UPPAbaby Cruz v3 Review

Ease of Use

The UPPAbaby Cruz v3 is a superstar compared to other full-size strollers when it comes to user-friendly, impressive features that are easy to operate.

Fold and Unfold

The Cruz v3 folds with ease, and while there are a few steps involved, the process is smooth and fast. It requires two hands, auto-locks, and self-stands. It basically folds in half and manages ot be relatively flat with the set and leg rest adjusted just right.

The one-step unfold process involves just pushing the lock in and lifting the stroller back into its ready-to-stroll position. The simple fold-and-unfold process is issue-free and makes transporting it with a child in tow user-friendly.

Storage

The storage bin on the Cruz is ginormous and easy to access. We love that it holds up to 30lbs, potentially accommodating both a diaper bag and groceries. The bin is easy to access from the front and back, even with the seat reclined, and it is accessible on the sides.

In the lower storage of the back, there is a cupholder pocket, an additional small pouch, and a tiny pocket for a tracker, so you can always find your stroller when out and about. Unfortunately, this lower storage area is the only place to hold beverages without purchasing a slightly pricy add-on cupholder, and due to its smaller size, it's probably only designed for a sippy cup. All in all, the maximum storage space is a major plus for those who need to store a diaper bag and/or groceries.

Harness

The whole process of adjusting the non-rethread 5-point harness on the Cruz v3 is smooth and easy to use.

The individual padded shoulder straps slide up and down to accommodate a variety of heights and don't require the dreaded rethreading of the straps. A secure, snug fit is accomplished similarly to a backpack strap adjustment, and quickly tightens the shoulders and the lap.

The magnetic buckle on the Cruz v3 is simple to use, just fit the two waist strap pieces together (similar to two puzzle pieces fitting in place) and the front of the buckle magnetically snaps over the center nub to secure it in place. Releasing the buckle causes the magnetic closure system to immediately release the straps.

Brakes

The Cruz v3 features a single-action brake with two color-coded, foot-friendly brake pedals. A quick glance to see which color pedal is depressed tells you whether the brakes are locked for safety.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Cruz v3 accommodates all UPPAbaby infant seats, and several additional infant car seat brands can be used by purchasing a corresponding adapter, including Chicco, Clek, Cybex, Maxi-Cosi, and Nuna.

Ease of Setup

The Cruz is easy to set up in less than five minutes. The instructions are illustration-only, requiring the frame to be unfolded and the wheels and lap bar to be snapped into place. We prefer instructions with words, but it gets the job done.

Maneuverability

The Cruz is easy to push and turn, no matter the surface, as long as you don't head too far off the beaten path for too long.

The Cruz v3 is a narrow 22" wide, allowing for easy travel through doorways, down sidewalks, and in crowded areas. Weaving in and out of tight spaces is a breeze thanks to its dual spring suspension, shorter wheelbase, and overall design. We even managed to do much of it with one hand, though the center haldbar adjustment button takes some getting used to.

Navigating flat surfaces is where the Cruz excels with nimble agility that can be controlled with only one hand. Pushing is aided by its ability to handle tight turns easily. It also handles well going over small obstacles like rounded speed bumps or down curbs, as well as surfaces found at playgrounds.

Off-roading is not what this stroller was designed for, but for short durations, it will travel over thick grass and small gravel surprisingly well, thanks to its lightweight, four-wheel design. Still, it's an effort and won't be smooth sailing. Locking the front wheels helps provide stability and a smoother passenger experience. While it isn't meant for rougher surfaces, it is nice to know it can traverse a greenbelt to get to a swing set without cursing.

Transporting and Storing

For transporting and storing, the Cruz struggles a little compared to its competitors, but it was still above average.

The Cruz weighs about 25 lbs, which is comparable to the median weight of other popular full-size strollers. Given the features and the quality of the construction, this weight is to be expected but should still be fairly manageable for most users to lift and stow. To get much lighter, you would need to consider a travel stroller or a model with fewer features or lower quality.

