Graco 4Ever DLX All-in-1 Car Seat
Like the Fountain of Youth or the Holy Grail, a true “forever” car seat has been eluding desperate searchers for years. Yes, there already are seats that rear-face, forward-face, and turn into a booster, but they are often lacking in at least one function, and when that happens, what’s the point?
So when Graco launched the 4Ever DLX 4-in-1, which rear-faces, forward-faces, and turns into both a highback and a backless booster, it was easy to get excited but also easy to have reservations. Will it really do what it claims, and do it well?
Short answer is, yes! The Graco 4Ever DLX is a CarseatBlog Recommended Carseat.
4Ever DLX Specs:
- Rear-facing: 4-40 lbs. and child’s head must be 1″ from gray headrest adjuster handle
- Forward-facing (with harness): 20-65 lbs and 49″ or less
- Highback booster: 40-100 lbs. and 43-57″
- Backless booster: 40-120 lbs. and 43-57″
4Ever DLX Features:
- No-rethread harness with 10 position headrest
- Forward-facing lockoff for seatbelt installation
- Adjustable base with 6 recline positions (3 for rear-facing, 3 for forward-facing)
- Easy-to-read bubble level indicator
- Steel reinforced frame
- Energy-absorbing EPS foam
- Premium push-on lower LATCH anchor connector
- Dual integrated cup holders (simple assembly – cup holders are required so don’t lose them)
4Ever DLX Fashions: Fairmont, Joslyn, Zagg
4Ever DLX Measurements:
- Lowest harness height (with infant insert): 7″
- Highest harness height: 18″
- Tallest booster height: 18.75″
- Crotch buckle positions: 5″ and 7″
- Widest external seat width: 19.5″ (at cup holders)
Installation/Fit to Vehicle:
In general, the 4Ever DLX is easy-to-install which is always a good thing. It installed nicely both rear-facing and forward-facing modes in all the vehicles I tried it in, with seatbelt or with LATCH (use one system or the other to install, not both simultaneously). The 4Ever DLX has premium push-on LATCH connectors which are always appreciated because they are easy to attach and easy to detach from the lower LATCH anchor bars in the vehicle.
The belt paths are clearly labeled and color-coded both on the seat and in the manual (blue for rear-facing, orange for forward-facing, green for booster).
LATCH Weight Limit: 45 lbs. For forward-facing kids over the LATCH weight limit, install the 4Ever with seatbelt and tether.
Center LATCH Installation with Non-Standard LATCH Spacing: Graco does NOT allow a LATCH installation of the 4Ever DLX in center seating positions where you would have non-standard spacing due to borrowing lower anchors. You may only install with LATCH in the center position if your vehicle has dedicated LATCH anchors for the center.
Inflatable Seat Belts: Graco has determined that the 4Ever DLX CAN be installed with inflatable seat belts found in some Ford/Lincoln vehicles.
Here is a video explaining how to move the LATCH strap from rear-facing to forward-facing mode.
Rear-Facing: This seat lacks a lockoff for rear-facing installations with seatbelt so we recommend that you use the lower LATCH anchors to install the seat when it’s rear-facing. You can install rear-facing with the seatbelt if you have a compelling reason to do so but you MUST lock the seatbelt at the retractor if you are using seatbelt to install the 4Ever DLX.
The 4Ever DLX has a total of six recline positions but only 3 of them are for rear-facing. You’re allowed to use positions 1-3 but you need to make sure that the bubble level on the side of the seat shows an acceptable recline range.
Realistically, you will probably be able to use recline positions 1&2, or positions 2&3 to achieve an acceptable recline position as per the bubble indicator. It all depends on the slope of the vehicle seat cushion in your backseat. One of those positions will make the car seat more reclined, the other will make it a little bit more upright.
Newborns and babies under 6 months old should be more reclined but still within the acceptable range as per the angle indicator. Older babies and toddlers will usually prefer to ride rear-facing in a more upright position as long as it is still within the acceptable angle range of the indicator. By the time they are crawling, most babies prefer to be seated rear-facing in a more upright position because they want to sit up and see the world.
