UPPAbaby Cruz Stroller Review

Another popular model from UPPAbaby is Cruz. While having a lot of the features of the full-size stroller, it’s lighter, has a smaller footprint, and has a more compact fold.

This model is somewhere in between a Vista and a G-Luxe. On one hand, it has a reversible roomy seat with a large canopy like the Vista model, but on the other hand, the wheels are much smaller.

The good news is that while you will definitely need to buy a lighter stroller if you have Vista, with the Cruz model it could be your ONLY stroller.

The Cruz got a lot of small updates in 2017 like:

• like higher-quality fabric on a sunshade,
• improved material of the pop-out sunvisor,
• the sunvisor locks better in place when you bring it up and down,
• the solid polyurethane wheels instead of hard rubber,
• real leather option for the handlebar and bumper bar,
• new auto lock or you can call it ‘folding clasp’ that holds the stroller together once it’s folded

For 2018 they’ve only added a real weather handlebar and bumper bar to all of the colors and added new colors. That’s it. Everything else stayed the same.

It still has a roomy seat, adjustable handlebar, huge canopy with pop-out sunvisor, included a swing-away bumper bar, adjustable leg rest, huge basket, one-hand lever recline, and intuitive easy fold.

You can convert it into a travel system by replacing the seat with an infant car seat or a pram by replacing it with a bassinet (sold separately). It works with popular car seats like UPPAbaby Mesa, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex.

It comes in seven beautiful colors and can be purchased for around $499 depending on the color. As you know I am a big fan of UPPAbaby because of its stylish and high-quality products.

So it’s not surprising Cruz 2018 model has made it to my ‘Top 20 Best Strollers’ list for the second year in a row.

Buy UPPAbaby Cruz 2018 Stroller »

Features

CANOPY

Just like on previous models, the canopy provides plenty of shade. The new redesigned pop-out sunvisor is made out of woven fabric that won’t wrinkle as much, but it’s still UPF 50+.

It drops down all the way to the bumper bar shielding your child from harmful UV rays. The canopy locks nicely in place when you slide it up and down to accommodate your growing child. I like the ability to adjust the canopy up and down on the frame. Not many strollers have that option.

HANDLEBAR

It is a telescoping handlebar that can be easily adjusted by pressing a button in the middle of the handle and pulling it out. It extends from 40″ up to 43″ from the ground. Great for shorter and taller parents. It has a real leather cover that is REACH certified meeting EU requirements for chemical testing.

To avoid tipping the stroller backward, hang your diaper bag on the frame using stroller hooks. You can also use it to hang your water bottle or shopping bags.

SEAT

The seat is 12″ wide with a 20″ seat back and a measurement of 20″ – 22″ from the bottom of the seat to the top of the canopy.  The canopy slides up and down the frame so you can get 2″ more inches to accommodate an older child.

It has a deep one-hand lever recline with 5 positions including a flat one that is suitable for a newborn. I would recommend getting an infant insert for better support.

I love how upright the seat is! A lot of kids, like my daughter Sophia, hate to be reclined and want to sit upright with an unobstructed view. The seat material is easily removable and can be machine-washed! The seat can accommodate a child from birth and up to 50 lbs.

SEAT

The seat is reversible so your child can face you or the world. All you need to do is push two buttons on both sides of the seat, swing it around, and plug it back in.

It has the same recline positions in parent-facing mode, but you have to switch it back to fold the stroller.

 

HARNESS

It has an adjustable padded 5-point harness with a center release button. The button is very easy to unlock (your 2-year-old will be able to escape). The buckle is very easy to lock together and it’s NOT a puzzle piece like on many other strollers.

BUMPER BAR

It’s a swing-away removable bumper bar that is covered with real leather on all the colors.

PREMIUM MATERIALS

I wanted to say a few words about textiles and leather accents. As I’ve mentioned above, for 2018 all of the colors come with real leather-covered handlebars and bumper bars.

It’s 100% full-grain leather that offers far more breathability, flexibility, and durability than any faux leather on the market such as vinyl, vegan, or “protein” leather.

The leather on the handlebar is hand-sewn and given a perforated pattern for extra grip while pushing the baby. The bumper bar leather is embossed for added resiliency which makes it easy to clean.

Also, on Gregory color, you can find premium fabrics that are made out of revolutionary weaving technique blends which are soft and comfortable yet still robust.

For older models, you have the option of purchasing a zip-on leather bumper bar and handlebar. They easily zip over existing bars on Vista and Cruz.

FOOTREST

The are two footrests: one is part of the seat for smaller babies and another one is a part of the frame for older children. The seat leg rest is 10″ high and is adjustable. The frame footrest is not adjustable.

