Reviews for Chicco Key Fit infant car seat

I really like this carseat and the stroller that goes with it. My disappointment is that it does not fit easily into a grocery cart like other carseats do. Also, it isn't compatible with a jogger which is a shame for us moms that want to stay fit. I wish Chicco would make a jogger comparable to the BOB

We originally bought the BabyTrend Rigid Lock because of the great safety ratings but had to return it for the Chicco becuase our preemie infant was 4lbs when we took her home and the BabyTrend wouldn't work. We have absolutely loved the Chicco -- particularly the extra soft padding and the ease of use. Our daughter seems very comfortable and is still using this seat at 18 mos (granted she is small for her age). We have not had the sweating issues that others have had, at least I don't think she's sweating any more in this seat than she would in any other -- but who knows. We really do love it and highly recommend it!

We love our Chicco car seat, it is light enough to easily carry our daughter around and easilty snaps in and out of the base. We do have one problem and wanted to see if others have this and what they are doing about it. Our daughter gets sweaty every time she's in the seat. She was born on Christmas day so we've only used the seat in winter so far and she always gets hot and sweaty in the seat so we're worried how bad this will get in the summer if we're already having a problem. Other than this issue we really enjoy the seat.

I loved the seat after reviews and when looked in person at the store. When I tried to secure the base in the middle of the rear seat, lengths of the latches were too short so it wouldn't reach the hook. I was told that middle of the rear seat is the safest location to place the car seat. This problem is not there if placed behind passenger or diver instead of the middle. If it is important to place in middle of the rear seat then only choice is to use seat belt not the latch and hook Many other car seats don't have this problem. Then I realized that lot people know this as a problem with Chicco Key Fit models. If not for this problem I think it is one of the best car seat out there.

Comments from The Staff:

Hello there,
Thank you very much for your review. I did want to take this opportunity to mention another issue that you may actually be facing. I don't know what vehicle you were trying to install the seat in, so I can't confirm, however, in many cases, LATCH cannot be used in the center rear seat. Some people assume that you can just use the passenger and driver side interior LATCH attachments in the center seat, but very rarely is this acceptable according to vehicle and car seat manufacturer guidelines. Most vehicles that have LATCH will only have outboard (passenger and driver's side) attachment points. You can find out by looking at your vehicle owner's manual or by having the seat checked out by a Certified CPS Technician. Most of us advocates are very frustrated by this fact, but it is the case. You can always install the Chicco seat in the center using seat belts. I say this because I have installed this seat tons of times and I swear by it being the best and easiest infant car seat out there for installation and ease of use. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Kelly
EliteCarSeats.com
Certified CPS Technician

This is a great seat with very well thought out padding for newborns and smaller babies. The padding comes out and the seat is also comfortable for the bigger babies too. The ONLY complaint I have is that the seat is HEAVY. I had a Peg Perego in 2005 with my middle daughter, and this seat seems to be a lot heavier...(no it's not the babies). I had never mentioned this complaint to my husband and just the other day he was carrying it and said that he thought the seat was awfully heavy. Overall though, it is a great seat.....as long as you don't have to carry it around a lot.

I have four kids and this is the best car seat yet. I have installed it many ways and each one has been so easy. It is the easiest seat I have ever installed. It is also very light and very comfy. I think the people that think it is heavy forget they have a 20 pound kid sitting in it. It does not fit in a shopping cart but there are other ways to carry your child while you shop. After four kids and 8 years of parenting I truly believe this is the best car seat ever.

This is a great car seat. My son fits in it very well...he is now about 18 lbs and still using it! I love the colors (I have the Red and Charcoal) and the stroller is so nice, as well! The stroller is very easy to use and while holding my baby I am able to open it one-handed. This was a great buy...wish they had the next step up for 22lbs+! Definitely recommend this seat!

We looked at a ton of infant seats, and even hedged a little after Consumer Reports initial 2007 infant seat ratings listed other brands as being safer seats (this seat came in 3rd on the original report). But when CR retracted their original report, and we actually had to buy something before the new testing was completed (baby was on the way) we took a leap of faith. Well we chose wisely! This seat rocks! Easy to install AND use. You hear the click when the carrier goes in, and you know for sure that your child is safe and ready to go. If you have two vehicles you travel in, its totally worth it to buy the extra base. Even the seat safety inspector we had doublecheck our installation was very impressed with the seat. He commented that half the problem with infant and child car seat safety is poor installation due to confusing directions; this thing is so easy to install that you simply can't mess it up. Highly recommended and well worth the extra $$$ for your own piece of mind.

Comments from The Staff:

Thank you so much for submitting your review, we are so happy and ecstatic for you that you and your baby enjoy the seat as much as we do!

