Evenflo Pivot Xplore Wagon Review

Evenflo launched their first product in 1920, with nipples for infants. The Ohio-based company started creating other kinds of products for bottle-feeding. Evenflo Juvenile and Evenflo Juvenile Furniture Company merged in 1995, and they now sell feeding gear, strollers, car seats, and high chairs.

Ease of Use

The Xplore earned an above-average score for ease of use.

While it isn't the easiest in the group, it performed well compared to other products in its price range.

Fold and Unfold

This stroller requires two hands to fold and unfold, but the locking mechanism is automatic.

This wagon doesn't fold into a compact package, and the lock doesn't keep the stroller tightly together, as there is some leeway once folded. There is a color indicator on this option that shows whether it is locked in the fully unfolded position for added safety. Testing shows this wagon is more challenging to fold than some in the competition, and we don't think you could do it while holding a child. Instead of pulling the handle up from the ground, you push it down to push out the wheels.

Storage

The Xplore has a few storage options onboard, but none are very large or can hold enough supplies for two children for a full day.

This wagon comes with a storage bin that attaches to its end. It is on the small side, somewhat deep, and has a maximum weight capacity of 10 lbs. It has open-top access and is easy to use. We see two problems: it isn't big enough for enough supplies for two, and little ones can easily access it and toss things out. It can also be in the way of a longer stride, depending on your walk and how you use the stroller.

This stroller also has inside stow pockets and a snack tray with dual cup holders for kids. The pockets can hold smaller treasures and snacks, but nothing of notable size or weight, with a 4 lb weight limit.

Harness

Each seat on the wagon has a 3-point harness. This is a crotch strap and two hip belts. The crotch strap is not adjustable, and the hip straps need to be completely flat to adjust them. The buckles on the harnesses are straightforward but feel sort of cheap compared to some of the competition. It is easy to use, and the sides pop out without effort.

Brakes

The Xplore has double-action brakes, with a pedal on each side of the axle to apply them. The pedals are easy to press and release, but depending on where you have the storage bin, it can get in the way.

Double-action brakes are not our favorite. We worry some parents might forget to set both pedals or become complacent over time with setting both brakes. Some parents might also feel that pressing one brake pedal is enough, but it is not.

Maneuverability

Once again, the Xplore earned an above-average score in this test metric. While it isn't a stellar wagon to push and turn, and it's definitely long, it is better than more than half of the competition, and we weren't overly frustrated by it.

This wagon moved pretty well on hard, flat surfaces, earning higher marks than on uneven terrain. The carpet test was a challenge for this stroller, and its hard plastic wheels and friction made it a bear to push, but it did go over cords and other small items without any trouble. The fact that the handlebar is situated in the middle of the wagon and allows for pushing or pulling is a plus, and it can also turn, with care, more tightly than other wagons we've seen.

It fits through our 32-inch standard doorway with ease. One of our testers was fairly petite (under 5'5") and had trouble rubbing her legs on the storage bin, and the handle was too long, even at its shortest height. We also weren't big fans of the handle's shape and size, as it is a thin bar with edges that create unnecessary pressure points; this is magnified when you try to use it one-handed, since the adjustment button is in the middle.

Off-road travel with a wagon is never ideal, but it scored above average when you alternate between pushing and pulling the handle based on the terrain's difficulty. It handled most rugged terrain surprisingly well, including dirt and grass, but struggled to move on more uneven surfaces, like cobblestone, to varying degrees. While pulling was definitely easier than pushing off-road, it still wasn't the easiest. The wide wheels might keep it on the ground better than narrow ones, but they also create more friction and resistance, requiring more muscle than a traditional stroller. Rubber, air-filled tires would be a big plus here.

Transporting and Storing

Transporting and storing include tests of size and weight, and how easily one can lift or move the strollers to get them from place to place or store them in your home or car. The Xplore wasn't thebest here, but it was okay for what it is.

While the Xplore has an awkward fold, it is still pretty small compared to some of the competition, and if you adjust the handlebar down, it isn't very long.

Weight and Folded Size

This wagon weighs 34.5 lbs, which is close to the group's average. This isn't a stand-out weight for a double stroller, as they tend to be heavier than singles.

It is relatively easy to lift with two hands and manipulate it to a trunk or a smaller space. When folded, it is 25,799 cubic inches. This isn't big or small for the group; it's pretty average. The largest is over 33,000 cubic inches, and the smallest is closer to 11,000 cubic inches. It will stand on its own, but it's not easy to get it and keep it in that position.

Kid Ride

This is not a comfortable stroller for kids, but it is better than some of the wagons we tested.

There is no comparison between this and the more traditional strollers or joggers that often have sling-style seats, padding, reclining seat backs, and leg rests.

