Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus car seat review: a compact, foldable seat built for travel and everyday use

The Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus is suitable from 15 months to 12 years with 13 height adjustments

How we tested the Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus car seat

• Five weeks of regular use

• Tested by toddler mum Charlotte

• Used with a toddler for everyday journeys

• Used across multiple cars, including during school runs, pick-ups and drop-offs for family and friends

• Short and longer journeys as part of day-to-day family life

• Fitted and removed multiple times to test portability and folding

Charlotte used the Nomad XL Plus over a five-week period as part of her everyday routine, rather than as an occasional spare seat. It was used across different cars and for a mix of journeys, including school runs, quick trips around town and pick-ups and drop-offs for family and friends, sometimes with multiple children using it.

To ensure a thorough test, she scored the car seat on the following criteria: performance, safety features, ease of use, value for money, ease of installation, comfort, and adjustability. We then collated these scores to give the Nomad XL Plus an overall star rating out of five. After testing, the Nomad XL Plus achieved a final score of 87/100, which equates to five stars.

What’s the difference between the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus and the Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus car seat?

The main difference comes down to how long they’re designed to last and how they’re fitted. The Nomad XL Plus is the longer-term option, suitable from around 15 months right up to 12 years. It’s ISOFIX-compatible and starts out as a 5-point harness seat before converting into a high-back booster as your child grows.

The standard Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus (reviewed by our Deputy Head of Editorial Content Laura Westerman), on the other hand, is designed for a shorter stage of use, typically from 15 months to around four years. It doesn’t use ISOFIX and is installed using the vehicle seat belt only, making it more of a simple, travel-focused toddler seat rather than a long-term solution.

Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus: what’s in the box?

• Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus car seat

• Travel bag

• Instruction manual

The Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus is secured via ISOFIX connectors or the vehicle’s seat belt

How easy is the Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus car seat to install?

Super easy. In fact, the Nomad XL Plus is designed to keep installation as straightforward as possible, and Charlotte found it very easy to fit. Unlike bulkier car seats that come with separate bases or load legs to set up, this keeps things much more minimal.

It uses ISOFIX connectors along with a top tether in harness mode for a secure fit, or it can also be installed using the vehicle seat belt depending on your car setup. Once the ISOFIX connectors are clicked into the car, they turn green to show they’re correctly secured, and you’ll also hear an audible click for extra reassurance.

Charlotte found the lack of a fiddly base or complicated setup made a real difference, especially when moving the seat between cars. Once installed, it feels stable and stays firmly in place without needing constant adjustment.

Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus: how does it look?

Charlotte gave the seat top marks for build and finish, describing it as “great look and storage capabilities, 10/10 for quality, well stitched and mechanisms feel good quality and sturdy”. She felt the design is sleek and minimal, making it a good option if you’re conscious about how your car interior looks.

What stood out most in practical terms was how easy it is to move between vehicles. Her partner works in the car trade and regularly takes different cars out for test drives, so the seat is often being swapped between multiple vehicles and stored at work. She found this simple to manage, with the compact fold making it easy to remove, carry and store as needed.

She also felt the darker colourway works better for everyday family use. “A black car seat is always favourable as opposed to a lighter colour with older children who are likely eating snacks on drives,” she notes. It’s also only available in Authentic Black, which keeps the look simple but does limit choice for those wanting something lighter or more neutral.

In terms of comfort, she did feel it isn’t quite as heavily padded as some bulkier toddler or baby car seats, although the lighter grey shoulder straps are well padded and add a bit of extra comfort and support where it matters most.

What are the safety features on the Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus?

The Nomad XL Plus is an i-Size compliant seat with built-in G-CELL side impact protection, designed to keep your child protected from toddlerhood through to booster age. In harness mode, it’s secured using ISOFIX connectors and a top tether, before converting into a high-back booster as your child grows.

Charlotte found it easy to strap her son in, with the five-point harness feeling straightforward and secure in use. She said the straps are soft and comfortable for her child, and that the padding stays in place well without slipping around during journeys.

One thing she particularly liked was the buckle system, which she found much easier to use compared to previous seats. She said, “I really like the clasp compared to previous seats I’ve had - it fits together easily without needing to concentrate too hard.” She explained that with other seats she’s used, she often had to spend a few minutes lining everything up correctly, whereas this one feels much more intuitive and simply clicks into place.

