A Review of the UPPAbaby Vista V2, by a Mother of Four

Choosing a stroller is one of the bigger decisions an expectant parent faces. With so many different models on the market, at a range of prices and all with different features, what’s the best way to figure out which one will work best for your family? The Vista V2 is a high-end stroller that gives baby a smooth ride and offers extras that parents will appreciate. Wondering if it’s right for you? Read on for an honest review from a mom of four.

Overview of the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Features

How We Tested the UPPAbaby Vista V2

To help you see how the UPPAbaby Vista might work for your family, we did the following:

• We asked Ralicia B., a mom of four (including a 2-month-old), to assemble the stroller and take it for test drives in a number of different situations, both as a single stroller and with the second seat attachment.
• We spoke with Natalie G., a senior editor at The Bump who regularly uses this stroller with her own child, for her input—as both a mom and a parenting expert.
• To see how this stroller worked for a variety of families, we conducted exhaustive market research, scouring forums and message boards and reading user reviews to find out what a broad range of parents liked—and didn’t like—about the Vista V2.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.

UPPAbaby Vista V2 Review

RaLicia, a mom of four, tested out the Vista V2 along with the UPPAbaby Mesa Max car seat (which is sold separately). She took the stroller for multiple test drives and evaluated it for ease of pushing and steering, folding and unfolding, ease of use, features, style and design and value for the money. Keep reading to find out what she thought and how she scored it in each category.

Ease of pushing and steering

“Strolling the stroller in single format on gravel was not difficult at all,” RaLicia reported. "On flat land, it was even easier. The wheels stayed on track and helped when trying to get through doors and small areas. The suspension was better than expected—it allowed me to roll the stroller up a rocky ramp.” This sentiment was echoed by Laura, a survey respondent and mother of an infant, who said, “The suspension is great—we live in a major city and the sidewalks aren’t always in the best condition or very wide. The UPPAbaby is smooth sailing over craggy concrete and in city parks.”

It is notable that one of the main draws for the Vista V2 is the single-to-double capability, and when used with two children, RaLicia found that the added weight made the maneuverability a bit less easy. “In double format it was a lot heavier to stroll around, because I did have a 40-pound toddler in with a 15-pound infant.”

While she said the wheels stayed on course and “didn’t cause any issues when strolling through the doors of stores or in an elevator,” she noted that she had to be careful when going up and down curbs. “I had to make sure not to tip them over when slightly lifting the stroller onto the curb in both single and double format.”

Rating: 5 out of 5

Folding and unfolding

Being able to fold a stroller quickly and efficiently is an important consideration, especially when you’ve got multiple kids in tow. Unfortunately, this was an area in which RaLicia was less impressed. “In both single and double format, I had to use both hands to figure out how to get it folded down,” she said. “I found it easier to fold in single format with the toddler seat [installed], and bring along the bassinet and car seat parts [separately].” This solution created new problems while running errands, though: extra attachments in the car meant less space for other supplies. “I couldn’t grocery shop how I usually would with the stroller and its parts in the vehicle,” said RaLicia. Also, “I disliked having to disassemble and assemble it in public because I did struggle a bit.”

Rating: 3 out of 5

Ease of use

Out of the box, it took RaLicia about 10 minutes to assemble the stroller in single format. “The instructions were in picture form and simple to follow,” she said. “I was able to get it right on the first try. I didn’t use the video because the picture directions were enough help.” When converting it to double format, she was confused at first but quickly figured it out. “I assumed that the bassinet part was going to be at the top, since the smaller child would be closer to the parent, but it was the opposite. Just a matter of pressing, aligning and listening for a click to secure it in single and double format.”

For parents who are using this stroller for the first time, she offered these tips: “The car seat was easy to click into the frame; you just have to hold the correct button to release it. But using it in double format requires attachments. The handlebar extends by a good amount, but I do wish it could extend a little farther for my partner because he’s much taller. My toddler got chocolate on the handlebar and the single seat, and it just took a wipe for me to clean it off."

Rating: 4 out of 5

Features

The Vista V2’s features impressed Ralicia, who praised the way the storage basket fit all of her and her four kids’ stuff perfectly. “Very spacious and sturdy!” she told us. Laura agreed, telling us, “The basket size is massive. I’ve been able to squeeze groceries and a full diaper bag in there—once during a rainstorm, I was even able to fit both my dogs (approximately 14 and 18 pounds each) in there and cover up everyone with the stroller rain shield til the storm passed.” RaLicia was also impressed with the hood, telling us, “the rain shield and the net attachments are perfect!” She said it offered more coverage than other strollers she’d tried. Natalie G., mom of one and senior editor at The Bump, agreed: “The attachments it comes with, like the rain cover and the bug cover, are useful and store easily,” she said. “The basket size is also perfect for a daylong outing when I might want to store various shopping bags, a lunch box, change of clothes and more into the stroller.”

Attaching the Mesa Max car seat to the stroller was simple and convenient, RaLicia said. “When baby fell asleep in the car seat I was able to detach the other seat and place the car seat right in the stroller—smooth transition!” RaLicia found the stroller as a whole to be extremely sleep friendly, in both the seat and the included bassinet. “Reclining was my toddler and infant’s favorite part of the single seat. It reclines almost into a lying down position, perfect for a quick nap while on a walk, and the bassinet is cushy and deep enough for a day nap. The fact that you can add the cover to the bassinet with the hood is perfect for me, I’m on the go all the time and my infant can still have a quiet, shielded place to get a good nap in and feel safe.”

Rating: 5 out of 5

Style and Design

The Vista V2’s “sleek and minimalist” look was a big hit with RaLicia. She appreciated the stroller’s simplicity, with “not too many compartments or extra parts to the frame.” She also liked the neutral colors and the material, which she said felt “expensive and durable.” Her one note? “I would like to see a cup holder or phone holder at the top handlebar.” Natalie echoed her sentiment: “I would love for this stroller to have come with a cup holder, because it’s been hard to find something online that does the job well.”

Rating: 5 out of 5

Value for money

The UPPAbaby Vista V2 is pricey, certainly. But is it worth it? RaLicia says yes. “For all the ways that the stroller can be used, it’s worth the expense,” she says. “Being able to use it in double format and multiple ways in single format gives you more flexibility than a regular stroller. It’s made with care and nice material that could last a few years and a few children. Not only that, the stroller does a nice job giving you a smooth stroll through narrow areas and rocky terrain.”

Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary

We asked RaLicia if she would recommend this stroller to others, and her verdict was unambiguous: “I would 100 percent recommend it to anyone who can afford it, especially if they have multiples,” she said. “This stroller will last them through the years. Parents that want to stroll in style and give their littles a comfortable ride: This stroller is the one!”

Average rating: 4.5 out of 5

More Thoughts from The Bump Community

Vista V2 users in The Bump community had some opinions on the stroller as well, offering some thoughts of their own:

Pros:

Cons:

*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.

About the writer:
A former commerce editor for Woman’s World and First for Women, Elizabeth has tested, reviewed and written about products ranging from e-bikes and adjustable beds to swimsuits and skincare products. She has two college-aged daughters and has steered multiple strollers over the years.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller Review From Mom of Two

The 10 Best Double Strollers for Your Twosome

The Best Strollers for Every Need, Tested and Loved by Parents