Century Drive On 3-in-1 vs. Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One: 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 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One.

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 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One
Type Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing High Back Booster
Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing High Back Booster
Current price
In stock
$149.00
In stock (10 varieties available)
$129.99 - $159.99
Rating 4.69 4.61

Our Thoughts

Bringing into consideration are two remarkable car seats - the Century Drive On 3-in-1 and the Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One. Both seats have been crafted to grow with your child, with admirable convertible properties that accommodate rear-facing, forward-facing, and high back booster modes.

The Century Drive On 3-in-1 car seat sets itself apart with its eco-friendly design, constructed from recycled materials. Its compact and lightweight design earns it high marks, being ideal for smaller vehicles or frequent switch between cars. Highlighting its convenience is its no-rethread harness system, allowing parents to adjust the harness height with ease as the child grows. Nevertheless, it has been noted that some parents find this particular seat challenging to install. The seat is FAA-approved for both forward and rear-facing modes, providing peace of mind for traveling parents. On the flip side, the Drive On allows for a maximum weight of 65 pounds in forward-facing mode and a significant 100 pounds in a booster configuration.

On to the Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One, it delivers the promise of extended utility across multiple growth stages, especially suitable for budget-friendly families. The seat impresses with its QuickFit Harness, which easily adjusts the harness and headrest. However, some users report challenges with the installation and issues with strap tangling. Despite this, it does come with a machine washable and dryer safe seat pad, offering convenience in terms of cleaning. Just like the Drive On, this seat is also FAA-approved for forward and rear-facing modes but is not approved for its high back booster mode. Remarkably, the Grow and Go seat accommodates a higher weight limit in forward-facing mode - up to 65 pounds - although it matches the Drive On's 100-pound weight limit in booster mode.

While both these car seats demonstrate considerable advantages, my recommendation leans towards the Century Drive On 3-in-1 car seat if you highly value sustainable, eco-friendly products and do not mind the extra effort required for installation. Its unique use of recycled materials, compact design, and lightweight construction make it a commendable choice. However, if cleaning ease, affordability, weight limit in forward-facing mode are of higher importance to you, you might find the Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One a more fitting choice, despite its reported difficulties in securing a tight installation.

Key Details

Drive On 3-in-1 Grow and Go All-in-One
Century Drive On 3-in-1 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One
Brand Century Safety 1st
Type Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing High Back Booster
Convertible

Rear-Facing Forward-Facing High Back Booster
Weighted Rating 4.69 4.61
1 yr Price Range $118.99 - $169.99 $159.99 - $179.99
Current price
In stock
$149.00
In stock (10 varieties available)
$129.99 - $159.99
Value

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

The Grow and Go offers extended utility across multiple growth stages at a competitive price, making it a smart purchase for budget-conscious families.

Safety

Several indicators of robust safety features and consumer trust.

It meets all safety standards, although some users report challenges with installation and strap tangling.

Features

Unique eco-friendly fabric and multi-stage convertibility.

While it includes essential features like the QuickFit Harness, it may lack some of the premium features found in higher-end seats.

Installation

Some parents find the installation challenging.

Reports indicate that the car seat installation can be tricky, requiring more effort to ensure a secure fit.

Cleaning

No specific complaints or praises suggest an average cleaning experience.

The seat pad is both machine washable and dryer safe, which is highly convenient for busy parents.

Size

Its compact design is advantageous for small spaces and portability.

Its rear-facing mode offers more leg room for front seat passengers, a bonus in smaller vehicles.

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 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One. 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 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One
Height Range 19 - 40 inches
Weight Range 5 - 40 pounds 5 - 40 pounds

Forward-facing

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One
Height Range 0 - 49 inches 29 - 49 inches
Weight Range 22 - 65 pounds 22 - 65 pounds

Booster

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One
Height Range 43 - 57 inches 43 - 52 inches
Weight Range 40 - 100 pounds 40 - 100 pounds

Dimensions and Weight

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One
Width 13.0 inches 19.3 inches
Height 30.6 inches 24.2 inches
Depth 20.8 inches 24.5 inches
Weight 13.7 pounds 18.7 pounds

Core Specifications

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One
Model Year 2021 2022
Made In China USA
Frame Material Unknown Reinforced Steel

Safety and Compliance

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One
Federal Safety Standards Meets all standards Meets all standards
Configurations FAA-Approved for Airplanes Forward-Facing
Rear-Facing
High Back Booster
Forward-Facing
Rear-Facing
High Back Booster
NHTSA Ease-of-Use Ratings Not rated by NHTSA. Rear-Facing Mode
Overall 2 out of 5 stars
Labels 1 out of 5 stars
Instructions 3 out of 5 stars
Securing 2 out of 5 stars
Installation Features 1 out of 5 stars
Forward-Facing Mode
Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Labels 1 out of 5 stars
Instructions 4 out of 5 stars
Securing 5 out of 5 stars
Installation Features 3 out of 5 stars
Booster Mode
Overall 3 out of 5 stars
Labels 3 out of 5 stars
Instructions 5 out of 5 stars
Securing 2 out of 5 stars
Installation Features 3 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 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One
Attachment Methods LATCH
Seatbelt
LATCH
Seatbelt
Harness Type 5-Point 5-Point
Cup Holders Has cup holders. Has cup holders.

Warranty and Durability

Century Drive On 3-in-1 Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One
Manufacturers Warranty Length 1 year 1 year
Lifespan 7 Years 10 Years

Additional Links

See all Century car seats See all Safety 1st car seats
Full review of the Century Drive On 3-in-1
Full review of the Safety 1st Grow and Go All-in-One