Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size car seat review

Compliant with the highest and latest i-Size safety standards, the car seat also boasts superior side impact protection, although at £209.99 it does sit at the pricier end of the booster seat market.

What were your first impressions of the car seat?

Our Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size car seat was delivered to our neighbour’s house and I couldn’t believe just how lightweight it was for me to carry back home in its box! Weighing just 6.1kg, I easily managed to carry the car seat in one hand while holding hands with my 19-month-old son, William, with the other.

The car seat comes fully assembled in the box as its ISOFIX connectors slide straight from the base. I love the sleek and modern look of the seat and immediately noticed how streamlined the design is compared to other much bulkier Group 2/3 car seats. Elodie and I were really excited about the innovative ClickAssist light feature, and she kept asking to go out in the car!

How easy is the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size car seat to install?

It's incredibly simple to install and took a matter of minutes. The steps are pictured on the side of the car seat itself and in the easy-to-follow user guide but it really was impossible to make a mistake as it’s very intuitive. The QR code on the front cover of the short user guide takes you to the full online manual which includes images showing exactly how your child should be positioned within the seat and how the seatbelt should rest over their shoulder and across their lap. There’s even a handy pocket in the front of the seat for storing the instruction manual.

How do you install the Kore Pro i-Size car seat?

First, you remove the headrest from your car’s back seat, then you need to fully extend the Kore Pro’s yellow ISOFIX connectors by pinching the grey buttons on each side. These seemed a little stiff at first, but much smoother after a few times. Once the connectors lock into place, simply push the seat back into position until you hear a click. You can then thread the seatbelt through the seat, which is clear and easy to follow. If your car doesn’t have ISOFIX, you can also secure the Kore Pro i-Size using a seatbelt.

How secure does it feel?

The ISOFIX connectors lock the base of the seat firmly into place so there is no movement. Initially, I was concerned that there was backward and forward movement of the backrest, however, on further research this is intentional so that it fits the seats of different car models giving children a comfortable resting position. Once your child is sat in position and secured with the seatbelt as directed, there is no movement at all, even on bumpy New Forest tracks!

What are the key safety features of the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size car seat?

The R129/i-Size car seat standard is the most up-to-date safety standard for car seats, which classifies car seats based on a child’s height rather than weight. The Kore Pro i-Size also has Side Protection System Plus which uses impact-absorbing materials in each side wing to reduce the risk of injury in case of a side collision. The seat also has glass fibre shock absorbers for maximum safety and its shell protects your child from their head to their lap. You secure your child in position using the car’s seatbelt rather than a harness, which is typical of a high-back booster seat.

Does the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size car seat have any unique features?

When I read the USP that the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro claims to enable your child to buckle up with any help, I wondered if this was an overpromise. Aged 4-and-a-half, Elodie has recently started infant school and as a full-time mum-of-2, mornings are stressful to say the least, juggling school breakfast club and nursery drop-offs before my drive to work.

Elodie has never been able to buckle up herself so I’d previously have to secure my 19-month-old son safely in his car seat before heading around to Elodie’s side, unceremoniously leaning across her seat fumbling to secure her seatbelt before the quick dash back to the driver’s seat.

The design of the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro is simply a game-changer for busy parents. Its slimline design features an open space at the bottom of the car seat so not only can kids easily climb in, but their buckle is within a short reach of a little arm.

The seat senses when the child is in position and the ClickAssist automatically lights up after 3 seconds, further guiding little hands to the buckle even in the dark. On Elodie’s first few attempts, the light turned off before she managed to buckle up which left her a little despondent, however, you can manually illuminate the light by pressing the lightbulb icon, which she loves. Based on normal usage of the car seat, the light's batteries have a lifespan of approximately 4 years.

How comfortable did your child find the Kore Pro i-Size car seat?

Elodie is very comfortable in the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro. When we first unpacked the car seat, the children both took turns in it on the lounge floor to watch a film! The seat has quality thick padding, providing extra comfort for longer journeys. The car seat is made using premium bamboo fabrics, which help to keep your child cool in warmer weather.

How easy is it to clean?

The dark colour of the Kore Pro seat is particularly forgiving and it can be wiped clean with a damp cloth with great results. The cover can be easily removed for machine washing at 30 degrees.

