Century Drive On 3-in-1 vs. Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1: Which is Better? (2024)

Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Century Drive On 3-in-1 and the Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1.

Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to feel confident that you're choosing the optimal car seat for your family's needs and budget. Let us know if you have any other questions!

At A Glance

Our Thoughts

As a parent, when it comes to investing in a car seat for our precious cargo, we want to ensure we get the most bang for our buck without compromising on the safety, comfort, and convenience. Let's take a look at two solid contenders: the Century Drive On 3-in-1 and the Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1.

Notably, the Century Drive On 3-in-1 is part of Century's Happy Planet collection, which highlights the company's commitment to eco-friendliness. The seat's fabric contains recycled plastic, an industry-unique touch. Moreover, this lightweight seat accommodates kids from 5 to 100 lbs and is designed to take up minimal space in the backseat. Despite the benefits, some parents have found the installation challenging, so it's worth considering your car's compatibility and your comfort level with needing some extra effort to secure the seat properly.

On the other hand, we have the versatile Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1. This budget-friendly car seat is designed to accommodate children from infancy through the booster seat years, hence reducing the need for multiple purchases. It does have a larger foot print, making it potentially more challenging for smaller cars. Although the installation process can be frustrating as it does not utilize Graco's signature InRight Latch system, its robust safety features and flexibility outweigh these small inconveniences.

While both the Century Drive On 3-in-1 and Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1 promise solid safety and longevity, a key differentiation comes in their approved modes for air travel. Both are approved for forward-facing and rear-facing modes, but the Century model doesn't get a nod for its High Back Booster mode unlike the Graco model. Both the high back and backless booster modes aren't FAA approved, which might be an important consideration for families who travel frequently.

Moreover, the maximum weight allowed in the booster mode is also an important factor to keep in mind. The Graco model outshines the Century model here, handling weight up to 110 lbs as compared to Century's 100 lbs. This extends the usable life of the Graco seat, allowing your child to stay in the booster mode for a longer period of time.

In terms of recommendation, the Graco Grows4Me 4-in-1 appears to be the more practical choice for its higher maximum weight limit and the fact it can grow with your child from infancy to the booster seat years. It's definitely worth the little extra investment if you're looking to maximize longevity. However, if eco-friendliness and sustainability are your top priorities and you don't mind the slightly more challenging installation, then the Century Drive On 3-in-1 could be a perfect fit for your needs.