I never thought my 4-year-old could buckle up alone – until I tried this car seat

When the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size arrived, I was immediately impressed by how lightweight it was. Weighing just 6.1kg, I carried it home in one hand while holding my 19-month-old son with the other – something I hadn’t expected from a high-back booster seat.

It comes fully assembled, and installation was refreshingly simple. The ISOFIX connectors slide out from the base and click into place within minutes. I did find them a little stiff at first, but after a few tries, they became smoother. If your car doesn’t have ISOFIX, you can also secure the seat using just a seatbelt.

Mornings are stressful, and Elodie has never been able to buckle up on her own. Typically, I’d have to strap in my youngest first, then rush around to her side, awkwardly fumbling with the seatbelt before hopping back into the driver’s seat.

But with the Kore Pro i-Size, everything changed. Its ClickAssist light is an absolute game-changer. When Elodie sits in the seat, the built-in sensor activates a small light that illuminates the buckle area, making it easier for little hands to see and fasten the belt – even in low light.

On her first try, the light switched off before she managed to buckle up, which left her frustrated, but I soon discovered you can manually turn it back on. After a few attempts, she got the hang of it – and now insists on doing it herself every time!

The bamboo fabric is soft and breathable, keeping her cool in warmer weather. The padding is plush yet firm, and the headrest adjusts effortlessly to accommodate growth.

Safety-wise, this seat meets the latest i-Size standards, offering top-tier side-impact protection and a sturdy shell that extends from head to lap. The shock-absorbing materials provide extra reassurance, and once the seatbelt is secured, there’s no movement at all – even on the bumpiest of roads.

At £209.99, it’s on the pricier end of the booster seat market, but considering its longevity (it lasts up to 9 years!) and the stress it’s already saved me, I’d say it’s worth every penny.

Compared to bulkier seats I’ve used before, like the Recaro Monza Nova, which made it tricky for Elodie to reach her buckle, this seat’s slimline design makes a huge difference. It’s also incredibly easy to move between cars, which is a bonus if you rely on different vehicles for school runs or childcare.

I genuinely didn’t expect a car seat to make such a noticeable difference to our daily routine, but the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size has done just that. The ClickAssist light has turned what used to be a stressful task into something my daughter actually enjoys doing, and that alone makes it a winner in my book.

If you’re looking for a safe, stylish and genuinely practical car seat that grows with your child, this is definitely one to consider.

• Read Tara's full, in-depth review of the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size car seat here

The Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size is available from John Lewis, Boots and Maxi-Cosi.

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