Chicco Fit2 Review

The Chicco brand is the largest baby-centric brand in Europe as part of the Artsana Group. Artsana is a holistic lifestyle company offering various products, from baby gear to medical supplies. Pietro Catelli founded the Chicco (kee-ko) brand, which offers baby products from pregnancy to preschool and is currently available in more than 120 countries. We've tested some of their bottle warmers, various strollers, some of our favorite car seats, and more.

Performance Comparison

Crash Testing

The crash test analysis result for the Fit 2 is below the average for the group. Like all seats in this review, the Fit 2 is considered safe, but it did not perform better than some seats in our crash testing.

In tests where the lower the result, the better the performance, the Fit2 struggled to keep up with the competition. The G forces for the HIC and chest clip were average for the group, with scores that outperformed many competitors but failed to match the standout seats in this review. While the Fit 2's results are not disappointing, they are also not a compelling reason to purchase this Chicco. Other seats performed better overall and for crash test analysis and cost less, including two other Chicco seats.

Ease of Installation LATCH

The Fit 2 installation using LATCH is the easiest method for this seat. It performs better than the average seat in this metric, but not by much, and it isn't as easy as it is with some competitors.

The Fit 2 has loose strap LATCH connectors with a push-style connector that is easier to use than the clip style. It has an anti-rebound bar but no load leg. Plenty of reviews call this seat dummy-proof, and we agree. We'd add that it is far less exhausting than much of the competition. The connectors are easy to use, and there is ample strap length to make your connections.

It has a one-strap pull to tighten, and we used our knee in the base to ensure a snug fit. It was not hard to achieve.

Overall, the seat is stable in both the sedan and SUV. The only real drawbacks are that the LATCH connectors awkwardly disconnect from the storage space, and tightening requires a knee on the base.

Releasing the LATCH straps so you can disconnect them and remove the base is also straightforward and one of the most user-friendly we've seen, with the pull-up of a single lever and one-finger operation.

Recline Adjustment

The angle level indicator is a bubble style, and one is located on each side. There are six possible positions.

Ease of Installation - Belt

The second hardest installation method for the Fit 2 uses the vehicle belt. While easier to do than the average seat, it isn't the most straightforward, and we think most parents will prefer the simplified LATCH installation.

The belt pathway is color-coded, and it has a built-in lock-off. The base has instructions on how to tread the vehicle belt, which is a nice touch. To lay the vehicle belt flat, you must first tighten the LATCH connectors' webbing to get them out of the way. The threading pathway is deep and wide; most adult hands should have no trouble with the openings. The path around the base is unrestricted and offers more room than many competitors. This seat has sort of slit-like locks-offs, and it feels like a more natural positioning with where the shoulder strap on the vehicle belt wanted to lay. We found getting the belt tight if we sat on the base during installation was easier. We could get it tight and feel very stable in the sedan and the compact SUV.

Ease of Installation - w/o the Base

Installing the Fit 2 without the base is its hardest installation method, but it is still easier than much of the competition, with a better performance score than the average for all the seats we tested.

This carrier has a line decal to ensure it is level and utilizes the European belt path across the carrier foot and around the back of the carrier shell. There is color coding to help ensure you get it right.

This carrier has installation instructions in English on both sides, which is nice so you can install it on either side of the car. The belt threading is smoother than some of the competition as it more or less goes where it needs to, thanks to a useful design. Still, the slits are somewhat smaller and on the sides instead of the top of the carrier, making threading a little more complicated if you can't see the slit from your position. It felt stable in both our sedan and compact SUV test cars.

Ease of Use

The Fit 2 is one of the easiest seats in the review to use, with a high score unrivaled by most competitors.

Buckle

The buckle has a square flush button that is easy to press without much pressure. The two side prongs come loose and detach simultaneously, even though they don't really pop out. It does take a little more force than average to push the prongs into the buckle, but nothing unmanageable. The prongs have metal interiors that give enough friction to avoid easy sliding up and down the straps.

The chest clip release button is sort of on the underside, bottom of the clip, perhaps to avoid pinching or collecting drool. The tab is not intuitive, and you have to use precise movements to get it to work. While it isn't straightforward at first, we do think parents will get used to it and likely have no trouble over time.

