Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 Maxi-Cosi Pria 85
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The Maxi-Cosi Pria Range of Convertible Car Seats
This is a side-by-side comparison review of the Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 (With TinyFit Insert) and the Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 convertible car seats.
The Maxi-Cosi Pria range of car seats have long been popular mid-range options for those who seek some reassuring safety and convenience features without the hefty price tags associated with the high-end premium options on the market today. Not everyone has $500 available to spend on a convertible car seat!
For a those with a budget of about $250-$299, the Pria 70 and Pria 85 seats are worth serious consideration.
For those parents with an even smaller budget than that, there are also the Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 and Maxi-Cosi Vello 70 seats to consider.
The 4 Main Differences Between the Pria 70 and Pria 85
#1 Maximum Child Weight Limits
The “70” and “85” model numbers indicate the maximum child weight limit for each seat, in pounds.
So, the Pria 70 has a maximum user weight limit of 70 lbs whilst the Pria 85 has a maximum user weight limit of 85 pounds.
For some children, this means that they will be able to use the Pria 85 convertible car seat for a significantly longer period of time than the Pria 70 model and. thereby, delay the transition to a booster seat. For many parents, this provides them with added peace of mind and is worth the extra $50 or so price tag.
I say “some children” rather than “all children” because one must also consider the height limits of a particular seat before making a prediction of likely length of use. Children very often exceed the height limits before the weight limits and your child must be within both a seat’s height and weight limits in order to continue to use it safely.
#2 Minimum Child Weight Limits
The Pria 70 comes fitted with the “TinyFit” insert, which allows it to be used to carry babies as small as 4 lbs. The rear-facing range is 9-40 lbs (without “TinyFit” insert) and the forwards-facing range is 22 – 70 lbs.
The Pria 85, however, does not come with this insert and can only be used once a baby weighs at least 14 lbs. The rear-facing range is 14-40 lbs and the forwards-facing range is 22 – 85 lbs.
This is a very important consideration to bear in mind when choosing between these car seats.
#3 Weight of the Seats
The Pria 85 is about 2 lbs lighter than the Pria 70 (20 lbs vs 22 lbs).
Whilst this isn’t much of a difference, and convertible car seats aren’t designed to be carried around like infant seats, for those people with physical limitations, this modest difference might be important when transferring the seat between vehicles, for example.
#4 Price
The Pria 70’s full retail price is about $249.
The Pria 85 will cost an extra $50 or so, at about $299.
NB: You can pick up the pre-2015 Pria 70 here.
Watch These Video Reviews of the Pria 70 with TinyFit and Pria 85 Seats
FlexTech System for Managing Crash Forces
The FlexTech Energy Management System is not something that you can actually see by looking at photographs of the seats and that is because it is hidden away within the structure of the seats themselves.
Maxi-Cosi have used the latest computer crash-test modelling systems to devise a structure that is rigid in some parts and flexible in others.
The basic idea (without getting too technical and scientific) is that in a crash situation you don’t necessarily want the seat to be rigid in all areas or flexible in all areas.
By extensively simulating various different common crash scenarios, Maxi-Cosi has developed what it considers to be an optimum combination of rigidity and flexibility within the structure of the seats.
Ease of Cleaning & Harness Re-threading?
Cleaning child car seat covers can be a real pain. It often involves unfastening and later re-threading harnesses through spaces that are poorly designed for parents with normal-sized hands. You will also usually have to uninstall the seat from your vehicle.
One big practical advantage of both seats is that their seat pads can be removed very easily via a pair of snap connectors. The pad can then be washed, dried, and re-installed without any harness re-threading and without needing to remove the seat from your vehicle.
As an added bonus, they are washer and dryer safe too
Which Seat to Choose for Your Child?
Aside from that, the Pria 70 would be more suitable for those who want to use a convertible seat from birth. Remember, the Pria 70 comes with the TinyFit insert (suitable for 4 pounds and upwards), but the Pria 85 does not.
On the other hand, if you are planning to use the seat with a child that weighs at least 14 pounds from the start and you think that they might grow to be taller and/or heavier than average, the Pria 85 seat would probably more suitable due to that fact that you might get more use out of it.
There is now a Maxi-Cosi Pria 85 Max seat to consider too. The Pria 85 Max comes with “ClipQuik”, which is an automatic magnetic chest clip to make loading your child easier and faster.
My In-depth Review of the Pria 70 & 85 Seats
This post was designed to simply highlight a few of the similarities and differences between the Pria 70 and Prio 85 convertible car seats.
I have written in-depth reviews of both seats and suggest that you take a look.
Read Full Review of the Pria 70 with TinyFit.
Read Full Review of the Pria 85.
Where to Buy Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 and Pria 85 Seats
Check the latest price of the Pria 70 With TinyFit.
Check the latest price of the Pria 85.
If you remain undecided, you can read more user reviews of these seats here:
Safety Information
After purchasing any child car seat, you should always read the User Manual thoroughly before using it. It is also advisable to visit your local Fire Department or NHTSA Child Car Seat Inspection Centre to ensure that the seat is definitely suitable for your child’s specific requirements and that you have installed it correctly. These services are usually provided free of charge.
You can find your nearest NHTSA Centre here.
Get in Touch
If you have any comments to share or questions to ask about my Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 vs Pria 85 comparison review, please leave a comment in the box below or send me an email.
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