Maxi Cosi Coral XP Review

Maxi Cosi Coral XP

Recall Notice

The Coral XP is part of a recall. Owners may continue to use their car seat with the base or with shell only when secured using the vehicle belt restraint system, consistent with the existing instruction booklet and labels. A free replacement base will be sent to the owners once available.

The race for the lightest rear facing only car seat is on, and Maxi Cosi has taken the lead by reinventing the way we think about rear facing only car seats. With the release of their newest rear facing only car seat – the Coral XP – Maxi Cosi introduces a brand new feature to the United States and Canadian markets: a soft inner carrier that can be removed from the hard outer shell and worn by the caregiver using the included Cross Body strap. We admit that we may have been a bit skeptical about the real-world usability of this feature, but we were excited to have the opportunity to check out this interesting new seat. Let’s see what it has to offer!

Maxi Cosi Coral XP Crossbody Strap

The Coral XP features a removable inner carrier and Crossbody strap which allows caregivers to quickly remove the lightweight inner carrier for quick trips in and out of stores. We admit that when we first saw this in use we thought it appeared bulky (and who is going to walk around a mall with their car seat hanging on their shoulder? Ouch!).

We’ll explain more about this unique feature later in the review but since it’s the thing that makes the Coral unique, we wanted to mention it right away.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP extra padding

The Coral XP includes a head pillow, harness covers, a body pillow, and a crotch buckle cover. The only restrictions for this padding is that the head and body pillows MUST be used for infants who weigh between 4-8 pounds.

Using the head and body pillows when the child weighs more than 8 pounds is optional. The harness covers and buckle cover are optional at all times.

Using the Maxi Cosi Coral XP’s inner shell with Crossbody strap

As a busy mom of four, she has been through her share of car seats and at 5’0” we weren’t sure if the Coral XP’s inner carrier and Crossbody strap would overwhelm her. We are happy to report that not only did it not overwhelm her, but she absolutely LOVED this feature and found it quite comfortable for those quick in and out trips to school/the store/etc.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP inner carrier release button

Remove the inner carrier from the outer carrier by squeezing one of the inner carrier release buttons (located on the front of the outer carrier) and lifting the inner carrier out (to reinstall the inner carrier into the outer carrier, simply lower the inner carrier into the outer carrier until it locks into the outer carrier).

Attaching the Maxi Cosi Coral XP Crossbody strap to the attachment hubs

Locate the attachment hubs at the top and bottom of the inner carrier and attach the Crossbody Strap attachment openings to the hubs by using your thumb to expand the attachment openings. Ensure the Crossbody Strap is locked in place by tugging on the strap. Tip: start with the Crossbody Strap in the shortest length. It is much easier to lengthen the strap when in use than it is to shorten it.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP Crossbody strap attached  to the attachment hubs

Place the Crossbody Strap over your shoulder and check that the fit is comfortable. If the length of the Crossbody strap needs to be adjusted, the pull ring can be pulled up to shorten and pulled down to lengthen the strap. Always keep one hand on the inner carrier while using the Crossbody Strap and ensure that the child is snugly secured in the inner carrier at all times.

Note: The Crossbody Strap may remain attached to the inner carrier when it has been installed in the outer carrier and when the outer carrier is installed in the vehicle with or without the base.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP load leg

To install the Coral XP with the base, first pull the load leg out from under the base (if you’ll be using the load leg, and we suggest that you do if your vehicle allows it).

Maxi Cosi Coral XP base with load leg

Place the base on the vehicle seat, and check the recline angle.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP recline indicator fully in the green

When the recline angle indicator is mostly in the correct range (this will change a bit as the seat is installed), it will be in the green.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP base fully reclined

To adjust the recline angle, squeeze the recline handle on the base to recline the base more or less until the indicator is in the green.

The base features three recline angle positions, and if recline 3 is not reclined enough, a rolled towel or pool noodle may be used to recline the base further.

Routing the vehicle seatbelt through the Maxi Cosi Coral XP lockoff

To install the base with the vehicle seat belt, first pull the load leg out from under the base, then lift the lockoff release lever and thread the vehicle seat belt through the base’s belt path, routing both the lap and shoulder portions of the seat belt under the belt guides and lockoff.

Buckle the seat belt and remove the slack from the vehicle seat belt while pushing down on the base. Check the tightness indicator to ensure that no red is showing (if red is showing, the seat belt will need to be tightened more.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP baseinstalled with seatbelt

Push the Release Level down to lock the seat belt and check for movement by grabbing the belt path and, using the force of a handshake, trying to move the base side to side and front to back. If the movement is less than an inch, the seat is installed correctly.

After the base has been installed, the vehicle vehicle seat belt may also be locked (optional).

