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Meet the UPPAbaby CRUZ stroller, the “little sister” to the UPPAbaby VISTA’s “big brother.” Crowded streets? Not a problem. Busy shopping malls? The CRUZ will handle the Black Friday shopping season with ease. It’s sturdy, comfortable, and as well-built as the VISTA. At 25.5 lbs, it’s suitable for little ones 3 months to 50 pounds (which means you’re going to be able to use this for quite a while).
The CRUZ comes with very similar features to those found on the UPPAbaby VISTA: an all-wheel, independent suspension system; a five-point, no-rethread harness; an adjustable handlebar; a five-point, no-rethread harness; a full-size reversible toddler seat; an extendable canopy with UPF 50+ protection; and an extra-large basket that can hold up to 30 pounds. It’s awesome.
The CRUZ delivers the same tremendous construction quality and head-turning fashions without sacrificing any safety, but is designed for parents who aren’t planning on having a big family--the big difference between the CRUZ V2 and VISTA V2 is VISTA’s ability to scale up to transporting three children at one time, while the CRUZ is quite happy with just one child all of the time (although technically you can transport two children on the CRUZ with the PiggyBack Board attachment). The MESA infant car seat still attaches to the CRUZ (just like the VISTA) and makes for one remarkably lightweight and complete travel system.
Beyond the ability to grow with your family size, the CRUZ and the VISTA are honestly rather hard to tell apart from each other--unless there’s a price tag attached. The CRUZ notably costs less, and it’s slightly smaller and lighter than the VISTA. So for parents who are looking for a little more maneuverability with less cost, the CRUZ may be the ideal way to go. For those looking forward to a larger family ahead, the VISTA is the ideal solution. Both strollers are very well-built.
When it comes to the V2, the stroller folds into a more compact fold when compared to the original CRUZ. One would think that means that this stroller is a little smaller than the original, but ironically the stroller is bigger; it is just the fold that is more compact. The CRUZ V2 seat has a higher back, a longer leg rest, and a deeper footrest. So it’s this extra-comfortable stroller that still folds up smaller than ever before--perfect for getting in and out of the car.
UPPAbaby has taken the CRUZ, with its front-wheel suspension, and added both dual-action and rear suspension for the CRUZ V2. What does this mean? Simply, it’s an even more enjoyable “push” that you can take on many types of terrain. While many strollers do well in an uncrowded mall, trying to navigate a stroller through a crowded pumpkin farm or an outdoor concert is a different feat. That’s where UPPAbaby’s new suspension comes into play--this is pretty much a go-anywhere stroller.
UPPAbaby has updated their canopy to an extra-fabric, zippable canopy that’s bigger than the previous model, as well as better ventilated (two windows). It’s SPF 50+, as you’d expect.
Just like the VISTA V2, the CRUZ has been updated to use softer tires. The softer tires provide better grip on the surfaces on which they travel, thus making it easier to push, pull, and turn the stroller.
The CRUZ V2 is a user-friendly stroller with the ability to enter into an UPPAbaby bassinet/MESA travel system with ease. If a parent would rather not enter into a travel system, UPPAbaby makes an insert so the CRUZ is ready to go from birth to three months, and then beyond without the insert. But what really matters here is just how easy it is to navigate with the CRUZ, even with the bassinet attached. It’s smooth. It’s deftly maneuverable. And when it comes time to jump into a cab, the one-hand fold makes this stroller “trunk-ready” in seconds.
Furthermore, the CRUZ does have an uncanny ability to continue to look brand new regardless of the constant wear and tear a parent may expose it to. It’s not made out of adamantium, but it’s easy to see how one could think that it was.
In the end, a stroller that is big on safety, the “it” fashion for many celebrity mommies, and wonderfully easy to use is going to be high on any parent’s list. If your budget allows, this is one of the premiere strollers of the 2020s.
The UPPAbaby MESA car seat also pairs with the CRUZ stroller to create a super-convenient travel system that is both luxurious and safe. If you have a different car seat, it’s possible that you can still use that seat with the UPPAbaby CRUZ to create a travel system. There are adapters for car seats from Chicco, Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex available.
There is an advantage that new parents do not quite understand--sleeping babies are worth their weight in gold. Being able to simply pull out the car seat and snap it securely into the stroller (or to unfasten the seat from the stroller and put it into the car) without disturbing a sleeping baby is truly bliss.
For those who do not have a travel system in place, the parents simply unfasten the child and lift them up into their arms and move them into the car seat. This will likely disrupt the child’s sleep. If you do not like to be woken up, imagine how it feels to one who is less able to regulate their emotions. Thus, this movement from car seat to stroller or stroller to car seat usually will incur a bout of crying, up the crankiness, and remove all possibility of relaxing on the drive home.
Our recommendation is that the MESA is a great complement to the CRUZ or VISTA, and if you have the foresight to plan yourself into a travel system, most certainly do so.
UPPAbaby products meet the most stringent industry standards required by the Juvenile Product Manufacturing Association (JPMA) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Even with a notably lightweight frame, the stroller is sturdy.
The CRUZ is suitable for children from 3 months to 50 lbs. It can be used from birth with the Infant SnugSeat accessory or with the UPPAbaby Bassinet option (not included). It has five recline positions, the seat is reversible, and for a larger child approaching toddler status, it’s quite comfortable.
While many first-time parents tough-out the challenges between car seats and strollers, once those parents get a little experience, they quickly realize the pure simplicity of having a travel system instead of inserting and removing a child between car seat and stroller. The CRUZ makes for a great travel system with the UPPAbaby MESA and Bassinet, and it can use adapters to also form a travel system with car seats from Maxi-Cosi®, Nuna®, Cybex®, and Chicco®.
If you’re thinking about entering the UPPAbaby world and don’t plan on having more children in the future, this is your stroller. If this is your first child and you know more are on the way, the VISTA is made for you. Both strollers are very similar, and both are built with the same remarkable UPPAbaby standards that have made their baby gear so desirable.
