In this review, we will be looking at The Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max convertible car seat.
With a lot of improvements compared to the previous versions Vello, Pria 70, Pria 70 with Tiny Fit and Pria 85, the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Convertible Car Seat (Max), is, so far, the most loved version among all other Maxi Cosi convertible seats.
Let’s get started with the review.
Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max
Ideal Use
| Rear-Facing Weight: | 14-40 pounds |
| Rear-Facing Height: | Up to 40 inches |
| Forward-Facing Weight: | 22-85 pounds |
| Height Limit: | Up to 52 inches |
While the default rear-facing minimum weight limit of the Maxi Cosi 85 Max is set to 14 pounds, you can use it for younger babies as early as 5 pounds – AS LONG AS you utilize the INFANT WEDGE that it comes with.
This wedge is removable and raises up a baby’s bum. Together with all the other surrounding removable inserts, it will fit a newborn just the same.
The infant wedge, which is suitable for babies from 5 to 11 pounds, is only so far, present in this version. From 11 pounds to 15 pounds, you have the option to remove it or still use it.
As soon as your child is over 15 pounds, the infant wedge should be removed altogether.
Good Two-Way Car Seats
Will It Fit In My Car?
| Width | 20 inches |
| Height | 26 inches |
| Depth/Length | 21 inches |
This is probably one of the downsides of the Maxi Cosi 85 Max. It’s not the most compact convertible seat. Installing it in a small vehicle will definitely not make you very happy.
Aside from almost eating up the leg room of the driver’s seat and the passenger seat, it can also be too wide to be installed in the middle seat.
With this, it seems that it will only be appreciated by parents with large vehicles.
Good All-In-One Car Seats
Installation
| Do I need to use a pool noodle/rolled towel? | No |
| Easy To Install Rear-Facing? | Yes |
| Easy To Install Forward-Facing? | Yes |
| Easy To Uninstall? | Yes |
The presence of the three recline positions is already good enough and would not need you to use a pool noodle for additional recline.
However, should you find the need to still use pool noodles or rolled towels for a tighter fit in the vehicle, you are allowed to do so.
Both rear-facing and forward-facing installations are easy to deal with, with few tricks and tips as stated in the following videos.
How To Install The Maxi Cosi 85 Max Rear-Facing With LATCH
How To Install The Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max Rear-Facing With Seat Belt
How To Install The Maxi Pria 85 Max Forward-Facing With LATCH & Seat Belt
Safety
| Country Of Origin: | USA |
| Steel Frame: | No |
| Five-Point Harness? | Yes |
| Side Impact Tested: | Yes |
| Approved For Airplane Use: | Yes |
| Easy To Buckle And Unbuckle? | Yes |
The “Air Protect” technology is a unique feature only found in all Maxi Cosi convertible car seats (except for the Maxi Cosi Vello 65 and 70.). What it does is it minimizes injury during side collisions. Maxi Cosi claims that Air Protect technology is the greatest side impact protection you can get nowadays.
Another safety feature that is unique to only Maxi Cosi 85 Max (so far) is the new design of the seat buckles. It is called the ClipQuick Auto-Magnetic Chest Clip. It is designed in a way that is intuitive enough for parents to easily use, but not for a child’s little hands.
It is good to know that, although you can one-handedly release your child in the seat in case of an emergency, your child can also not just play with it and accidentally release themselves out of the seat.
Here’s How To Use The Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max Seat Buckles
Check Out The Colors
The Seat
| Is The Material Breathable? | Yes |
| Seat Weight: | 17.5 pounds |
| Easy To Remove Cover? | Yes |
| Machine Washable Cover? | Yes |
| Roomy? | Yes |
| No-Rethread Harness? | Yes |
| Comes With An Infant Body Support? | Yes |
| Expiration | 10 years |
| Comes With A Cup Holder? | Yes |
| Shoulder Harness Has Pads? | Yes |
| Leg Straps Has Pads? | No |
The Maxi Cosi 85 Max is probably one of the most padded and comfortable convertible car seat you can find. It also has a self-wicking fabric that draws liquid away from your child’s skin. With this, your child will always feel comfortable especially on hot days.
Its weight is surprisingly “light” compared to its dimensions. Some very compact seats weigh like a tank, reaching up to 29 pounds in weight.
It has a machine-washable seat cover that is also dryer-safe, unlike other seats which take forever to air dry and are only hand-washable.
Removing the seat cover is also the EASIEST so far. You don’t have to remove the seat harness or uninstall the seat, like how you would normally do it in other car seats.
See the video below on how to do it.
How To Remove The Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max Car Seat Cover For Washing
It is roomy enough to last until your child is 52 inches in height or 85 pounds in weight. Together with the Maxi Cosi Pria 85, this by far is the only other 2-way car seat that offers this much weight limit. Most 2-way seats are only usable until 65 pounds.
Sliding the headrest up and down would adjust the seat harness height, so you don’t have to manually remove, reposition and put back the seat harness every time you need to adjust its height.
In addition, it has a harness holder that lets you keep the seat harness out of the way so that you don’t have to dig for it every time.
Conclusion
There are a few minor drawbacks that one has to take note of.
First, the back part of the seat looks somewhat “raw.” All the enticing looks have been placed in the front of the seat, but the back part is essentially “uncovered.” You will see all the ridges and the likes behind compared to a lot of seats that are covered in the back.
It’s not a major flaw though, as it does not affect the performance of the seat.
Another thing is how much space it can take up inside your car. Reclining it rear-facing would leave very little to no leg room at all for the seat directly opposite it, should your vehicle be on the smaller side.
Other than these two minor problems, the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max is definitely a good buy in my opinion.
Also, there is a new version of this seat, the Maxi Magellan All-In-One. You can read my review of it here.
What do you think? Is it gonna make it to your baby registry?
I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Cheers!
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Is Amazon the best place to buy? Please kindly advise, thank you!
There are a few Ebay US sellers that offer lower prices. But it always changes. Better check Amazon again when you are ready to buy.:)
Regards,
Pitin