I was impressed by how well the seat fit in my 2014 Civic in its most reclined position #1. The front seat in the Civic isn’t all the way back, but it’s in exactly the same position I have it in for regular use, which is quite comfortable for my husband and me.
Adjusting the recline positions doesn’t make a big difference in the amount of space that the seat takes up front-to-back, however in positions 2 and 3 there is a little more room between the 4Ever and the front seat. This is how it looked in my Odyssey, in position 3. There was plenty of room there.
Forward-Facing: There is a red lockoff hiding under cover in the middle of the forward-facing beltpath for seatbelt installs when your child is forward-facing. In the video above, you can see the placement of this forward-facing lockoff because it’s the same as the lockoff on the 4Ever model used in the video.
If your forward-facing child weighs more than 45 lbs. you MUST install the 4Ever DLX with seatbelt + tether because your child is over the LATCH weight limit for this seat. If your forward-facing child weighs less than 45 lbs., then you have the option to install this seat with lower LATCH anchors + tether. Never use LATCH and seatbelt simultaneously to install. If you install with LATCH when forward-facing, you will need to remember to switch to a seatbelt + tether installation once your child reaches 45 lbs.
There are technically 3 positions for forward-facing, (4-6) but position #4, which is the most reclined of the three forward-facing positions, MUST be used for children who weigh less than 40 lbs. In position 4, the seat is quite reclined. This didn’t pose an installation problem in either car, although in a very small backseat there might not be enough room for a child’s legs in that most reclined forward-facing position.
Booster Mode: In highback booster mode, position 6 (the most upright position) is required. Graco also does not allow any overhang over the edge of the vehicle seat when the seat is being used as a booster seat, so that could be a problem with shallow vehicle seats. The good news, though, is that LATCH use is permitted in highback booster mode. (The LATCH connectors are incorporated into the back of the seat, so LATCH is not an option in backless booster mode when the back of the shell is removed.)
Fit to Child:
When a car seat is rated for use from 4 lbs, it’s important that it actually fit a smaller than average newborn. We used a Huggable Images preemie doll to check the fit with the infant insert, and it did work well, as long as you push the baby’s bum back so it sits on the “bump” created by the insert. This positioning placed the harness straps right at the doll’s shoulders level on our preemie doll. However, this created a large gap between the doll and the crotch strap, so a rolled washcloth might be needed to keep a smaller-than-average newborn from slumping in the seat.
The nicely contoured infant body insert must be used if the child’s shoulders are below the bottom slots without it. It may only be used rear-facing. There is also an infant head pillow, which also can only be used rear-facing, and only when you’re also using the body support. (The head support slides into a strap on the back of the body pillow, so it wouldn’t make much sense to try to use it separately anyway.)
I used the 4Ever rear-facing for my 2-year-old, who weighs 30 lbs. and wears size 2T shirts. He fit wonderfully, with plenty of room to grow.
Although my 37-lb., 43-inch, 5-year-old is forward-facing, I put her in rear-facing just to see how she fit. Not only did she have plenty of growing room left (the headrest was three clicks from the top), the seat left plenty of room behind the driver’s seat in my Odyssey.
I did use the seat forward-facing for her. It sits higher than the seats she normally uses, but she didn’t mind the climb. Because she’s under 40 lbs., we had to use the very reclined position 4. I thought it looked awkward, but she didn’t complain.
She still has plenty of room before she maxes out the 4Ever forward-facing by height, too. My finger is marking where the tallest harness position (18″) is in relation to her shoulder.
It’s important to note that when using the 4Ever as a highback booster, the belt guide doesn’t go much higher than the highest harness positions. That means that a child who outgrows the harness by height won’t have much more time before the highback booster is also outgrown by height. On the plus side, you saw how much room my average 5-year-old has left in the harness, and she’d have a bit more growing room in highback booster mode, too.
