Graco Premier SnugRide SnugFit 35 XT Review

Graco Metal Products started in 1942, but their initial baby gear launch came in 1955, when an engineer, Rex Thomas, developed the world's first automatic baby swing: the Swyngomatic.

Performance Comparison

Crash Testing

The Premier SnugRide managed one of the highest crash test analysis results in the group and one of the highest out of the Graco seats we tested in our infant car seat review.

We run our test a wee bit faster than the federal guidelines require, and we use a somewhat firmer sled seat to better approximate a modern-day vehicle. Our goal is to find seats that stand out and potentially offer a margin of protection over the standard fare. Each seat in our review should have passed the federal guideline testing and is considered safe in this regard.

In our tests, the Premier HIC result (head sensor) was lower than much of the competition. Lower here is better as it indicates the sensor recorded fewer G forces during the test. While it isn't the lowest recorded forces in the group, it is lower than almost all competitor results. The chest clip sensor (or g clip) result was about average for the group, with several offering lower recorded g forces during testing (lower is still better). Still, the combination of the two results gives an analysis score that is better than average.

Ease of Installation LATCH

The Graco isn't as easy to install using LATCH as it could be, earning a below-average score for this metric. It features the push-style connectors we like and are easy to use.

The LATCH strap moves across the same belt lock-off as the vehicle strap. It isn't as easy to use as others and we wish there was some way to close it using the palm of our hand and not fingers. Getting the LATCH connectors free to use is also frustrating, as they get caught in the compartment they sit in.

Getting the base level is easy, and there is no real hiccup beyond the trouble we had with the lock-off. It feels stable enough, but there is still room for improvement side to side.

Recline Adjustment

The Graco base has a bubble level on one side. There is a narrow window that allows the correct angle for proper installation. The seat can be reclined in five positions using an adjustment leg on the bottom of the base near the foot end. It is difficult to use after the seat is installed.

Ease of Installation - Belt

This Graco can be installed using the vehicle belt. However, it isn't as straightforward as it could be, and we experienced some frustration during testing.

The LATCH belt intrudes on the belt pathway, making the process awkward and more challenging than necessary. The lock-off device is effective, but it requires pressing a small portion lower than the surrounding space.

This means we had to use our fingers instead of our palm, which would have been far easier. If your fingers lack strength, it could be a literal pain.

Once we threaded the belt and closed the lock off, the overall stability was good, better than most.

Ease of Installation - w/o the Base

Installing this Graco without the base is not as easy as some competitors. Its American belt path goes across the lower portion of the carrier and does not go around the back.

The pathway is not color-coded, but it is obvious and easy to access with nothing in the way. A line decal on the seat indicates whether it is level. Stickers on the shell side help guide you since the manual is stored in the base, which you likely will not have with you.

While threading the belt isn't hard, we had trouble getting the seat as tight as those that use the European method, where the shoulder strap goes around the back of the carrier. The vehicle's seatbelt retraction device is utilized to lock the seat in place.

Ease of Use

This Graco is not the easiest to use and has one of the lowest ease-of-use scores in the group.

Buckle

The buckle and chest clip on this Graco are about average. The chest clip is easy to use, but the buckle button requires a slight increase in pressure over the average seat. It isn't a big issue, but it could be if you have wonky thumbs.

Harness Tightening/Loosening

Tightening and loosening the harness is the standard design of a pull strap and release button. Both work as expected with no significant resistance.

Harness Adjustment

The headrest on this Graco acts as a moveable harness height assembly. It doesn't move as smoothly as competitors', but it is still better than those that require rethreading straps. The shoulder straps have six possible positions, and the crotch strap has two. The crotch strap is one of the hardest to adjust in the group.

Carrier to Base Connection

Connecting the carrier to the base is easy. In three out of five test tries, it clicked in place on its own, and the other two required only slight pressure.

We did not have false installs, thinking it was connected when it wasn't. There is no visual indicator that it is connected. The back of the carrier has a release and lift handle in the center.

Handle

On the first blush, it looks like Graco solved their canopy/handle collision problem because the handle sits higher than the canopy when both are open. However, as we used the canopy and handle, it is clear there is still a problem here, and moving the handle will move the canopy even when you don't want it to. It feels like a design flaw that the canopy needs to be open so the handle can be used without hassle.

Canopy

The canopy is easy to use, but it isn't the best design. The back doesn't attach to anything, so it falls back and gets in the way of the carrier release handle. The front bug netting also doesn't really have a great design and can fall out of the canopy even when you don't want to use it.

LATCH and Manual Storage

The LATCH connectors have individual storage compartments on the underside of the base. They slide in place, keeping them out of the way if you don't use them.

However, they are a pain to get out as the connector gets caught inside the compartment. Given that the space is tight, it is harder to get them out. The manual is stored in a slide pocket near the back of the base above the load leg deployment.

Comfort/Quality

The Graco is not a standout seat for comfort or quality. While the performance in this metric is on par with what we often see from Graco in our tests, this is a more expensive Graco than the others we tested, and we hoped for better performance in this price range.

Fabric and Padding

The Graco has disappointing padding, which we see in most of their infant seats. It looks like it has adequate padding, but there are voids in places where it is largely fabric with almost no support or cushion. The insert is very soft and doesn't offer much support; it almost feels like an afterthought instead of an intentional design. The main seat fabric isn't as soft as others and is more coarse than we'd like. There is also a seam where two fabric types meet and go around the seat, which could be uncomfortable for bare legs.

Handle and Canopy

The handle is a nice shape and fits easily in the palm of your hand. We like the shape, and it is grippy. It has four possible positions you adjust by pressing a center button and can be in any position when driving.

The canopy is giant and offers full coverage with a zip-open mesh panel that provides more coverage and a bit of ventilation or peeking space. It also has a magnet closure flap on the back for peeking at little ones without opening the canopy. While less critical in the car, this could be useful when using the carrier with a stroller. There is also a bug net extension that unfolds from the canopy. It is not an elegant design, but it is useful.

Shell

The Graco shell is fairly standard and, as usual, has Graco covered in stickers that offer both instructions and safety warnings. The back of the carrier has a release handle that disconnects the carrier from the base. It can be used to do a two-hand lift using your other hand on the handle.

Weight/Size

The Graco carrier weighs 9.5 lbs in our tests. This is lighter than the average for the group but not as lightweight as higher-scoring competitors.

Whether or not the weight of a carrier is important depends on how you intend to use the carrier from day to day. If it will largely sit in your car and you plan to carry your baby in a baby carrier then it might not be a concern. If you plan to carry your baby inside the carrier for any distance, then it might be more important.

Should You Buy the Graco?

This Graco is an above-average seat, but it still manages to feel blah. With better crash test analysis scores, we can see why it would be compelling to some parents. If it were cheaper, we'd likely agree, but it has an average price that many seats share. And those seats offer more overall than this Graco. So if you can get more money, why wouldn't you want to? This makes the SnugRide Snugfit 35 XT a seat with few compelling reasons to splurge.

What Other Infant Car Seat Should You Consider?

The Britax Willow S is a high-ranking infant seat that costs less than the 35 XT. It offers better crash test analysis results and is easier to install. Whether you want an easy-to-use seat or improved quality and comfort, the Britax excels over this Graco. Alternatively, if you have a bigger budget and you want the absolute best in crash testing, then the Nuna Pipa RX performed the best in our crash tests and is easy to install. While it is one of the more expensive options in the group, it justifies the higher price with its outstanding performance.

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