The UPPAbaby Vista and the UPPAbaby Cruz are two of the highest quality strollers available. Both are priced at the top end of the market and if you can understand the differences between the two you can get the best value for your money.
There are differences in capacity, function, and of course price (one is much cheaper than the other!). But both are stylish, smooth, and will last you years.
In this post we will compare a number of key areas of performance items, expansion options, and the type of family who would be best suited to the Vista and the Cruz model strollers so you can buy with confidence.
UPPAbaby Vista vs Cruz: Quick Summary
If you wanted to skip over the detailed reviews we can sum up the differences between these two premium strollers below, plus a high-level table so you can compare the basics plus price:
- Vista V2 – This is a bigger stroller with the capacity to accomodate two seats. Ideal for the growing family.
- Cruz V2 – Light and compact single stroller design available at a cheaper price.
UPPAbaby Vista vs Cruz Performance Comparison
We will kick off with eight performance areas where we directly compare the UPPAbaby Vista V2 vs the UPPAbaby Cruz V2.
You can then count which ones are most important to you and your lifestyle to help you select the right stroller for you.
All of our ratings are subjective so you may not agree with which one is the top selection for each area. So we have explained our reasoning in detail to help provide context around the selection.
Value for Money
The UPPAbaby Vista stroller is much more expensive than Cruz. The price is around 50% more than the UPPAbaby Cruz, depending on where and when you purchase it.
However, you have the capacity for two children with the Vista. On a per child basis this makes the Vista is cheaper and if you choose to upgrade with the Piggyback board you can accommodate a third child for just over a hundred bucks – bringing your per child cost down further.
Of course, if you only have one child then you don’t need any of this and the cheaper Cruz will do just fine.
Size of Frame and Design
The UPPAbaby Cruz is compact and easy to maneuver in tight places, while the UPPAbaby Vista V2 is a larger stroller overall.
The Vista is about half an inch taller, 1.5 inches longer, and nearly 3 inches wider than the Cruz. This is what allows it to fit that extra seat.
The size difference likely won’t bother you much in open spaces. It can get uncomfortable when you turn the stroller around in tight supermarket aisles or when making your way through crowds. In these situations, the Cruz comes up on top.
However, comparing the Vista’s size to the Cruz can be deceiving because they have such a different purpose. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 is essentially a versatile double stroller, and when you compare it to other double strollers, you really notice how smart this design is.
While the UPPAbaby Vista stroller is bigger than the Cruz, it’s nowhere near as large and difficult to handle as a side-by-side stroller you can buy from other brands.
Also, the fact that you can turn both stroller seats around, recline them in numerous positions and switch them for different seats sets the Vista apart. That’s why the Vista is the stroller with the smarter design of the two.
Storage Basket Size
The larger frame of the UPPAbaby Vista provides room for a bigger storage basket than the Cruz. However, both storage baskets have the same weight allowance of 30 pounds. They also both have built-in pockets.
The Vista’s storage basket opening is extra-wide, so you won’t have trouble when reaching for your baby wipes or snacks on the stroller. Overall, both of these strollers are nearly equal, with the Vista having a slight advantage.
Folding
The folding mechanism is the same on the Vista and Cruz—and about as easy as it can get. You should be able to do it with one hand, which comes in handy when you are dealing with young children!
Both the Vista and Cruz can also stand upright when folded for easy storage.
The only differences worth mentioning are the folded size of each stroller model. The Cruz is 0.8″ thinner, and 2.9″ skinnier when folded up:
- Cruz: 16.5 x 22.8 x 33
- Vista: 17.3 x 25.7 x 33
So if you have limited storage space at home, or in the trunk of your car, then the Cruz is the top pick here.
Stroller Weight
Given what we have learned so far about each stroller design it should come as no surprise that the Cruz is the lighter stroller model. This is black and white (25lbs vs 27lbs) – but the difference is negligible and for most parents, a couple of pounds is less important than what performance you get for those extra lbs.
An interesting stat is that the V1 models of each of these strollers were lighter (Vista 0.4 lbs, Cruz 3.9 lbs).
