Weight Range (RF): 4 – 40 lbs (with TinyFit)
Weight Range (FF): 22 – 70 lbs
Height Range (RF): 40 inches or less (see below)
Height Range (FF): 52 inches or less (see below)
Seat Width: 19.5 in / 11 in at base
Machine Washable: Yes
LATCH: Yes (One-Click System)
The Good – Thanks to the TinyFit insert it can be used for very small babies; One-click LATCH; Washable and drier-friendly seat pad and harness; FlexTech Protection System; Air Protect Side Impact Protection for added safety; Very well padded seat for extra child comfort; Great for installing in smaller vehicles.
The Bad – Limited color options; The TinyFit Insert adds an extra layer of complexity when reading the instructions to ensure safe use.
The Bottom Line – This is an excellent mid-range convertible car seat that comes with some very nice premium safety and convenience features. The TinyFit Insert makes it a great choice for those with small babies and those with small vehicles.
The Pria 70’s Main Features Explained
#1 The TinyFit Insert & When to Use?
Since this is one of the seat’s main selling points, it makes sense to look at the Tiny Insert first.
Most convertible car seats are suitable for use from 5 lbs. Many have even higher minimum child weight limits, which can present a dilemma when choosing a car seat for a small baby.
Faced with this problem, do you look elsewhere and perhaps have to buy an infant seat before having to then spend more money on a replacement convertible seat for your child later on? Or do you simply avoid driving around with your child until they reach a higher weight?
Fortunately, the TinyFit insert makes the Pria 70 suitable for use from as small as 4 lbs. This means that the seat could last you all the way from birth to 70 lbs and saves you having to waste money on an infant seat first.
It also provides a very snug and secure place for your baby to be whilst in the car.
There are some important rules relating to the use of the TinyFit insert and I strongly recommend that you take care to read and understand the Instruction Manual prior to use.
TinyFit Weight and Height Limits
Weight: If your child is between 4 – 18 lbs then they must use the TinyFit insert. Between 18 – 22 lbs, they CAN use it, but don’t have to.
Height: The TinyFit insert can only be used for as long as the top of your child’s head is not above the top of the insert.
Once you child weighs more that 22 lbs or they breach the height restriction above, you must remove the TinyFit insert.
Of course, whilst the TinyFit insert is being used the seat will be in the rear-facing position.
Remember that rear-facing is about 5 times safer than forward-facing. So, do NOT be in a hurry to switch them around. The AAP recommends rear-facing for at least 2 years and preferably longer. This seat should allow much more than 2 years’ of rear-facing use.
As you will see if you watch the videos below, the TinyFit insert has 3 different lower harness slots (5″, 7″ and 9″). The 5″ slot is very low compared with other similar seats and makes it even easier to get a proper fit with a small baby.
#2 Rear-Facing After the TinyFit has been Removed?
You should continue to use the Pria 70 seat in the rear-facing mode even after the insert has been removed.
The maximum height and weight limits for rear-facing without the insert are pretty easy to remember.
Your child can rear-face until they are more than 40 lbs or 40 inches.
They cannot switch around to face forwards in this seat until they are at least 1 year old.
#3 Forward-facing?
Although your child can use the seat in its forward-facing mode until they weigh more than 70 lbs or are taller than 52 inches, there are some rules that you need to bear in mind relating to which recline positions are allowed at various stages.
From 22 to 40 lbs (34 – 43 inches): If you decide to switch around to forwards-facing before the 40 lbs/40 inch limit, you must make sure that you use the correct recline angle, which is recline option 2.
After 40 lbs (43 – 52 inches): At this point, you must use recline option 1.
Always make sure to use the Top Tether for added collision protection.
#4 The Harness Adjustment System
The Pria 70 has 9 adjustable harness positions to help achieve a good fit.
In order to adjust the harness height position, you simply squeeze and pull the handle at the top of the seat shell upwards until you reach the desired level.
There is a demonstration of just how easy this is in the first video below.
In short, by adjusting the headrest with the pull-handle, you are also automatically adjusting the harness to the correct height without having to unthread them.
#5 The Air Protect Side Impact Technology
Again, the videos down below will explain a little more about the Air Protect Side Impact Technology on this seat.
If you look at the images of the seat, you can clearly see that the Air Protect areas are marked with “<air>” labels.
They are placed so as to protect the head, neck and face areas in the event of a collision. The basic science behind the Air Protect system is that, in the event of a collision, air is released within them so as to better distribute the crash forces away from those vulnerable parts of your child’s body.
#6 FlexTech Energy Management System
You can’t see the FlexTech Energy Management System on any of the photographs of this seat and that is because it is hidden within the structure of the seat itself.
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.
#7 Cleaning the Seat Pads
Your baby will do their best to destroy the car seat by spilling all sorts of liquids and other substances on them. It is a fact of life. It’s not their fault obviously, but that does’t make dealing with the issue any easier when it happens!
Cleaning child car seat covers is often a real pain. You usually have to unthread the harness, clean the covers by hand, air dry them, re-thread the harness straps through tight spaces that are poorly designed for parents with normal-sized hands, and finally put the seat cover back on.
You will also usually have to uninstall the seat from your vehicle.
One big practical advantage of the Pria 70 seat is that its seat pad can be removed very easily via a pair of snap connectors. The pad can then be machine washed, tumble dried, and re-installed without any harness re-threading and without needing to remove the seat from your vehicle.
While we are on the subject of seat fabrics, the Pria 70 also comes fitted with a self-wicking fabric that is designed to deodorise and draw liquid away from your child. This is going to be a pretty useful feature if you live in a particularly hot part of the country.
#8 Great for Smaller Vehicles
The Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 is regarded to be one of the best convertible car seats for installing in smaller vehicles, whether in the rear-facing mode or the forwards-facing mode.
It might not be as slim as the Diono Radian RXT (17 inches across), but it’s combination of seat depth and recline angle options means that it is an excellent option for those who do not own a massive SUV.
So, if you don’t need a super slim seat for 3-in-a-row installation, but either have a small car or a front seat passenger with the need for more leg room, the Pria 70 could well be the best option for you.
#9 Other Features at a Glance
The Pria 70 seat also comes with the following features:
- One-Click LATCH System
- FAA Approved for use in an aircraft
- Flexible rubber cup holder
- Made in the USA
Video Reviews of the Pria 70 with TinyFit
My Verdict
If you are looking for a convertible car seat for use from birth that is easy to fit into smaller vehicles, and which won’t break the bank, I strongly recommend the Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 with TinyFit.
It comes fitted with some excellent safety and convenience features and the harness/headrest adjustment system is very easy to use.
Maxi-Cosi also make the Pria 85 and Vello 70 seats, which are similar in many ways, but have some notable differences.
Read my Pria 70 vs Pria 85 Review.
Where to Buy the Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 With TinyFit
Check Price of the Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 with TinyFit.
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.
Do You Need More Help?
If you have any other feedback about my Maxi-Cosi Pria 70 With TinyFit Review, please just leave a comment in the box below or send an email to kristian@kidsafetyfirst.com
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