In order to grow with your child, this convertible car seat is built. Depending on your baby’s age, you can switch it from rear-facing to forward-facing to booster mode.
This car seat is incredibly comfortable, exceptionally safe, and versatile. But it does have one thing you might not want: a bigger price tag. Although it is much more expensive, this car seat has many of the same features as the one we currently use for our toddler.
Let’s investigate whether the higher price is appropriate.
Pros & Cons of Maxi-Cosi Pria
Pros
- 3 modes work for 4 to 100 pounds
- Headrest and harness adjust together
- Plush, comfortable, and safe
- Infant inserts work for even preemies
- Extras like cup holders and harness holder
Cons
- Very large
- A bit on the heavy side
- Requires a bit of muscle to install
Ways to Use the Maxi-Cosi Pria Seat
Similar to other top convertible car seat options, this seat has three different positions: a rear-facing car seat, a forward-facing car seat, and a belt-positioning booster.
Rear Facing
Baby weights between 4 and 40 pounds can use the rear-facing car seat. The seat has three different levels of recline so that any size baby can use it safely.
While this is a great seat for a baby, I did notice that it took up a lot of room when used in the rear-facing position. The seat is wide and takes up a lot of room when reclined to the furthest level, which is the third. It was perfect in our crew cab truck. The passenger seat had to be moved all the way forward in our Honda CR-V, though, in order for it to fit.
This seat probably shouldn’t be used in a small or compact vehicle.
Forward Facing
Children up to 65 pounds (at least 22 pounds) can ride safely in a forward-facing car seat. Due to the size and comfort of this seat, it is strongly advised to wait to turn it forward-facing until the child turns 2 years old.
Your child will be wearing a five-point safety harness with shoulder pads and a bottom buckle cover once facing forward.
And since toddlers and preschoolers grow like weeds, you have to be able to customize their fit on a daily basis.
The Pria 3-in-1 has three locations for the bottom buckles to ensure the best fit. The QuickFit shoulder harness system includes a headrest and a harness that move together. To find the ideal fit, simply grab the lever on top of the headrest and adjust it to one of five positions.
High Back Booster
When your child is prepared, which weighs about 40 pounds and measures 43 inches, booster mode should be engaged. Up to 100 pounds, or about a fifth grader, this belt-positioning booster is safe to use.
The 5 point safety harness can be removed and kept out of the way behind the seat pad since you should only use the safety belt on the vehicle when in booster mode. There’s a bright red In and Out Harness Holder to help keep the shoulder portion of the seat belt in the correct spot for your big kid.
Small Car Friendly? Nope!
I want to emphasize how big this car seat is in all 3 positions. When fully reclined, it needs about 32 inches of depth, and when seated upright, it needs about 24 inches of depth. Furthermore, the space between drink holders is about 19 inches wide. The Pria eats up the backseat space.
Is Maxi-Cosi Pria Worth It?
I adore this car seat so much. This car seat has way nicer fabric and A LOT more padding. Both the appearance and comfort are undoubtedly improved. Additionally, it has button-operated latch hooks, which come in handy when you need them. The Grow and Go only works for babies weighing 5 pounds; this is effective for babies weighing 4 pounds.
But compared to the Grow and Go, this car seat is significantly bigger. And one of the top online retailers is charging an additional $100 at the time of this publication.
Sincerely, I don’t think I would spend an extra $100 on this car seat unless I had a preemie baby and needed a suitable option for them or if I used the seat frequently for long periods of time. The comfort and protection provided by this car seat in that situation would make it worthwhile.
Conclusion
The Maxi Cosi Pria 3-in-1 Car Seat is one that I adore. It has every feature a car seat should have. However, I believe that the comparable and more cost-effective alternatives available have enough of the same features to satisfy me.
FAQs
How Safe is Maxi Cosi Pria 3-in-1?
Superior safety features with assurance knowing that the Praia 3-in-1 is supported by over 30 years of European engineering and surpasses all federal standards, including FMVSS 213. To soften the blow and shield your child’s head from injury where it is most needed, the headrest is designed with cell side impact protection.
What is the Difference Between Maxi-Cosi 3-in-1 and 2 in 1?
The Pria 85 is a 2-in-1 car seat that only offers the rear-facing and forward-facing positions with a minimum weight limit of 14 pounds, making it ineligible for use from birth. This is the main difference between the Pria 85 and the Pria 3-in-1.
Is the Maxi-Cosi 3-in-1 FAA Approved?
All Maxi-Cosi car seats with a five-point harness are permitted for use on airplanes.
What is the Unsafest Seat in a Car?
Being the farthest point from any potential point of impact, the center of the back seat is the safest place in the car. Verify that your seat is appropriate for a lap belt because some older vehicles may only have them. Three-point diagonal seatbelts are now present in the majority of new cars.
