UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double Review

American-born, UPPAbaby has more than ten years of juvenile product experience. The company gets inspiration from everyday family experiences; they seek opportunities to create better products that are easier to use, safer, or more fun. UPPAbaby makes multiple types of strollers and an infant car seat (the UPPAbaby Mesa).

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The Vista v2 is one of the easiest double strollers to use daily. Our testing consists of multiple tests within a test metric result. The overall score for any metric is comprised of multiple smaller test results weighted by importance to most new parents. Below, we offer additional detailed test results in the form of charts for easier side-by-side comparisons.

Fold and Unfold

If you've ever tried to fold an unfamiliar stroller, you'll know why folding makes up 25% of the total overall ease of use score.

The Vista v2 is a two-handed fold for frame release, and you need to bend to finish the fold. The process includes two steps, automatically locks (above right) and self-stands. The handlebar needs to be at the right height to stand, and if you aren't careful, the second seat can get caught in the basket. The Vista v2 unfolding is straightforward with two steps and requires two hands. There is no carry handle or strap.

Brakes

Brake performance and ease of use is 5% of the total score for this metric.

This stroller includes single-action brakes that are press to set and release, making them friendly for all kinds of footwear. The pedal is color-coded, so you know at a glance if the stroller is parked or not.

Storage

You'll need the most storage possible when lugging supplies for two, so we weighted storage as 20% of the final ease of use score.

You won't find better storage than that on the Vista v2. With a weight limit of 30 lbs and space galore, you can easily fit supplies for two inside. Bin access is wide open from all angles, making it easy to get supplies in and out from almost any side. It also sports two inside basket pockets to keep you organized.

Sunshade

To keep passenger comfortable and out of the elements, the performance of the sunshades are important. It contributes 15% of the total ease of use result.

The Vista v2 sunshades (above left) are virtually perfect with medium peek-a-boo windows (above middle), optional ventilation, and a zippered extension panel (above right). The canopies both extend past the knees of toddlers using the extension, and the height is somewhat adjustable.

Harness

Buckling in a tantrum toddler will give you an idea of why the harness test results are 10% of the total score.

Each toddler seat on the Vista v2 has a 5-point harness that is easy to use and adjust for a good fit. Shoulder straps are non-rethread and slide on a strap, making adjustments quick and straightforward compared to the rethread style. This method gives you infinite height options for a custom fit. The buckle is a standard UPPAbaby and easy to use even one-handed. You'll find the same buckle on the single full-size UPPAbaby Cruz v2.

Seat

The Vista v2 offers similar seating features and functionality for both toddler seats. These include adjustable legs and footrests. The footrest moves up and down, and the angle on the leg rest can be altered.

The Vista v2 has a push-button recline adjustment that is easy to lower and raise with one hand. The back seat has more recline angle options, but both offer enough for comfortable napping. Purchasing both sets of seat adapters will give you more space and room for adjustments and comfort, unlike competitors like the Mockingbird Double where the seats are too close together and inhibit both adjustability and encourage siblings to disturb the other passenger.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Vista v2 works with two infant car seat carriers simultaneously, making it one of the few to offer this functionality. It works with the UPPAbaby Mesa sans adapters and some seats from other brands with the purchase of an adapter.

In addition to testing with the Mesa, we included the Chicco Keyfit 30, Cybex Aton 2, and the Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 in our combination of carrier and Vista v2 stroller tests.

The Vista is easiest to use with the Chicco car seat adapter and the Chicco Keyfit 30. This result is somewhat of a surprise as the Mesa is the native seat for the Vista and should be designed to work flawlessly. Attaching any carrier requires the removal of the toddler seat, and they all click in place and feel secure. The Cybex and Maxi-Cosi carriers are slightly more challenging as the installation and removal are awkward.

