Maxi-Cosi Priori XP Car Seat - why is it so much cheaper than the Tobi?

[AngelofTroy]

Until recently we haven't had a car, I don't drive and OH worked 10 minutes walk away.

We bought a Maxi-Cosi Tobi for my parents car when Micah outgrew his old infant carseat and my mum and I researched it quite a bit.

Now we need to buy a car seat for our own car and money is tight at the moment. We've been looking at the Maxi-Cosi Priori XP and it seems to get great reviews for around £100, is this too good to be true? Other than the 'Green light' window showing the straps are tight enough (not a problem as I feel I know when the straps are right after months using the Tobi), I can't see why it's nearly £100 cheaper...

Can anyone enlighten me? If it's a style thing we'll go for the Priori but I don't want to compromise safety. Thanks!

 

[NotNic]

Not sure but we have a priori xp. When we compared the two I couldn't spot any significant differences. My guess is that the Tobi is a newer style model. I bought the xp two yrs ago and I think we paid £150. I know that maxi Cosi are bringing in a new isofix base that I think beeps to confirm that the baby seat is attached, so maybe they are modernising the bases for later stage car seats? In which case maybe they are phasing the xp out?

 

[AngelofTroy]

Not sure but we have a priori xp. When we compared the two I couldn't spot any significant differences. My guess is that the Tobi is a newer style model. I bought the xp two yrs ago and I think we paid £150. I know that maxi Cosi are bringing in a new isofix base that I think beeps to confirm that the baby seat is attached, so maybe they are modernising the bases for later stage car seats? In which case maybe they are phasing the xp out?

Thank you, we won't be using an isofix base anyway so not a problem! How do you find the Xp?

 

[tublet]

We bought the tobi last November and it was cheaper than the priori xp at the time? Maybe there is just a really good sale on?

 

[HaveANiceDay]

We have the Priori XP, picked it up for around £85 from Halfords on offer last year so it's worth shopping around and seeing if there are any deals on. I really like it, very sturdy and easy to fit if for what ever reason we need to take it out of the car, the straps are easy to move up and the recline function is easy to use. LO seems very comfortable in it. When we went to try it in our car the fitter said the Priori XP is a very universal car seat and fits in most cars, which is always a bonus just in case we get a new car at some point. It's not too bulky either so it's good if you have a smaller car. We have one in my car and my mums car.

From what I can see there isn't a massive difference between the Priori and the Tobi. Just had a quick look on the Maxi Cosi website and the Priori has a 3 star safety rating whilst the Tobi has a 4 star safety rating, so that's probably a big factor as to why the Tobi is more expensive. The Tobi also has a 'stay open' harness (not a necessity but I guess it's nice to have) how ever the Priori does have hooks to keep the straps out the way when getting LO in and out which I find really useful. I guess the Priori XP is a more basic model than the Tobi?

 

[NotNic]

My reply didnt post Yes we are very happy with the xp. It reclines well, is secure and has a fairly generous seat. My only negatives are that it got tatty quite easily at the Velcro flaps that cover where the straps come out, and the button you press to loosen the seat is quite far back. I have baby fingers and struggle to press it - but I guess that's probably what's meant to happen