Graco Snugride: Too Big?

Xles10

We've inherited a Graco Snugride from my SIL (it's less than a year old, and hasn't been in any accidents). We just installed it and I think it's too big. I have to move the passenger seat up really far for it to fit. We have a BMW X3. A small SUV.

I've consulted Baby Bargains and Carseatdata.org but neither is answering my question (carseatdata says that it's a "good" fit, but there's a comment about it not being the best if you're tall). I've heard good things about the Chicco Keyfit and Maxi Cosi, but I'm wondering if we'd have the same problem. We're probably going to go to Buy Buy Baby and bring a couple of the demos to our car to see if we can do better.

I'm a first time mom, so I'm not sure this is how it's suppose to fit or if we could get a better fit. Are their other seats that are actually smaller?

MouseInLux

To me all the American car seats were HUGE! We have a maxi-cosi cabrio fix (don't think you can get it over there but it's safe and not too big, it would fit in my Mini Clubman but we're getting me a bigger car so I can fit baby and stroller in it.

jbd1020

Is it just a Snugride (AKA 22) or one of the bigger versions - 30/32/35? It won't hurt to go to BBB and try some other seats out in your car but I think the Snugride 22 is one of the smallest car seats out there, assuming that's the version you have. Have you tried it in the middle or just behind the passenger seat?

Xles10

It is a Snugride 22. We also tried it in the middle. It wasn't as bad as behind the passenger side, but it still felt intrusive. Though, it looks like we'll have to install it behind the passenger seat because we can't use LATCH in the middle and it just didn't seem like we could get it tight enough with the seat belt.

I've looked at the dimensions and, assuming they're accurate, some of the other seats are around 4'' shorter. I'm thinking an additional 3-4'' may make a big difference. We'll see. 

lauti

I have an X3, but did not have it when DS was in an infant seat.  He is now in a Britax Marathon 70 behind the passenger side and there is enough room for my tall DH to sit in front (he's 6'3'').

Infant seats take up a lot of room because of how reclined they are.  It might just be something to deal with until baby is out of the bucket seat.

gimmietimmies

All the ladies have given great advise. All rear facing infant seats are space hogs. My Snugride 35 will fit in my Mini Cooper. It means pushing the passenger seat all the way forward, but it was installed correctly. You may want to message a car seat tech at car-seat.org and talk to them. You can get a good install on the middle position, and that may be your best bet, but I would look at going to a car seat inspection clinic and having them do it for you and showing you how to do this. There is a link on car-seat.org for local clinics.

Good luck!

sarahbeth827

I agree with everyone else. All infant car seats take up a lot of space. We have a Snugride and we put it in the middle of our Pathfinder. It fits, but it is still a tight fit. I would recommend getting it professionally installed in the middle for the best fit.

Allie30

the snugride and keyfit are the smallest seats available. We have a keyfit and a mazda 3 and our knees are on our chest. 6 more months before we can turn her around and get our leg room back!