The actual dimensions are 22.5"W x 17.5"H x 33"L, resulting in a folded size of 12,994 cubic inches, which is smaller than many other full-size options. Its compact footprint wins points with city dwellers, users with smaller trunks, or those with limited storage space at home. Many folks have even used it for travel, being willing to carry a heavier option for the additional amenities.

The Cruz self-stands when folded, and the belly bar is handy for lifting it to load and unload. It folds almost completely flat, making it easier to stow it in your car, at home, or on public transportation.

Quality

When it comes to quality, UPPAbaby is known for using high-quality materials with a well-thought-out design. The Cruz v3 delivers on that expectation.

Passengers travel in style in the slightly padded, reversible sling-style seat. The stroller features easy-to-clean, canvas fabric that is soft against the skin, yet tough and durable enough to withstand the passage of time. The harness offers removable shoulder pads for comfort and strong, smooth-to-the-touch webbing.

The adjustable handlebar is wrapped in full-grain leather, the plastic on the footrest is sturdy, and the storage basket is tough and designed for frequent use, while still holding its shape.

The wheels on the Cruz are foam-filled rubber, so we didn't worry about flat tires. The front wheels, which lock for uneven surfaces, are slightly smaller than the rear tires, and each wheel has its own suspension for ride stability.

The aluminum frame has a clean look, and there is very little play at the joints. The overall result is a sturdy, impressive foundation to support the many features this stroller offers.

Kid's Comfort

Making sure your passenger is comfortable is the name of the game, and the Cruz v3 knocks it out of the park for kid comfort.

The soft, padded sling seat on the Cruz reclines almost completely flat, which is fantastic for accommodating the bassinet mode feature using the infant insert. The deep seat design adjusts with ease, offering four different recline angles from completely upright to prone. The seat is reversible, so it can face outward to the world or back toward the pusher for reassuring younger ones that they are not alone.

The Cruz v3 literally has your passenger covered with one of the largest canopy covers. The canopy fabric is rated at 50+ UPF and unzips to extend coverage, with a built-in peek-a-boo mesh window. It comes with a mesh bug cover and a see-through, water-repellent seat cover. There is also an integrated roll-down sun shield that completely blocks the forward-facing sun.

The padded leg rest is one of the best we've seen. Taller kiddos will find a place to rest their feet, and with the push of a button, the footrests adjust up and down or can be completely moved out of the way under the seat. These options extend the strollers' lifespans while still providing a comfortable ride.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

Nothing is worse than watching your child drift off to sleep, only to be startled awake by the terrain. We tested the Cruz v3 on asphalt and on bumpier paths to see how many potential wake events would occur. The Cruz v3 had only four of these events, which is better than many competitors. However, it struggled more with cracks and bumps than other strollers did, possibly due to its stiffer suspension.

Should You Buy the UPPAbaby Cruz v3?

The thoughtful design and numerous features make the Cruz v3 easily one of our favorite full-size strollers. It's a top scorer thanks to its gigantic storage bin, huge canopy, sturdy design, and a variety of seating and recline configurations that let you customize the ride completely. It does have a higher price point than most, but for those with one child looking for a stroller that will last and have good resale value later, we highly recommend this stroller.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

As much as we love the Cruz v3, if you plan to grow your family or need to push more than one, you should consider the UPPAbaby Vista v3. The Vista looks similar to the Cruz but holds two car seats, or two toddler seats, and can fit up to three kids with the optional running board. The Vista v3 has the same quality and feature-packed design as the Cruz v3, but it eliminates the need to buy multiple strollers for larger families. If the price of the Cruz v3 is outside the budget, we love the Joie Ginger dlx. This budget-friendly option has loads of features with a price less than half that of the Cruz. The Joie Ginger includes different seat configurations and great maneuverability. We believe budget-conscious parents will be very happy with the Joie Ginger.