Maxi-Cosi Zelia S Trio 3-in-1 Prams Travel System, 0 - 4 Years, Up to 22 kg, Foldable, Compact and Reclining Baby Pushchair, with CabrioFix S i-Size Baby Car Seat, Accessories, Nursery Bag, Grey

Product Information

Included in the box is a rain cover and a boot cover/apron, which can be used when the seat is upright or laid flat in bassinet mode, as well as care and assembly instructions.

Off-road, the buggy was a little bumpier than others on test, such as the Nuna Mixx 2019, but there were no major jolts or complaints. The two-in-one seat is a major selling point for any new parent and its lightweight frame means this pushchair is easy to handle while also standing up to the rigours of everyday family life. Also keep in mind that it can only be folded with the seat facing forward and can't be folded with anything in the storage basket, which isn’t ideal if you need to fold your buggy on the bus or train. While the Zelia is attractive, its design doesn't stand out from the crowd unlike the distinctive Stokke Xplory or brightly-patterned Bugaboo Fox that were also tested (although the Stokke did not make our final five). The recline is really easy to change on the go and there are three positions to choose from – simply pinch together the clip to move the seat to a different angle.

The Zelia handles the everyday bumps (kerbs, uneven pavement etc) really well and is ideal for walking to the shops and around town. While this can be done one-handed, our tester was concerned that, with the additional weight of a baby leaning into the seat, parents with older children might struggle to adjust it smoothly. She also noted that, as with all buggies that use a strap for recline adjustment, altering the seat position could sometimes be a little stiff and jerky. It lays flat, so it can be stored upright and, if you remove the seat, it’s even slimmer to store. Our tester was really impressed with the size of this buggy once folded as it was so small and compact compared to some of its competitors, such as the Mamas & Papas Ocarro, yet it had the feel of a bigger travel system when fully assembled. While it may have a lower price tag than most of the travel systems we tested, the quality of the Maxi-Cosi Zelia is still hard to beat.

One element that bothered our tester and her six-foot partner though was the adjustment in the handles. She found the handles only raised in height by a couple of inches so the positioning for both adults wasn’t exactly where she would like it. A little more range in this area, like the Nuna, would make all the difference. And what about the fold?The storage basket is possibly the biggest we tested and easily takes three to four shopping bags and a changing bag with extra room for a few impulse buys too. While the five-point harness is safe and secure, our tester did struggle with the fact that the shoulder and waist straps shared a clip, so her child’s arms had to be bent through the harness.

Our tester was pleasantly surprised with the Zelia when she took it out and about. Due to price and how lightweight it is as a whole, she was expecting a harsh journey for her baby, but this wasn't the case at all.The frame is lightweight, but it has a wide base making it feel surprisingly sturdy. The Zelia went on the school run and shopping trips as well as off-road weekend romps, and our tester ensured it was fully loaded to identify any topple concerns. There were none as the Zelia allows you to hang a nappy bag or shopping on the handle up to the weight of 2kg. Our tester and her seven-month-old put it through rigorous spillage tests, including spilled milk and bits of dried baby food, and all wiped off easily. The Maxi-Cosi Zelia has a flip-style mechanism that makes it easy to fold and unfold, but you do need two hands.

She felt it easily fit her two-year-old with plenty of room for growing too. She particularly liked its upright positioning which made it more of a chair than a reclining pushchair seat and allowed her child to engage with the world around him. Despite not being overly original in design, this pushchair is clearly good quality. The material itself feels strong and hard-wearing, and our tester felt that it looked more expensive than its very reasonable price point.

And what about the fold?

A selling point for our tester was the roomy seat which was larger than others on test, such as the BabyStyle Oyster 3. It also holds up to 15kg, which is a child's weight at approximately three-and-a-half years old. The Maxi-Cosi Zelia arrived in the smallest box of all on test with everything necessary for immediate assembly.