I have the Maxi Cosi Priori in Corniche - It's really black (linked to above).
It's a great carseat, the fabric washes well, and I am very happy with it and I know a lot of people who have it and are happy.
Many reviews said that the crotch strap was too small (or they thought it looked too small) however many other comments said in reality it's not a problem. Basically, the crotch strap is somewhat short but that's because the other straps are longer and come down to meet it and clip in a lower position than in some other seats.
My son is almost 3 and it will still fit him for a long time. One of the great features is the ability to recline it (only in forward facing). Many of the other car seats out there can only be reclined by stopping the car and taking the child out and reclining it. This can be reclined while the child is in it in one easy motion. Great for when on a trip and your kid is looking sleepy!!!
To weigh in on the earlier discussion of what size infant carseat to get - originally I thought like Dan to get a seat that fits up to 30 pounds to keep the convenience factor in. I then realized like other posters mentioned that with a 28 pound child and the heavier 30 pound carseat, it's pretty inconvenient to lug around so it's much easier to just ditch the 'carrying baby in carseat' mode and just take the kid out. Once my son was like 18 pounds it was starting to get to heave to lug around with him in it.
Keep in mind that although with a newborn they will stay sleeping while you snap the carseat in and out of the car, with a one year old they will anyways wake up so you don't gain anything by keeping them strapped in when coming into the house.