I tried her in booster mode although she doesn’t meet the minimum weight requirement of 40 lbs. to use the seat in booster mode yet. The booster was hard for her to buckle. I think part of that was because of the height of the base, but part of it is that she doesn’t ride in a booster yet and isn’t used to buckling herself. The shoulder belt fit well in both the Civic and the Odyssey. The lap belt fit was ok, but keep in mind that at 37 lbs. she’s not big enough yet to use this seat in booster mode.
Here’s a video demonstrating forward-facing and highback booster mode. In it, you’ll see that Darren’s son Jon had a very good fit in the highback booster:
The first thing I noticed about the 4Ever as a backless booster is that it’s BIG! It sits about two inches higher than the Graco TurboBooster, and it’s quite a bit wider, too.
I enlisted my 10-year-old for help. He’s right at the top limits of the seat at 57″ (though only 67 lbs). In the Odyssey, the booster made him so tall that he almost didn’t have enough headrest height to support his his, and the shoulder belt fit was poor – it wasn’t centered on his clavicle. In the Civic, though, the belt fit was fantastic. That’s proof that booster fit will vary by vehicle and seating position, so make sure you always try them out!
Ease of Use/Cover/Maintenance
All in all, the 4Ever is very easy to use. Because the seat is a 4-in-1, I was concerned there would be all sorts of complicated quirks, but it’s really quite intuitive to use.
Some things I especially loved:
- You don’t need to remove the harness to use the seat in booster mode. You do need to tuck it out of the way in a cubby in the shell, but that’s no big deal.
- The cover removes very easily. When I do car seat reviews, the part I dread most is having to remove the cover for our “naked” photos, because that’s often the most frustrating part. With the 4Ever, the cover comes off nicely in three parts, using some tabs and elastic loops/hooks. Getting it back on was just a tad bit more difficult because you have to remember where the elastic loops hook to. You can machine-wash the cover in cold water on the gentle cycle, then hang to dry.
The 4Ever converts to a backless booster easily. Disconnect the harness, pull back the cover, move the red tabs, and pull off the back. That’s it!
FAA-Approval/Lifespan/Crash Guidelines
4Ever DLX is FAA approved for airline use *with the harness*
4Ever DLX has a 10-year lifespan before expiration
4Ever DLX must be replaced after any crash
Graco 4Ever DLX Advantages:
- No-rethread harness with 10 positions
- Installs easily with LATCH or seatbelt
- Lockoff for forward-facing installation with seatbelt
- Relatively compact for rear-facing
- Fits small babies well
- Converts easily to highback and backless booster mode
- Easy-to-remove cover
- Harness doesn’t need to be removed for booster use
- Can use LATCH in highback booster mode
- Instruction manual is clear and well written
- 10-year lifespan before expiration
- Can accommodate basically all children who weigh less than 40 lbs. in the rear-facing position (it’s nearly impossible to outgrow RF by height)
Disadvantages:
(In fairness, these aren’t necessarily problems but I list them here to inform consumers of specific 4Ever issues)
- Forward-facing recline positions are dictated by the child’s weight (under/over 40 lbs.)
- Not very tall as a highback booster
- May be difficult for a child to buckle themselves when using the seat as a booster
Conclusion:
So, does the Graco 4Ever DLX do everything it claims to? Mostly, yes. Because of its height, it is one of the longest-lasting rear-facing seats on the market for tall kids who still weigh less than 40 lbs. Forward-facing, the tall max harness height combined with 65 lb. weight limit should easily get most kids to an appropriate age and size to transition to booster use.
Its shortcomings mostly occur in booster mode, but even those aren’t horrible. Although the booster isn’t much taller than the harness, it will still get most kids to an age and size where a backless is acceptable. As a backless, it’s chunkier than most other boosters, but it can get the job done.
Will the 4Ever last “forever”? Is it the only seat a family will ever need? That depends, but in general, I’m going to say yes. It will fit most newborns well, and will certainly move with a child through most rear-facing, forward-facing and booster seat needs. It also has a very generous 10-year lifespan although wear and tear from frequent usage will always take its toll. You might want to invest in a spare cover to replace the original after a few years.
