My Review of the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat

by Ric Hite

Learn how the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 car seat provides safety, comfort and convertibility for your toddler or young child weighing 20 to 100 pounds. 

When my first child was born a few years ago, I found myself suddenly thrust into the exciting but unfamiliar world of parenthood. As a rather “clueless” first time parent, I had a lot of learning to do, so I embarked on a crash course on how to get up to speed on “all things baby.”

One of my first purchases was an infant car seat. I didn’t really know what to look for in a car seat, so I bought something that looked decent, was reasonably priced, and hoped for the best. Fortunately, I picked a pretty good one, but it wasn’t too many months before my son had outgrown it.  

 I couldn’t believe how fast the time had flown!

Frugal dad that I am, I thought, “Wow, another car seat already?  This will get kind of expensive having to buy a new seat every year or two!”

I knew I needed to buy a Toddler seat, or booster seat or something – but I wasn’t actually sure what to look for.  So I set out to do some online research, and find out what was on the market. I wanted something that was reasonably priced, AND provided the safety features and comfort my child needed – and deserved.   

My research led me to what I believe is one of the best products available at any price – the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat. (Link takes you to Amazon.com)

Here’s what I learned…

Convertible Design Adapts to Your Child’s Growth

I discovered that the Graco Nautilus Multi-Use Car Seat is a versatile, sturdy seat that can be used in three different modes.   As the name suggests, it’s actually three seats in one!

The attractive, convertible design adapts to your child’s growth so it can be the one and only seat that lasts through early childhood.

How does this work?   Let’s take a closer look…

1. First, it can be used as a forward facing seat for children at least 1 year old, weighing 20 to 65 pounds. The forward facing mode utilizes a 5-point harness that will keep your child strapped in securely and safely.

2. Secondly, as your child grows, you can convert the seat into a high-back booster seat. The high-back booster mode can be used for children weighing 30 to 100 pounds.     
3. In the third mode, you can convert the Nautilus car seat into a backless booster seat, which is good for children that weigh 40 pounds, all the way up to about 100 pounds.   

  Keep in mind that the Graco Nautilus Seat or any other forward facing convertible or booster seat is NOT for an infant or newborn. 

Your child needs to be at least 1 year old, weigh 20 pounds or more, and be able to ride comfortably in a forward facing car seat.   It’s important for the safety of your child to keep using a rear facing infant seat until he or she meets the minimum criteria for using a forward facing car seat.

Provides Superior Safety for your Child

If you’re like me, your child’s safety is your #1 concern when you are on the road. With that in mind, let’s look some of the ways that Graco Nautilus Seat provides that safety factor you are looking for in a child’s car seat.

5-point harness

The Nautilus utilizes a 5 point harness for that can accommodate children over the age of one, and weighing from 20 to 65 pounds.   This is a wider range than most other forward-facing car seats that are currently on the market.

Child safety experts are nearly unanimous in their agreement that a 5-point harness provides better protection for your child than the “T-shield” and “Overhead shield” type of restraints.  The five point harness provides a snugger fit than shielded seats, and is suitable for a wide range of children. 

Steel Reinforced Construction

In addition to the 5 point harness, the Nautilus car seat is solidly built with a steel reinforced frame that that makes it durable and strong.    To this frame is added  EPS energy absorbing foam for additional comfort and shock protection for your child.    

Meets U.S Safety Standards

The Graco Nautilus has undergone rigorous crash tests that meet or exceed U.S. safety standards.  These tests include:

• U.S. Compliance Standard FMVSS 213   
• The New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), with peak Crash Force approximately twice the Car Seat Standard   
• Tests for Extreme Car Interior Temperatures.   
• Side-impact tests for occupant retention using the built in 5  point harness system.    

Top Rated Product

In addition to top safety crash test results, the seat is rated at the top of its class by leading consumer magazines and publications

The Comfort Factor

While safety might be your number 1 concern, it’s important to keep your child’s comfort in mind as well.   Fortunately, the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 seat scores very high in the comfort department. 

• EPS energy-absorbing foam provides comfortable padding for the seat. The generous cushioning in the seat supports a child’s little body in comfort and style, and will keep your kids happy on long car rides and extended trips.    
• Wider, contoured armrests are padded for extra comfort, and contain a cup holder and storage pockets.  The cup holders offer children their own personal spot for water, milk, or juice. Cup holders are fun, and add to the feeling of a big-kid seat.   
• The wrap-around head support keeps sleepy heads from drooping.  When your little one begins to nod off, side wings prop them up.  The head rest can be easily adjusted to change with your child's growth.   
• The 3-way position recline feature facilitates correct installation and adds another level of comfort.   

