Maxi Cosi Magellan Review – Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

Maxi-Cosi Magellan 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat Review

Out of the blue, my brother got T-boned by a reckless driver…

There was a loud bang as metal deformed. The airbags did their thing and protected the passengers. The car was an absolute wreck. And the little one got away without a scratch.

Hopefully, nobody has to test the safety rating of their car seat as my brother did.

Look:

You can skimp out on your child protection. It’s our job as parents to protect our children. There’s a good reason why the Magellan has such a high rating. It delivers. It’s simple as that.

I’ve seen the car, and it’s nothing short of a miracle that they were left unharmed.

Before we get any further, let me give you a quick preview. This car seat was designed to serve your child from infant to pre-teen age. Imagine the time and money you save of buying one seat and using it for years.

It comes with side impact protection from infancy up to ten years old. This protection has saved the life of my niece. The most important feature of any car seat is the fabric. It’s removable and washable.

Let’s get this Maxi-Cosi Magellan review started. If you stick with me until the end, I will tell you the pros/cons. Some of them are unexpected, to say the least.

Who is the Maxi Cosi Magellan All-In-One Convertible Car Seat for?

This car seat is perfect for parents who want to buy one car seat that saves them money in the long run. The fact is that you will need around 3-4 car seats until your kids are old enough to do without them.

This is why it’s a good idea to invest upfront, and you come ahead in the long run. Plus, you save a lot of time from learning how to use other seats.

This car seat grows with your child. And it helps you keep them rear-facing as long as possible.

What can the Maxi-Cosi Magellan car seat do for you?

If you want a safe, comfortable, and pretty car seat, you have found it. A lot is going on behind the beauty. First of all, it offers side impact protection. This comes handy when you get in a T-bone collision, just like my brother did.

If you remember biology class, our head has formed, so it takes frontal or rear hits well. On the other hand, the side is vulnerable, so no wonder our little ones need protection.

This car seat can be adjusted as your child grows. It has 14 height position,s so it will keep your ten year old safe. Plus, you can choose from 7 recline positions for the ultimate comfort.

Many parents have reported that their kids love the Maxi-Cosi Magellan. For example, a mother said that his little one usually sleeps 30-40 minutes in the car. Since they have changed it to the Maxi-Cosi, it’s not unusual to sleep for one and a half hours. That’s 90 minutes of quiet.

This car seat comes with two cupholders. Here kids can store their water plus toys. The beauty of this design is that they can’t remove it. So no more flying cup holders in the car.

Even though it’s a big car seat, it’s roomy, so there’s enough space for your kid’s legs and the driver as well.

Maxi Cosi Magellan Infant Car Seat shortcomings

Sadly the Magellan isn’t the perfect car seat either. And it’s my civic duty for me to share with you the flaws. By doing so, you will be getting an accurate picture of what you’re getting.

The first thing I have to mention that this car seat is heavy and bulky. Once you’ve got it installed, you won’t have the motivation to swap to another car. Also, forget about taking it on the plane. This will make your life difficult.

Some say that it’s easy to install. Well, it definitely has a learning curve. But this can be shortened if you watch the training videos. Many parents said that they felt silly after they have figured out the catch.

Since it’s big and bulky, you won’t be able to do three across. You would need a wide enough car to get it. If you have three of these in the car, you probably will need the Tesla Cybertruck or something similar.

This car seat has a big problem. And it’s with the straps. There’s no way to keep them from untangling. Now, if you have a fussy child it will try your patients. This could’ve been easily solved if they have used the ClipTight tech.

How To Get The Most Out Of Maxi Cosi Magellan All-In-One Convertible Car Seat?

Car seats are required by law. Besides that, you have to be careful how you mount it. Around 75% of car seats are installed incorrectly. Make sure once it’s installed that it doesn’t move an inch. To be on the safe side, do check with the registered professional.

Secondly, the position is important as well. The safest place for the child to sit is the middle of the car. This is how my niece was unscathed from the accident. Now I understand that’s not practical for everyone—no problem then opt for the second safest position which is behind the driver.

After you have unpacked the chair, do watch the tutorial videos for mounting. Also, it’s a good idea to mount it a couple of times to get the hang of it.

The laws say that you should carry your child rear-facing for two years, at least. Many parents opt for doing it longer. And this car seat helps you with that.

This Maxi-Cosi Magellan car seat is easy to adjust. So if you use this chair for different sized kids, it’s a breeze.

