I read that too... lol.
Yeah - I'd say with "stroller" folks, they think maxi cosi is great - because of the brand name world wide - and because their european seats are really great seats IN europe - and I know more then one person on stroller swap who have imported European carseats to work with their european strollers (this was pre-distribution in the US).
But I'd say, now that they are here in the US - they are a dressed up Cosco Scenera with some extra features like recline. The infant seats are nice - but they are behind some of the other manufacturers in features. In the end, it's sort of like buying an eddie bauer seat for $180 when you can buy the safety 1st one for $99... it's paying for fabric and a label.
All that removed, I think they are darn cute seats... and I would totally buy one for rear facing... if I found one cheap.
I don't think it's a bad seat. But I wouldn't call it "the best seat around" - but I wouldn't call any seat that either.