In terms of comfort and feel, Charlotte did note that it isn’t quite as heavily padded as some bulkier baby or toddler car seats, but still feels supportive and secure for everyday use.

The Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus is lightweight, foldable and slim enough to fit alongside other car seats

What's the Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus like to use day to day?

In everyday use, this is where the Nomad XL Plus really comes into its own. The lack of a bulky base makes it much easier to move between cars, and Charlotte found it simple to install and adjust using the ISOFIX connectors when needed.

She found it noticeably more practical than previous seats she’s used, especially when it comes to space. Because it doesn’t sit on a fixed base, it takes up less room overall and leaves more space in the footwell, something she found particularly useful when loading up the car for things like a big food shop or travelling without children.

The slim design also means you don’t feel like the seat is always “in the way”, which makes a difference if you’re regularly switching between family use and needing more space in the car. It’s easy enough for older children to climb in and strap themselves in too, which helps with everyday independence.

While it’s not a lie-flat seat, the five recline positions make it comfortable enough for longer journeys, whether your child is sitting upright or dozing off. The headrest and harness adjust easily as your child grows (from 15 months up to around 12 years), using a simple button at the back of the seat (it has 13 headrest positions), and in booster mode the harness can be neatly stored away. The foldable design is another standout in day-to-day life. It makes it easy to transport, store at home or take on trips, especially useful for holidays or long-haul travel where you might otherwise need to hire a car seat.

How comfortable is the Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus?

Charlotte found the seat comfortable overall, saying it “feels very cushioned” in use. She also noted that adjusting the height is “simple and easy”, which makes it straightforward to adapt as your child grows.

The Nomad XL Plus is designed to offer a more versatile, long-term solution and for a foldable, travel-friendly car seat, it still offers a good level of support. The padding around the headrest and harness feels soft and secure, and the fabrics give it a more premium feel than you might expect from something so lightweight.

That said, it doesn’t have the same deep, generous cushioning as some larger toddler-specific seats, such as the Thule Elm, which is designed with more substantial padding throughout. However, the recline options do help add comfort, especially on longer journeys when your child wants to sit back or rest.

Overall, it strikes a good balance between comfort and practicality, particularly for families looking for a seat that will last well beyond the toddler years.

The Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus has five recline options and is easy to adjust and clean

Is the Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus easy to clean?

Yes, it’s very straightforward to keep clean. The seat covers are removable and machine washable at 30-degrees, which makes dealing with everyday spills and mess pretty easy.

Because the seat itself is fairly simple and not made up of lots of fiddly parts, taking the covers off and putting them back on again is quick and hassle-free. You can also spot clean with a damp cloth for smaller marks in between washes.

Does the Maxi-Cosi Nomad XL Plus good value for money?

Yes, particularly if you’re looking for something practical and long-lasting. Charlotte felt it justified the price, especially given how often she needs to move it between cars. She said it’s “slightly more expensive than previous booster-style seats we have had, but I appreciate the safety features and the fact this is more of a convenience product that will always come at a higher cost.”

For her, the ease of use was a big part of that value. “Being that we need a seat that can be moved car to car fairly often, this one just ticks all the boxes because it’s so quick and easy to fit,” she explains.

She also highlighted the long usage span as a key benefit. “The fact it covers such a wide age range is also brilliant, as although cheaper options are available you’ll often have to buy two if not three variations to suit the same age range.”

In terms of price comparison, it sits somewhere in the middle. It’s more expensive than simpler booster-style seats like the Joie i-Traver, but still significantly cheaper than premium options like the Axkid Up. When you factor in its foldable design and long lifespan, it feels like a solid investment for families who prioritise flexibility and convenience.

About the author

Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving - a parenting title focused on children's health and development. She has also contributed to various lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals and newspapers) and edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals.

As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children's development, wellbeing and safety, particularly focusing on car seats, having written extensive guides for Mumsnet on rear-facing car seats as well as car seat regulations in the UK.

Her expertise in this area is informed by both professional knowledge and personal experience as a mother. As a keen runner and cyclist, Tammy has also reviewed numerous baby travel products with her daughter in tow, including strollers and pushchairs, child bike seats, all-terrain prams and the best running buggies on the market, offering valuable insights into safety, comfort and convenience for families.