Seat

It is a reasonably hard seat with no head or neck support and limited back support. It has some padding on the seat, but it isn't much compared to other strollers and is likely more for show than use. There is no leg rest, and feet dangle into a mesh basket between the seats on either end of the wagon. Given that some wagons don't even offer the footwell, we'd still call it a win of sorts that Evenflo provided one.

We don't think this is a good option for younger babies for several reasons, including the lack of suspension to absorb some of the road's impact. We also don't think kids will be comfortable for longer periods, and napping would be nearly impossible.

Sunshade

Unlike some other wagons, the Xplore has dual canopies included as standard with the stroller. Both canopies have airflow mesh vents on the sides and can rotate fully from the front to the back, or be closed entirely. While they offer the minimum coverage for sun protection, it wouldn't hurt if they were larger and covered more of the little ones' bodies.

We suspect that the ease of the movement of these sunshades will cause bored little ones to play with them, and over time, it could wear them out, but it's better to have them than to pay extra for them.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

It's unlikely your little ones will sleep in a wagon because of the seat design, but we put this cruiser through the same test we did with our double strollers to see how many potential wake-up events would occur over various terrains and how well the wagon absorbed the jostling and jolting. We found that the Evenflo scored better than the other wagons we tested and recorded 18 potential wake-up events of fairly low intensity, potentially due to its overall heavier weight and larger rear foam-filled tires.

Quality

Evenflo gives you just enough quality to appear durable without the higher-quality materials that typically inflate prices. The material of the wagons seems durable and didn't snag in our tests.

The base is a canvas, with thinner, more breathable material on the sides of the stroller, and plastic mesh for the bottom and sides. The material on the sunshades is reversible for color preference, and we like the feel of the material, but it is only single-stitched, which could cause problems in the future, especially if little ones end up playing with them.

The color-coding lock mechanism for the end side that pushes down to allow easier access is a nice touch and an indicator of attention to design and detail.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

The end of the Xplore can be dropped down to make climbing onboard easier for little ones to do on their own. It locks in place to let you know it is ready for strolling and the back won't drop down.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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The frame on the Xplore feels sturdy overall; there is one welded component, and overall, it does not have as much flex as other Evenflos we've tested. This wagon has smaller plastic wheels in the front with only one-sided connections, and the front wheels rotate from one side when you push to the other when you pull.

The overall fit and finish are nice enough without being showy or unnecessarily fancy. The fabric is secured to the frame with screws. The stitching is well done with no errors or loose threads, and we had no concerns about quality during testing. However, some design choices are interesting and feel like potential problems for the rider or long-term use. No suspension or better comfort features mean little ones will feel every bump and jostle while moving. Also, the storage bin attachment hinge could break if little ones choose to use it to climb aboard the wagon, and the fact that it hangs off one side means it could be the way and get snagged on items nearby.

Car Seat Compatibility

This wagon accepts one infant car seat from the following manufacturers: Graco, Britax, UPPAbaby, Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, Chicco, and Peg Perego. For more details on the specific seat models, see the comparison table in the primary review.

Ease of Setup

It took us over 15 minutes to assemble this wagon, with an average, easy-to-understand manual.

This wagon comes with an Allen wrench for the two screws on the handle. The procedure was a bit confusing because the diagram was dark and some parts were difficult to distinguish. The written instructions were more helpful for this reason. Given that the setup was relatively intuitive, we wonder if it would have been easier to put this one together without the manual, which took time to decipher.

Twins

This wagon only accepts one infant car seat at a time, so it is not the best choice for infant twins. In addition, the lack of suspension and other features designed to reduce the road's impact on the rider makes it a jarring ride, unsuitable for younger babies, in our opinion. While it can work for older babies who can sit on their own with head and neck control, it is likely not usable for two of the same age until they are older.

Should You Buy the Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon?

The Xplore is impressive for a wagon. It seats two, has dual canopies, a snack tray with double cup holders, and detachable storage. If a wagon is the way you want to go and you've considered all the limitations and drawbacks, we do like this option.

What Other Double Stroller Should You Consider?

We're not convinced wagons are the best main stroller for most families. They often lack key comfort and convenience features, such as storage space big enough for two kids, and can be tricky to navigate in tight spaces or on uneven terrain. That said, if a wagon is what you want, the Radio Flyer City Luxe Stroll 'N Wagon stands out. It offers a thoughtful design, is easy to transport, and provides better maneuverability at a lower price point than the Xplore. Still, for families who want maximum comfort, all-terrain versatility, and more storage, the Baby Jogger City Mini GT 2 Double and the UPPAbaby Minu Duo are better choices, but they will cost you more.

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