It might not be the best choice for people who enjoy getting new car seats often (*coughcough*), but for parents who want to stick with one seat for a long time, the Graco 4Ever DLX could be an excellent option.
Currently, the Graco 4Ever DLX retails for $299.99 but can often be found on sale for less. It is relatively expensive upfront but represents a good value considering the 10 years before the seat expires.
Please visit Graco’s website for more information.
Thank you to Graco for providing a 4Ever for our review. No other compensation was provided and the opinions and comments are entirely those of CarseatBlog.
Hi,
Thanks so much for the review. Do you have any thoughts on the 4ever DLX, 4ever DLX platinum, or the version with the 4ever TrueShield Side impact Technology. Trying to determine if these upgrades are beneficial or not. Thank you!
Hi Meredith. The DLX adds a forward-facing lockoff and the Platinum version adds the EZ Tight LATCH and RapidRemove cover. TrueShield Side Impact adds side impact pods on the side of the seat. You can generally find the DLX at the same price for the regular 4Ever, so that’s a no-brainer. We’ve had meh results with the EZ Tight LATCH: it’s very vehicle dependent on whether you’ll be successful getting it to work. If it doesn’t work, you’ll have to install the carseat with the seat belt, which isn’t so bad because at some point due to LATCH weight limits, you’ll have to install with the seat belt anyway. As for the TrueShield version, only you can decide if you feel the side impact pods add a level of safety that’s worth paying for. We don’t have any data to suggest that they add safety benefits or don’t.
I have this car seat, and while I think it provides great comfort to my 19 month old daughter, my husband and I have some safety concerns that we just can’t figure out how to fix. No matter now tight we pull the latch belts and the car’s seat belt, there is still A LOT of movement and wiggle with the car seat. I’m not sure why or what the issue is. We have taken the seat apart completely to make sure we’re not missing a step, but it just doesn’t seem to ever feel really secure in my car. Until we can figure it out, we put our daughter back in her infant carrier car seat (she is still within the weight range.) ANY suggestions or guidance would be very much appreciated.
Hi Stacey. What vehicle and what position in the vehicle are you putting the 4Ever in? There may be a physical reason in the back seat for why it won’t get tight. We always recommend lifting the cover and pulling from the inside of the carseat, whether using the seat belt OR the LATCH belt. That technique usually gets a tight installation. I’ve never had problems with the 4Ever, so I’m sure whatever the problem is can be fixed. Our FB group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/carseatorg, or our forums, http://www.car-seat.org, allow you to post pictures which is really helpful too.
I love the video on converting to a backless booster. My question, how do you convert it back to a regular carseat?
Thank you,
Sara
Hi, Sara. It’s pretty easy—you basically just do all the steps in reverse. There are instructions in the manual, and I always recommend people snap a few photos or take video when they take seats apart just so they can refer back to them later if they need to.
Thank you Jennie! I figured it was, but I wanted to make sure before I took it apart and got myself in a pickle. If someone could do a video on it, that would be great!
Has anyone done a measurement of how long (front to back) the seat is in the recliner position? I’m pretty sure it would fit well in our 2013 Subaru Outback for our son if our daughter’s Britax Boulevard is anything to go by.
I like to find out if graco 4 ever all in 1 ROCWAVE is made from cotton or polyester?
thank you
Hi Daniela. Most carseat covers are made from poly or poly mix. If you’re looking for allergy reasons, Clek has a wool cover called Mammoth.
Hi! I have searched google high and low! Trying to figure out where this ”T-ish” shaped back piece goes! The two velcro squares correspond with the main piece but I can’t figure out where to put the elastic bands. 😩 where do they attach?? I wish I could attach a picture here. Please help!
Did you seriously list “Made in China” a disadvantage???
Hi, my son is 18 months, 27 lbs and we have him rear facing in this car seat. I am concerned about his lack of leg room and the fact they are all bent up. I see from your kid’s photos that is the same case. Won’t this increase the risk of serious leg injury if they were in a crash?
