Graco TurboBooster Stretch Review

Graco TurboBooster Stretch

The Graco TurboBooster has been around for quite some time now. We know the original version well, and we’ve also reviewed the TurboBooster Grow, TurboBooster TakeAlong, and other versions of this seat.  We’ve found very consistently that the TurboBooster family of booster seats is well known for its fit and function.  The newest addition to the family is the TurboBooster Stretch — named Stretch because it’s a bit taller than the other models and it has a bonus stretching section behind the child’s back.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch assembly

The TurboBooster Stretch arrives in three pieces: The headrest, the side wings, and the backless booster. The manual first instructs you to insert the headrest into the side wings. To do this, squeeze the adjuster handle on the back of the headrest and slide the pieces together. There will be an audible click when they are firmly attached.

Next, place the backless booster on the floor and hook the u-shaped pieces over the bars on the backless booster. Rotate the back of the seat up until there is another audible click and the high back booster is in one piece.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch cupholder assembly

This seat has a dishwasher safe cupholder that’s required for use. Translation: if the cupholder is in the wash, the seat isn’t ready for the road.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch cupholders

To install the cupholder, remove it from the lower anchor webbing at the front of the seat. Push the clips on the bottom of the cupholder into the base of the TurboBooster until the cupholder is firmly attached.

To remove the cup holder, turn the base over and pinch the tabs together, then slide the cupholder away from the seat.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch lower anchors

The TurboBooster Stretch includes premium lower anchor connectors that are designed specifically for Graco’s booster seats. This push button style connector releases with one finger. This may sound like a small feature, but it makes removing the booster easier than it is with the j-hook style connectors, and easier even than the more traditional premium lower anchor connectors.

The lower anchor connectors aren’t required for use — they hold the unoccupied booster seat in place in the event of a crash the same way a vehicle seat belt does.  To ready the seat for use, lift the lever just above the lower anchor webbing on the front of the booster, then pull the lower anchor connector from the back of the seat while holding the lever down.  Attach the connector onto the lower anchors in the vehicle, then pull the webbing until it’s tight. Finally, thread the vehicle seat belt through the red belt guide at the child’s shoulder.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch without lower anchors. Note: The manual indicates that the vehicle headrest should not create a gap at the back of the seat. Graco has approved this specific setup, but if your TurboBooster Stretch has a similar gap, be sure to reach out to Graco for approval before using the seat.

If you wish to use the seat without the lower anchors or prefer to buckle the empty booster when it’s not in use, the process takes even fewer steps. Simply set the seat on the vehicle seat and thread the vehicle seat belt through the red belt guide at the child’s shoulder.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch shoulder belt guide

We’ve discovered another wonderful advantage to this the belt guide. It works well in the 3rd row, outboard seats of the notoriously difficult for booster seat vehicles: the Chrysler Town and Country, VW Routan, and Dodge Caravan. That is no easy feat!

Graco TurboBooster Stretch air vents

The sidewings are vented to allow for air flow. We feel confident that hot-natured children will appreciate these vents! We were hoping that the name “Stretch” implied that the side wings stretched sideways to make the seat more comfortable for older/wider children. They do not.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch

This Stretch part of this booster seat’s name comes from a unique feature — the torso portion of the back expands upwards in two places.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch stretched

The first expansion happens between the side wings and the base of the booster.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch fully stretched

The next expansion is between the side wings and the headrest. This means that the side wings move with the child as they grow. Our models found this made the seat more comfortable!

Graco TurboBooster Stretch 6 years old

Our 6 year old model is 49 pounds and 47 inches tall. This seat provides the belt fit we expect to see from the original TurboBooster and all of its relatives. The lap belt sits low on the hips and the shoulder belt lays centered across the collarbone. The belt guide is just above the child’s shoulder. This child still has plenty of growing room in high back mode.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch 9 years old high back mode

We are excited to see that this 58 pound, 52 inch tall 9 year old still has room to grow in the TurboBooster Stretch in high back mode. He has nearly outgrown all of the other high back boosters in our stash. In this particular seat, the 21.5 inch top shoulder belt guide means he still has two clicks of the headrest left before he’s outgrown the seat in this mode. The vehicle seat belt fits as well on him as it does his brother.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch 6 years old backless mode

This model hasn’t grown any since he modeled this seat in high back mode.  He’s still 6 years old, 49 pounds and 47 inches tall. He normally rides in a high back booster. He came back very excited (and slightly more dirty) to test out this seat in backless mode. The belt still sits low on the hips and the shoulder belt rests centered on the collarbone.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch 9 years old backless mode

This 58 pound, 52 inch tall 9 year old is used to riding in a backless booster. He was happy to announce that he did not need the shoulder belt guide adjuster that comes with the seat. The TurboBooster Stretch boosts him into a position where the belt fits him nice and low on the hips and the shoulder belt is centered on the collarbone.

Buckling the Graco TurboBooster Stretch

The Chevy Traverse that was used to model this seat has low-set, rigid buckle stalks in the captain’s chairs. This makes buckling the seat rather difficult. The 3rd row, with the flexible buckle stalk, was a much easier seating location for the children to buckle themselves.

Buckling the Graco TurboBooster Stretch

As the headrest was moved to higher positions, we noticed some belt retraction issues — the shoulder belt got stuck in the belt guide and needed some extra help to go back into the retractor.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch snaps

The snaps on the TurboBooster Stretch are a bit different than snaps we’ve seen on other Graco booster seats. This cover contains a metal snap. The shell has a hole where the snap goes. This may be an area of concern if the seat needs to be washed frequently.

Graco TurboBooster Stretch manual storage, date of manufacture label

FAA Approval: The TurboBooster Stretch is not approved for use on an aircraft. Like all booster seats, the seat requires a lap and shoulder belt. The label prohibiting use on an aircraft is located on the bottom of the booster.

Date of Manufacture: The date of manufacture label is located on the bottom of the booster. The TurboBooster Stretch has a 10 year expiration.

Manual Storage: The manual stores nicely on the bottom of the booster.

Shoulder Belt Guide Adjuster: The shoulder belt guide does not have a dedicated storage spot on the seat. The glove box, center console, or a filing cabinet are all great places to store it for future use.