Century Drive On 3-in-1 vs. Safety 1st Turn and Go 360 DLX: Which is Better? (2024)

Hi there! We're here to help you decide between the Century Drive On 3-in-1 and the Safety 1st Turn and Go 360 DLX.

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 parents, we know that safety and comfort are paramount when it comes to buying a car seat. Two options that caught my attention are the Century Drive On 3-in-1 and the Safety 1st Turn and Go 360 DLX. While they have similarities, there are distinctive differences that make each of them suitable for different families and situations.

The Century Drive On 3-in-1, part of Century's Happy Planet collection, is a sustainable choice as its fabric is made from recycled materials. Its lightweight nature is quite appealing, especially for parents who might need to frequently switch the seat between cars. This seat accommodates kids ranging from 5 to 100 lbs, transitioning from rear-facing, to forward-facing with a harness, and finally to a belt-positioning booster. Unlike some other seats, Century's compact design takes up minimal space in the backseat, which can be beneficial for parents with smaller cars. However, it's worthy of note that some parents have found its installation to be a bit challenging.

On the other hand, the Safety 1st Turn and Go 360 DLX offers the distinctive rotating feature that might be a godsend for parents who struggle with back or mobility issues, minimizing the physical strain when loading and unloading the child. This seat is also versatile, converting from infant to booster modes, truly a seat that can grow with your child. However, some parents have reported difficulties engaging the rotation mechanism when the seat is occupied and raised concerns about its perceived sturdiness. Also, it's a larger and heavier seat compared to the Century Drive On, which might be a factor if you intend to move it between cars frequently.

In terms of maximum weight allowances in different configurations, both seats accommodate up to 40 lbs in rear-facing and 65 lbs in forward-facing modes. The Century Drive On has a bit of an advantage when it comes to a booster mode as it can take up to 100 lbs, compared to 80 lbs for Safety 1st Turn and Go 360 DLX. Additionally, when it comes to air travel, the Century Drive On is FAA approved for both forward and rear-facing modes, whereas the Safety 1st does not specify any FAA approved modes.

Now, the big question: which one is the better choice? If you prioritize a greener choice, portability, space-saving, and have a bit of patience for installation, the Century Drive On 3-in-1 would be your best bet, especially considering it's also significantly cheaper than the Safety 1st Turn and Go 360 DLX. However, if you value the convenience the rotational feature provides and plan to keep the seat installed in one vehicle, the Safety 1st car seat may be more suitable. In that case, it's definitely worth testing the rotation functions thoroughly before purchasing, given the reported difficulties. If the price is not a deterrent, and its larger size isn't an issue, the Safety 1st Turn and Go 360 DLX could be a solid choice.