Maxi Cosi Pria 70 vs 85 – Which One is the Best?

Sibling rivalry let’s see which one fits you the best…

This was a special request from a viewer. I know how hard it is to compare two car seats, let alone from the same brand.

For this reason, I’ve created the Maxi Cosi Pria 70 vs 85 comparisons. By reading this article until the end, you will know exactly what’s the difference between Maxi Cosi Pria 70 and 85. Plus, you will know exactly which one will fit you best.

Check out the best Maxi Cosi car seat post to see the top Maxi Cosi car seats.

Look:

At first glimpse, they look the same. Stick with me for a bit, and you will find out the real differences.

Direct Comparison Maxi Cosi Pria 70 vs 85

	Maxi Cosi Pria 70	Maxi Cosi Pria 85
Safety	Impact Absorbing Base Air Protect 5-point harness	Steel Reinforced Frame Air Protect 5-point harness
Size Limits	Rear Facing 9-40 pounds Front Facing: 22-70 pounds 49”	Rear Facing 14-40 pounds Front Facing: 22-85 pounds 57”
Installation	Seat Belt and Latch	Seat Belt and Latch
Fabric/Material	Machine Washable	Machine Washable
Bonuses and Features
Cup Holder	1 Built In	1 Built In
Recline Position	3	3
Self-Wicking Fabric	Yes	No
Rethread Harness	No	No
Extended Use	Yes	Yes

Breaking it down

What you have seen in the table above was my cheat sheet. No matter which car seat I’m looking at, this is my go-to list.

First, I will mention the safety features. Not only that, but the Maxi Cosi was also tested in a car crash, and I will share with you how did it perform.

Then comes the size limits. If you want to save money, this is where you can do it without compromising on safety.

Next up is the installation. Most parents dread the installation because of a few brands that made it extra painful to get the right install.

The last important item on my list is the material. Since these car seats cater to kids, you can expect spills and mess after them. So it’s good to know how easy it is to clean them.

These two seats are so familiar, so I’m taking a detour from my regular type of reviews. I will skip the secondary features and tell you to point-blank what other differences are.

Let’s get this Maxi Cosi Pria 70 vs 85 comparisons started. Just one more thing…

I have something special for you in the end. I have compiled a quick pros/cons list. The things I’ve found are quite interesting.

Safety

This has happened with some friends of ours.

It was a regular commute. The two parents riding up front and their little one in the back asleep.

Things escalated quickly. A tractor-trailer rear-ended them at 70 mph.

The crash was loud. The trunk was smashed. The rear window cracked and exploded into millions of pieces.

And it wasn’t over yet. The car was uncontrollable. Finally, the vehicle came to a stop in the ditch. The parents suffered a whiplash injury and few cuts and bruises.

After they came through, they immediately checked on their little one.

Then they saw him. He was in his seat wide-eyed and a bit scared. He had not a scratch on him. The Maxi Cosi car seat protected him from harm.

This car seat can be either of them because they both have the same safety features. The Impact-absorbing base took the energy of the crash and protected the child from serious injury. The air protect kept the kiddo surrounded like a shield.

Last but not least, the 5-point harness kept the little boy in the seat. This is the safest harness you can get on the market.

Size Limits

In this section, we’re going to see some differences. Let’s see which appeals to you more.

Both car seats have two modes of usage. They can be mounted in rear and front-facing mode. The Maxi Cosi Pria 70 convertible car seat caters to infants up to 70-pound kiddo.

The lower limit is set to 9 pounds. If you’re newborn is big enough, you can even take them home from the hospital. On the other hand, the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 caters to infants that are at least 14 pounds.

Both car seats support extended rear-facing mode. The upper limit is set to 40 pounds. The longer you can keep your child in rear-facing mode, the better. It’s highly advised for them to sit rear-facing until the age of two.

In front-facing mode, you can see a clear difference. The Maxi Cosi Pria 85 gives 15 more pounds and 8” more. This means that you would get more mileage out of the Pria 85.

Installation

The installation is the same for both of them. The rear-facing mode is a hassle to get it tight. You will have to remove the back padding and adjust the latch or the seat belt to the right belt guide.

