Century Drive On 3-in-1 vs. Chicco KeyFit 30: Which is Better? (2024)

Compare the two car seats side-by-side

Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Century Drive On 3-in-1 and the Chicco KeyFit 30.

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

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Chicco KeyFit 30
Type Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing High Back Booster
Rear-Facing
Current price
In stock
$164.00
In stock
$208.03
Rating 4.69 4.87

Our Thoughts

The Century Drive On and the Chicco KeyFit 30 are both solid car seat options, each with features that lend themselves to different needs and preferences.

The Century Drive On 3-in-1 truly embodies versatility. It is a convertible car seat, meaning it adapts from a rear-facing seat for infants to a forward-facing seat with a harness for toddlers and finally to a belt-positioning booster, able to accommodate kids between 5 and 100 lbs. Parents and environment enthusiasts will find this car seat appealing as the fabric is composed of recycled materials aligning with Century's sustainability initiative. This eco-friendly seat is fairly lightweight and compact, designed to save space in smaller vehicles. However, while it scores high marks for safety features and overall value, Century Drive On received mixed reviews concerning the ease of installation. But on the bright side, potential challenges of installing can be mitigated by closely following video instructions.

On the other hand, the Chicco KeyFit 30 is a renowned infant car seat known for its unmatched safety and comfort. As the name suggests, it is primarily designed for infants weighing around 4 to 30 lbs. The Chicco KeyFit 30 impresses with its robust design, easy installation, and comfort features. The seat's compatibility with a range of Chicco strollers is a definitive plus for parents who currently own or plan to buy a Chicco stroller. Some parents have raised issues about the canopy design and strap comfort, but these seem to as outliers rather than the common experience.

Thoroughly examining the two options reveals a significant discrepancy when it comes to weight accommodation. The Century Drive On 3-in-1 shows clear advantages with significantly higher maximum weight limits in the forward-facing mode (65 lbs) and booster mode (100 lbs) compared to the Chicco KeyFit 30's capability that peaks at 30 lbs in rear-facing mode only. Furthermore, the Century Drive On seat has FAA approval in both rear-facing and forward-facing modes, indicating it is suitable for air travel in these configurations. The KeyFit 30, however, only has the rear-facing configuration approved for travel, which may present a restriction for families often on the move.

While both options offer perks of their own, the Century Drive On 3-in-1 holds the edge in versatility, weight accommodation, and FAA-approved modes, offering longer-term usage as you watch your child grow. If the installation aspect is a roadblock, it's advisable to invest time in understanding the product's installation process and guidelines. On the contrary, if you seek a simple solution for infants and prioritize ease of installation and user-friendly features, the Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat could be your ideal bet.

Key Details

Drive On 3-in-1 KeyFit 30
Century Drive On 3-in-1 Chicco KeyFit 30
Brand Century Chicco
Type Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing High Back Booster
Rear-Facing
Weighted Rating 4.69 4.87
1 yr Price Range $118.99 - $169.99 $160.99 - $229.99
Current price
In stock
$164.00
In stock
$208.03
Value

Priced reasonably for a 3-in-1 car seat with sustainable materials.

Offers great quality and features for its price.

Safety

Several indicators of robust safety features and consumer trust.

Highly praised for its safety features in various reviews.

Features

Unique eco-friendly fabric and multi-stage convertibility.

Well-equipped with necessary features for comfort and safety.

Installation

Some parents find the installation challenging.

Noted for its ease of installation in multiple reviews.

Cleaning

No specific complaints or praises suggest an average cleaning experience.

The removable cover makes it relatively easy to clean.

Size

Its compact design is advantageous for small spaces and portability.

Compact and lighter compared to many other models, making it suitable for small cars and easy carrying.

Review Click here Click here

Comparison of Specifications

While features and reviews provide a sense of real-world use, the specs offer quantifiable details on sizing, limitations, and more. Comparing key measurements and ranges side-by-side is crucial for ensuring you choose a seat properly fitted for your child and vehicle.

We've compiled the weight limits, height limits, dimensions, and other vital statistics for the Century Drive On 3-in-1 and the Chicco KeyFit 30. This data will confirm whether each seat can accommodate your child's current size and projected growth. Specs like seat depth and width are also important for assessing fit with your car's backseat.

Review the following key measurements for both seats. Pay special attention to the height and weight limits to ensure your child falls within the safe ranges.

Height and Weight Limits

Rear-facing

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Chicco KeyFit 30
Height Range 0 - 30 inches
Weight Range 5 - 40 pounds 4 - 30 pounds

Forward-facing

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Chicco KeyFit 30
Height Range 0 - 49 inches
Weight Range 22 - 65 pounds

Booster

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Chicco KeyFit 30
Height Range 43 - 57 inches
Weight Range 40 - 100 pounds

Dimensions and Weight

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Chicco KeyFit 30
Width 13.0 inches 16.5 inches
Height 30.6 inches 24.0 inches
Depth 20.8 inches 27.0 inches
Weight 13.7 pounds 9.5 pounds

Core Specifications

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Chicco KeyFit 30
Model Year 2021 2018
Made In China China
Frame Material Unknown Plastic

Safety and Compliance

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Chicco KeyFit 30
Federal Safety Standards Meets all standards Meets all standards
Configurations FAA-Approved for Airplanes Forward-Facing
Rear-Facing
High Back Booster
Rear-Facing
NHTSA Ease-of-Use Ratings Not rated by NHTSA. Rear-Facing Mode
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Labels 2 out of 5 stars
Instructions 5 out of 5 stars
Securing 4 out of 5 stars
Installation Features 4 out of 5 stars
Previous Recalls This car seat has never been recalled. This car seat has never been recalled.

Features

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Chicco KeyFit 30
Attachment Methods LATCH
Seatbelt
LATCH
Base
Seatbelt
Harness Type 5-Point 5-Point
Cup Holders Has cup holders. No cup holders

Warranty and Durability

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Chicco KeyFit 30
Manufacturers Warranty Length 1 year 1 year
Lifespan 7 Years 6 Years

Additional Links

See all Century car seats See all Chicco car seats
Full review of the Century Drive On 3-in-1
Full review of the Chicco KeyFit 30