This is a top infant carrier car seat.  It probably is the one that is compatible with the widest variety of pushchairs.  Everyone designing a pushchair these days is making connectors that are suitable for the CabrioFix as it is recognised as one of the best car seats in terms of safety as well as ease of use and flexibility.  This car seat can be used together with a separate ‘Isofix’ base in 'Isofix' enabled cars (see glossary), it can be used without any base in non Isofix cars and taxis and can be used a third way with an ‘Easy base’ this – as the title suggests makes it easier to take the car seat in and out of the car as you don’t have to unwrap and restrap the seatbelt each time.  

This cars eat also includes a ‘Newborn Insert’ – a cushion that flattens out the sitting position for the smallest babies.  Once your baby’s reached 5kg, this cushion is easily removed, creating a more upright seating position and ensuring your baby’s head will remain within the protective side wings for as long as possible.  There is also a removable head hugger that creates a more enclosed space for a tiny baby.  

A child can stay in this car seat up to 13kg in weight* (see ‘moving from a rearward facing car seat to a forward facing car seat), and as with all car seats in this category this car seat must always be fitted facing rearwards and must never be used in the front seat of a car if there is an air bag.  As the child grows, as with all infant carriers, you need to adjust the harness straps so that the straps are coming from just above the child’s shoulder level and never from below.  This car seat was rated as the Consumer Which best buy in the latest 'Which' car seat safety survey

How do you know if it fits?
If using with the Isofix base, you don’t require seatbelts at all for fitting and the compatibility with your vehicle can be remotely checked at www.maxi-cosi.com.  The Isofix base simply plugs into the two isofix sockets in your car and the leg is extended to touch the floor.  A traffic light system turns from red to green to tell you once it is accurately and safely installed.

If using on its own with no base, the only way to check that it is a safe fit for your car, is to get a trained nursery retailer or road safety officer to check for you.  

If using with the Easybase, once again you can check via the Maxi-Cosi website for compatible vehicles. For the Easybase, you need to strap the base in using the 3 point seatbelt and thereafter you simply click the car seat in and out of the base as you would with the Isofix base.

THE LOW-DOWN

Who is it for: Anyone who wants a top of the range infant carrier – with 3 different fitting methods it will fit almost any vehicle and is also compatible with a large range of pushchairs (see detail).  The Easybase fitting option is also for a great solution for cars with shorter seatbelts
What Group and what does this mean?  0+ infant carrier – must be fitted to face rearwards only and can be used from birth up to 13kg in weight
Key considerations  - is it a suitable fit for your vehicle?
Ease of fitting – extremely easy for all 3 options – animated instructions are also available on theMaxi-Cosi website which make even the first time you fit it straightforward
Any defining features? – Newborn Cushion, Headhugger, choice of 3 ways to fit
Compatible with – a whole host of prams including but not limited to – all Quinny pushchairs, all Bugaboo models, Micralite, Phil & Teds (albeit not a great fit), all Mountain buggy single pushchairs, iCandy Apple…
Tips – If it doesn’t fit with a seat belt alone, try the optional bases as one of these should ensure a perfect fit.  Try a towelling ‘summer cover’ if your baby has reflux – it should limit how often you’ll need to wash the main seat cover (a real pain!)
Budget - £99-£110
Optional Accessories – Footmuff, Raincover, Mosquito Net, Towelling ‘Summer Cover’, Toy Chain, Easy base, Easyfix Base