The Chicco Fit2 is a newer infant car seat that allows little ones to remain rear facing in an infant seat up to 24 months. This seat is very easy to install using the LATCH method and could potentially prevent installation problems that might lead to injuries. The Fit 2 has an anti-rebound bar, additional padding for comfort and a substantial headrest for shoulder height adjustment. We like this car seat and feel it is one we would recommend to a friend, which helped it earn an Editors' Choice award. However, the additional features add weight to the carrier pushing it over 12 lbs and making it a poor choice for parents that plan to carry it. Also, the higher price tag and limited stroller compatibility mean some parents might be better off with the similar Chicco Keyfit 30 infant seat that also won an award.
Chicco Fit2 Review
Pros: Super easy LATCH install, easy to use, nice comfort and quality
Cons: Heavy, only compatible with Chicco strollers so far
Manufacturer: Chicco
The Skinny
Compare to Similar Products
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Chicco brand is the largest baby-centric brand in Europe as part of the Artsana Group. The Artsana company is a holistic lifestyle company offering a variety of products from baby feeding and gear to medical supplies. Founded by Enrico Catelli, the Chicco (kee-ko) brand offers baby products for baby from pregnancy to preschool and are currently available in more than 120 countries.
Performance Comparison
The chart shown below provides the overall scores for the seats we tested in this review, including the Chicco Fit2 (in blue).
The sections detailed below include information on how the Fit2 compared to the other seats we tested in each metric.
Crash Test
In our evaluation of the crash test results, the Chicco Fit2 earned a slightly above average score. The test results indicate a potential additional margin of protection over some of the competition with G-force chest clip results that are higher than the majority of seats and a head sensor (HIC) score that is better than the majority of products with only three options scoring lower (better).
The two charts below show the crash test results for the Chicco Fit2 (in black) compared to the seats that scored the best in the crash tests (shown in green). The Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40 has the highest results for the chest sensor, and the Fit2 is slightly lower with only five products performing better in crash tests.
For the head sensor (HIC) on the Fit2 performed better than the average with only four products performing better during testing.
Studies show that rear facing car seat installation is the safest position for babies. The Fit2 is unique amongst infant car seats in that it works for children up to 24 months in a rear seated position, which is safer than forward facing. Keeping older/larger babies rear facing for longer can potentially increase safety for children during a crash. This seat also includes an Anti-rebound bar which could potentially decrease forces on a little one's body during an accident.
Ease of Install - LATCH
The Chicco Fit2 earned the high score for the review with a perfect 10 of 10 for ease of installation using LATCH anchors. Studies indicate that injuries sustained during car crashes are often related to car seats improper installation. Therefore, we think ease of installation is important; an easier to install seat could increase the odds that the car seat is correctly installed. The Chicco Keyfit 30 and the UPPAbaby Mesa earned 9s. The high ranking products all have some kind of unique LATCH anchor system.
The Fit2 LATCH anchors are push button anchors and have a central pull strap called the SUPERCINCH® that makes tightening anchor straps easier and more efficient.
Compared to the competition, the Fit is super easy and quick to install correctly. This seat has a bubble style level, and a leveling foot called the RECLINESURE® that helps parents find just the right angle for a proper installation every time. The base has five different angle adjustments operated by pulling up on the orange lever.
Ease of Install - Belt
The Chicco Fit2 earned a 7 of 10 for ease of installation using the vehicle belt. A 7 is a higher score than was received by the majority of the competition with only two seats earning better in this metric including the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35. The Fit2 scored one point higher than the Chicco Keyfit 30 for this type of installation.
The Fit2 has a color-coded belt path with a belt lock-off. The belt lock-off is hard to use compared to the competition, and while the seat feels secure once installed, it is more difficult than most to get the belt in the lock-off correctly.
Installation with the lap belt only is easier than using a shoulder belt. However, if given a choice, we prefer the LATCH method as it has the potential for fewer installation errors.
Ease of Install - Without the Base
The Fit2 earned an 8 of 10 for ease of installation without the base; this is the second highest installation score for the Fit2.
The Fit2 uses the European belt path for installation without the base. This belt path utilizes the shoulder portion of the vehicle belt to go around the back of the carrier and the lap part of the belt across the foot area.
