Uppababy Cruz v2 Stroller Review
As a parent, I understand the importance of having a reliable and versatile stroller in my daily life, and that’s why the Uppababy Cruz v2 stroller caught my attention amidst a sea of options. It’s a full-size stroller that combines exceptional practicality, portability, and style. Not to mention, it has a few luxurious features for parents who love to splurge on baby items.
In this review, I’ll go through the Uppababy stroller’s features one by one and tell you my honest opinion of it and whether it deserves its over-the-top price, so follow along!
Uppababy Cruz v2 in a Nutshell
The Uppababy Cruz v2 would’ve been a revelation in my parenting journey had it come out when my kids were still babies. With a comfortable toddler seat, one-handed recline, and all-wheel suspension, it’s a joy to push around and ride in for both the parent and the baby.
Not to mention, its sleek design and leather accents make it one of the most elegant strollers on the market. Although it’s way pricier than the average stroller, it’s worth every penny.
Pros:
- Reversible toddler seat
- Peek-a-boo window and extendable canopy
- Adjustable handlebars
- Easy folding mechanism
- Compatible with infant car seats
- Five-point seat harness
- All-wheel suspension
- Large storage space
Cons:
- Pricey
- No bassinet in the package
A Breakdown of All Uppababy Cruz v2’s Features
Now that I’ve given you a glimpse into the Uppababy stroller’s features, let’s delve deeper into its performance!
Safety
When shopping for any baby item, the first feature you should consider is your child’s safety. Luckily, the Uppababy Cruz v2 doesn’t lack in that department.
The stroller’s seat has a five-point harness to keep your child tucked in safely during your daily rides. Two straps go around the shoulders, two around the stomach, and one between the legs. On top of that, the harness is no-rethread, so you can tighten and loosen it with one hand without having to unlatch the straps.
Stroller Seat
The Cruz v2 is a full-size stroller, so its seat has enough area for your child to sit comfortably. For more convenience, it’s fully reversible, which means your baby can either face you or the street while strolling.
I personally love this feature in strollers because it allows better flexibility and can work wonders for moody children. For instance, if your baby is fussy and bored, you can turn them towards the street to watch people walking around. Alternatively, if they’re clingy and don’t want to let go of you, you can turn the seat towards you to put their mind at ease.
The seat has a long leg rest and a deep footrest to help your child sit comfortably for long hours. As a bonus, the leg rest is padded to eliminate the feeling of road bumps.
On top of these features, the Uppababy stroller’s seat can be fully reclined to accommodate a sleeping baby or toddler. You can change the seat’s angle using one hand, which I found to be a fantastic option because I rarely have two free hands while adjusting a stroller seat.
Canopy
The stroller features an extendable canopy that proves useful on sunny and rainy days. If the sunlight is bothering your child, you can extend it to cover them fully. It extends enough to cover your child’s face and body, leaving only the legs unprotected. Better yet, the canopy is UPF 50+, which means its fabric absorbs UV radiation and prevents it from reaching your baby.
For your convenience, the canopy has a mesh panel where you can take a swift look at your child without walking around the stroller.
Best for last, the Uppababy canopy is height-adjustable, which means you can change its height to accommodate your growing child. This feature extends the stroller’s lifespan because you’ll get to use it even if your baby grows tall.
Wheel System
The Uppababy Cruz v2 has a sturdy wheel system that includes all-wheel suspension to absorb shocks and make the ride feel less bumpy, even on rough terrains.
The stroller’s front wheels are 7 inches in diameter, and they’re smaller than the rear ones, as they measure about 10 inches. The larger wheels in the back make it easier to control the stroller and maneuver it on narrow streets. Not to mention, the four wheels are resistant to punctures, and the two front wheels are lockable for more stability on the ground.
As a bonus, there are visual indicators to tell you whether the front wheels are locked or not, in case you forget.
Storage Basket
One of my favorite features of this stroller is its large storage basket. It can comfortably fit your diaper bag and a few more personal belongings. Better yet, it has a wide opening to help you put your items inside comfortably without kneeling over or stopping.
