Maxi-Cosi Adorra review

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Maxi Cosi was founded in 1984 and is world-renowned for its range of high-quality, good-value pushchairs and car seats. The compact Adorra pushchair is designed for parents who live in urban areas, with just one seat that adjusts to accommodate your growing child from birth (although a separate carrycot is available). Teamed with the Maxi Cosi Pebble Plus carseat, you can easily switch from car to stroller without disturbing your baby’s sleep.

Tested by:

Rachel lives in Kent and is mum to three-year-old Rowan and eight-week-old Leonard. They tested the Maxi-Cosi Adorra and the Pebble Plus out on trips into town on foot, by bus and car.

What were your first impressions of the travel system?

Getting the items out of the box I was relieved by how uncomplicated Adorra was - this is no buggy equivalent of an Ikea flatpack (something I’ve had to contend with in the past). Once assembled, I was struck by how stylish, simple and compact the Maxi-Cosi Adorra was. I’m not a massive fan of pushchairs that scream ‘look at me’, so this model in the Sparkling Grey was perfectly understated.

How does the Maxi-Cosi Adorra compare to other pushchairs and travel systems you’ve tried?

This system is definitely more lightweight and easier to push than other pushchairs I have tried. With my first child we invested in a big, bulky Silver Cross travel system that made me feel my baby was more protected but was really awkward to manoeuvre.

This system has shown me it is possible to have a compact, lightweight and easy-to-steer system that feels safe and sturdy too. I was struck by how, despite being lightweight, the pushchair still made me feel like my baby was protected.

I also liked how compact it was because I am quite petite and pushing round the buggy equivalent of a 4x4 has made travelling long distances difficult in the past.

Is the Maxi-Cosi Adorra good value for money?

I think so, yes. It’s a money-saving option for mums and dads who want a versatile pushchair with longevity. Such a versatile system that is compact, stylish robust and generally easy-to-manoeuvre is hard to beat.

The Pebble Plus supercedes the original Pebble and is Maxi-cosi’s premium carseat, claiming it offers superior comfort and support for the baby. Suitable from birth up to 12-15 months, it costs £199 - with the Maxi-Cosi 2wayFix Car Seat Base coming in at an additional £199. The Oria carrycot has an RRP of £165.

What age is the Maxi-Cosi Adorra suitable for?

The system is suitable from birth, providing you lay the seat flat. Technically the seat is suitable for children up to around age three-and-a-half but with a limit of 15kg you might find your child needs a new buggy before then. My three-year-old son, who is just under the upper age limit, was too tall for the seat in the toddler configuration as his head poked into the hood when it was pulled forward.

Do you need the carrycot option for your newborn?

No although the Oria carrycot (RRP £165) can be bought separately. At first I was dubious about using a pushchair seat for my newborn but I was surprised by how comfortable and supported he was. The seat doesn’t recline down to 180 degrees, but it’s close enough to being entirely flat (although MadeForMums recommend the firm, flat surface of a carrycot for newborns).

How easy is it to fold?

Folding the Adorra did take a bit of getting used to and it certainly wasn’t the most intuitive mechanism I’ve used. That said, once I got the knack, it was pretty straightforward. It’s claimed it is a one-handed fold but I needed both hands at first. One plus-point though is that you can fold the pushchair with the seat still attached, which can be a great time and space saver.

How compact is the Maxi-Cosi Adorra when folded and unfolded?

For a full-size pushchair that’s easy to use whether you’re tall or small, and boasts a massive shopping basket, it is remarkably compact and easy to store - freestanding and stable when folded. Unfolded it measures H113 x W59.5 x D87cm, while folded it measures H81 x W59.5 x D51cm.

Does it fit in the boot of a regular car?

The Adorra fits very comfortably into our mid-size car - and leaves room for a changing bag and shopping too, which is real bonus.

How lightweight is the Maxi-Cosi Adorra?

