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Maxi-Cosi Magellan Review (2021): A Remarkably Compact & Lightweight All-in-One

January 5, 2021 by Sam Webster Leave a Comment

Maxi-Cosi Magellan All-In-One Convertible Car Seat With 5 Modes, Midnight Slate, One Size

Please click image for more info

It used to be the case that parents needed a different car seat for every stage of a child's growth. Newborns, infants, toddlers, and older children all have different safety considerations. 

For a parent who knows that their child needs the right protection at every stage, the different options can be overwhelming. And car seats can be expensive; nobody wants to buy a new one every year or two as their child's needs change.

So today, car seat manufacturers are making convenient all-in-one car seats that switch installation modes to keep on protecting children for years – including the popular Maxi-Cosi Magellan.

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Quick Navigation
Who is the Maxi-Cosi Magellan Most Suitable For?
Pros and Cons of Maxi-Cosi Magellan
Overview of Maxi-Cosi Magellan
Video Overview of Maxi Cosi Magellan
Maxi Cosi Magellan Specs
Maxi Cosi Magellan Features
What is included with the Maxi Cosi Magellan?
Maxi Cosi Magellan Installation
Maxi Cosi Magellan Manual
Maxi-Cosi Magellan vs. Maxi-Cosi Pria 85
Erica Moulton's Maxi-Cosi Magellan User Review
Conclusion

Who is the Maxi-Cosi Magellan Most Suitable For?

Maxi-Cosi Magellan All-In-One Convertible Car Seat With 5 Modes, Midnight Slate, One Size

The Maxi-Cosi Magellan is remarkably compact and lightweight for an all-in-one. Although it can protect children up to 120 pounds, and until they are ready to transition to an adult seat belt, it isn't bigger or heavier than convertible car seats that are only rated to protect children up to 65 pounds. So it has nearly twice the longevity, without taking up more space inside a vehicle.

It also has thoughtful features that provide for a child's long-term safety and comfort. The seat seams are tucked inward, rather than covered with ribbing as in many car seats, which can uncomfortably press against a child's legs.

It comes with removable harness covers that prevent chafing and help to provide a better fit. And the head rest has micro-positioning steps, rather than the limited number of harness positions on other car seats, so it can be moved to the perfect settings for every stage of a child's growth.

The Magellan has all these great features for a relatively affordable price, among other car seats in its class. For parents who want the longevity of an all-in-one that converts to a booster and can protect a child for all the years they need a car seat, the Magellan can keep them safe and comfortable without being as big, bulky, and heavy as other all-in-ones.


Pros and Cons of Maxi-Cosi Magellan

Pros

  • Compact and light weight among all-in-ones
  • Micro-adjustments on the harness positions for a custom fit
  • Premium fabrics and padding
  • Machine washable cover
  • One-hand recline settings
  • FAA approved in car seat (but not booster seat) modes

Cons

  • It may be difficult to find where the LATCH connectors are stored in the seat, and it's not referenced in the manual
  • Difficult to clean
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Overview of Maxi-Cosi Magellan

Maxi-Cosi Magellan All-In-One Convertible Car Seat With 5 Modes, Midnight Slate, One Size

Most all-in-one car seats are big and heavy, because they have to be large enough to hold children at the upper end of the height and weight limits, even if it takes them years to grow into it.

The Maxi-Cosi Magellan, on the other hand, is an all-in-one convertible that is as light in weight and small in size as a much shorter-lived convertible. At 25 pounds, it compares favorably to other convertibles that weigh 30 or more pounds. And at just 20 inches high and less than 20 inches wide, it doesn't take up nearly as much space or visibility in a car.

The Magellan is an all-in-one with more convenience and versatility than you might expect, and still preserves precious inches of space inside the passenger compartment of a vehicle.

Safety

What are this model’s NHTSA ratings? All car seats sold in the USA must meet or exceed strict federal safety and crash test standards, so the NHTSA does not rate car seats for safety. Instead, they offer ratings and evaluations for ease of use.