The maximum weight the storage basket can handle is 30 pounds, which is more than enough for your diaper bag.
Size and Weight
The Uppababy stroller weighs about 25.5 pounds with the seat attached and 19 pounds without it. It’s not the lightest stroller out there, but carrying it is still doable if you have to.
When unfolded, the stroller’s dimensions are 37.5 (L) x 22.8 (W) x 40 (H) inches. If you’re unfamiliar with stroller sizes, this one is pretty bulky. Luckily, you don’t have to keep it unfolded unless necessary, as it features an easy one-hand folding mechanism.
To fold the stroller, all you have to do is step on a lever near the rear wheels, return the canopy and the handlebars to their original heights, and push the frame toward the rear. In less than a minute, the stroller will be folded and ready for storage.
When folded, the stroller’s dimensions are 16.5 (L) x 22.8 (W) x 33 (H) inches if the seat is attached and 12 (L) x 22.8 (W) x 30 (H) if it’s unattached. These compact dimensions make storing the stroller in a car trunk or closet pretty easy. However, in my opinion, the stroller is still on the bulkier side, even if folded.
Because of its large size, the Uppababy stroller can fit children from 3 months to 50 lbs and 40 inches.
Style
The Uppababy Cruz v2 features a sleek, luxurious design that ought to turn heads as you push it down the streets. It’s currently available in nine different colors, including gender-neutral and gender-centered options. Each color has a complementing frame and handles color to go with it, so elegance is guaranteed.
In addition to that, the stroller has leather accents on its handlebar for more luxury. The leather is full-grain to ensure your hands don’t slip while pushing the stroller around, even if they’re sweaty. I personally love this feature because it makes for a more lavish feel, but of course, it contributes to the high price of the stroller.
Bassinet and Infant SnugSeat
The Cruz v2 stroller is compatible with two practical products from Uppababy, a bassinet and a neck and head support for your baby called the Infant SnugSeat.
The bassinet is useful if you want to turn your stroller into a pram to accommodate your newborn, and it’s comfortable enough for both naps and night sleeping. It’s ideal for babies who can’t support their heads and necks yet.
As a bonus, it’s available in all the colors of the Cruz v2 stroller so that you don’t sacrifice style for practically. However, it’s too pricey when added to the original stroller’s price.
The Infant SnugSeat is an extra padded layer to put on your stroller’s seat. Its main goal is to provide better head and neck support for babies while sleeping if they don’t have a bassinet. It’s manufactured from premium-quality materials that provide just enough softness for your baby without making them feel too stuffy.
Extra Accessories
There are many Uppababy accessories that are compatible with the Cruz v2 stroller. Two of them come in the package, an insect net and a rain cover, so you won’t have to buy them separately. These might be my favorite stroller accessories all around, so I appreciate the fact that they come with the stroller.
The insect net is extremely useful on hot summer days when mosquitoes are all wild. If you’ve dealt with a mosquito-bitten baby before, you know how fussy and uncomfortable they become. As for the rain cover, it protects your baby from getting wet during the winter, which is an ideal option to have if you love daily walks, even in the cold months.
The stroller is also compatible with an accessory called the PiggyBack, which is a ride-along board that can be attached to the back wheels. It’s meant to accommodate a toddler if they want to join in on the daily strolls without actually walking.
I personally think it’s a fantastic option to have if you have closely aged children because it’ll turn the stroller into a double easily. However, you should know that the PiggyBack doesn’t come in the package, so you’ll have to purchase it separately.
Another accessory you can purchase separately is the Uppababy travel bag. It’s a dream come true for wanderer parents, as it fits the stroller frame and seat and has a convenient inner bag for wheels.
For maximum convenience, the bag has exposed wheels so that you don’t carry it on your back the entire time. It also has a front luggage tag pocket to help you find it after a plane trip. To ensure high durability, the bag is manufactured from luggage-grade materials that can withstand the constant bumps on plane rides.