Harness Tightening/Loosening

The harness is tightened with the strap at the foot of the carrier, and the release button in the same location allows you to pull the shoulder straps to make them looser. Both are easy to use and work as expected.

Harness Adjustment

The harness is a non-rethread style adjustment. The top of the headrest assembly has a pull tab to disengage the assembly and allow it to move up or down to the desired height location. This operation can be done with the baby in the seat when you notice a need for a new height. There are six possible shoulder positions and two crotch strap positions to ensure a good fit.

Carrier to Base Connection

Handle

The handle has three positions possible, with one per stage for use during travel. So, users need to know which position is allowed for safety reasons. It only takes one hand to adjust this handle, which is unique and functionality we like. The buttons on the handle are easy to press, which is not something we see in all competitors.

Canopy

The canopy brushes the underside of the handle when you try to use both at the same time. It isn't enough to move the canopy when the handle brushes back like some of the competition, which is nice. We think you should be able to have your canopy open and move your handle without it taking the canopy with it.

LATCH and Manual Storage

The manual on the Fit 2 stores at the end of the base and slides into its own pocket, keeping it out of the way but preventing you from taking it with you if you travel without the base.

The LATCH connectors have their own cubbies and fit snuggly inside to avoid a problem connecting the carrier to the base. It sits between the anti-rebound bar and the back end of the base. Once inside, you can tighten the straps to keep them there.

Stage 2 Adjustment

The Stage 2 adjustment on the Fit 2 allows for the carrier to sit further away from the vehicle seat back, providing more leg room for taller kiddos. You still need to adhere to the manufacturer's limits for weight and size when using this feature.

Comfort/Quality

The Fit 2 performs better than average for comfort and quality compared to the rest of the test group.

Fabric and Padding

The fabric and padding are average compared to the other seats. The material on the infant insert feels soft initially, but we determined it is somewhat scratchy when you rub it on more sensitive skin like your face or inner wrist. The primary seat fabric is nicer and feels more snuggly. The warning label is near the arms of the baby and could be an irritant over time, depending on your baby's skin sensitivity, as it has raised stitching around the edges. The cover is machine washable.

The padding is uniform and feels good all around. It appears thicker than it is when pressure is put on it, and there are no exposed plastic components.

Handle and Canopy

The handle grip is poor because the bar is sort of flat and not wide enough to grip comfortably. The flat shape puts more pressure on your arm and hand, increasing as your baby grows. Other Chicco car seat handles are superior to this one for comfort and ergonomics, so it's odd this more expensive option has a disappointing handle.

The canopy is larger than most and has a back flap to secure the canopy to the shell so it doesn't move when you open it. It is taunt enough to prevent sagging.

Shell

The Fit 2 has a nice finished overall appearance and a smooth outer shell on the carrier that can be wiped clean with a washcloth. The base has more nooks and crannies for gunk to hide, but it shouldn't collect much with the carrier in place.

Weight/Size

The Fit 2 scores below the average for carrier weight with a weight of 12.3 lbs. This is potentially a prohibitive weight if you plan to carry your little one in their car seat. As your little one grows, your load will quickly exceed 25 pounds.

Should You Buy the Fit2?

The Fit 2 isn't our favorite seat or even our favorite Chicco. It isn't a bad seat, but the higher price doesn't seem to buy you better performance or better crash test results, making it an extra expense we find hard to endorse. While this seat has some interesting features and is easy to use, the crash test analysis is below average, and the carrier is heavier than much of the competition. There are better Chicco seats in this review that score better overall and in key metrics.

What Other Infant Car Seat Should You Consider?

We like the Chicco Keyfit 35 and think most families will, too. It is an easy-to-use seat with a mid-range price point most families can fit into their budgets. We like the higher crash test analysis results and the lighter carrier. It costs less than the Fit2, and we don't think you'll miss anything the Fit2 has to offer. If your goal is the best seat in the group, or you want the seat with the best crash test analysis, and your budget is bigger, the Clek Liing should be on your shortlist. This seat has the highest crash test analysis and is super easy to install using the rigid LATCH connectors and load leg.

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