According to the NHTSA, the Maxi-Cosi Magelland has earned (for the forward-facing installation):

  • Labels: 3/5 stars because the belt routing path is not completely labeled, and the labels do not explain in detail how to use LATCH and the tether strap.
  • Instructions: 4/5 stars because there is no complete illustration of a child is shown next to the height and weight information, the warning that the rear seat is the safest place for children is located among other warnings, and because the instruction manual storage may be difficult to find and cannot be accessed while the seat is in use.
  • Securing the child: 4/5 stars because there are no illustrations that show converting the car seat between use modes, and the conversion requires re-routing the LATCH belt, and because it is possible to generate loose parts when cleaning the car seat.
  • Installation features: 4/5 stars because the belt positioning feature is easy to use, but requires referring to the manual for instructions, the LATCH attachments have buttons to press for removal, and because the storage location for the LATCH belt and tether strap is not obvious.
  • Overall ease of use: 4/5 stars

The Maxi-Cosi Magellan has NHTSA ratings for overall ease of use of 3/5 stars each for the rear-facing and booster seat installations, for different reasons than the ones given for the forward-facing installation.

  • Does this model have:
  • Side impact protection? Yes
  • Energy-absorbing base? No
  • Metal frame? No

Longevity

  • What is this model’s child height limit? Rear-facing: 40 inches, forward-facing: 49 inches, booster seat: 57 inches  
  • What is this model’s child weight limit? Rear-facing: 5-40 pounds, forward-facing: 22 – 65 pounds, booster seat: 40 – 120 pounds

Ease of Use

  • Does this model have the LATCH system? Yes
  • Seat belt installation? Yes
  • Non-rethread harness system? No

Ease of Installation

  • What is this model’s weight? 25 pounds
  • What is this model’s width? 19.6 inches
  • What type of harness adjustment system does this model have? Not Great
  • Is the seat cover machine-washable? Yes

Comfort and Quality

  • What is the quality of padding (overall)? Well padded
  • What is the quality of padding in the head area? N/A
  • Is the seat fabric breathable? Above average
  • Does this model include an infant insert pillow? Yes

Video Overview of Maxi Cosi Magellan

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Maxi Cosi Magellan Specs

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Rear-facing height limit

40 inches

Rear-facing weight limit

5 – 40 pounds

Forward-facing height limit

49 inches

Forward-facing weight limit

22 – 65 pounds

Belt-positioning booster height limit

57 inches

Belt-positioning booster weight limit

40 – 120 pounds

Car seat weight

25 pounds

Car seat dimensions

24.88 x 19.56 x 24.63 inches

Car seat life span

10 year usage life span, 12 year expiration date


Maxi Cosi Magellan Features

FEATURE

DESCRIPTION

Safety features

  • Patented Air Protect side impact protection is comfortable and adjustable

Ease of use

  • Integrated belt lockoffs for easy installation
  • One-click LATCH connectors
  • One hand recline adjustment
  • Concealed storage for harness and LATCH when not in use
  • Machine washable cover can be tumble dried

Longevity features

  • All in one convertible protects a child for 10 years or up to 120 pounds
  • Fourteen position headrest has a customized fit for every stage of a child's growth
  • Seven recline positions for comfort and safety

Quality and comfort features

  • Premium fabrics and padding

What is included with the Maxi Cosi Magellan?

The Maxi-Cosi Magellan comes with removable infant support pillows, removable harness pads, and two removable cupholders.


Maxi Cosi Magellan Installation

Maxi-Cosi have produced a number of YouTube videos that will help parents install and maintain the Magellan convertible car seat. For visual instructions on how to install it with LATCH in the rear-facing mode, you can see the video here.