Best of all, if you register your Uppababy travel bag on their website, you become a member of the TravelSafe program. This program covers any damage that happens to your bag during air travel like insurance. Although it’s pretty pricey for a bag, this insurance alone makes it worth every penny.
Infant Car Seat Compatibility
The Cruz v2 stroller is compatible with many infant car seats from Uppababy, most famously the Mesa v2. The car seat directly attaches to the stroller without extra accessories. Meanwhile, other car seats require extra adapters, which cost more money.
If you buy the Mesa v2, you have yourself an entire travel system for your daily strolls, yearly trips, and overall life adventures.
Cleaning
The Uppababy stroller’s manual includes the recommended cleaning steps, and thankfully, they’re easy enough to follow. The best way to clean the frames is by using a damp cloth and a mild detergent. It’s crucial to avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasives because they cause the metal frame to rust.
As for the fabrics, they’re all removable for easy cleaning. Unfortunately, they aren’t washing machine-friendly, so you’ll have to hand wash them in cold water. If they get stained, clean them right away by spot cleaning using a damp cloth. The manufacturers don’t recommend ironing or dry cleaning the fabrics to extend their lifespan and keep them looking as good as new.
Warranty
The Cruz v2 stroller comes with a two-year limited warranty, and that’s not the best of it. If you register your stroller online at the Uppababy official website within the first three months of purchasing it, you get an extra year on your warranty.
That said, the warranty can’t be transferred, so if you buy the stroller from a third party, you won’t get to enjoy it. Also, it covers manufacturing defects only. If any accidents or damage happens to the stroller as a result of poor use, Uppababy won’t be able to help you.
Assembly
The Uppababy Cruz v2 stroller is extremely easy to assemble. All you have to do once you get it out of the package is attach the wheels and the canopy in their designated places. A detailed and easy-to-read manual comes with the stroller, so you’re all covered for the assembly steps.
The manual also includes instructions about how to adjust the handlebars, tighten the harness, recline the seat, and more.
Common Questions Asked by Parents?
Is the Uppababy Cruz v2 Stroller Suitable for Newborns?
Yes, the Cruz v2 stroller is suitable for newborns, but only if you buy the Infant SnugSeat or the bassinet with it. The original seat of the stroller is a bit reclined, so it won’t support your baby’s head and neck for the first few months of their lives on its own.
What Is the Difference Between the Cruz v2 and the Original Cruz?
The Cruz v2 has a larger storage basket and toddler seat with a deep footrest, which wasn’t available in the original Cruz. Also, the old model had suspension in the front wheels only and overall smaller tires.
Is the Uppababy Cruz v2 Suitable for Hiking and Rough Terrains?
The Uppababy Cruz v2 is designed mainly for these suburbs, so it might be a bit out of depth on rough terrains. As for hiking, it’s too heavy and bulky to take on a mountain. Also, its wheels aren’t designed to take such robust bumps for a long time.
What Is the Difference Between the Cruz v2 and the Vista v2?
The Vista v2 can be turned into a double stroller, as it takes two seats instead of one. It’s also heavier, has larger wheels, and is compatible with more accessories. Most importantly, it’s pricier than the Cruz v2 by a few hundred dollars. You can read more information about the Vista v2 in my Best Strollers for Babies and Toddlers guide.
The Final Verdict: Is the Uppababy Cruz v2 Stroller Worth Its Over-the-Top Price?
The Uppababy Cruz v2 stroller is one of the most luxurious strollers I’ve come across. Whether you’re prioritizing portability, convenience, or comfort, you’ll find them all in this stroller, but is it worth its price? Yes, I think it is. It can last with you for years without showing signs of wear and tear, and its height is adjustable to accommodate your child till they reach four or five years.
My favorite features are its padded seat with foot and leg rests and the mosquito net and rain cover that come with it. The only setback I count is it doesn’t come with a bassinet. Considering its hefty price, I think it should include more options for newborns.
If you’re still unsure about the features you should prioritize in a stroller, check out my How to Choose a Stroller guide.