In a nutshell

A seat that makes you feel confidence your child is strapped in properly and protected.

What we tested

  • Ease of installing
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Comfort
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Safety features
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Style
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.4 out of 5.

Pros

  • Secure fittings make it feel rigid and secure when installed, head and side protection, lightweight, ergonomic belt feeds on shoulder and waist

Cons

  • Base and back can't be detached for storage, no armrests, cover is hand wash only

The Maxi-Cosi FeroFix provides strong, easy-to-use ISOFIX connectors in a comfortable seat with side and head protection.

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The FeroFix is the new Group 2/3 car seat from Maxi-Cosi, which has integrated ISOFIX installation points within the seat. It is Maxi-Cosi’s only seat in this Group that also includes ISOFIX. Designed for children weighing 15kg to 36kg, it could last from roughly 4 to12 years.

The FeroFix comes with significant ‘AirProtect’ protection around the head, with additional side protection around the body. When the backrest is extended in height, the car seat can also widen around your growing child. Importantly, it can also be reclined for longer journeys – a feature that’s conveniently accessed from the front of the seat.

The Maxi-Cosi FeroFix has been designed to be used with both in-car ISOFIX systems as well being held in place with your car’s 3-point seatbelt. If you do have ISOFIX, there are extendable hooks that click neatly into the fittings, which are then retracted to hold the car seat firmly in place. Mine certainly feels very rigid and secure.

The Maxi-Cosi FeroFix is available in six different colourways (Total Black, Steel Gray, Intense Red, Lapis Blue, Marble and Pink) and there’s an optional summer cover available. The FeroFix also has a 24-month warranty.

What we love

My first impression of the Maxi-Cosi FeroFix was that, despite the evidence of good side protection, it didn’t appear overly wide or heavy compared with some other models. It certainly fitted well in both our cars (Audi and Golf) without the typical rummage to click the seatbelt in place. Weighing only 6.4kg, the seat is easy to move between cars and is also attractive to look at.

The shoulder seatbelt feeder has a clever push button open/close mechanism, which means there’s no fiddly ‘s’ shape to feed the seatbelt into. As a result, there’s much less chance of a twisted seatbelt. The vertical indents around the middle of the seat where the seatbelt is positioned across your child’s waist are very ergonomic and allow a good amount of space to buckle the seatbelt. My older child, who is 5, can already manage to buckle herself in the FeroFix, unlike other car seats.

The ISOFIX fittings are extremely strong, intuitive and provide a great sense of security.

I also value the recline function - not all Group 2/3 car seats offer this and we do use the seat on many long journeys.

What to watch out for

It’s not possible to remove the back from this car seat. This is to ensure you don’t attempt to use it as a backless booster (which would mean your child fails to get adequate side-impact protection). However, this does make it slightly less portable to transport compared with models that separate into two pieces.

I like the lack of armrests as it makes it much easier to do up, but your child may prefer something to rest on and rests can help prevent the seatbelt from riding up the body.

Whilst the cover is removable and washable, Maxi-Cosi recommends you only wash it by hand. This could be a pain, considering how long you’ll be using this car seat for.

In my opinion, it’s a bit of a shame that Maxi-Cosi didn’t also provide the tether that’s on the non-ISOFIX Fero model, as it could be used when you don’t have ISOFIX in your car. The tether is essentially a strap that extends from the back of the seat and hooks under the car headrest to provide extra attachment. I’d find this feature useful, since I often move between cars and they don’t always have ISOFIX.

Who is the Maxi-Cosi FeroFix car seat best for?

Parents after a robust car seat for both long and short journeys that also encourages a child to independently strap themselves in.

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MadeForMums verdict

The Maxi-Cosi FeroFix is an attractive and ergonomic seat that provides you with the confidence that your child is strapped in properly and is well protected. Its ability to use ISOFIX or your car’s own seatbelts, plus its relatively light weight, make it a good choice for those swapping between cars.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandMaxi-Cosi
ModelFeroFix
Price£175.00
Suitable for
Child age (approx)4 years to 12 years
Dimensions & Weight
Weight6.4kg
Features
Car seat installationIsofix base
Removeable cover for washingYes
Side crash protectionYes
Recline positions1
Height adjustible headrestYes
Accessories
Optional extrasPocket Universal Holder,Summer Cover
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