Maxi-Cosi Tanza

The Maxi-Cosi Tanza is a highback belt-positioning booster seat that can be used with kids weighing at least 40 lb. and up to 100 lb. As a highback-only booster seat, the Maxi-Cosi Tanza doesn’t transition to a backless mode, but it does fold up for travel, with a convenient carry handle and an included travel bag. The headrest offers 10 positions and is easy to adjust, and the seat comes with rigid LATCH connectors that can add stability for a child climbing in and out, as well as help secure it when not in use. We found the Tanza generally easy to use, though in some vehicle installations, our test dummy’s knees were beyond the edge of the seat padding, which can affect a child’s comfort and posture. While Maxi-Cosi doesn't specify a minimum age requirement for using the Tanza, CR's car seat safety experts recommend switching to a booster seat only once your child outgrows their forward-facing harnessed car seat and is at least 4 years old.

This seat may be a good choice for: 

• Families looking to switch from a harnessed car seat to a booster seat
• Families looking for a booster seat with lower anchors
• Families looking for a folding booster seat to travel with or move between vehicles

Ease of use: The Maxi-Cosi Tanza highback booster is easy to use, with clear labeling and instructions. Be sure to read the manual to confirm the belt path on your first use, but there are arrows and labels on the seat itself to help. The Tanza folds up for travel, but note that you have to first remove the cupholder. The Tanza offers optional, easy-to-use rigid LATCH to secure the seat to the vehicle, though it’s important to know that for booster seats (as opposed to other child car seats), LATCH use is to help the seat remain stable while the child climbs in and to prevent the booster from becoming a projectile when it’s not occupied. 

Booster fit: The Maxi-Cosi Tanza highback booster offers good belt positioning. However, in some vehicles, our test dummy’s knees extended beyond the edge of the child car seat, which can affect a child’s posture. 

The Maxi-Cosi Tanza is part of the Car Seats test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, Booster Seat models like the Tanza are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Booster fit (with back): A rating that reflects a booster seat's ability to correctly position the lap and shoulder belts in various test vehicles using a child-sized dummy, when used as a highback booster. Additionally, it includes an assessment of the booster's compatibility with vehicle seats and interior components.

Booster fit (no-back): A rating that reflects a booster seat's ability to correctly position the lap and shoulder belts in various test vehicles using a child-sized dummy, when used as a backless booster. Additionally, it includes an assessment of the booster's compatibility with vehicle seats and interior components.

Ease of use: Our evaluation of how easy each seat is to use, including items such as the clarity of labels and instructions, the ease of achieving an appropriate belt fit, and the transition between highback and backless modes where applicable.