The 3-in-1 Design Will Save You Money

If you’re like most parents, you are always on the lookout for ways to save some money and stretch your budget just a little further.  Fortunately the Graco Nautilus Car Seat will help you out in that respect.  Because there are actually three seats in one unit, you will save money by not having to buy a new car seat at each stage of your child’s growth.  One purchase provides years of dependable service as your child grows up and finally out of the child car seat. 

Easy To Install

As I mentioned earlier, the first car seat I purchased (when I was still clueless about these things) was a decent choice, but it wasn’t the easiest thing to install.  I really struggled putting it in place the first couple of times until I figured it out. 

The Graco Nautilus on the other hand, is a real breeze to install. With a narrow profile, the Nautilus fits well in most cars.   It’s as simple as attaching the back to the seat, sliding the headrest on to the back, and attaching the arms rests.    Use the LATCH system or your car’s seat belts to properly install the seat.   Position your seat belt with the attached open-loop belt guides, and voila!  You are done.

Easy to Maintain

It’s so easy to keep clean! With very little effort you can keep the car seat clean thanks to the removable and machine washable cover. Machine wash the cover in cold water on the delicate cycle and, and then let it drip dry.

Attractive Good Looks

In addition to the many features and benefits of this remarkable car seat, it also looks great!  Parents and kids alike love the sleek look of the Graco Nautilus.  There are a number of different color choices and themes available that are sure to blend in well with most car interiors.  The neutral toned fabrics and contemporary look are sure to complement the décor of your car.

What Others Are Saying…

This car seat has received hundreds of rave reviews from customers, including a 4.5 rating from most reviewers on the Amazon and Graco websites.

Here are a few of the comments on this product:

• “Amazing Car Seat - Design and Value”   
• “Just love this car seat…”   
• “Great seat! Daughter LOOOOOVES it!”   

• “Easy to install, comfortable for toddler”   
• “Very well designed product”   
• “Excellent seat. Multi-function. Easy to set up”   
• “Great seat, great safety, great price”   
• “Wish my car seat was like this :)” 

Where to read more reviews about the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat

The very best place at this time to read real product reviews from people who have actually purchased and use the product is Amazon.com, hands down!    Read more reviews here.

Are There Any Complaints?

This all sounds well and good with all of the glowing testimonials, but no product is completely 100% perfect is it? Although the reviews are overwhelmingly positive from most people, there were a few concerns and complaints.

The most common concern was with the crotch strap part of the 5-point harness.  A few people thought the crotch strap was too tight, which caused discomfort, or forced the child to sit on top of the strap. 

To rectify this, one user referred to new recommendations from Graco that say it is o.k. for the child to sit part way over the strap as long as the child is seated properly and not wearing a diaper.  

Another user suggested that if the child is 4-5 years old and 30 to 40 lbs, the parent should remove the 5-point straps and crotch strap, and not use the 5 point strap anymore.

Other than the crotch strap issue, there were a few unrelated complaints about various things.  Complaints were often more about personal preferences and opinions rather than substantive issues.  Of course a few complaints should be expected out of hundreds of reviews on the product. 

How Long is the Warranty?

The Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat comes with a 1 year limited warranty from the date of initial purchase.  A sales receipt is required for proof of purchase.

How Much does it Cost?

There are several color options available with various price points.  Prices generally range from about $179.95 to $239.95 online, but this varies at each merchant.   Amazon often sells some models in the $165 range, and free 2nd Day Shipping with a Prime membership. 

Where You Can Buy It

A note about Prime: Prime Membership is $79 per year, but from personal experience, I find it is well worth if you buy lots of stuff from Amazon. I pay for Prime every year, and have saved hundreds of dollars in shipping costs.

Right now, Amazon offers a 30 day free trial of Prime, so sign up today and get free shipping on your next purchase. If you decide to cancel within 30 days, you will not be charged, and you will have enjoyed free 2nd Day shipping for one full month.

Final Words…

I hope this review has been helpful to you, as you consider what kind of seat to get for your young child. 

Remember, when your infant outgrows the rear-facing seat, he or she will still be required by law to ride in a forward facing seat or booster for several more years. 

Instead of buying several different seats and boosters over the years, consider getting the Graco Nautilus 3-in 1 Toddler Car Seat.   With a high harness weight capacity, and easy conversion to a booster seat, the Graco Nautilus may be the last safety car seat you will ever need to buy, once your little one can safely ride forward-facing.