The good news is that the latch system is the newer version, which is easy to install.

If you’re installing in the forward-facing mode, you have an easier time. Either way, to get it snug and tight, you will have to use some force.

You can press on the seat with your knee to remove the extra slack.

Fabric/Material

This is super important for parents. There’s no doubt that kids will make a mess behind. These car seats cater to infants, so diaper blowouts and the spill will be all too common.

There’s no difference between the Pria 70 and 85 in this department. You can easily remove the cover and throw it in the washing machine. Now it’s a good idea to use cold water and a gentle program.

As for drying it’s dryer safe.

The read differences between Maxi Cosi Pria 70 and 85

So far, there were only a few differentiation points. Let’s see what the real deal is.

First of all, the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 has magnetic buckle holders. On the other hand, the Maxi Cosi Pria 70 doesn’t have any type of buckle holders.

The Maxi Cosi Pria 70 has a self-wicking fabric. This means that it takes the moisture away from your little one’s body.

The Maxi Cosi Pria 70 is heavier weighing 23 pounds while the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 convertible car seat only weighs 20 pounds.

For some, this will be important, which are the colors. At the moment, with the Maxi Cosi Pria 70, you only have girlie color options like light red and pink. While the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 offers darker and unisex colors.

Maxi Cosi Pria Convertible Car Seat

Pros:

It comes with magnetic clasps so no more fishing for the buckles

No straps rethreading ever

It’s easy to clean, and it’s dryer friendly

Cons:

This is a big seat not meant for small kids or a small car

It’s extremely wide it will take a lot of space

Maxi Cosi Pria 70 vs 85 Verdict

The results speak for themselves.

If you want to get the most mileage out of the car seat and you value the buckle holders, then your best choice is the Maxi Cosi Pria 85.

If you want to start using the car seat from the newborn phase and you have a girl, then the Maxi Cosi Pria 70 is the right choice for you.

We have reached the end of the Maxi Cosi Pria 70 vs 85 articles. There weren’t many differentiating factors with these car seats. I hope you have found the right fit for you. Now it’s your time to take action. Get the car seat that is the best fit for you.

Get them soon because last time I checked stocks were running low.

I would love to hear your ideas and suggestions; please share them below.

Catch you next time!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

What is the difference between Maxi Cosi Pria 85 and Pria 85 Max?

The difference between the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 and Pria 85 Max is that the Max version comes with a self wicking fabric. The pria 85 max comes handy in hot environments.

Does the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 recline?

Yes the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 has 3 recline positions.

How much does the Maxi Cosi Pria 70 weight?

Maxi Cosi Pria 70 car seat weight is 23 pounds.

Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 vs Pria 70 infant car seat what are the weight limits?

These convertible car seats are quite similar. The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 higher weight range in forward facing. The Pria 70 is limited to 70 pounds while the Pria 85 has 85 pounds weight limit. The rear-facing weight limit is the same 40 pounds. When it comes to weight limits (85 pounds forward-facing) the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 is the clear winner. Even though the rear facing weight limit is higher you get more use out of it.

What is the Maxi Cosi tiny fit insert?

The tiny fit insert (also known as infant insert) is meant for infants so they can travel safely and comfortably. This infant support is just as good as body pillow.

What is the flextech system?

The flextech system is crash energy management service.

Maxi-cosi pria 70 vs 85 what car seat experts say?

The most important item on the list is the side impact protection. As you know it’s becoming more and more needed nowadays. The maxi cosi has the air protect side impact protection. Make sure that the chest clip is below the child’s head and armpit. The harness height adjustment helps your little one to be safe all the time.

Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 vs Maxi Cosi Pria 85 which is the most comfortable one?

By far maxi cosi makes the most comfortable car seats. So let’s see what adds the most to the comfort level. There’s no harness rethreading which is a huge plus. With these seats there’s only one gripping cup holder. It’s secure so anything you place there will be safe. The seat pad has ample cushion so there are no sore bums. To clean all you have to do is to remove the seat cover. The harness straps can be stored in the harness holders.

Which car seat brand is better to buy Maxi Cosi or Britax?

Britax is the better choice in most cases.

Last Updated on October 26, 2023 by Brian Beasley