Brand

 

Brand

Graco

Type

 

Suitable for

Newborns, toddlers, preschoolers, and big kids

Positions

Rear-facing and forward-facing

Design

 

Portability (1-10)

6. Bulky and a bit heavy

Weight (lb.)

23

Weight limits (lb.)

4-40 for rear-facing, and 22-65 for 5-point harness, 40-100 for highback booster, and up to 12o lb for backless booster

Height limit (inch)

49” for rear- and forward-facing, 57” for booster

Dimension

21.5 (W) X 24 (H) X 20 (D)  in.

Cup holder

Two on both sides

Performance

 

Age Range

0-10 years old

Stage

1st, 2nd, 3rd

Longevity

0-10 years old

Installation

LATCH and seat belt

Headrest Positions

10

Recline Positions

6

Airplane

Yes

Lifespan

10 Years

Extra Features

harness storage, rapid remove cover, backless mode

Graco 4Ever DLX vs Britax One4Life

Key Features Graco 4Ever DLX 4-in-1 Car Seat Britax One4Life Clicktight All-in-one Car Seat
Rear-facing Height and Weight Limits 4-40 lbs/ 49" 5-50 lbs/ 49"
Forward-facing Height and Weight Limits 22-65 lbs/ 49" 22-65 lbs/ 49"
High-back Booster Height and Weight Limits 40-100 lbs/ 57" 40-100 lbs/ 63"
Backless Booster Height and Weight Limits 40-120 lbs/ 57" -
Adjustable Headrest 10 positions 15 positions
Recline Positions 6 9
Safety ProtectPlus Engineering SafeCell Technology
Side impact protection
5-Point Harness
Fabric Breathability
Installation Latch Push-button InRight™ LATCH Push Button Latch
Front Facing Installation Belt Lock Off Clicktight installation
Level Indicators
Removable Cover Rapid Remove Cover -
Washable Cover Machine Washable Machine Washable
Removable Plush Head & Body Inserts
Dimensions 20" x 21.5" x 24" 20.5″ x 19.5″ x 25″
Reviews 27000+ 5000+
Price $329.99* $399.99*

9. Alternatives

What other car seats should you consider?

Evenflo Gold Revolve360

Evenflo Gold Revolve 360

Why is it better than the Graco 4Ever DLX?
Why is it worse than the Graco 4Ever DLX?
Britax One4Life ClickTight All-In-One Car Seat

Britax One4Life

Why is it better than the Graco 4Ever DLX?
Why its worse than the Graco 4Ever DLX?
Chicco Fit4 4-in-1 Car Seat

Chicco Fit4

Why is it better than the Graco 4Ever DLX?
Why its worse than the Graco 4Ever DLX?
Diono Radian 3RXT All-in-one Car Seat

Diono Radian 3RXT

Why is it better than the Graco 4Ever DLX?
Why its worse than the Graco 4Ever DLX?