Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Review – Is it the best?

Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Convertible Car Seat Review
It’s like getting hit by a train. You don’t have time to react. Or do anything for your little one…

Some friends of ours were going on a long road trip. Everything was fine. Their child was asleep in the back. Then out of nowhere, an inattentive driver rear-ended them.

It was a tractor-trailer speeding at 70 mph. The impact force was unimaginable. The car started to skid left and right while the husband tried to keep it under control. Finally, they stopped in the ditch.

Their first reaction was to check on their boy. All the glass shards miss him. He was OK a bit wide-eyed and had no injuries what so ever.

Look:

Accidents happen. There’s no way to avoid them. The only thing to do is being proactive. Get the safest car seat you can afford.

That day there was a guardian angel with them. Besides the car seat doing its job, it was installed correctly. This made it safe for their son.

Before we get any further, let me give you a quick preview. This car seat is a lifer. From 14 pounds you can use it until they reach 85 pounds. It’s a convertible so you can use it in rear-facing and front-facing mode. It’s comfortable, and you will fall in love with the premium fabric.

The cover is so easy to remove for cleaning, plus its dryer friendly. It comes with magnetic claps which keep the buckles in hand.

Let’s get this Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 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 Pria 85 Max Convertible Car Seat?

This car seat is for parents who have an older child and want to use extender rear-facing. It’s a money saver because it can be used until the child reaches 85 pounds.

It’s also for parents who value fast and easy cleaning.  There’s no better seat on the market today.

What can the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max Car Seat do for you?

This car seat delivers. It is unharmed after getting rear-ended that says something about the seat. Everybody probably saw the lab created a crash test. Nothing prepares you for the real thing.

The installation isn’t that smooth. With a bit of experience under your belt, you will get it done in record time. It’s a heavy car seat so it won’t be leaving your car after the install.

Finally, Maxi-Cosi got the head wings right. They do not just offer protection, but they are comfortable as well. Kids will enjoy sleeping in the car.

They managed to eliminate the harness manual rethreading. This is one of the things that I hate with a passion. I can’t wrap my head around it, and I always have to ask my husband to help. It’s not the case with this car seat. When you adjust the headrest the straps are adjusted as well—what a time saver.

Since we’re talking about the straps, the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max is the only one that has magnetic clasps. You attach the buckle to it, and you won’t have to fish it out under your child’s bum. It’s one of the best inventions ever.

It comes with one cup holder. This is way better than those clip-on. It won’t turn into a projectile. For convertibles it would be better if there would be another cup holder.

Now I can’t get enough of the material. It’s luxury at an affordable price. If you have kids who tend to have accidents, then this is the car seat for you. The fabric is so easy to remove that you won’t believe your eyes. Plus, it’s washable with a machine. We shouldn’t forget that it’s dryer friendly. I can’t think of another brand or seat that is dryer friendly.

Besides this, it’s comfy and offers all the padding that your child will need.

Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max shortcomings

Every car seat has flaws I haven’t found the perfect one. If you did, let me know, and I will review it. Let’s see if these negatives are a deal-breaker for you.

It’s a convertible car seat, so it huge. The weight is okay; it’s not that bad. But it takes up a lot of space. If you happen to have a compact car, it will be difficult to use the rear-facing mode.

Also, this car seat is not for small children. They have to be 14 pounds and heavier. Smaller kids won’t be protected that much.

Besides being big and heavy, it’s wide. You have to take that into consideration when you’re installing. Maybe in the middle would take up too much space.

There’s no good way to level it. You will be forced to DIY it. This means that you will need a rolled-up towel or a pool noodle to get the job done.

Since it’s this big, forget about hauling it to the airport. It will be a trip you’ll never forget, and I don’t mean it in a good way.

Now you know the flaws of this Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max car seat. Since you have the full picture now, you can make a good decision if it’s the right one for you.

How To Get The Most Out Of Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max Convertible Car Seat?

When you get your car seat, you need to decide where you will install it. Let me share with you a few tips. First of all, the safest place for your child is in the middle. Now for some, that’s not possible, which is OK. The second safest place is behind the driver.