Hi, Brittany! This is a common concern, but luckily an unfounded one. Leg injuries are EXCEEDINGLY rare in rear-facing kids. On the rare occasion it does happen, the child would have almost certainly have suffered even more severe (head, neck, spine) injuries in the same crash forward-facing. This post might help you, too: https://carseatblog.com/28978/mythbusting-legs-bent-or-feet-touching-the-backseat-when-rear-facing-is-dangerous/
We have hot summers in Texas. I do two things to help. 1. Start the car and crank the AC 2. When we get out at a store or park I cover my seat with a carseat cooler. You can buy them online or craft one yourself. I made mine from a thick vinyl like material. Basically a rectangle with inserts for those hard cold packs you might use in a lunch box. I keep it in the freezer between trips.
It works awesome.
**can only be used when baby is NOT in the seat**
Hello,
Does anyone know why the level 4 recline position has to be used if a child weighs under 40 lbs? We have a hard time with leg room in the forward facing position with the seat at this recline. My child weighs 32 lbs but is tall for her age. Thank you!
Hi Janice. Yes, it does, unfortunately.
Hello. For your appreciation, which chair is better? Graco 4 in 1 forever o diono rxt? Thanks
Hi Katherine. The 4Ever will last longer in all modes. It’s a taller rear-facing seat, has higher harness slots for forward-facing, and makes a better belt-positioning booster seat. If you need a narrow carseat for tight spots, the Diono Radian seats are better choices.
We have a Prius, and I’m wondering about the width of this seat. Do you know if it would fit in a smaller car and still allow for someone to sit in the middle seat (in other words, whether two people could sit in the back seat next to this car seat)?
Thanks!
My 8 mo old (~24lbs) seems to hate this car seat (in the rear facing configuration, of course), and cries pretty much constantly when we put him in it (which he didn’t do in his previous infant car seat, the Chicco KeyFit). Any advice on how to adjust it for comfort? We’ve tried all of the different recline positions, tried extending the top more, tried it both with and without the infant insert, etc. Is this something that has been an issue for others?
Does anyone know if it will fit in a 2016 4 door Jeep Wrangler? Having the hardest time finding a seat that will work in my hubby’s vehicle.
Hi. I have an important question about the Graco 4ever seat in the forward facing position for a toddler weighing 35lbs. Does the seat have to be in position 4 ONLY or position 4 or higher? I drive a Dodge Grand Caravan and when I put the seat in at position 4 it doesn’t fit. I reclined the actual vehicle seat (I hope this is safe). What are your thoughts?
Bonnie, the only recline position you can use for a child weighing 35 lbs. is pos. 4. Check your Grand Caravan owners manual regarding reclining the vehicle seat before installing the carseat. I’m not aware that you can recline it too much, but I don’t know the specifics. Your vehicle seat has a very steep slope to it, which makes installing some carseats on it difficult.
I’d suggest turning your child back rear-facing until s/he weighs 40 lbs. if you can. It eliminates the deep recline you have to have on the 4Ever and potentially solves your installation problem.
Rear-facing: Do you know exactly what it means when the height limit must be 1″ below? Can I technically pull the headrest up all the way and as long as the child is under 40 lbs and 1″ below the headrest adjuster it’s fine?
I purchased the Graco 4ever convertible car seat in November 2016. Recently was rearended a month ago yesterday to be exact. And I thank God she was safe, and secure in this seat. She’s 7 months old after having her checked out, she was fine. Just to make sure chiropractic visits. Now with the Florida laws once you’re in a car accident, you must replace the car seat. Trying to find the same one Azalea in stores, I am finding this to be a very difficult task. Before I repurchase, I did my research again less that a year. The Graco 4ever convertible car seat is still the best one yet. Since the accident I’ve been in small cars, suv, trucks and even convertible cars. This car seat fits, secures (thanks to that bubble) and she is convertible. I am purchasing another Graco 4ever convertible car seat (Azalea). Love it and easy to keep clean once a week wash for dirt and easy wipe off with a wet cloth for the regular spills.
