UPPAbaby Vista v3 Double Review

UPPAbaby derives inspiration from family, seeking to create gear that is safer, easier, and fun. They primarily make full-size strollers and car seats.

Ease of Use

The Vista v3 double stroller is an easy-to-use, day-to-day stroller, earning one of the best performance scores in the group for ease of use.

From top to bottom, the Vista's features are thoughtfully designed and intuitive, and they work just as you'd expect.

Fold and Unfold

It has a four-step, smooth, self-guiding fold that's relatively easy and requires two hands. For the easiest fold, both seats should be forward-facing and upright so they don't get in the way. We preferred to tuck the leg rest. It's bulky when folding/or unfolding, so be careful not to get pinched.

Interestingly, we couldn't find official instructions for unfolding the stroller, so there may be a bit of a learning curve. With a little practice, it essentially reverses the folding process and requires two hands. Given the stroller's size and lack of guidance, it may take a few tries to get the hang of it.

Storage

The storage basket is spacious and holds up to 30 lbs of gear, plenty for outings with more than one child. The rear of the basket is forgiving and can be pushed down slightly for easier access. We fit both a large and a medium diaper bag inside without a problem. You'll also find a large mesh pocket, a fabric pocket, and a mesh cup holder on the stroller for added organization.

Little features like interior storage bin compartments really enhance the overall look and feel of the Vista v3.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The Vista v3 Double features a child-sized cup holder, which parents will appreciate to help prevent spills on long rides.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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In most seat configurations, the storage basket is easy to access from the front and back. However, when both seats face the parent, storage is limited because the lower seat sits sort of in the basket, and the child's legs take up space. To maximize storage, we recommend that both seats face forward.

Harness

Both seats on the Vista v3 have a five-point harness, with easy-to-slide, skin-friendly fabric and a unique magnetic buckle. With a little practice, the two-part buckle can be used one-handed.

We like the no-rethread harness straps that are easy to adjust and accommodate kids of various heights and ages. Each strap has removable, washable shoulder pads for comfort on long rides. If you want the easiest harness out there, this one's for you!

Brakes

The single-action brakes are engaged and disengaged by pressing a sandal-friendly, red pedal on the lower right-hand side. A red/green color-coded brake indicator takes the guesswork out of knowing whether the brakes are fully engaged.

Maneuverability

The Vista v3 earns a slightly below-average score for maneuverability.

It rolls smoothly and handles best on hard, smooth surfaces, but its longer footprint is more noticeable in tighter spaces. It fits through a standard doorway with ease, but in tight indoor spaces and during turns, movement can feel less fluid and require more effort.

The foam-filled plastic wheels lock in the front and are larger in the back to help with more challenging terrain. On off-road terrain, obstacles such as small rocks, curbs, tall grass, and loose sand can make maneuvering more difficult, and the Vista struggles, unfortunately.

If off-road adventures are in your future, this stroller won't make them fun or easy. Ultimately, due to the inline design, smaller front wheels, and the resulting weight distribution, it doesn't navigate off-road terrain as well as some competitors.

Steering with one hand is possible (just avoid the center button), especially when going straight, but with two kids, it was significantly harder than it was when we only had one. The leather-wrapped, telescoping handlebar can be raised or lowered by pressing this button for on-the-go height adjustments.

Transporting and Storing

The UPPAbaby Vista v3 is a sizable stroller because of its inline design, impressive features, and add-on seating options. This made it one we did not like to transport or store, and it earned one of the lowest scores in the group for this metric.

Removing both seats can reduce the square footage the Vista v3 occupies, but it will still take up more space than many competitors, and you often won't be in a situation where you can tote around multiple parts.

Weight and Folded Size

The Vista v3 weighs about 36.9 lbs and measures 28,728 cubic inches when folded.

It is not suitable for travel or public transportation because it takes up too much space when folded, lacks carry handles, and the self-standing feature is finicky when the second seat is attached. Its sweet spot is really for urbanites who plan to stroll right out the door.

Storing should be no problem for large vehicles or homes, but smaller cars or apartments may pose a challenge, given the real estate this stroller requires. Removing the seats to achieve a smaller fold size also takes time and will be challenging if you are wrangling two kids and all their belongings.

Kid Ride

The UPPAbaby Vista v3 offers a comfortable ride for younger kids, with various features designed to maximize your little one's enjoyment and reduce additional transportation-related stress for parents.

However, we can't overstate how close these seats are together, and no matter which configuration we chose, one or both seats ended up too close to the other or were unable to recline.

Seat

The seats are comfortable for rides of any duration, with an all-weather design that includes a removable liner for cooler days and breathable mesh underneath for warmer days. The leg rests are adjustable, the padding feels supportive, and both seats recline easily with one hand.

