Graco vs Maxi-Cosi Car Seat (2021): Which Car Seat Should You Get?

Choosing a car seat, especially for first time parents, can be overwhelming due to the number of choices available. It doesn’t help that they all look alike, and that just adds to the confusion.

If you are looking for one, then you should start by looking at some of the top brands in the market, such as Graco and Maxi-Cosi. They have various offerings at different price points, to cater to those on a budget, and those that want the absolute best. In this comparison, we’ll take a look at their best-selling convertible car seats—the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 and the Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1. Here is a quick comparison of the two.

Graco vs Maxi-Cosi Car Seat Comparison Chart

Design and Build Quality

Both car seats feature reinforced steel frames and plastic bodies for durability.

When it comes to build quality, both the Graco Extend2Fit and Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1 come with steel reinforced frames with plastic bodies and side impact protection. Needless to say, they are both designed with safety in mind. If you didn’t already know, all car seats sold in the US must meet federal safety standards, so no matter which one of these two car seats you choose, your child will be safe.

Some features worth mentioning when it comes to their designs are the headrest and recline positions. For the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1, it features ten headrest positions as opposed to the five that you get with the Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1. While this is not a huge deal breaker, it is something to consider. As for the reclining positions, the GracoExtend2Fit also has the advantage with its six positions compared to the three recline positions available on the Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1.

Both come with two cup holders on each side. Cup holders are not very important at the beginning, however, as your child grows, these cup holders can be very convenient. That said, the round cup holders on the Maxi Pria 3-in-1 are much better at holding drink containers than the square cup holders on the Graco Extend2Fit.

One design feature that is only available on the Graco Extend2Fit is its 4-position extension panel for added legroom. This feature adds 5 inches of extra legroom so that your child can stay comfortable in a rear-facing position for a longer period.

Ease of Use and Installation

Both are easy to install using their LATCH systems and when using seat belts.

Every modern car seat that you can buy right now come with their easy to use LATCH systems and the Graco Extend2Fit and Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1 are no different. The Graco Extend2Fit comes with its InRight Latch system and the Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1 features a One-Click Latch system. They are both easy to use and installation for both car seats are not hard at all. Both also come with level indicators to ensure that you are installing the car seats right.

As for the headrest and harness, the Graco Extend2Fit’s headrest can be adjusted to ten positions, while the Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1 has five headrest positions. Both car seats’ harnesses will automatically adjust when extending the headrest.

When seating your child in the car seat, both the Graco Extend2Fit and Maxi-Cosi Pria feature harness pockets and harness holders so it is easier and hassle-free. Both car seats’ pads and covers are machine-washable. With that said, taking the cover off the Maxi-Cosi Pria is a little easier.

Height and Weight Limits

The Graco Extend2Fit convertible car seat allows you to keep your child in a rear-facing position for a longer period.

In the rear facing position, the Graco Extend2Fit has a weight limit of 50 lbs. In contrast, the Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1 has a limit of 40 lbs. The Graco Extend2Fit is designed so that you can keep your child in a rear-facing position for longer, and the weight limit of 50 lbs ensures that. Both car seats have a minimum weight limit of 4 lbs in this position.

In the forward facing position, the minimum for both car seats is 22 lbs, while the maximum is 65 lbs. Both also have a 49-inch limit in this position.

When used as boosters, both have a maximum limit of 100 lbs. The Graco car seat has a minimum limit of 30 lbs, while the Maxi-Cosi Pria’s minimum is 40 lbs.

Verdict

The Graco Extend2Fit convertible car seat can keep your child in the rear-facing position longer, and for this reason alone, it is the better option.

Since the Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 convertible car seat can keep your child in the rear facing position for a longer period, it is our choice between the two. The rear facing position is the safest position for a child when travelling, and being able to keep them in that position for as long as possible is a major plus.

As for the Maxi-Cosi Pria 3-in-1, it’s not a bad car seat. However, when compared to the Graco Extend2Fit, it’s just not as good.

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