Last but not least, I want to mention how easy it is to clean. Many kids have car sickness, plus accidents happen. No problem. Remove the fabric wash it, and it’s good as new.
Maxi-Cosi Magellan 5-in-1 Convertible Car Seat Review

Pros
  • It was crash tested in real life and the baby safe and sound
  • It’s one of the roomiest car seats you can get there’s space for the driver as well
  • It keeps infants and up to 10-year-old kids safe
Cons
  • It’s heavy bulky and no way you can do three way across
  • It has a steep learning curve

Conclusion for the Maxi Cosi Magellan review

The Maxi-Cosi Magellan car seat is the perfect seat if you want to keep your child rear-facing as much as possible. It offers great protection no matter the age. And finally, this car seat grows with your child. It’s a great investment in the long run.

We have reached the end of the Maxi-Cosi Magellan review.

If you have experience with this car seat, do share it below. If you have suggestions for reviews, do hit me up.

Catch you next time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Is Maxi Cosi a good brand?

Yes, the Maxi Cosi is a good brand. It has been tried and tested over the years. Plus they make the most comfortable car seats on the whole market.

Which Maxi Cosi car seat is the best?

The Maxi Cosi Magellan is the best Maxi Cosi car seat. It’s a 5 in 1 car seat or all in one. It can be the first and last car seat that you ever have to buy.

If you liked this article, you might also like: Top all in one car seats [Revealed]

Is Maxi Cosi safe?

Yes, Maxi Cosi is safe. Besides the standard safety, it has Air Protect. This means that no matter the accident your little one will be safe. It has even rollover protection which is only offered by a handful of car sets.

Do you really get 10 years of use with the Maxi Cosi Magellan Max Infant car seat?

Yes the expiration date is set for 10 years after the date of manufacture with the Maxi Cosi Magellan Max Infant car seat. This means you get 10 years of mileage out of this infant seat. Or it’s safe to use while your child reaches 10 years old. It will be the first and last convertible car seat that you will ever need.

How can you install the Magellan Max convertible car seat?

Since it’s a convertible car seat it can be installed both rear facing and forward facing. The booster seat can only be installed with the vehicle seat belt. There are two ways to install the car seat you can rely on the latch system or the seat belt. Make sure you check the manual first. Both in rear facing and forward facing mode you can use them. The seat belt tends to be harder than the latch connectors.

Can this Maxi Cosi Magellan be used as a booster seat?

Yes The Magellan Max is an all in one car seat which means it can be used as a booster seat. In booster seat mode it can be use up to 120 pounds.

What kind of safety features does this Maxi-Cosi convertible seat have?

With this convertible car seat you’re getting the Air protect and the adjustable torso side impact protection. The adjustable torso side impact protection is top of the line safety feature. It has a non twisting magnetic chest clip. The crotch buckle is adjustable. For car seat safety the infant pillow system is important. The torso height positions are protected even in rear-facing mode. Plus it allows extended rear-facing mode.

What kind of other features are important for this car seat review?

For example the seat cover (car seating material) is machine washable. So no matter the mess you will be able to clean it up with ease because it’s machine washable. It comes with two removable cup holders. They have a unique magnetic chest clip and an adjustable crotch buckle. The baby cup (water cup) fits nicely in the cup holders. These infant car seats are great to have. Both the recline positions (recline options) and the headrest heights are adjustable. Other features to check out would be the: chest straps, belt lock-offs, harness straps. Typically the belt paths don’t cross paths with the seat buckles. The headrest adjustments go hand in hand with the harness straps.

What is the child weight range for this maxi cosi convertible car seat?

The child weight range for this convertible car seat is 5 to 120 pounds.

What would be a good alternative for this Magellan convertible car seat?

For this toddler seat the chicco nexftit baby carrier carseat would be a good alternative. The Chicco nextfit booster car seat mode caters to many growth stages. The booster mode still provides child safety.

Thank you for reading this car seat review.

Maxi Cosi or Britax car seats?

Britax car seats are the winner in most cases.

Last Updated on April 7, 2024 by Brian Beasley

Written by Linda Reid

Hey there, I'm Linda, a mom of three cool kids. I've tried so many car seats, you could call me a "Car Seat Detective." Searching for the perfect car seat can feel like finding a needle in a haystack, but don't worry! I've committed to researching and reviewing car seats that are super safe, cozy, and great for growing kids. Together, we'll find the perfect car seat that keeps your child safe and cozy, and makes you feel like a super-parent!