Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 Review

(Last Updated On: August 17, 2021)

Note: this seat is discontinued.

We would like to introduce the newest model in Maxi-Cosi’s convertible lineup, the Maxi-Cosi Vello 65.  This is a simplified version of their popular Pria convertible seat and we’ve been very impressed with it.

Maxi cosi Vello install

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65

CSFTL Quick Stats

  • Rear facing weight range: 9-40 lbs
  • Rear facing height range: 40″ or less
  • Forward facing weight range: 22-65 lbs
  • Forward facing height range: 29″-49″
  • Shell height: 26.5″
  • Lowest harness position: 10″
  • Highest harness position: 17.5″
  • Expiration: 10 yrs
  • Lower anchor weight limit: 40 lbs (child weight)

 

 

 

 

Features

  • 3 position adjustable crotch strap (5″, 6″, & 7″)
  • 3 recline positions
  • Push button lower anchor connectors
  • No re-thread harness
  • Removable body pillow
  • Removable storage pockets and cupholder
  • Easy remove cover

Unique Features

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 adjustable crotch strap

 

 

3 position adjustable crotch strap is easy to adjust by just pulling the metal plate through the slot on the bottom of the seat.  For rear facing, it must be use in the closest 2 slot positions.

 

 

 

Maxi-Cosi Vello recline positions

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 recline positions

 

3 recline positions help to get the correct recline for both rear and forward facing.  Recline 2 and 3 can be used rear facing and recline 1 and 2 can be used forward facing.  Recline 1 must be used for children 40-65 lbs forward facing and recline 2 must be used for children 22-40 lbs forward facing.

 

 

 

Maxi-Cosi Vello lower anchor connectors

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 lower anchor connectors

 

 

Push button lower anchor connectors help to attach to buried vehicle lower anchors.

 

 

 

Maxi-Cosi Vello no rethread harness

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 no re-thread harness

 

No re-thread harness allows the harness and head support to be adjusted when seat is still installed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maxi-Cosi Vello removable body pillow

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 body pillow

 

 

Removable body pillow can be used at any weight or harness position.

 

 

 

 

Maxi-Cosi Vello removable storage pockets and cupholder

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 removable storage pockets and cupholder

 

 

Removable storage pockets and cupholder and are easily removed for tight spaces.  They can also be switched between sides for easy access for any child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maxi-Cosi Vello cover removes easily

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 easy remove cover

 

 

Easy remove cover can be taken off and washed while the seat is still installed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Installation

  • Expiration: 10 yrs
  • Lower anchor weight limit: 40 lbs (child weight)
  • Lower anchor borrowing is not allowed

Rear facing

Maxi Cosi Vello rear facing installed

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 rear facing installed

Rear facing installation is pretty typical with the Vello 65.  Set the seat on the vehicle seat and check the recline.

Maxi Cosi Vello rear facing level line

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65  level line

 

 

At the top of the seat there is a line right above the green sticker.  This line needs to be level to ground.  The recline foot will need to be in position 2 or 3.  Once you’ve achieved the correct angle, thread either the lower anchor connector strap or seat belt through the rear facing belt path (under the child’s feet).

 

 

 

Maxi-Cosi Vello crotch strap

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 lower anchor strap routing

 

 

The crotch strap needs to be in one of the 2 closest positions to the child, whichever is closest to the child.  The lower anchor connector strap or seat belt then must be routed in front of the crotch strap (covering the furthest slot out).

Maxi Cosi Vello rear facing belt positioning guides

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65  belt positioning guides

 

If installing with lower anchors, the connector strap is required to be threaded through the belt positioning guide in the belt path on both sides, then tightened.

 

 

 

If installing with seat belt, the lap belt is required to be threaded through the belt positioning guide. The shoulder belt lays over it, then just buckle and tighten.

 

Forward Facing

Maxi Cosi Vello Forward facing install

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 forward facing install

The Vello also has a typical forward facing installation.  Recline position must be either 1 or 2.  Recline position 2 is for children weighing between 22-40 lbs and recline position 1 must be used for children 40-65 lbs.