How easy is the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size car seat to carry around?

Weighing just 6.1kg, I was pleasantly surprised at how lightweight the car seat is to carry around. Its weight and ease of installation will make it perfect for children who regularly travel in different cars.

Is the Kore Pro i-Size car seat big enough for a growing child?

I'd say so. The Maxi-Cosi car seat cleverly expands in both length and width simply by adjusting the headrest, giving children more space as they grow. The headrest is easy to adjust from the side using just one hand, making it easy to alter to suit all ages and heights within the range. I particularly love how the width also expands as the child gets taller. This is really handy as it doesn’t take up too much space while your child doesn’t need it.

What is the difference between the Maxi-Cosi Kore i-Size and the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size?

The main difference is that the Kore Pro i-Size has the ClickAssist light. It is also made from premium bamboo fabrics rather than polyester, which helps a child to stay cool in the seat in warmer weather. In my opinion, it’s well worth paying the extra £30. Elodie loved the light, it definitely made journeys more fun and provided an extra incentive to buckle up quickly before it switches off!

How does it compare with other booster seats or Group 2/3 seats you’ve used?

We’ve previously used the Group 2/3 Recaro Monza Nova, an award-winning car seat with built-in speakers in the headrest. It is very comfortable but the plush fabric means it can get hot in summer months. It is also very bulky and its large armrests meant it was tricky for Elodie to secure her own seatbelt, and even made it difficult for me to lean across and find the buckle.

What’s in the box?

• 1 x fully assembled car seat
• 1 x short user guide with QR code links to more detailed information on the Maxi-Cosi website.

What did you think of the packaging of the product?

It was minimal, the car seat came in a protective bag placed inside a cardboard box.

Do Maxi-Cosi offer any repair options?

If your car seat fails due to a manufacturing or workmanship defect, Maxi-Cosi will send a replacement part or make a repair free of charge under their 24-month warranty. If a repair is not possible, it will be replaced. If your car seat is damaged as a result of normal wear and tear or an accident, there is a paid-for repair service to help extend the lifecycle of the product.

Is the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size car seat sustainable?

Maxi-Cosi say they are committed to sustainability and that their car seats can be recycled. When a product has reached the end of its use, they advise taking it to a local recycling centre who will break it down into separate components and recycle each part separately.

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size car seat?

Even young kids really can buckle up by themselves thanks to its unique design, saving unnecessary stress and making car journeys fun. It is also much lighter than expected, which was a pleasant surprise.

When you install the Kore Pro i-Size, you can choose which side the light illuminates (the side of the seatbelt buckle). To activate the light, press and hold down the button above the light on the side you want to activate for 3 seconds. This side will now light up automatically each time your child sits in the seat.

Who would the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size car seat be most useful for?

Any child in the recommended height/age range. The seat’s stylish design should appeal across the age group with the added bonus of the ClickAssist for anyone whose younger children may be struggling to fasten their own seatbelt. I particularly liked how smoothly the headrest lifts up to raise and widen the backrest to ensure optimum comfort for each child. It’s a really clever design, which genuinely grows with your little one.

This car seat would be a great buy for anyone with a smaller car due to its slimline frame, or if you regularly need to remove the car seat to fit It into different cars perhaps due to childcare as it was hassle-free and surprisingly lightweight.

Is the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size worth the money?

Priced at £209.99, it is fairly expensive, however as a quality seat which will appeal to most ages and possibly last you up to 9 years, the Kore Pro i-Size is a great investment.

Where can I buy the Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size?

It is available from John Lewis, Boots and Maxi-Cosi

MadeForMums verdict

The Maxi-Cosi Kore Pro i-Size has been a game-changer, particularly for our busy mornings. Even when I’m in a rush, it’s stress-free and easy to use. I always struggled to remove Elodie’s last car seat, but when Elodie asked to travel in her friend’s car to a play date, it took a matter of minutes to remove and install the Kore Pro in a different car. I love how Elodie can easily climb in and out of the seat and secure the seatbelt herself, which gives her more independence and a huge sense of achievement. My mini-tester gives it a big thumbs up and has already told all her friends about her new car seat, which lights up!