UPPAbaby Vista v2 Review

American-born UPPAbaby is a family-run company with more than ten combined years in the juvenile industry. They find inspiration in everyday life with a goal for product improvement for convenience, usability, and style. UPPAbaby's lineup of products includes the award-winning UPPAbaby Mesa infant car seat and various stroller types, including some of our favorite umbrella strollers, full-size, and more. A few UPPAbaby products appear in our strollers review.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The Vista v2 is extremely easy to use, earning impressive results during our testing.

Fold and Unfold

The Vista v2 folds with one hand, automatically locks closed, and self-stands.

The handlebar has a hard plastic bump to sit on the floor that helps protect the leather-wrapped bar from damage. It doesn't have a carry strap or handle, which is a bummer given the size. It takes two hands to unfold, but neither process is challenging.

Brakes

The Vista v2 has single-action brakes that work well with no issues during testing.

The brake pedals are well-placed and easy to set or release no matter what footwear you're wearing. The design is press to set and press again to release.

Storage

The storage bin on the Vista is something to behold with a maximum capacity of 30 lbs.

This very large bin is easy to access from most sides and will hold almost anything you need for a day on the town with little ones. The inside of the bin has internal pockets to help keep things organized.

Sunshade

The Vista v2 canopy is one of the largest we've ever seen, with a zippered extension and peek-a-boo windows with covers that stay in place without closures.

We like the useful peek-a-boo window and the mesh ventilation for traveling on hot days. This canopy covers almost down to the passenger's knees when fully extended.

Harness

The buckle on the Vista is all UPPAbaby and operates smoothly.

The new 5-point harness has infinite adjustment possibilities, with the shoulder straps sliding up and down straps on the seatback, making fitting easier than the previous re-thread version. We really like the new design and think parents will too.

Seat

The seat recline on the Vista v2 is a one-handed operation that works well for lowering and raising, even with a little one in the seat.

The back reclines virtually flat, and the leg rest also adjusts to create a cozy place for napping. The seat can face forward or back toward the pusher.

Expandability

The Vista 2 expands with room for three using additional seating and riding board sold separately. Using the UPPAbaby Lower Adapter, this stroller works with two UPPAbaby Mesa infant car seats or two bassinets, making it an optimum solution for twins. The Vista 2 also works as a double stroller using the RumbleSeat. For more legroom between seats, the UPPAbaby Upper Adapter and Lower Adapter keep kids comfortable. For an older sibling, the PiggyBack riding board provides the ability to ride or walk.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Vista 2 is compatible with the UPPAbaby Mesa, an award-winning car seat that is stylish and easy to use. The Vista can work with two infant car seats at the same time, setting it apart from much of the double competition. In our tests, the seat connects easily and feels stable.

You can pair the Chicco KeyFit 30 infant car seat with the Vista by purchasing the UPPAbaby Vista/Cruz Infant Car Seat Adapter for Chicco. This connection was also straightforward, but the cost of the adapter plus the Chicco seat is almost the same as the Mesa, with no adapters required.

With the purchase of adapters, you can combine your Vista 2 with some infant car seats from Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex.

Ease of Setup

The Vista has a similar assembly to the Cruz, with only a few parts to snap into place. This stroller took us about five minutes from start to finish if you don't include the bassinet. The bassinet adds about 5 minutes more.

Maneuverability

The Vista v2 has no-flat rubber tires that are beefier than those of the full-size competition. These tires are paired with larger wheels and new suspension to make for relatively good maneuverability in most situations.

This stroller pushes and turns on paved surfaces without a hiccup. It is bigger than some of the competition, but it still manages smaller spaces fairly well, though not as well as 3-wheel designs found on the joggers. It traverses bumps and flooring changes with ease.

Over rougher terrain and places off the beaten path, this stroller still fares better than strollers with plastic wheels. While not a top-ranked jogging stroller suitable for off-roading, it will move over grass and gravel you find at the park or a greenbelt without trouble. If you regularly hit the gravel paths for hiking or running, this is not the right option for you, or at least it shouldn't be your only stroller.

The handlebar on the Vista has a telescoping adjustment that moves smoothly and has no wiggle or flex. This feature is convenient for parents who vary significantly in height, helps reduce fatigue from pushing, and makes the stroller easier to push and turn.

Weight and Folded Size

The Vista v2 has put on a little weight since its last inception with a total weight with one seat in place of 27 lbs. Only a handful of competitors weigh more in this review, but in fairness, all of the options that accept two seats run heavier.

At 14,157 cubic inches when folded, the Vista 2 is not very compact either, though there are a handful of options that run larger. Its overall size and weight could be factors for anyone who has trouble lifting heavy or cumbersome items and if your trunk space is small.

Quality

The Vista v2 is on par with other high-quality UPPAbaby products we've reviewed. This stroller offers impressive attention to detail and nicer materials than most of the competition in our tests.

The frame is solid and sturdy, with a rigid feel that neither sways nor flexes. It has a stiff telescoping handlebar that places taller pushes further from the axle, which is a design we favor to avoid kicking the rear wheels while strolling.

The overall fit and finish look feel more expensive than it is, and the construction seems like it will last long after your strolling years are behind you. In side-by-side comparisons, it is easy to see why the Vista v2 has one of the highest test results for quality.

Accessories

If you want to outfit and customize the Vista, UPPAbaby offers a large variety of potential add-ons to make life easier:

• The UPPAbaby RumbleSeat-- The Rumble seat is a slightly smaller second seat to turn your Vista into a two-seater.
• UPPAbaby Bassinet — A bassinet is standard with the Vista v2 purchase, but if you have twins, you might consider buying an additional bassinet. UPPAbaby also offers a bassinet stand to smoothly transfer little ones who are sleeping, and the stand can turn into a hamper when the bassinet stage is over.
• UPPAbaby Cup Holder — If you love the Vista but long for a cup holder, they do offer a holder for folks like you. The holder attaches to the stroller frame for easy access, and the placements mean potentially fewer items falling onto your baby.
• UPPAbaby snack tray — The snack tray for older toddlers brings snacks and treasures closer for entertainment and snack storage. While smaller babies won't be able to reach the tray, older toddlers may enjoy the responsibility of keeping their own things nearby.

Should You Buy the UPPAbaby Vista v2?

If you have no budget limitations, are expecting multiples, or have a large family and appreciate the various accessories for stroller customization, the UPPAbaby Vista v2 is a one-of-a-kind strolling machine that will bring luxury and happiness to your family.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

The UPPAbaby also makes the UPPAbaby Cruz v2, which is an award-winning full-size stroller for one. If you don't need more than one seat, the Cruz may be a better choice for you. Also, if you regularly hit the gravel paths for hiking or running, this is not the right option for you, or at least it shouldn't be your only stroller. We suggest checking out the Thule Urban Glide 2, as well as our best double stroller review for other options.

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