Weighing in at 11.6kg, it isn’t the lightest pushchair on the market, but it certainly doesn't feel cumbersome when navigating streets or loading it into your car boot.

How easy is it to push?

One of the key selling points for me is how easy the Adorra is to push. Even with a basket full of shopping I can confidently use just one wrist when walking down the street and turning corners - a lifesaver when you’re having to hold hands with a toddler too! I was able to attach my Buggy Board to the frame too which was handy when my toddler got tired. However, compared to our other pushchair, he did complain that the handlebar dug into his head when we went over bumps.

How does it ride on different surfaces?

Although steering on flat surfaces like tarmac and pavements is surprisingly smooth - gliding along with almost no effort - add in a few bumps and it’s another story. This is most definitely an urban pushchair and I have had very different experiences walking in the village I live in compared to the neighbouring town a 10-minute walk away. If you live somewhere with lots of cobbles or uneven pavements, this may not be the pushchair for you. I found it a little stressful immediately outside my home as I didn’t feel the Adorra’s wheels and suspension protected my baby enough and allowed him to be jiggled around a bit too much.

How did you find the Maxi-Cosi Adorra on public transport?

The pushchair was super easy to load on to a bus and fitted inside the buggy bay with ease. The central brake was easy to find, too, which cut down on stress.

Does the Maxi-Cosi Adorra frame feel strong?

Combining mostly plastic with metal, the Adorra felt very strong despite being so lightweight and compact. No components feel flimsy and a few bumps and scrapes along the way proved totally insignificant to the workings of the pushchair.

How did you find the handlebar?

The handlebar is easy to grip and coated in a soft, stylish, matte leatherette that stays warm in cooler weather and is soft to the touch. A large, central button allows you to extend the bar from 98.5cm to 107cm, making the pushchair ideal for me as well as my six-foot husband.

What do you think of the Maxi-Cosi Adorra's seat unit?

The seat unit is a key selling point for this system, because although there is the option to buy a carrycot, the seat the system comes with is suitable from birth up to around three-and-a-half years old. While the seat doesn’t lie perfectly horizontal it’s safe for a newborn. As your child grows you can change the seat from parent-facing to world-facing with ease. The five-point harness means you can easily adapt the length of straps depending on what your child is wearing too.

How many recline positions are there?

There are three positions - upright, partially reclined and fully reclined (flat).

How comfortable does it seem?

My newborn was very comfortable in the seat - even for extended outings - and would happily continue to sleep inside the chair when I got home. My older son however didn’t seem as comfortable, but he was just under the age limit and so this wasn’t the biggest surprise.

How is interacting with your little one when in the Maxi-Cosi Adorra?

Accessing baby Leonard was easy although admittedly not as easy as when he’s in a carrycot. Rather than just scooping him out directly, you have to bend down and under the hood a bit to access him, but it wasn’t too restrictive. I could see him at all times and he could see me.

What do you think of the hood?

The hood could at times be annoying as it would sometimes ping upwards when I went over bumpy surfaces. The hood was ultra-extendable though, so when it did stay up, it did really shield the light. The detachable rain hood wasn’t brilliant because the hatch didn’t seal properly with the attached Velcro. This let in a small amount of water into the pushchair when it rained heavily and was windy.

How effective are the Maxi-Cosi Adorra's brakes?

The brakes are a surprise star of this buggy. Rather than blindly having to find the brake pedal with your foot (something I’ve had to do with previous pushchairs), it is easily visible and placed centrally so left and right-footed parents can find it quickly and with ease. It pushes down easily and is released with a simple flick of the ankle.

How do you find the basket?

The basket is a real winner for me - having a newborn and a little boy I need to keep my hands as free as possible. This basket is super easy to access - whichever position you have the seat in - and holds a huge amount of stuff. It was great to be able to fit in a fairly sizeable shop and even my changing bag on occasions. You can also easily access the basket from the front and rear of the pushchair.

Is the Maxi-Cosi Adorra car-seat compatible?