Next, you need to get the perfect install. This means that the wiggle room should be less than 1 inch. To be on the safe side, I always recommend reaching out to a licensed professional.
Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Convertible Car Seat Review

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

Conclusion for the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Review

This car seat was tested in a real-life scenario. So the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max delivers when it comes to safety. Besides safety, the material is out of this world. It’s easy to remove and wash, and you can use it in a dryer. Now it has a few flaws as well.

We have reached the end of the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Review. I hope this article helped you make up your mind. If it’s the right fit for you, then get it now while there are still stocks left.

I would love to hear from you share your thoughts and feedback below.

Catch you next time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Are Maxi Cosi car seats the best ?

Yes, Maxi Cosi makes the most comfortable car seats in the world. They have a patented foam that gives the most comfort and they are super safe as well.

Is Maxi Cosi Pria 85 FAA approved?

Yes, the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max is FAA approved. The same goes for Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max.

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

The main difference between the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 and 85 Max is that the 85 Max comes with self wicking fabric while the other doesn’t.

What other models does the Maxi Cosi Pria have?

There are quite a few let me share with you two of them. One is the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 max and the other one is the pria 70. I’ve ignored the pria 70 and the maxi cosi pria 85 max because the maxi cosi pria 85 standard version is the most popular one. If there’s enough interest I might do a separate maxi cosi pria 70 review and maxi cosi pria 85 max review.

What are the Pria 85 convertible car seat height and weight limits?

The forward-facing weight limit is 85 pounds. The weight range is 22 to 85 pounds forward-facing. The weight range for rear facing is 14 to 40 pounds. With the 40 pounds you can do extended rear-facing child protection. The rear facing height limit is 40 inches and the forward facing height limit is 52 inches. The maximum child height is 40 inches. With the 52 inches you’re getting a ton of mileage this is the harness height. The seat weight is just under 20 pounds. With the 40 pounds weight limit and 52 inches height limit this pria is quite generous. For convertible car seats the 40 pounds weight limit and 52 inches is good. The standing height limit is 52 inches. The harness height adjustment goes with the headrest. The tether anchor limit is around 65 pounds.

What kind of features do these pria 85 convertible car seats have?

First of all it has a flip away buckle and super comfortable seat pad. The Pria 85 is known for its ease of use. Since it’s an infant car seat as well you will be glad to know that it comes with no-rethread harness straps. No wonder it’s the most comfortable car seat it has many deep recline positions. It comes with booster seat and infant seat options.

What kind of safety features does this Maxi cosi pria come with?

These convertible car seats have side impact protection and the air protect system. The air protect system does include side impact protection but it offers much more than that. It has rollover protection as well. It’s easy to use even in rear-facing installation. The chest clip should go below your little one’s armpit. The seat belt installation is easy to use. The pria 85 max has high safety standards. With the no no-rethread harness adjuster you will be saving time. The weight limits are quite generous.

How are the harness covers with these Maxi cosi car seats?

The harness covers are the best they are machine washable and dryer safe. They premium fabrics they are soft and one of the few covers that are actually dryer safe. Machine washable is very important because it’s a real time saver. The harness holders are great to hide the straps away. Plus the harness holders are designed efficiently. As far as safety goes side impact protection is the best. The seat belt installation is easy to use. The car seat fabrics and the seat fabric is known for the ease of use. The favorite color for any family member is night black. The night black is a perfect color to hide stains plus it’s machine washable.

What kind of installation features do these max cosi car seats have?

You can use the seat belt or the latch belt for the install. The weight limit for the latch system is 65 pounds. Before you install make sure you check the bubble level indicator. The weight limits are generous. The harness position and the recline position should be upright. The crotch buckle slots are adjustable. The crotch strap is sufficiently long. Other safety standars to check out are: harness adjuster, harness slots, the level line, infant positioning wedge, recline line.

Which car seats are better Maxi Cosi or Britax?

In most cases, the Britax car seats are a better choice.

Last Updated on October 27, 2023 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!