Only the Cruz V2 is noticeably heavier. But the improved all-wheel suspension and larger tires on the Cruz and Vista V2 are worth the extra weight.
Stroller Capacity
The weight limit for your kids on both strollers depends on the seat configuration you go for. The single seat that both models have in common can hold up to 50 pounds.
The bassinet included with the Vista has a maximum weight allowance of 20 pounds. This limit is driven by the bassinet rather than the stroller frame reaching capacity though.
If you opt for the Rumble Seat addition to the UPPAbaby Vista you will also be able to fit a 35-pound toddler on your stroller. You don’t have this option for the Cruz and can only add to the total capacity through the stroller board add-on.
Features and Add-Ons
There are two differences here that put the Vista on top. The first is the included extras, and the second is the optional extra purchases for your stroller.
The Vista comes with a bassinet included. The Cruz does not.
The following is a list of optional extras you can purchase to expand the capacity or capability of your UPPAbaby stroller. They are entirely optional but handy to know that your stroller can be configured in so many different ways with these add-ons:
- Rumble Seat – Additional toddler seat. Only the Vista has the capacity for this.
- MESA Infant Car Seat – Compatible with UPPAbaby strollers if you want to use as a travel system.
- Piggyback Board – Stroller board that allows you to use as a sit and stand stroller with one child standing up.
- Bassinet – You will need this for the Cruz if you want to use with a newborn, and for the Vista if you have twins!
There are some useful extra features that are lacking on both these strollers—the cup holders and snack trays. UPPAbaby sells these separately, and they are adaptable between the different Vista and Cruz stroller models.
Wheels and Tires
With a larger stroller, you need larger wheels because of the added weight. The UPPAbaby Vista has a larger wheel diameter by about 1 inch on the front wheels and 1.5 inches on the back wheels.
This ensures a smooth ride and makes it easier to roll over rocks and rough terrain without transferring the impact to your arms and your toddler. The trade-off is the extra weight and size when folded – which we covered earlier.
The larger wheels of the Vista provide the best experience on more challenging surfaces. If you are only using around the neighborhood this may not matter to you at all, and the difference between the two strollers would minimal.
As for quality, both models have softer tires and full-wheel suspension in the V2 updated products. They are both light to push around and don’t go flat easily. This ensures many years of reliable use in the future.
Individual Stroller Reviews
Now that you have seen how they compare, we wanted to give you a more detailed review if you still had questions about each stroller’s performance.
UPPAbaby Vista V2 – Stroller Review
Quick stats:
- Seats: Toddler Seat + Bassinet
- Dimensions (“): 37 x 25.7 x 39.5
- Folded (“): 17.3 x 25.7 x 33
- Weight: 27 lbs (bassinet 8.8 lbs)
- Weight limit: 50 lbs + 20 lbs in bassinet
- Storage Basket: 30 lbs
Extra Purchases:
- Rumble Seat
- MESA Infant Car Seat
- Piggyback Board
- 2nd Bassinet
The UPPAbaby Vista V2 is an amazingly versatile stroller, made for families with growing needs who may need to add a second seat. It’s ideal for parents of a toddler who are expecting a new baby or families with three kids of different ages.
The new UPPAbaby Vista V2 includes an improved seat that sits deeper for maximum comfort. The extendable canopy is also bigger, and the wheels are softer and come with full suspension on all tires. This means you’ll get softer rides that don’t tire out your arms as much or bother your baby.
The UPPAbaby Vista stroller is amazingly versatile, with plenty of different seating options. It comes with a toddler seat and a bassinet that’s ideal for a newborn baby, and you can switch the seating configuration any way you want.
The bassinet is ideal for newborn transportation because you’ll be able to keep your baby fully reclined. They’ll be able to breathe better while lying safely on their back in a bassinet rather than an infant car seat. It’s also safe to use overnight, so if you’re visiting family, it’s great to have this kind of versatile solution at hand.
