Chicco NextFit Zip Review

Chicco is a 30-year-old Italian brand known for its reasonably priced baby gear, including top-ranking infant car seats and the occasional top-ranked stroller. In 1958, Pietro Catelli started Chicco to create quality products for babyhood, including convertible car seats, top-rated bottle warmers, and more.

Performance Comparison

Crash Test

The NextFit earned one of the group's top crash test analysis scores. All of the car seats in this review are considered safe as they need to meet federal guidelines to be sold in the US. We are looking for those that perform better than the competition in our hotter testing process.

With a head sensor result (HIC) below the average and one of the lowest sensor results for the chest clip, this seat performed well above the average seat in this review, potentially offering an additional margin of protection. While not the best-scoring seat, it stands out for better results than much of the competition.

Ease of Install - LATCH

The Chicco earned a somewhat lower-than-average score for the group for LATCH installation. This hurt its overall score, given the importance of proper installation.

It has flexible strap push-on LATCH connectors and a bubble level indicator on both sides, but no lock-off exists. The angle adjustment has side visible number adjustment levels that make the process easier, but the handle is on the front, making it hard to adjust after installation. The bubble indicator has a broader range that is easy to use and read. It has valuable color coding, and we are grateful for the little things that make installation easier.

Our first installation attempt in the rear-facing direction failed and had us return to the drawing board. We discovered we hadn't tightened the first pull enough, and other folks online had similar issues. The second pull strap was easier than the first, and our final attempt yielded a seat that passed the wiggle test but was not as stable as the others. The two-strap pull system seemed more challenging than a traditional one-strap pull, and we didn't like it as much as the infant seat Chiccos. We ended up unzipping the cover somewhat to get a better angle for our pull and wonder if the average parent will discover this.

Forward-facing installation of the NextZip uses the same bubble on both sides for leveling, and it also has a lock-off. There is beneficial color coding; you don't have to thread the webbing. The recline adjustment is smooth. The seat is kind of bulky, making the LATCH connection more of a challenge.

Once again, you must pull the first strap tight enough because the second strap can't compensate for the lack of tightness on the first. The first pull needs to be super tight, as you can't return to it after pulling the second strap. The final installation isn't as solid as some, but it does pass the test.

Ease of Install - Belt

The difficulty of belt installation is about the same using the vehicle seat as the LATCH method, with neither being all that easy to accomplish. Nothing here is overly challenging or inspiring; it was, therefore, average compared to the competition.

The Chicco has a bubble indicator with a nice wide angle range for installation. The belt pathway is color-coded for easy on-the-fly threading, and there is a belt lock-off to help secure the seat to the vehicle belt for a snugger installation. You have to unzip the cover to start the threading process, and the recline is easy to operate with numbered indicators on the side.

The lock-off designs are slits that feel remedial, but they get the job done, and we didn't have trouble tightening the belt like we thought we would. Tightening during the entire process was possible, which was a big win compared to some competitors. The base feels very snug against the vehicle seat, and there wasn't much wiggle in car one but a little wiggle in the second test car.

Uninstalling is also reasonably easy. After you unbuckle the belt, you pull the strap through, and there is no need to unzip the cover at this stage, only for threading.

For forward-facing installation, it has the same bubble indicators on each side, a color-coded pathway, and the same slit-like belt lock-off system. Threading the vehicle belt is easy through the back of the seat. The color is red for forward-facing and blue for rear-facing, which is clear and distinct on the seat to help you avoid mistakes. Rotating the angle of the seat is easy and takes minimal effort. You need to unzip the cover somewhat to thread the belt, but it is straightforward.

In the second test car, we had some difficulty pulling the belt through the lock-off, but it wasn't impossible. This is just a reminder that the design isn't the best. The seat had only a minor wiggle once installed.

Ease of Use

This Chicco shines for ease of use with one of the best test results in the group for this metric.

Harness

The prongs slide down on the NextFit with no mechanism to keep them in place or out of the way. The crotch pad wraps around the buckle and gets in the way when you try to push the prongs in the buckles. We had to push a little bit harder than the average to get the prongs to connect. The chest clip is an easy pinch and pull mechanism.

Tightening and loosening the NextFit harness is average, with a smooth tightening process. The release is somewhat harder, and we had to yank on the straps to get it to loosen up. The button is easy to access but requires a little more strength to press than most.

The harness height adjustment is non-rethread and has nine possible positions with a two-position crotch strap. The shoulder straps are easy to adjust with a push-in handle that allows the assembly to move smoothly up and down.

LATCH Storage

The LATCH connection for the NextFit is above average in our convertible seat lineup. It is easy to access on each side, but getting the second connector in the cubby is harder.

Cover

The cover on the Zip is somewhat unique and has a zipper removal system around the edge of the cover. We think the zipper is easy to use and a quick removal process. We wish the headrest was as simple. Putting the main coverback on it is also straightforward.

Comfort/Quality

The Chicco was just above the average in the group for comfort and quality and about what you'd expect from the Chicco brand and the price range.

The cover on the zip has a full wrap-around zipper for easy removal and cleaning. The zippers are out of the way from curious fingers, and the zipper isn't near the skin areas of passengers. The outermost edge of the seat is a leather or leather-like material that remains when the main cover is removed. This portion will need to be wiped down since it isn't removable.

The main headrest fabric isn't the smoothest, which feels like a misstep in an area with such sensitive skin. It might not be abrasive, but it isn't anything to rave about. The infant insert wraps up the sides to make a small, more supported area. As we see in several competitors, the padding is average, with no additions in the headrest area.

This seat has well-balanced all-around padding with no neglected areas and even placement throughout. The shell is relatively smooth, with only a few places where plastic components come together and gunk could migrate.

The cup holder clips on the side and sits off to the side of the chair. It can be removed for cleaning or if you choose not to use it. It feels like it might take more force than little kids have to remove it, but eventually, they will be able to.

Weight/Size

The NextFit weighs in at 25.8 lb, which is really neither heavy nor light and is about a pound off from the average for the group of 24.3 lb.

It is also not very narrow, with a widest width measurement of 19 inches. Given that the average in this review is 18.6 in, and the smallest is 16.9 in, it is fair to say it isn't a great choice for more than two seats in one row.

Should You Buy the Chicco NextFit Zip?

The NextFit Zip earned better crash test results and has a nifty zip-off cover for cleaning, making it a potential contender for those who like to keep things clean. This seat features the SuperCinch tightening straps and is easy to use. However, this Chicco is harder to install than most competition using both methods. Because correct installation can equate to a safer seat, we worry about any seat that might give parents trouble during installation. While this Chicco earned a higher overall score and was generally a good seat, we think an easier-to-install option with good crash test analysis is better. However, if you plan to clean your seat frequently, we can see how the NextFit Zip is a good fit for you.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?

All of the Graco seats earned higher overall scores and better crash test results than the Chicco. If your goal is an impressive all-around seat with easy-to-use features and the best crash test results, the Graco 4Ever DLX is your seat. With a reasonable price equivalent to the Chicco, this easy-to-install seat is a tester's favorite. If your budget is small, but you don't want to sacrifice potential safety or easy installation, then the Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is a possible option that saves you money over the Chicco and the 4Ever while providing better crash test analysis than the Chicco.

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