This caused a bit of a problem for me when installing in my Nissan Quest.  The Quest requires the vehicle seat to be fully upright when installing any car seat.  When installing the Vello in recline position 2, it caused a very large gap between the vehicle seat and car seat.  We are currently in contact with Maxi-Cosi to find if this is an incompatibility with the Vello.  We will update when more information is available.

 

Child Fit

Rear facing

  • Rear facing weight range: 9-40 lbs
  • Rear facing height range: 40″ or less, or top of the head even with the top of the fully extended head support

The Maxi-Cosi Vello 65 is not meant for newborns. With a weight minimum of 9 lbs and bottom harness height of 10″ the Vello is meant to be the next step after a rear facing only car seat.

Vello65

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65:  6 weeks, 9 lbs, 22″

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65: 6 weeks, 9 lbs, 22″

 

6 weeks, 9 lbs, 22″

Even though this model meets the minimums, is using the insert, and is in a cloth diaper, she still does not reach the bottom harness position.  This is a good example of why the Vello is a great next step after the rear facing only car seat, but not as a first seat.  This is why it is always suggested to a try a seat before you buy it.

 

1 year oldmodel

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65: Anders – 1 yr, 23 lbs, 29″

 

1 year, 23 lbs, 29″

This kiddo is a perfect fit in the Vello.  He is at the 2nd click up on the harness/head support position.  I took the body pillow out due to his wide thighs.  He has the perfect amount of room side to side.  The only downfall I’ve found with using this seat is tightening and loosening the harness.  Due to how it’s routed through both the head support and shell, it makes it very hard to tighten.  There is an easy fix for rear facing though.  Instead of just pulling on the adjuster strap by the child’s feet, you can tighten by pulling the harness straps tight from the back, then pulling on the adjuster strap.

 

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65: Freya - 2 months shy of 3 yrs, 25 lbs, 38"

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65: Freya – 2 months shy of 3 yrs, 25 lbs, 34″

2 months shy of 3 years, 25 lbs, 34″

This model is also a great fit in the Vello.  It’s shallow enough that I don’t have to heave her too far over the sides and she has plenty of foot room.  She likes playing with the cupholder and storage pockets and has no problems with falling asleep in it.  I have the same trouble tightening her as I do with Anders.  Since she is still rear facing though, I use the same easy fix for adjusting it.

 

Forward Facing

  • Forward facing weight range: 22-65 lbs
  • Forward facing height range: 29″-49″
  • Lower anchor weight limit: 40 lbs (child weight)
Maxi Cosi Vello Olivia

Maxi-Cosi Vello 65: Olivia – 6 yrs, 51 lbs, 47″

 

 

6 years, 51 lbs,  47″

Our 6 year old model is right at the forward facing limit of the Vello.  Her shoulders are right at the top harness slot with no harness length left.  She liked how plush it was and how high she sits up in the seat which allows her to see out the window better.  It was very difficult to tighten the harness with her in it.  Since it’s forward facing, you can’t do the trick with tightening from the back, though, which is easy to do for rear facing children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Information: Where to Find

Maxi Cosi Vello Important information

 

 

FAA certification can be found on page 30 of the instruction manual and on a sticker on the side of the seat.

 

 

Date of manufacture can be found on the side of the seat along with the model number.

 

 

 

 

Expiration date is stamped into the plastic on the bottom of the seat.

 

 

Maxi Cosi Convertible Comparison

[komper pid=120,124,122,123 category=14 compareform=no]

 

Overall impression

Overall I’ve been really impressed with the Maxi Cosi Vello 65.  The biggest downfalls I’ve found to the seat are how hard it is to tighten/loosen the harness and the difficulty in getting the head support to click into the lower most and upper most positions.  Since my kids are rear facing still, neither downfalls are a real problem for me, but I could definitely foresee them being issues when using it forward facing.  I love how plush it is, how easy the cover is to remove for washing, the removable cupholder and storage pocket, and how narrow it is front to back.  Plus installation and adjustment of everything is very easy.

Originally written by Angela Tastad. Edits maintained by CSFTL.