However, seat orientation has a major impact on comfort. The various configurations don't feel roomy for riders, and in an inline double, space can be more limited than in a side-by-side. The forward-facing setup felt the most cramped, with reduced recline and a higher likelihood that the rear riders' feet would contact the front seat. Other configurations offer slightly more recline, but overall flexibility remains somewhat limited. In the past, UPPAbaby provided images of the Vista in various configurations on its website. They no longer do this, and we can't help but wonder if they know the seats are too close together and don't want to call attention to this flaw.

The orientation of each seat really impacts its function and directly relates to how much space each child has.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

Depending on the configuration of the seats, storage bin access and space is compromised, making additional adapter purchase a necessity.   Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

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Expandability

The Vista v3 transports up to three children, with various seating options, including a toddler seat (a slightly smaller rumble seat), bassinet, car seat carrier, and a riding board (most of these purchased separately). Buying both upper and lower seat adapters is a must; otherwise, the passenger experience is compromised by insufficient space for kids or their legs, which can easily lead to siblings disturbing each other. The rumble seat can only go on the front of the stroller and has a lower weight capacity than the toddler seat, so your younger child may be farther away when using it.

Again, despite UPPAbaby advertising up to 30 configurations for the Vista v3, suggesting a highly customizable experience, we found that many setups led to kids' legs overlapping, reduced storage access or space, or limited recline for one (or both) passengers.

Sunshade

The Vista v3 has one of the most functional sunshades we've tested. Coverage is generous, and the zip-out extension provides real, usable shade on sunny days. The fabric is UPF 50+ and water-repellent, and when fully extended, a small peek-a-boo window lets you check on riders. The main seat provides slightly more coverage than the rumble seat, but both offer good protection overall. Toddlers will appreciate the adjustable canopy height, and parents will love the solid frame that holds its shape without sagging, giving it a high-quality feel.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

When it comes to a wake-free, calm ride, the Vista v3 delivers. We tested it on asphalt, rocks, and bumps to see how often a less-than-smooth or choppy ride might wake a child. The Vista v3 recorded only 10 very low-intensity events. This cruiser soothes the crankiest kids and supports long naps thanks to its front and frame shock absorbers, inline design, and foam-filled wheels.

Quality

The Vista v3 is a luxurious-looking stroller that features premium materials, including durable fabric, full-grain leather details, and a solid aluminum frame.

It has one of the highest quality scores in the group.

The Vista v3's higher price tag is reflected in the phenomenal quality of its many components. The seats feature thicker padding and include a patented All-Weather Comfort Seat removable insert for cooler days, which converts to mesh in the summer for comfortable travel year-round. The robust canopy fits the frame nicely for a sleek appearance.

The wheels are foam-filled, polyurethane, so they never go flat. The wheels and storage bin feature reflective detailing to improve visibility and safety at night. The frame has no flex points or weak spots.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Vista v3 is a rare option that can work with two infant car seat carriers at once. Included car seat compatibility includes UPPAbaby bassinet, Mesa, and Aria car seats. With adapters (purchased separately), it will accommodate several other brands, including many options from Cybex, Clek, Maxi-Cosi, and Nuna. To attach any carrier, remove the toddler seat, pop on the adapters (if needed), and it will securely click into place.

Ease of Setup

The Vista v3 is easy to set up and takes about 15-20 minutes, most of it spent unwrapping the protective packaging. The wheels, toddler seat, canopy, and bumper bar snap into place, and the rumble seat can be installed at the end. The instructions simplify what could be a confusing process by using color-coded, well-documented steps illustrated with images.

Twins

The Vista is a fantastic option for families with twins. It offers the option to use two bassinets or two infant car seats, allowing small infants to travel in style and comfort, making longer excursions more enjoyable. The two toddler seats are similar in design and eliminate arguing about who sits where. The enormous storage bin allows parents of twins to bring along all the supplies their little ones might need, including space for two diaper bags.

Should You Buy the Vista v3?

The Vista is aesthetically beautiful and certainly high-quality, using premium materials. It shines in single mode and works well pushing two during the infant phase with either infant car seats or bassinets. The canopies are generous, and the storage basket is excellent. But as a true double for two-seated kids, particularly toddlers, the experience feels more compromised than we hoped. Recline and legroom depend heavily on seat configuration, and in many setups, space is tight. Think more sibling kick zone than roomy ride. While it's better than some options we've tested, there are better double strollers for maneuverability. For committed UPPAbaby fans, it may still be the right fit. But for the cost, we expected a more spacious rider experience.

What Other Double Stroller Should You Consider?

The Vista's luxury-level price tag alone may put it out of reach for many families. The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double costs less and earned a higher overall score with an easier-to-push design that is far simpler to transport. This stroller offers equal seating that has ample room for longer legs, and can save you almost half the price of the Vista. If off-roading is in your future, look no further than the Bob Revolution Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie with its outstanding maneuverability and comparable quality. Seriously adventurous families can't go wrong with the BOB.

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