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The search for a convertible car seat can be a bit overwhelming. Despite hundreds of different models on the market, they share so many similarities.
They have all passed the same federal tests and meet the same safety standards. They all claim to be easy to use and install. And they all seem to share the same height and weight limits, which can make it a challenge for parents with children who are big and tall, but who still need the safety of a car seat.
The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 is a bit different than other convertibles. With a weight range of 14 – 85 pounds, it's not an all-in-one convertible, and not suited for newborns. But it is a convertible that holds children who are heavier and taller than other convertible car seats, which aren't safe for children over 65 pounds. For many parents, that makes the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 the perfect car seat for their child.
Who is the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Most Suitable For?
The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85, with the impressive 85 pound forward-facing weight limit and generous dimensions,, is an excellent choice for children who are large for their age, and may struggle to fit into car seats with lower weight and height limitations.
It's perfect for parents with children who are growing faster or taller than average, and have concerns about the long-term usefulness of most convertible car seats with lower height and weight limits. Since a car seat can be a big investment, it's good to know that the Pria 85 is large enough to get the full value out of the car seat and keep children comfortable even as they get bigger and older.
The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 is also a good choice as a convertible car seat for parents who are transitioning from an infant or newborn car seat to a toddler seat. Newborn car seats are incredibly convenient for new parents, but children quickly grow out of them and need a bigger seat.
Many convertible car seats are designed as an all-in-one from 4 or 5 pound babies, but they are also big, heavy car seats that don't have the portability and convenience of an infant carrier carseat. The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 is a great car seat to upgrade to when a baby has outgrown their newborn car seat and are ready for the next level of protection.
Pros and Cons of Maxi Cosi Pria 85
Pros
Cons
Overview of Maxi Cosi Pria 85
The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 is a convertible car seat that switches from rear-facing to forward-facing modes as a child grows. It has higher weight and height limits than other convertibles on the market, which makes it a great choice for children who are big and tall, or for parents who want to protect children in a car seat for as long as possible.
It also has a convenient harness that adjusts quickly with no rethreading, comfortable design and premium fabrics, and, despite the higher weight limits, isn't bigger or heavier than most standard convertibles. It's easy to use, easy to clean, and protects children up to 85 pounds and 52 inches in height.
Safety
What are this model’s NHTSA ratings?All car seats sold in the USA must meet or exceed strict federal safety 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 Pria 85 has earned (for the forward-facing installation):
The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 also has an NHTSA rating of 3/5 stars for the rear-facing installation, for very similar reasons to those given for the forward-facing rating.
- Side impact protection? Yes
- Energy-absorbing base? No
- Metal frame? No
Longevity
Ease of Use
Ease of Installation
Comfort and Quality
Expiration
Video Overview of Maxi Cosi Pria 85
Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Specs
FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Rear-facing child height | 40 inches |
Rear-facing child weight | 14 – 40 pounds |
Forward-facing child height | 52 inches |
Forward-facing child weight | 22 – 85 pounds |
Car seat weight | 19.84 pounds |
Car seat dimensions | 29.7 x 20.8 x 19 inches |
Car seat life span | 10 years |
Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Features
FEATURE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
Safety features | |
Ease of use | |
Longevity features | |
Quality and comfort features |
What is included with the Maxi Cosi Pria 85?
The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 comes with a Cosi Cushion.
Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Installation
YouTube channel The Baby Cubby has a great series of videos covering everything about installation of the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85. The series includes:
Setting up the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85
Installation of the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 rear-facing with LATCH
Installation of the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 rear-facing with a seat belt
Setting up the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 for forward-facing installation
Installation of the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 forward-facing with LATCH or seatbelt
How to remove the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 seat cover for cleaning
Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Manual
The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 owner's manual can be found here:
Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 vs. Maxi-Cosi Magellan
The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 and Magellan are both popular convertible car seats, and both have the same safety engineering and testing. However, they are very different in function, and best for different needs. Here's a side-by-side comparison:
Header | Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 | Maxi-Cosi Magellan |
|---|---|---|
Rear-facing child height | 40 inches | 40 inches |
Rear-facing child weight | 14 – 40 pounds | 5 – 40 pounds |
Forward-facing child height | 52 inches | 49 inches |
Forward-facing child weight | 22- 85 pounds | 22 – 65 pounds |
Belt-positioning booster child height | N/A | 57 inches |
Belt-positioning booster child weight | N/A | 40 – 120 pounds |
Car seat weight | 19.84 pounds | 25 pounds |
Car seat dimensions | 29.7 x 20.8 x 19 inches | 24.88 x 19.56 x 24.63 inches |
Harness | Easy-adjust 14 positions | Easy-adjust micro positions |
Installation | One-click LATCH | Conventional LATCH |
Fabrics and padding | Premium quality, machine washable and dryer safe | Premium quality, machine washable and dryer safe |
In addition, the Magellan integrated belt lockoffs that make installation easier, but the Pria has the harness holders and buckle position that keep the harness out of the way when placing a child into it.
Both of these Maxi-Cosi car seats are similar in price, so the primary difference comes down to whether a parent prefers a car seat that can hold a tall, heavy child in the forward-facing position, or whether a parent prefers a car seat with a belt-positioning booster that can protect a child all the way until they are ready to transition out of a car seat into an adult seat belt.
For a parent who wants a convenient all-in-one that will protect a child from a 5 pound newborn until they don't need a car seat any more, the Maxi-Cosi Magellan is a great choice.
For a parent who is using a newborn car seat and needs to upgrade as a child grows, or for a family member or caregiver who needs a car seat with a high height and weight capacity, the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 is a great convertible car seat.
PishPoshBaby's Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 User Review
Conclusion
The Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 is a hefty investment. It is a premium seat that offers safety, comfort, and plenty of features. But, it is not going to be for everyone.
Installation is not half bad when it comes to the Pria 85. The LATCH system works perfectly when it comes to securing the seat when it is rear-facing. You will want to use your vehicle belt system when it transitions into a forward-facing car seat.
Maxi cosi Pria 85 (click image for more info)
The Pria 85 has lower crash test results than a lot of other rear-facing to forward-facing car seats on the market. But, it does have a side impact cushion that improves those scores. The instructions are not altogether clear. It has a lot of rules about the various recline positions on the base. It does have a no-rethread harness, which always makes things easier.
The Pria 85 will not work for every family. If your infant is on the small side, it does not offer what you need from a rear-facing car seat because of the low weight limit of 14 pounds.
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We have a Pria 85 for our youngest but it seems she’s already outgrown it, despite not being over the height or weight limits. She’s 6 years old, 59 lbs, and 48 inches tall. Yet the straps on this car seat are no longer at or above her shoulders. Which I find sort of odd. I was really hoping to keep her in this until she was closer to the 85 lb mark. I always though she was shorter than most children her age, so I was surprised when I saw the straps below her shoulders already, even though the straps are positioned in the highest setting for the seat. Any thoughts? Am I doing something wrong, maybe?