Graco Turn2Me Grow i-Size R129 review

Car seat safety is the number one priority when travelling with children. When searching for the best car seat, we all want it to be super simple, comfortable and ultimately safe. The Turn2Me™ Grow i-Size R129 from Graco is a 3-in-1, 360° rotating ISOFIX car seat that can grow with your child from birth to approximately 7 years old. It has a single-hand rotation, from either side of the seat, and a Safety Surround™ Side Impact Protection and an interchangeable TrueShield™ side impact protection pod providing enhanced head and body protection, minimising impact forces in the event of a crash. Scroll down to find out how our tester Catherine got on when taking the seat for a spin.

Testing the Graco Turn2Me Grow i-Size R129

As the market for 360° rotating car seats continues to expand, parents are increasingly looking for seats that combine safety, comfort, and longevity. We've previously used the Joie i-Spin 360, which we loved for its design and features, but found it slightly compact, heavy, and less breathable for warmer days. With the Graco Turn2Me™ Grow i-Size R129, we were hopeful it would tick even more boxes—especially given its wider age range, breathable fabric, and user-friendly design.

We had the perfect mix of children to truly put this seat to the test: a six-month-old nephew who occasionally joins us, a three-year-old daughter (who suffers from travel sickness), and a nearly six-year-old son. Over four weeks, we used the Turn2Me™ Grow for both short and long journeys, frequently switching between the rear-facing harness and the high back booster options.

Unboxing and first impressions

Graco has done a great job with the packaging. The box includes helpful illustrations showing the seat in its three stages, along with a QR code linking to the manual - handy for browsing ahead of purchase. The seat itself is wrapped in protective bags with minimal unnecessary packaging. Straight out of the box, it feels like a high-quality, thoughtfully designed product.

The accompanying instruction video was particularly useful, clearly explaining all the features, including the hidden harness system for when your child transitions to booster mode - a rare and incredibly helpful feature.

Installation and everyday use

Installing the Turn2Me™ Grow was refreshingly simple. It uses ISOFIX points and isn’t too heavy to manage. The one-handed spin mechanism is impressively smooth, more so than other brands we've tried and it locks safely in place when in use.

Switching between age stages was seamless. The five-point harness can be tucked away easily thanks to integrated storage, and there’s even a clever under-seat compartment for the strap pads. Adjusting the seat for different children took just minutes.

One small caveat: be mindful not to overtighten the five-point harness, as this can stop the headrest from reaching its highest position. This wasn’t clearly explained in the instructions but was easy to work out.

For our family, this flexibility was invaluable. On days when I needed to do a nursery run followed by picking up my nephew, there was no need to swap seats or head home to change configurations - huge time and stress saver.

Comfort and features

With 12 adjustable positions, the Turn2Me™ Grow prioritises comfort. The shell ventilation provides excellent airflow, making it noticeably cooler and less sweaty than some other seats we've used.

Another standout is the side impact protection. Unlike many seats where side protectors are tricky to adjust or remove, this one pops in and out with the press of a button. It’s easy to reposition depending on which side the seat is installed on, though we’d likely just leave it in place long-term for convenience.

Once your child reaches high back booster mode (100–125 cm), the five-point harness tucks neatly away, and there’s no need to remove or store pieces separately - a major plus.

Cleaning and maintenance

When life inevitably gets messy (we’re talking snacks, spills, and sticky hands), the seat’s fabric covers can be easily removed and machine washed. It’s a simple but essential feature that makes ongoing use a lot more manageable.

Final verdict

The Graco Turn2Me™ Grow i-Size R129 is an excellent choice for families with children of different ages. It offers brilliant flexibility, comfort, and ease of use across a wide age range, all within a price point that holds its own among other 360° car seats.

For the convenience it offers, the quality of its materials, and the peace of mind it provides with its safety features, we think it represents real value for money. It is ideal for growing or multi-child families who need a seat that adapts as quickly as family life changes.

We’d confidently recommend it to anyone looking for a long-lasting, no-fuss, all-rounder car seat.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum to Theodore, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.