Maxi Cosi Coral XP lower anchor storage location

To install the base with the Lower Anchors/LUAS, release lower anchors/LUAS connectors from their storage location on the side of the base. Lift the lockoff release lever and attach the connectors to the vehicle anchors, then close the Release Lever. Remove the slack from the lower anchor webbing by pushing down on the base (the anchors will begin to automatically retract and tighten as you push down – this started when the Release Level is closed). Check the tightness indicator to ensure that no red is showing (if red is showing, the lower anchors will need to be tightened more). Check for movement by grabbing the belt path and, using the force of a handshake, trying to move the base side to side and front to back. If the movement is less than an inch, the seat is installed correctly.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP level line for baseless in installation

With the child already harnessed in the car seat and the inner carrier securely locked into the outer carrier, place the Coral XP rear facing on the vehicle seat. Check that the level line on the side of the carrier is level to the ground.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP installed baseless with handle in position 1

Once the level is correct, route the lap portion of the vehicle’s vehicle seat belt through the belt paths on both sides of the carrier, and fasten the vehicle seat belt. Lock the vehicle seat belt.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP installed baseless with handle in position 2

Ensure all the slack is removed from the vehicle seat belt, that the level line remains level to the ground, and check that there is less than 1 inch of movement at the belt path. If all of those criteria are met, the seat is installed.

Note: Maxi-Cosi allows the use of a tightly rolled towel or pool noodle under the front of the carrier with a baseless installation, if needed.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP with preemie Huggable Images doll

Because the Coral XP is rated from 4 pounds on, we tested our 17 inch, 4 pound Huggable Images preemie doll in the seat.

The harness is below the shoulders, and the doll appears to fit beautifully in the seat until we tighten the harness.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP with preemie Huggable Images doll – loose harness

Unfortunately,the Coral XP’s design prevents the harness from getting tight enough on our preemie doll to pass the pinch test. There is a metal piece on the back of the Coral XP that helps to hold the harness to the back of the seat’s shell, it interferes with the ability to tighten the Coral XP for extra small babies. We have reached out to Maxi-Cosi about the possibility of a smaller harness but unfortunately there is no solution at this time. So while the Coral XP has a 4 pound minimum, it likely isn’t the best choice for a small preemie.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP with newborn Huggable Images doll

The fit on the newborn doll with all of the padding in place is excellent. The harness is in the 2nd position from the bottom, and the harness is positioned well below our doll’s shoulders. The straps tightened easily until they passed the pinch test.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP – 4 week old baby

This little one is 4 weeks old, weighs 8.7 pounds and is 20.75 inches tall. She fits in the Coral XP quite nicely with all of the padding in use. The harness is well below her shoulders on the second position and it tightens nicely.

This little model is a car seat screamer and she fell asleep almost immediately in the Coral XP. We take this as a great sign that the seat is very comfortable for our little passengers!

Maxi Cosi Coral XP – 12 month old

Our 12 month old model is almost at the height limit of the Coral XP. She is 28.5 inches tall and weighs 20 pounds. We took out the body pillow and head pillow for her, and with the harness in the highest position, shoulder pads and crotch buckle pad in place, she fits the Coral XP very nicely. Even though she is only 1 half inch from hitting the Coral XP’s height limit, she has multiple inches of shell above her head, and isn’t looking squished in the seat at all.

Removing the Maxi Cosi Coral XP Inner Shell while the seat is installed and occupied

We were unsure how difficult it would be to remove the Inner Shell with a 20 pound baby in the seat, so we tested it out with this model for fun. After we mastered the technique (hold the carry handles with the hand closest to the seat while pushing on the carrier release button with your other hand) the removal was quite easy. It looks a bit awkward but in practice it wasn’t.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP in a 2013 Mazda CX-3

Here we see the Maxi-Cosi Coral XP installed behind the passenger’s seat. While the seat takes up a decent amount of front to back space, a mid-sized adult could still sit in front of the Coral XP in this vehicle (the front seat needed to be moved up a couple of clicks to accommodate the Coral XP).

Maxi Cosi Coral XP in 2007 Honda Odyssey captain’s chair

Because the Honda Odyssey has built-in floor storage compartments, we were unable to install the Coral XP with the load leg. Thankfully the installation without the load leg is still nice and easy, and the passenger seat was not affected at all. The seat installed quickly and easily in the Odyssey captain’s chair with the front seat all the way back.

Maxi Cosi Coral XP manufacture date and National Safety Mark (for Canadian users)

Manufacture Date and National Safety Mark (for Canadian users): The date of manufacture label is located on the back (not bottom) of the outer carrier.

Expiration: The expiration (8 years after date of manufacture) is located on page 78 of the manual

Maxi Cosi Coral XP airline approval sticker

FAA approval: For Canadians, the National Safety Mark is the label you’re looking for to indicate that the seat is approved for airline use. For Americans, there is red wording on the back of the outer carrier indicating that the seat is approved for airline use (without the base but with the inner and outer carrier together!).

Maxi Cosi Coral XP

Maxi-Cosi has always been a solid option in the world of rear facing only seats, and the Coral XP is yet another great addition to the lineup. With the fun fashion covers, load leg, vehicle seat belt lock off, a harness that fits newborns well, and the lightweight inner carrier and Crossbody Strap for any quick trips with baby, we don’t have many cons when it comes to this seat.

The only con we can think to mention is that the 22 pound weight limit combined with the 29 inch height limit will not accommodate all babies until their first birthday (but it will be more than sufficient for most babies). For parents who foresee a lot of quick trips with baby tagging along for the ride (school drop offs for example) the option of the inner carrier with Crossbody strap may be the feature that makes the Coral XP stand out above any other rear facing only seat on the market today, and we applaud Maxi-Cosi for bringing this feature to life in a practical way.

Giveaway

Maxi-Cosi is giving away TWO Corals — one to a reader in Canada and one to a reader in the United States.  Please read our terms and conditions, then enter the appropriate contest below for your chance to win!