Uppababy Cruz v2 – A Three-month Review

After using and loving our Phil & Ted Voyager Double Convertible for the past two years, we have come to the realisation that we no longer need a double stroller. (See our posts on the Phil & Ted Voyager Review and Do You Really Need a Double Stroller?) We re-evaluated our needs and wants, and decided that an Uppababy Cruz v2 is a better fit for our current circumstances. After three months of daily use, here are what we thought are the good and the could be improved of this stroller.

THE GOOD

Sturdy mechanism

Uppababy has completely overhauled the mechanical design of the Cruz v2. Compares to the previous model Cruz, the Cruz v2 has a much more robust structure, four-wheel suspensions and larger wheels. The improvement brought the user experience to that on-par with the Vista, the brand’s highly acclaimed double convertible model.

Terrain handling

The Cruz v2 is not an off-road stroller, but it still handles uneven terrain competently. The suspensions performs well on both the (very) broken sidewalks of South Philly and the antique cobblestones of the Old City. Even dragging it up a few flights of stairs at the elevator-less subway stations seems comfortable enough for my child. The stroller frame did not rattle or become loose after encountering all these obstacles. We expect it to drive equally well in snowy condition in the winter. For single strollers, we believe only three-wheeled running strollers perform better in this area.

Huge Storage

Between the two candidates we have shortlisted, the Cruz v2 won out by its huge basket. We have been putting its 30lb carrying capacity to test on a daily basis. It allowed us to transport groceries, swimming gears, scooters, and all the necessary baby needs in one place. Also, the IKEA FRAKTA shopping bag fits perfectly in the basket. We use a zipper version of the bag as liner and it makes packing and unpacking the basket very easy.

Alternative Canopy

The Cruz v2 is compatible with the Bugaboo Breezy Sun Canopy! (Read the result of our experiment here) It saved my daughter’s skin, literally. During the hottest days in summer,  she refused to use other stroller canopy because they were too closed-in for her liking. FYI, all models of Uppababy Cruz and Vista from 2015 are compatible with the Bugaboo Breezy Sun Canopy.

THE COULD BE IMPROVED

Handle height

I loved that that the telescopic handle can be extended sufficiently for a child on a piggyback board to stand up. But my husband, who is 5′ 7″, found that the lowest setting of the handle is still too high for him to push the stroller comfortably. Lowering the handle bar by two to three inches would make the stroller much more shortie-friendly.

Rear Levering Point

Due to the excellent suspensions and the lack of a bar between the two rear wheels, I found it somewhat difficult to rear up the stroller just by pushing down on the handle. When popping curbs and going up stairs, I often have to step on the foot brake housing to lever the stroller up. This causes a lot of wears on the surface of the housing. It would be nice if Uppababy can include a specific paddle for levering purpose.

DO WE RECOMMEND IT?

YES! Absolutely. The Uppababy Cruz v2 had performed outstandingly as our everyday pack mule. Apart from a couple of very personal preferences, the Cruz v2 is top of its class in stability and performance. Although the retail price can seems a bit steep, with a little patient and strategic shopping, we were able to acquire ours at a considerably discounted price. (Read our post on Strategic Shopping for Parents) Uppababy has an excellent track record on product longevity and customer service. The Uppababy Cruz v2 should therefore be considered seriously by anyone who is looking for a full-size single stroller.