Does the material last all 10 years?
Does this carseat fit on the 2nd row bench seat of a 2017 grand caravan?
Hi Christina, yes, it does. HTH!
Does the Graco 4ever extend2fit have the same review?
Hi Kira. Here’s our 4Ever Extend2Fit review: https://carseatblog.com/42465/2017-graco-4ever-extend2fit-4-in-1-carseat-review/.
Exactly the information I was after, with a small caveat.
You specify as a disadvantage that it is ‘Made In China’ . Why is that a disadvantage or issue that consumers need to be aware of?
Cheaper to manufacture, GRACO QA will be the same as the rest of the world as it must adhere to each individual countries standards. I can’t see a problem with products Made In China or anywhere else for that matter.
Your review was great, but I seriously question integrity when manufacture location is an issue. Just seems like a slightly prejudice point to make that somewhat offends me – as if it was manufactured to the same specifications anywhere else in the world quality would improve?!
Hi Jim, we mention it in part because many programs for car seat distribution in the USA are funded by government agency grants. Many of these may require that carseats be manufactured in the USA to qualify. There are other considerations. Products manufactured in some countries rely upon workers that are paid nearly nothing and work in horrible conditions in areas with no environmental laws or worker protection laws. Of course, that is why it is cheaper to manufacture in those countries, and that results in a loss of manufacturing jobs in the USA and other countries that have higher costs for these reasons.
Speaking from experience, Quality Assurance standards are not universal from one country to another, or even one company to another. In either situation, having your own manufacturing facility integrated with your design, engineering and QA teams is a big advantage in terms of communication, suppliers, fabrication and resolving unexpected quality issues as quickly as possible. When products are outsourced to facilities owned by third parties in another country, perhaps with a language barrier, any number of issues are more likely happen with production and suppliers that are not controlled directly by the company that designs and sells the product. Using overseas fabrication is almost always cheaper, but it can definitely affect quality. That is because it isn’t nearly as easy to be 100% certain that the product is actually being manufactured to the same, exact specifications when another company is making it for you thousands of miles away.
CarseatBlog reviews are not affected by the country of origin of the carseat, but we do try to note where a carseat is made. Like many of our other “Advantages” and “Disadvantages”, we expect that “Made in USA” or “Made in China” may be important to some readers, and unimportant to others. If it is not important to you, then of course we don’t expect you to include it when you make a choice. While we love the 50lb. rear-facing weight limit, we also understand that the vast majority of children will no longer be rear-facing even at 40 pounds. We can’t possibly know what will be important to every parent or caregiver, but we try to list various pros and cons to be as complete and objective as possible.
https://carseatblog.com/38804/carseats-made-in-the-usa-2016/
I have a 2015 Rav 4 and have found it very difficult to get a secure forward facing fit with latch and seatbelt (separately of course). I’m starting to worry that it’s not the right seat for us. We had a Britax Marathon 70 in a similar but slightly older model and it was a perfect fit. My little one is 4 and I consider myself pretty capable when it comes to installing a car seat so this is very frustrating!
Just wanted to note that it DOES have a lockoff device included that you attach to your seat belt to keep it locked if you’re not using the latch system. And I bought my Graco 4ever October 2016.
Brittany, I believe you’re confusing a locking clip for a lockoff. A locking clip is a metal H-shaped piece that’s put on the seat belt to keep it locked during daily driving, whereas a lockoff is built-in to the carseat and is much easier to use. Here’s an article that shows different lockoffs: https://carseatblog.com/41311/the-carseat-lockoff-guide/.
Hi
i have one question. We live in NC where summers are pretty hot and was wondering will my baby be comfortable rear facing in this car seat in summers. I drive Honda Civic and want to know if Graco has some special breathable material for car seat for hot weather states. I tried their website could not find anything or what other car seat can be our option.
Thanks