No idea about the clearance- I suspect a pricing mistake on a new model! Sounds like you may have gotten a very good deal
I liken the harness to the first Click&Safe models. It worked smoothly but could take a hard pull to get it the last amount, especially if you had to pull past the click. Also, sometimes components work better with use. My Graco Argos seems somewhat easier to use now than it was when I first received it. Perhaps that and some variability in the manufacturing process will account for some differences, plus there is a lot of subjectivity involved, too.
Finally, consider that it costs $100 less than some competitive models, despite having some premium features like two sets of LATCH connectors, a recline level ball-indicator and 1-hand front adjustment for harness height and recline. In an ideal world, I would have liked to see high end SafeGuard harness system components and have everything made in the USA, but most likely that would have moved it well out of their target price range. Just a guess, of course, there are always compromises. Perhaps we can suggest that a future "Elite" model include an improved harness system along with belt lock-offs;-) Or maybe we just did!