We like this style of belt path as it feels more secure than the American method that uses the lap portion only. The belt path is color coded and threading the belt is quick.
Ease of Use
The Fit2 earned a 7 of 10 for ease of use. Only two seats earned higher scores. The Chicco Keyfit 30 and the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 also earned 7 for ease of use.
Ease of use includes features and functionality that impact the daily use of the car seat outside of installation. These tests were designed to help parents determine which products may cause regular frustration.
Harness
The Fit buckle is the same as the one found on the Chicco Keyfit 30. The buckle is not stiff and requires only one hand to operate. The chest clip has a new design and is unlike any other given its ability to work for older children. It is stiffer than most and can be hard to squeeze, but fingers don't get caught when opening it. There is a strap found at the foot of the seat used to tighten the harness. The strap pulls smoothly and doesn't require excess strength to use. The release button is just above the strap on top of the padding. Harness height adjustment is non-rethread and operates with the pull of a tab on the top of the headrest to slide it up and down. The headrest sticks a little, but it isn't hard to use. The harness has seven height positions and two positions for the crotch strap.
Handle
The Fit handle has levers on either side for handle rotation adjustment. You only need to press one in order to move the handle, which is different than most seats and makes the Fit a relatively unique one-handed option. The Fit has 4 handle positions; which positions are allowed during travel in a car depends on the installation stage. Parents should read the manual for more information.
Carrier and Base Connection
The carrier attaches to the base easily and without problems. We did not have any occurrences where we thought the carrier was attached when it wasn't. The carrier makes an audible click when installing correctly.
LATCH Anchors and Manual Storage
The LATCH anchors are stored in pockets located on the sides of the base and require the straps to be rolled up for storage. This storage keeps them out of the way and prevents them from interfering with carrier attachment to the base. The user manual stores in the head of the base. The storage area is adequate, but like so many other seats this means you won't have the manual should you be using the carrier without the base.
Comfort/Quality
The Fit earned 8 of 10 for comfort and quality. This score is high for the group and shared by a few competing seats including the Peg Pergo Primo Viaggio 4-35.
This carrier has thick padding and soft fabric. The headrest design and padding are better than the competition and looks like it would be very comfortable for napping. The fit and finish of the seat and canopy looks sharp using high-quality materials. The canopy is large and looks good. It has a nice rotating forward feature, but it can be somewhat awkward to operate.
Weight
The Fit2 earned a 2 of 10 for weight, with a carrier weight of 12.07 lbs. This weight makes the Fit2 one of the heavier options in the review and a poor choice for parents who may need to carry the car seat regularly.
Carrier weight may be less important for parents who will not be toting the seat for long distance or who may be planning on attaching a seat to a stroller. However, for urban parents that may frequently need to move their carrier from place to place without the base and potentially without a stroller than weight is important. Only three products in our review are heavier than the Fit. The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 weighs in at a mere 9.58 lbs, making it one of the award winners with the lowest weight.
Stroller Compatiblity
The Fit2 is compatible with a variety of Chicco brand strollers including the award-winning Chicco Shuttle. It also works with the Chicco Bravo, Chicco Tre, and the Chicco Cortina Together. Because this seat is relatively new, it is unclear what other brands might offer an adapter for use with the Fit2. Given that the car seat is compatible with the same Chicco strollers as the Chicco Keyfit 30 we assume it may be compatible with an adapter that works for the Keyfit. However, we don't know this for sure and suggest contacting the manufacturer of any stroller you are interested in to confirm compatibility.
Manufacturer Video
Accessories
The only accessory available for the Fit2 is an additional base. Purchasing an additional base is a good idea if you have more than one car and your baby will regularly be traveling in each car. Owning two bases prevents parents from installing the base repeatedly and allows for easier transfer of the carrier as opposed to the entire seat base and all. The Fit2 2-Year Rear-Facing Infant & Toddler Car Seat Base is a fraction of the price of buying an additional car seat and could save parents with two cars money in the long run.
Other Versions
Chicco also makes the Chicco Keyfit 30 that also won an award in this review. These are the only two car seats Chicco makes with a few variations in seat covers that include a zip off cover, canopy, and a zip foot boot.
— Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz
