The Maxi-Cosi Magellan, unlike other convertible seats, saves you the cost of buying a new seat as your child grows.
Designed with an adjustable torso side impact protection, you can ensure your child’s safety. Journey with me as we discover more of the add-ons that come with this seat.
Top Features
- The seat’s shell extends to move the side impact “zone” up as the child grows
- Auto-Lock vehicle seat belt lock-offs in forwarding and rear-facing modes.
- The cup holders are removable for installation.
- Plush, well-padded exteriors
- Springy harness pads that keep the harness out and away for ease of buckling.
- Crotch buckle cover that drives the buckle forward to allow your kids to get into the seat more.
- Follows the NHTSA’s crash replacement guidelines.
Specifications
- Rear-facing weight range: 5 to 40 pounds
- Rear-facing height range: 19 to 40 inches tall
- Age minimum (Forward-facing ): 1 year and walking unassisted.
- Weight range: 22 to 65 pounds
- Height range: 29 to 49 inches
- Booster weight range: 40 to120 pounds
- Booster height range: 43 to 57 inches tall
- Expiration: 12 years from the manufacture date.
- Lower anchor weight limit: 35 pounds for rear-facing; 40 pounds for forwarding facing mode
- The top tether is required in forwarding facing mode
Measurements
- Lowest harness position: 6 inches with insert, 8 inches without the insert.
- Highest harness position: 17 inches
- Booster belt guide: 18 inches
- Crotch buckle: 3.75 inches, 5 inches, and 7.25 inches from the back of the seat pan
- Shell height: 19.5 inches with the shell in, 21.5 inches with the shell expanded.
- Width at widest point: 19.5 inches
- Weight: 27 pounds.
What We Like
- The seat grows with your child
- It has a machine-washable fabric
- Designed with a self-wicking fabric
- Available in five different color choices
- It has an adjustable side protector, with unrivaled range for a secure fit
- Easy one-handed radial recline with 7 positions for you to choose.
- Has a hideaway harness for easy transformation to booster mode.
- It has a one-click latch connector that can be released for alternative installation.
- It has two removable cup holders that are dishwasher safe.
What We Don’t Like
- The seat can be a little pricey.
- The harness straps may twist over time.
3 Modes Carry (Birth-10 Years Old)
The Magellan Convertible Car seat is one of the only car seats to accommodate children from 5 lbs to 120 lbs. You can say it remains relevant approximately from birth to 10 years old. No more buying an infant seat, then a toddler seat, and then a backed booster followed by a backless booster. The Maxi-Cosi Magellan comes is in three different modes.
You have the rear-facing, forward-facing with a harness, and then booster mode. The hideaway Harness feature helps you to transform this car seat into a booster easily.
The seat also has a 7-position recline that can help your child to find their comfortable sitting position.
However, it is complemented with an Air Protect Side impact protection and Adjustable Torso Side Impact Protection. This should protect your child from any side-impact collision.
Comparing Magellan To Other Car Seats
Magellan Vs. Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max
The significant difference between these two models is in its flexibility. The Maxi-Cosi Magellan can be converted into a booster seat, while the Maxi Cosi Pria 85 Max doesn’t offer you this luxury.
However, in this booster mode, the Maxi-Cosi is preferably used for children weighing between 40-120 lbs. This is surely a whole lot compared to some originally made booster seats.
Another obvious difference is in their rear-facing weight limit. The Maxi-Cosi Magellan gives room for infants between 5 to 40 lbs. With the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85, this feature is limited to a 14-40 lbs weight limit.
Longer Forward Facing Limits
Delving further, the Pria 85 comes with one of the longest Forward-Facing weight limits in the world of convertible car seats. It applicable for 22 to 85 lbs toddlers, while the Magellan harness mode is quite standard for 22 to 65 lbs toddlers.
Furthermore, the Magellan comes with an integrated belt lock-off allows you to install the Magellan easily but also secure.
Though both models come with an adjustable harness and recline positions, we can find that Maxi-Cosi Magellan has an edge. It comes with a more advanced adjustable harness and more reclined positions.
In conclusion, the Maxi-Cosi Magellan comes with an adjustable torso side impact protector. This protects your child’s in the case of a crash. When it comes to pricing, the Magellan is priced a bit more than the Pria 85. Now, that we have the key differences, the table below would clear out their specifications.
| Specifications | Maxi-Cosi Magellan | Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 |
| Air Protect Side Impact Protection | Yes | Yes |
| One-Click latch System | Yes | Yes |
| Exceeds all federal standards | Yes | Yes |
| Removable Seat Pad | Yes | Yes |
| Machine washable & dryer safe Seat Pad | Yes | Yes |
| Rear-Facing Weight Limit | 5-40 lbs | 14-40 lbs |
| Forward-Facing Weight Limit | 22-65 lbs | 22-85 lbs |
| Booster Weight Limit | 40-120 lbs | No |
| Integrated belt lock-off | Yes | No |
| Adjustable Headrest/Harness | 14-Position | 9-position |
| Recline Position | 7-Position | 3-Position |
| Adjustable Torso Side Protection | Yes | No |
| Cup Holder | Dual | Single |
Magellan Vs. Graco 4ever
The Maxi-Cosi Magellan and the Graco 4ever are different models of convertible seats but can pass for the same. They are both similar in terms of their features.
Firstly, the two products come with an optional booster mood. This means they can both pass for a booster seat, saving you the cost of buying a separate booster seat for your kids. However, in the booster mode, the Graco has the advantage of being converted into a backless seat.
Weight Limit
In terms of the weight limit, they have a similar range as well. But, the Magellan has a rear-facing weight limit set at 5 pounds for your infants. The Graco 4ever tips the scale over as it goes a pound lower. Its rear-facing weight limit for infants is at 4 pounds.
Furthermore, the two convertible seats go as far up as they go low in terms of the weight limit. They both have a weight limit maximum set at 120 pounds. You can use them as early as six months old to when your kids are ready for elementary school or 10 years of age. As long as they do not exceed the weight limit, you wouldn’t need to change them so soon into your purchase.
Maxi-Cosi Magellan Vs. Nuna Rava
Nuna Rava and Maxi-Cosi Magellan are two convertible seats that are often placed side by side. Parents who are in search of high-quality and safe convertible seats for their infants are always in tune with the duo.
However, the main difference between the duos is their installation process. The Magellan comes with a Latch while the Nuna Rava requires seat belts to get hooked on to your vehicle.
This might seem like a plus for the Magellan but what happens when your vehicle doesn’t have a latch? The Nuna can easily be installed onto any vehicle but the Megallan would require a Latch.
Breathable Fabric
Moving on, The Maxi-Cosi is designed with a moisture-wicking breathable fabric. The model doesn’t become uncomfortably warm for your infants during summer or lead to sweating. The Nuna Rava is susceptible to the ills of summer and might cause a bit of discomfort for your kids.
The Nuna Rava has a broader width compared to the Maxi-Cosi. This wouldn’t give for you to place more than two-seat side by side in your vehicle. The Rava needs to be dismantled to remove the cover, but the Magellan allows you free access. Just take off the cover to wash without needing to uninstall the Magellan.
As is popular with the Maxi-Cosi Magellan convertible seat, it is suitable for your babies and children that weigh up to 120 pounds. The weight range of the Rava only sees your kids through their early formative stages. The Magellan can be expanded to grow alongside your little one.
Magellan Vs. Britax One4life
There are two major differences between the Maxi-Cosi Magellan and the Britax one4life. First, the Magellan is designed with a latch that might be a bit complicated when installing. With the seat belt features of the Britax, all you need is to pass the seat belts through the opening and you are good to go.
Secondly, the Britax one4life doesn’t offer any kind of protection in the event of a crash. The Magellan has been tested and proven to keep your kids unhurt if you ever get into a crash. Though the seat isn’t made of steel, it’s quite effective.
The two models are similar in many features including weight and height limits. However, the Britax can contain taller kids than Magellan. The maximum height range for the Magellan is 57 inches, while the Britax accommodates up to 63 inches.
Now, let’s compare their specifications in a glance.
| Specifications | Britax One4Life | Maxi Cosi Magellan |
| Safety | SafeCell Tech
Frame of Steel Duo Guard Protection 5-point harness |
Energy-Absorbing Foam
Polymer Truss System Air Protect 5-point harness |
| Size Limits | Rear-Facing Mode: 5-50
Harness Mode: 22-65 Booster Mode: 40-120 63” |
Rear-Facing Mode: 5-40
Harness Mode: 25-65 Booster Mode: 40-120 57” |
| Installation | ClickTight | Latch installation |
| Fabric/Material | Machine Washable | Machine Washable |
| Cup Holder | 2 Built-In | 2 Removable |
| Recline Position | 9 | 7 |
| Headrest Position | 15 | 14 |
| Rethread Harness | No | No |
| Breathable | Yes | Yes |
Final Verdict
The Maxi-Cosi Magellan could likely enable your child to ride rear-facing until at least their third birthday. It can harness your kid till they are 5-6 years old and still pass for an excellent booster when they outgrow the harness. With its cushy exteriors and extended legroom, the Magellan brings your little one a handful.
The Maxi-Cosi Magellan is not a seat I’d recommend for smaller vehicles as a result of its width. But, if you as a caregiver has an open seating position with a tether, the Maxi-Cosi Magellan would be an excellent option.