If you have twin newborn babies, you can buy another bassinet and fit them both on the stroller. You can also fit the UPPAbaby MESA car seat directly on it without needing an adapter if you want to use as a travel system.
When your toddler seat is in use, and your baby is old enough to advance from the bassinet, you can replace it with the UPPAbaby Rumble Seat. With a third child, you can add the UPPAbaby Piggyback platform to the back section to stand on.
The stroller is big and long, but when you consider it’s essentially a double stroller it’s not too bad.
Pros
- Large wheels
- Newborn bassinet included
- Versatile seating options.
- Compatible with many infant car seats
- Adjustable handle*
Cons
- More expensive
- Large and heavy to maneuver
UPPAbaby Cruz V2 – Stroller Review
Quick stats:
- Seats: Toddler Seat
- Dimensions (“): 37.5 x 22.8 x 40.5
- Folded (“): 16.5 x 22.8 x 33
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Weight limit: 50 lbs
- Storage Basket: 30 lbs
Extra Purchases:
- Bassinet
- MESA Infant Car Seat
- Piggyback Board
The UPPAbaby Cruz is a great pick for parents of just one baby or toddler. It’s also a great option for those who have a baby and one older sibling who already mostly walks on their own.
The Cruz is a relatively lightweight, sturdy, and good-looking stroller that comes with one toddler seat and adaptability for a bassinet or an infant car seat. You can use the seat with your baby from 3 months to a maximum weight of 50 pounds.
You also have the Piggyback option for the Cruz V2, so you can give your bigger kid a rest from walking when they get tired. Kids love this option because it makes them feel more independent to ride standing up in the back with adults.
The UPPAbaby Cruz has also had an update that improved the wheels, making them softer and adding all-wheel suspension. However, these little fixes have made the Cruz V2 more expensive and slightly heavier, at 25 pounds compared to the previous version’s 21.5 pounds.
The Cruz stroller also comes with an improved, extendable canopy with a rain and bug shield, so you can spend the day outside and protect your kids.
The basket is not as gigantic as the one on UPPAbaby Vista, but it’s still massive compared to most other strollers. The new Cruz V2 also includes small mesh pockets in the storage area, so it’s easier to keep your things organized.
Pros
- Easy to maneuver.
- Compatible with infant car seats and bassinets.
- Reclinable.
- Comes with a rain and bug shield.
- Lower price than the Vista.
Cons
- Not for newborn babies unless you buy a bassinet or adapter.
- The new Cruz V2 is no longer a truly lightweight stroller.
Who is Best Suited to These Strollers?
Buy the UPPAbaby Vista if you have at least one child and plan on having more! It is a stroller that can grow with your family with the optional add-ons allowing you to add a seat or bassinet when you need it.
You can even push it to three children if the age gap is enough for the oldest to ride on the piggyback platform at the rear of the stroller (if you want to be pushing three kids!!).
Buy the Cruz if you have one child and do not plan on having any more for at least 2-3 years. The piggyback platform allows you to use the same sit and stand stroller setup but the child standing at the back must be strong enough to do so.
You can also stick to the Cruz if you are on a tighter budget and want the best possible stroller for your money.
Car Seat Compatibility
Both strollers are compatible with the UPPAbaby MESA car seat.
You can use them with some other car seat models as well. We hesitate to name them all as they are not intended to be a universally compatible.
If you want to be certain that you have the right fit and have confidence in safe use then we recommend the MESA car seat only.
The Verdict
The UPPAbaby Vista won our performance comparison vs the Cruz, but what you value in a stroller will differ from us.
You can be confident with both of these strollers that you are getting a high quality quality product that will last you many years. The more important questions are whether it can accommodate your growing family, has the configurations you require, and whether you can lift the weight of the stroller as needed.
We loved the versatility of the Vista and regard the option to add a second seat as critical for a higher-priced stroller. This ensures you have the option to upgrade without having to buy a whole other stroller. You can even get three kids on if you need which was a cherry on top in our opinion.
If you have one child and do not intend on having another one then the Cruz is adequate and the cheaper option for you.
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