BASKET

I LOVE this x-large basket! It is very easy to access from the back and you can load it up to  25 lbs. Your largest diaper bag will fit without a problem.

For even more storage I would recommend getting a universal stroller organizer. That way you can take not only your coffee cup, but also a LOT of stuff including keys, phone, water, wallet, snacks, diapers, toys, and more. The amount of stuff it can fit is unbelievable.

WHEELS

The 2018 Cruz rolls on four solid polyurethane wheels that mimic air-filled tires, but will never go flat. It has 6.5″ front wheels and 8.25″ rear wheels. The front wheels are swivel but can be locked straight for rougher terrain.

These are medium-sized wheels that can handle some mommy terrain like grass or playground mulch but don’t plan on going off-road with it.

BRAKE

The is a one-step parking brake located in between the rear wheels. It is a flip-flop-friendly pedal that is easy to lock and unlock without scratching your shoes.

FOLD

It’s a two-hand two-step fold although they are saying it is a one-step fold on the website. I guess it is one step if your seat and the canopy are in the right position and are facing forward.

First, make sure the seat is facing forward and is in an upright position. Next, pull two levers located on both sides of the handlebar and fold the stroller in half. That’s it!

You can also take the seat off before folding. It does have an automatic lock and a standing fold. The Cruz is not a very compact stroller with folded dimensions of 22.3”W x 17”L x 36”H (with the seat attached).

I think that the bulkiness is the BIGGEST con of this stroller because a lot of other strollers with even bigger wheels have a much more compact fold.

TRAVEL SYSTEM OPTION

You can convert it into a travel system by replacing the seat with an infant car seat. It works with popular car seats like UPPAbaby Mesa, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex.

BASSINET OPTION

It plugs right into the frame instead of the seat. I am absolutely in LOVE with this bassinet. I think I can write a whole review just about this bassinet.

Don’t worry, I will try to contain myself. The bassinet weighs 8.4 lbs and is designed for a baby from birth and up to 20 lbs. The cool thing about this bassinet is that it’s deep enough for you to use at home for overnight sleeping. Great extra bed for your baby!

The large canopy unzips in the back exposing a dark mesh that allows for better air flow. While keeping your baby cool and comfortable, the dark mesh also provides sun protection.

To provide your baby with even more sun protection there is a large pop-out SPF 50+ sunvisor that has been upgraded for 2017 and now is made out of better quality wrinkle-resistant material. Just like on the seat, the sunvisor locks in place much better than before.

 

The perforated mattress pad and vented base allow for added breathability. The mattress inside is very soft and is made out of organic material. I like the water-repellent inner liner that keeps the space dry and comfortable because let’s face it, these little cuties throw up and spill things all the time!

Add to it diaper disasters and you will never get it out. The trow-ups are the worst. It takes me sometimes three times to get the smell out. Oh, that smell… Moving on. The liner and boot cover is very easy to remove for cleaning.

The mattress cover and the zip-out liner are machine washable. This bassinet folds down for compact transportation. The bassinet comes with a bug net and bassinet storage bag. You can purchase a rain cover for the bassinet separately.

INFANT INSERT OPTION

If you want to use Cruz from birth but don’t want to buy the bassinet, you can get an Infat Snug Seat which goes into a fully reclined seat and can be used from birth. This insert provides extra comfort and stability for your baby’s neck and back.

Cons

-Bulky. The fold on Cruz is a little bulkier than I would like for a lightweight stroller.

-No suspension. Unlike Vista which has an all-wheel suspension, Cruz has no suspension.

Specs

Stroller weight: 21.5 lbs (frame + seat)
Weight limit: 50 lbs
Folded dimensions: 22.3”W x 17”L x 36”H (with the seat)
Handle bar height: 40.5″ – 43″
Seat to canopy height: 21″ – 23″
Rear wheels: 8.5″
Front wheels: 6.4″
Overall length: 37″
Overall width: 22.3″

Video Overview

Here is a video overview of the 2018 model.

Warranty

UPPAbaby has a 3-year warranty from the original date of purchase and you have to be the original owner. Here is more information on the warranty.

Available colors

The UPPAbaby Cruz is available in eight different colors: Jake, Denny, Taylor, Emmett, Jordan, Gregory, Loic, Taylor, and Sabrina. While most of the models have silver frames, Jake comes with the black one.

Where to buy it

You can get UPPAbaby Cruz 2018 in one of the eight beautiful colors for around $499 depending on the color. It comes with a bumper bar. You can also convert it into a pram with the purchase of a bassinet.

Buy UPPAbaby Cruz 2018 Stroller »