Yes it is. I really loved the Pebble Plus car-seat. Suitable for babies up to 12-15 months old (13kg/29lb), it looked and felt really comfortable. Compared to other seats we’ve used - where our children have looked scrunched up and uncomfortable - this was a luxury ride. The insert for small babies really reassured me that our newborn was supported - especially around the head - and seemed to comfort him too. I also liked how, when you undid the straps to take the baby out of the seat, they automatically slackened.

Is the car seat easy to install in any car?

The Pebble Plus can be safely secured with a regular seatbelt - I used it both with the seatbelt and the digital Maxi-Cosi 2wayFix Base that beeped and flashed when the seat was securely in place. While it was convenient to be able to put the seat in anyone’s car using just a belt, I preferred using the electronic 2wayFix Base for peace of mind.

How did you find the Isofix base for the car seat?

The Isofix base is super easy to install - you just clip it into compatible clips in your car. The cost is 100% worth it. Tests have repeatedly shown that the 2wayFix Base system offers dramatically higher levels of protection in the event of a crash. Not only this, but you don’t have the hassle of winding a seatbelt round the seat every single time you take it out - the seat clicks in within seconds. It really made travelling with a baby a lot more enjoyable as with a simple beep and green light you felt confident your baby was as safe as possible.

What do you think of the colour choices?

The travel system is very chic as pushchairs go. It is simple, streamlined and without any gimmicks. I liked the Sparkling Grey as it was understated (and stain-friendly!).

What’s in the box?

• Pushchair box:
• Chassis
• Hood
• Rear wheels
• Front wheels
• Instructions
• Raincover
• Bumper bar
• Maxi-Cosi car-seat adapters
• Car seat box:
• Pebble Plus car-seat
• Isofix box:
• Maxi-Cosi 2wayFix Car Seat Base

Any optional extras you’d recommend?

You don’t need to buy anything extra, although I would recommend a baby cocoon for cold weather if you have a newborn. We tested this in warm weather and my baby was fine with just a blanket over him.

Optional extras:

• Baby cocoon
• General footmuff
• 2-in-1 winter footmuff
• Handlebar gloves
• Parasol
• Modern bag
• Car seat mirror
• Raincover for car-seat
• Pushchair cup holder

Is it easy/hard to build the buggy?

It was really easy to put the pushchair together - the hardest bit was putting the wheels on the chassis. All in all it took no more than 15 minutes to have a pushchair that was ready to go. I almost didn’t need instructions it was so straightforward.

Who would the product be most useful for?

Parents with limited space who want a stylish and compact travel system that they can use to get around with quickly and easily on foot as well as on public transport and by car.

What was your favourite feature?

I loved how easy the Adorra was to steer - being able to glide along with one hand free was unbelievably useful - so long as you were on relatively smooth terrain. The car-seat also looked so much more comfortable than previous ones I have used and my baby seemed content in it, too.

Where can I buy the Maxi Cosi Adorra?

It is available from Kiddies Kingdom.

MadeForMums verdict:

I think it’s a really fantastic option for parents who want a pushchair system from birth that boasts style and quality but doesn’t break the bank. This Maxi Cosi travel system has been a real revelation for me. The Adorra pushchair is super easy and intuitive to steer, sturdy and compact, leaving me with lots of space in the car boot when braving it out with a newborn and toddler.

The Pebble Plus car seat has been the biggest winner for me though as I’ve always found putting small babies in car-seats difficult as it has tended to leave them looking uncomfortable once strapped in. However, our baby Leonard was really well supported - particularly around his head - and seemed to have no problem lying in the seat. I also found it very easy to use.

Read More...

• Best travel systems for newborn babies
• Maxi-Cosi AxissFix Plus car seat review
• First review of Maxi-Cosi Jade lie-flat car seat/carrycot

MadeForMums product articles are independent, honest and provide advice you can have confidence in. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links. However we never allow this to influence our coverage. Our reviews and articles are written by parents who are professional journalists, and we also include feedback from our parent community and industry experts.