Maxi-Cosi Rodifix Airprotect car seat review

Don't forget to check the measurements of your car seat in your car before you buy. You can see all the compatible cars on the Maxi-Cosi website Fitting List.

Special Features

• Special ‘AirProtect®’ technology is specially designed to provide your child with the best side protection possible, reducing the risk of head and neck injury by 20%.
• The one-click ISOFIX installation system and unique belt guide makes securing your child quick and easy.
• The simultaneous height and width adjustment and two recline positions mean you can adapt the seat to your child for comfort and safety as they grow.

I tested the Maxi Cosi Rodifix with my five year old daughter Georgie. Her previous car seat had had a three point harness which was beginning to get very tight on her so she was very keen to have a new one and felt very grown up with a seat using the adult seat belt.

Our car journeys tend to be mainly short local trips as well as regular hour-long drives to visit family. That said, we do also take the car seat abroad quite often so it’s important to have something which is easily transferrable from one car to another and this worked perfectly for that.

First Impressions of the Maxi-Cosi Rodifix Airprotect car seat:

Taking this out of the box, the seat looks attractive, ergonomically designed and well-padded on all three sides.

It was also a very bright fuchsia pink but that was the colour which we’d ordered (at Georgie’s request as you may have guessed) so although I was left wondering what had possessed me to agree to this, I had only myself to blame.

(There was in fact a huge choice of eleven colours including some nicely understated greys and black as well as blues and patterns.)

There’s more padding around the head, neck and sides than in some other car seats. It also feels slightly lighter to handle and lift than others but still sturdy enough to feel secure and inspire confidence.

How easy is the car seat to install?

The ease and simplicity of installation with this car seat is one of the key advantages for me.

Unlike some other car seat models where you have to faff around trying to get fiddly fixutres working, this operates with a simple press of a button on either side of the seat so that two bars slide forward and slot straight into the isofix hooks in your car.

To remove it, you just do the same in reverse and it takes seconds.

How to secure your child:

This is also wonderfully straightforward. You simply pull the adult seat belt down from its hook above the shoulder on either side of your car, drag it over your child’s shoulder and through the ‘easyglide’ guide opening slot in the seat and you’ll immediately feel it click securely into a hook to the right of your child’s neck.

You then just drag the rest across your child’s body so that it slots securely into the seat belt lock.

How comfortable is the Maxi-Cosi?

The headrest feels deeply cushioned and padded and curves round either side of your child’s head in a patented design which gives extra security and protection.

It’s also easy to raise as your child grows (or lower should you be using the seat for a different child). The extra cushioning and support on the side wings also adds comfort and security and feels much sturdier and safe than a simple cushion-style booster.

Georgie herself immediately commented on how comfortable the seat felt compared to other models, thanks to the deeper padding and cushioning.

Does it recline?

There are also two recline positions. There didn’t seem to be much in the way of explanation as to how these worked ie no mention in the printed instruction manual that came with the seat but it wasn’t difficult to work out how to do it. You just pull the two grey slides on either side of the base of the seat although this can be a bit stiff and heavy with your child in it, especially asleep.

To be honest this isn’t a function I’d use that much as if Georgie does fall asleep in the back, we’re usually in the front and so not able to adjust the seat.

Sizewise, it’s slightly narrower than other seats which was definitely a plus for us as my car is a small city runaround rather than a large family car and it means it’s easier if you’re planning on using it alongside another car seat,

In terms of design, as I mentioned before there’s a really wide range of colours to choose from which is unusual in a car seat and it was actually really nice allowing Georgie to have a say in choosing an aspect of her seat.

Any additional extras?

There are also various add-ons, eg a cup holder and a ‘summer cover’ which supposedly is cooler for your child than the regular seating material, although at £15 and £35 respectively neither are cheap.

Obviously up to you but we used the regular seat cover in hot weather and had no problems so the summer cover doesn’t really seem necessary.

Is the Maxi-Cosi easy to clean?

We haven’t had any spillages or accidents yet but the seat cover looks relatively easy to remove should you need to wash it.

MadeForMums Verdict:

I’d definitely recommend this car seat. My little girl loves the comfort and style of it, I love its simplicity and reliability and it’s very good value at the price.

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