For rear-facing installation with a vehicle belt, you can watch the video here:

For forward-facing LATCH installation, the video instructions are here:

and for forward-facing vehicle belt installation, you can watch the video here:

There aren't any videos specifically covering installation in high-backed booster mode.

There are also a number of videos that specifically cover subjects that are often a challenge for parents who own the Magellan, including videos on how to use and loosen the harness straps, or how to adjust the crotch buckle. While it would be nice if these operations were more intuitive or explained better in the manual, the videos are very helpful.


Maxi Cosi Magellan Manual

The Maxi Cosi Magellan owner's manual can be found here:

Click to download Maxi Cosi Magellan manual here. 


Maxi-Cosi Magellan vs. Maxi-Cosi Pria 85

Maxi Cosi Magellan

VS

Maxi Cosi Pria 85

The Magellan and the Pria are two of Maxi-Cosi's most popular car seats. They both feature the Air Protect safety system for side impact protection, and both have good safety ratings and parent reviews. However, in terms of function, the two car seats are very different. Here's a side-by-side comparison of the Maxi-Cosi Magellan and the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85:

Header

Maxi-Cosi Magellan

Maxi-Cosi Pria 85

Rear-facing child height

40 inches

40 inches

Rear-facing child weigh

5 – 40 pounds

14 – 40 pounds

Forward-facing child height

49 inches

52 inches

Forward-facing child weight

22 – 65 pounds

22- 85 pounds

Belt-positioning booster child height

57 inches

N/A

Belt-positioning booster child weight

40 – 120 pounds

N/A

Car seat weight

25 pounds

19.84 pounds

Car seat dimensions

24.88 x 19.56 x 24.63 inches

29.7 x 20.8 x 19 inches

Harness

Easy-adjust micro positions

Easy-adjust 14 positions

Installation

Conventional LATCH

One-click LATCH

Fabrics and padding

Premium quality, machine washable and dryer safe

Premium quality, machine washable and dryer safe

With its higher-than-average rear-facing height and weight limits, the Pria is a great car seat for parents with big and tall children, who may not be able to fit into conventional forward-facing car seats for as long as is recommended by experts. It has a lot of the features people expect from a Maxi-Cosi car seat, like the premium fabrics, light weight, and ease of use.

However, the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 is not an all-in-one. Parents who choose the will still need an infant carseat for newborns, and then later will need a booster seat for school-age children. In fact, they may need two booster seats; a high-backed booster and a backless booster, depending on their child's height and weight. Children less than 14 pounds, or over 85 pounds and 52 inches, will still need a different car seat than the Pria 85.

For virtually the same price, parents could choose the Maxi-Cosi Magellan, which converts from an infant car seat to a booster seat, and protects children at every stage in between. This all-in-one convenience makes the Magellan a great choice for parents who want one car seat for all of their child's needs.


Erica Moulton's Maxi-Cosi Magellan User Review


Conclusion

The Maxi-Cosi Magellan is a remarkably convenient all-in-one car seat. Although it protects children from 5 pounds all the way up to 120 pounds or 57 inches, at which point they can use an adult seat belt, it isn't as bulky or heavy as similar seats. 

It has a lot of features to keep kids not only safe, but comfortable, for all their growing years. And it's reasonably priced for similar all-in-ones. The Magellan is a great way to keep your child safe while they navigate their growing world.

Maxi-Cosi Magellan All-In-One Convertible Car Seat With 5 Modes, Midnight Slate, One Size

Maxi Cosi Magellan (click image for more info)

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Sam Webster

With two kids of my own, I’m passionate about child safety! I’m a research nerd who’s on a mission to make the world a safer place for kids – starting with car seats!

To contact me directly please click here.

Filed Under: Maxi-Cosi

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Hey! I’m Sam, mom of Sadie and Xavier.

When I started searching for a convertible car seat I was overwhelmed by the choices out there.

But being a research nerd, I relished the challenge of finding the best seat for my needs. And in the process, I gathered a ton of info!

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