Jessica
Child Passenger Safety Technician

We bought this seat for our first child- who weighed in at almost 9 pounds. It is *super* easy to install, easy to adjust the straps/harness, and get it in and out of the base. He's now almost 5 months old and we have no compliants about the seat; unlike some other reviewers we did not have trouble with a tight fit- he has always looked comfortable from day one. We had plenty of room side to side and in the crotch (and he wears cloth diapers, so there's extra bulk). It worked well with our Peg Perego stroller (using their universal car seat adapter strap). The fabric is sturdy and hasn't lost its color- I didn't have to wash it though, but it looks like it would hold up just fine. I'm now in the process of looking for a new "big boy seat" for him- as he's soon going to outgrow his Chicco seat by height. I wish that Chicco would make convertible seats!

We bought the chicco car seat not on color or looks but for safety and function. Now after 9 months he weighs 20 lbs and we have no complaints. Traveled across the country with our son and he loved it. Very easy to use, buckles in seconds (crotch strap is not too short) not bulky like others, fits between table and seat at restaurants. The only thing that would improve the seat is a little more sun protection. The stroller that goes with it is awesome also.

We bought the car seat because of its sturdiness and safety features, however my son was born 9 pounds and quickly became to big to fit comfortably inside of it. He sort of sinks way in and then doesn't have ANY room to move once we strap him in. He just seems miserable. The crotch strap is way too tight, even at it's longest length. I can't wait until he hits 22 pounds so we can invest in roomier, more comfortable car seat.

Comments from The Staff:

Every child is different - and unfortunately you might have to try a few different things until you find the perfect seat to fit your baby! I'd suggest trying the Graco Safe Seat Step 1, it's our largest infant seat - you might have better luck with that. Or, check out some of the convertible seats, like the Britax Convertibles, they can still face the rear, but they are roomier than an actual infant seat.

Christina
Call Center Manager
Certified CPS Tech

I have really enjoyed this carseat. My son fit in it perfectly when he was first born with the added insert and then when he was big enough the insert was easy to remove. The straps are easy to adjust to his growing body. The base is extremely easy to install with the LATCH system and easy to move from car to car. I have an older child and we used other car seats and were never as satisfied as we are with this seat!!

I ordered my Chicco keyfit carseat and big stroller (cortina?) from elite carseats.com. The carseat arrived quickly, but my stroller didn't. Something happened to the order when it was on backorder, so elite gave me a discount for the additional wait. I LOVE the seat...the thing I get the most use out of is the EASILY adjustable harness straps. I can loosen and tighten with the push of a button and it helps him not be too cranky getting in and out. He is SO comfy in it...has been since he came home at only 5 lbs. The built in newborn cushion and headrest are GREAT! I also like how the handle is solid plastic and not open on one side like some. There is also extra cushioning on the sides of the carseat that rest against you as you carry it, so that helps with hauling it. I also LOVE the stroller that goes with it. see my review on it for more info, but it's better than all the ones I road tested in the store! Oh, on the carseat you can latch or shoulder harness, and I have both of them connected to be safe! Only reason I didn't give 5 stars is b/c I haven't tested it in a crash. Oh, it snaps into place SO easy in and out of base and stroller...like a dream!

seat was recommended by our local PD while I was pregnant. the seat was very easy to install. however, our son was born 9.7 lbs and only got bigger over the next couple of months. within 2 months, the seat became hard to buckle our son in due to the crotch strap being too short therefore being too tight. in addition it was difficult to carry him in the seat.

This car seat is not only attractive, it is very well made and safe. We LOVE the KeyFit system--friends and family who care for our daughter marvel at how simple it is. My only complaint is that it is a bit heavy.

Easy to install, easy to secure child in. Love everything about it. Did have small problem with stroller and Chicco replaced it free of charge, completely hassle free!

awsome car seat! i love love love it! my daughter seems confortable in it and i love the nutural red black baige and grey coloring. the only thing i don't really love is that the sun shade is kind of small and it doesn't cover too much-but with the stroller they overlap and cover all of her.

We absolutely love our Keyfit car seat. It is wonderful with the side impact protection, infant insert and is super easy to install. And once installed, the base is very secure. I also love the level on the base so you know the seat is at the right angle. We feel our daughter is very safe in her Keyfit seat. Also has high limits at 22 lbs and 29 inches. We recently had to use a Graco Snugride while traveling and hated it. The Snugride was so much harder to install, no Peg Perego SIP and not as much padding so our daughter was not as comfortable. I would HIGHLY recommend the Keyfit! The Cortina stroller is great too if you want a travel system for the Keyfit.