Travel
Maxi-Cosi Elea Pushchair
PRODUCT: Maxi-Cosi Elea Pushchair (www.maxi-cosi.com)
DESCRIPTION: A compact 4-wheel pushchair, suitable for use from birth up to 15kg (approx. 4 years). Features include two folding options, rearward facing and forward facing seat with multi-position recline, adjustable footrest, 3-height adjustable handlebar, lockable front-swivel wheels, and 5-point harness. Also includes Maxi-Cosi Elea Baby Nest, bumper bar, integral parasol holder, raincover, sun canopy, shopping basket, and an adapter kit to form travel system with Maxi-Cosi Carrycot, CabrioFix and Pebble infant car seats. Available in a variety of colours: Intense Red, Total Black, Steel Grey, and Brown Earth.
Dimensions are as follows:
Folded (with seat): 88.5 x 60.5 x 52cm
Folded (without seat): 84 x 38 x 33cm
Unfolded: 80 x 62 x 93.5 -106cm
Weight: 13kg
ASSEMBLY: The Elea pushchair requires some simple assembly prior to use, but this is simple using the detailed and easy-to-follow diagrammed instruction manual. The two rear wheels need to be slotted into the appropriate parts of the frame until they click into place (the front wheels come fitted and are not removable). Once the frame has been unfolded, the seat unit can be fitted into the two connection points and easily removed using the corresponding release buttons. Both the pushchair sun canopy and bumper bar simply clip into the shell of the main seat unit, and if using the Maxi-Cosi Elea Baby Nest, the shoulder and crotch straps simply feed through the precut slits. If the Maxi-Cosi Elea is to be used with either the Maxi-Cosi Carrycot, or CabrioFix and Pebble infant car seats, then the adaptors (included) need to be clicked into the connection points first, into which the carrycot or car seat can then be attached. 
The handlebar height may also need to be adjusted, but this is simply done by pushing in the handlebar adjustment buttons and tilting the handle upwards or downwards to the desired height.
GOOD POINTS: The Maxi-Cosi Elea is certainly a pushchair like no other we have reviewed, and has some unique features which set it aside from other such products. It is a four-wheeled pushchair with a modern design, and comes in a nice range of plain colours. The pushchair has a solid sturdy build, with puncture-free foam tyres, and can usefully be used as a travel system in combination with other Maxi-Cosi carrycots and car seats (adaptors provided). It has a wonderfully unique and quick-and-easy two-part folding system which is different to other pushchairs, whereby the pushchair chassis not only folds downwards but also inwards, thereby greatly reducing its size. The pushchair can be folded with the seat unit still attached (in the forward facing position) for easy and convenient stowing, and the folding mechanism provides 'legs' which allow it to stand upright and unsupported. In addition, removal of the seat unit and rear tyres allow for optimum compact folding for easy transportation in the boot of a car.
The pushchair seat unit itself is incredibly well padded and feels extremely comfortable and spacious, with a hard rigid plastic shell to provide added support and protection for your child. The seat can be fitted in a rearwards facing as well as forwards facing position, allowing you to see your child as you travel, and vice versa! Regardless of the position the seat is facing, it can be reclined to a number of positions via an adjustment handle on the back of the backrest, which includes a lay-flat position suitable for newborns. The pushchair also comes with an adjustable leg
support with integrated foot rest, which can be tilted up or down to suit your child's age.
The seat unit has a fully adjustable 5-point harness to keep your child well secured in the seat, with padded chest and crotch pads for maximum comfort, and the straps can be loosened and tightened via a ‘one-pull’ adjuster strap and release button at the front of the seat (similar to a car seat). The seat unit has a generous choice of three shoulder strap heights to cater for your growing child, and a detachable bumper bar provides additional security as well as serving as a handy toy attachment.
The pushchair also comes with a well designed 'Baby Nest', which is similar to a footmuff but has an easy-access wrap-around 'envelope' design to suit newborn babies, with Velcro fastenings, a soft plush head hugger, and precut slits through which to feed the safety harness. In warmer weather, the front of the baby nest can be unzipped and removed completely. A concertina-style canopy can be pulled down to provide protection from the sun, or alternatively can be removed completely. In addition, the pushchair comes with a parasol clip which attaches easily to the frame (parasol not included), as well as a raincover for those wet weather outings, which slips over the hood and secures around the seat unit via an elastic fastening.
The Elea has a quick and easy colour coded braking system on the rear wheels (foot operated), with a red brake pedal on one wheel hub, and a blue release pedal on the other. The pushchair travels well, with large back wheels and great suspension, making it perfect for everyday excursions. Its two front swivel wheels facilitate steering and manoeuvring through small spaces and round corners, and can be locked to provide a smoother transit over rough or uneven surfaces. In addition, unlike other pushchairs the wheel locks can be activated 'on-the-go', via handy 'click' buttons halfway down each side of the pushchair handle.
The adjustable handlebar reduced backache for parents and can be rotated upwards and downwards to suit taller and shorter heights. In addition, a large open shopping basket with net sides is located underneath the chassis, and offers easy access and enough space to carry essential goods and other items.
The Maxi-Cosi Elea is, in our opinion, a wonderfully comfortable, flexible and adaptable pushchair, with some fabulously innovative and effective design features and accessories to make it a great mode of travel for both child and parent.
BAD POINTS: It is quite a wide and heavy pushchair, and it is not easy to reach over the handlebar to tend to a small child due to the distance between the handle and the seat unit. The seat cover is a little fiddly to remove for cleaning. There are other useful accessories for the Elea (including footmuff, carrycot, and parasol), which do not come with the pushchair and must be purchased separately if required.
PRICE: Approx. £400
Available from Amazon and Mothercare
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