Expandability

The Vista v2 works for up to three children with the right additions. Seating includes the option for a toddler seat (second Rumble seat), bassinet, car seat carrier, and a PiggyBack riding board. You can combine pretty much any combination of these items to create a custom stroller for the age and abilities of your brood for up to 3 children at once. Seats can face forward, backward, toward each other, or back to back for even more variety and versatility in seating.

Ease of Setup

The Vista v2 is easy to assemble with just over 5 minutes for the stroller, with an additional 3 minutes for the second seat or under 2 minutes for the bassinet. The user manual is straightforward, and the images are useful.

Maneuverability

The Vista v2 impresses when it comes to maneuverability, especially given that it isn't a jogging stroller.

The higher scoring options in this review all have rubber tires, indicating that rubber has the edge over plastic tires. The Vista v2 performs well when turning and pushing on flat surfaces. The second seat creates a longer stroller, so you need to plan for tighter turns and to stay out of the way. Pushing on uneven surfaces is a little more problematic, with the Vista struggling over taller bumps and gravel. Moving over the grass was a relatively smooth operation.

The Vista v2 has a telescoping adjustable handlebar. This type places taller users further from the axle. The handlebar is wrapped in leather and feels good in your hand. There is a center adjustment button that inhibits one-handed strolling.

This UPPAbaby includes sling-style seats and all-around shocks. The seats provide a little give giving the rider slightly more cushion than the shocks alone can provide. Overall, it is one of the more comfy seating arrangements for both passengers in this lineup.

Weight and Folded Size

The UPPAbaby Vista v2 is fairly large and heavy, with two seats in place.

The Vista v2 weighs about 35 lbs and measures 25,297 cubic inches when folded. The new Vista is somewhat smaller than the old Vista, but the overall weight is more significant. These measurements make it one of the largest and heaviest options in the group.

Quality

The Vista v2 offers excellent quality for the price.

UPPAbaby uses durable fabric on the Vista v2 that appears to fit the frame seamlessly. The padding on the seats is thick and dense for sling-style seats providing a comfortable place for napping.

The Vista v2 frame and toddler seat frames are a relatively lightweight aluminum/magnesium alloy. This material creates a stylish and uncluttered look and feel. It doesn't include many plastic parts creating an overall fit and finish that are pleasing and highly functional.

Twins

The Vista v2 is one of the best options for families with twins. With the ability to accept two bassinets and two infant car seat carriers, twins can ride in style with ease. Also, the two toddler seats are similar in features and designs, unlike much of the competition with different features or seating for each seat. The large-capacity storage bin will also help those with multiples carry all their needed supplies.

Should You Buy the Vista v2?

The Vista is a high-quality stroller for multiple children that offers seating versatility, infant car seat compatibility, and useful features that are easy to use. We love the rubber tires and giant storage bin. Little ones will enjoy the cozy seating and individual canopies. Overall, we think this is the best inline we've ever tested and think parents would be hard-pressed to find a better inline option anywhere.

What Other Double Stroller Should You Consider?

If the Vista is outside your budget comfort zone, it might not be the option for you. While there is no doubt it is an amazing stroller we enjoy using, it is also one of the more expensive, and we concede that many families will be looking for something less expensive. If you'd like something similar to the style and functionality, we'd recommend the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double. This stroller is typically a third of the price of the Vista with similar functionality. While it didn't perform as well in our tests, we think it will meet the needs of most families without frustration.

Accessories

UPPAbaby provides a variety of potential accessories for the Vista v2.

• The UPPAbaby RumbleSeat-- You must purchase the additional seat separately from the stroller and the included bassinet and toddler seat.
• The UPPAbaby Upper Adapter — The upper adapters increase the height of the seats to provide more space between seats for recline and legroom.
• The UPPAbaby Lower Adapter — The lower adapters are similar to the upper adapters creating increased separation between the seat attachment points for more recline and greater legroom.
• UPPAbaby Bassinet — The Vista v2 comes with a bassinet, but if you have twins, a second bassinet will allow you to carry two sleeping babies outside of their car seat carriers.

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