Baby Jogger City Turn Review

Crash Test

The Baby Jogger performed well in our crash testing and earned a higher crash test analysis score than the average seat.

We ran our crash test slightly faster than the federal guidelines require. We also used a test sled that was more akin to a modern-day vehicle. Given this, we expected that some of the seats would have results outside the acceptable standard. However, the Baby Jogger proved to be an impressive contender, with higher crash test analysis results.

This graph shows the G-force differences between those recorded in the head of the crash test dummy in the Baby Jogger compared to those recorded in the Graco 4Ever, which is one of the best-performing in the group.   Credit: BabyGearLab Staff, MGA Research

The graph compares the G-forces recorded during crash testing of the chest clip sensor of the test dummy in the Baby Jogger vs. the Graco 4Ever. The Graco is one of the best-performing seats in the group.   Credit: BabyGearLab Staff, MGA Research

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While all the seats in the review are considered safe and have passed federal guidelines, the Jogger earned one of the highest scores in the group. With one of the lowest (lower is better) HIC (head sensor) results and a lower chest sensor result, we suspect this option might offer an additional margin of protection over the average seat.

Ease of Install - LATCH

The Baby Jogger is one of the easiest options in the review to install using LATCH. It has a bubble indicator on both sides, a flexible LATCH connection style, and a lock-off.

A foot under the base rotates for forward-facing or rear-facing installation. It is somewhat hidden, so installers will need to look for it. The foot has three different adjustments to ensure the right angle. Pinching the adjustment handle is easy, and the seat moves well. The chair swings out and out of the way to uncover the belt pathway.

Each option is color-coded, helping ensure you are in the right place. Despite this, threading the LATCH strap is confusing, as the seat sticker and the user manual seem contradictory. The strap and connectors all got twisted, and it would have been helpful if they had been identified somehow.

The chair on the City Turn rotates out of the way to reveal the lock-off for the rear-facing configuration.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

The City Turn lock-off compresses the yellow test belt in this image.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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There is a tensioner, so tightening isn't a chore; it is pretty straightforward, but you need to find the sweet spot in the strap and keep the tail end out of the way when closing the locking system. It won't pass the wiggle test if you don't pull through enough slack. Pushing the lock-off down was harder in car 1, and leverage is the key to smooth operation. Overall, it is a nice seat to work with, and once you get the hang of it, it is much easier than some of the competition we tested. The base easily passes the wiggle test, and parents shouldn't be misled by the rotating chair portion that can feel wiggly.

Uninstalling is easy: press the LATCH connector release buttons and unthread the strap.

The LATCH strap threads through the back of the City Turn in a color-coded pathway.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

We found it easier to thread the strap on the City Turn through with the seat slightly tilted before putting it all back upright.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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The forward-facing installation of the Baby Jogger also includes a lock-off, but there is no indicator for the installation angle. While it is marketed as a rotating seat, and it does rotate, it will not rotate in the forward-facing position. Arguably, this is less important, as typically, little ones can climb in on their own at this stage, and the need is less. Yellow indicators indicate the forward-facing position, and the tensioner is also yellow. You must remember to move the foot forward-facing, and there are three comfort levels. You need to move the headrest out of the way for good access to the pathway and tensioner. The tensioner/lock-off helps remove the extra bit of slack from the belt and creates a stable installation with only a tiny amount of wiggle. Our second test car proved easier with the tensioner, but we had to use a knee in the seat to pull the strap tightly.

Ease of Install - Belt

This seat is also relatively easy to install with the vehicle belt, with a slight drop from the LATCH performance. It has a bubble level indicator, a color-coded pathway for forward and rear-facing installation, and a belt lock-off/tensioner.

Rear-facing is a breeze on the Baby Jogger. The seat spins out and away from the color-coded belt pathway, with a side diagram to help you navigate the route. Rotating the seat didn't cause tipping or instability, unlike other rotating options, which is a plus for managing the installation alone. With no seat in the way, you can feel confident you threaded the belt correctly. Uninstalling involves releasing the tensioner and reversing the steps on the low-profile base.

Forward-facing configuration of the City Turn includes a different lock-off with yellow coloring on the back of the seat. This lock-off requires pulling fabric down to access.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

Threading the strap on the City Turn is easy enough and the lock-off is wide enough to close with most of your hand instead of a couple of fingers.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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The lock-off is utilized similarly for the belt as for LATCH installation. It was more challenging in the second test car, requiring a little more leverage to get the lock-off to close. A slightly different lever design would make this infinitely easier. It is straightforward and needs a little extra push, but nothing exhausting to get the last bit of snugness. It has very little wiggle and feels stable. Installing with LATCH is easier, but this is still unproblematic.

Forward-facing installation doesn't require a level indicator, and it is also color-coded with the belt lock-off/tensioner, something we think makes installation and stability so much easier. The tensioner is easier to use in forward-facing, especially in the second test car. Unlike the rear-facing mode, there is nothing on either side of the lock-off, so it is easier to press down. You move the foot of the seat back for forward-facing mode, and you need to raise the headrest to get it out of the way. It has the usual belt threading through the back of the seat, which ends the seat's rotation, as you can no longer turn it. Once again, the seat feels stable, and we didn't need any towels during installation. Last, a word of caution: if your goal is a rotating seat in all positions, this isn't the seat for you. However, toddlers can typically climb in independently when you have a forward-facing seat, making a rotating seat less useful.

Ease of Use

The Baby Jogger is easier to use than the average seat in this review, but it isn't a super standout.

Harness

The buckle and chest clip are both about average, with the chest clip slightly below average in the group. The prongs slide freely along the harness straps and tend to slide down where you don't want them. You have to use more force than most when pushing them into the buckles. The clip reminds us of backpack buckles, where you squeeze the sides to release them. However, they are easy to squeeze and move smoothly.

The harness resists when pulling the tightening strap, but we can still get a snug fit. The webbing connects under the seat, and if it is lopsided, it will tighten lopsided, so you need to keep the strap straight. The harness-releasing button is further back than we anticipated, and it is a tight fit where our finger rubbed on everything. There are two layers of materials inside the access point, and our finger wanted to go in between them, but it shouldn't.

The harness height adjustment is a non-rethread option with 10 height settings, and the crotch strap has 2 positions. The adjustment is a pinch device at the top that releases and moves the assembly up and down. It moves smoothly and locks into place easily. The crotch strap is easy to access when you rotate the seat, which gives you better access.

The LATCH connectors on the Baby Jogger have a storage cubby for keeping them with the seat with not in use.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

The LATCH storage on the Baby Jogger is fairly easy to use, but it is a tight fit and only holds exactly what it needs to without extra wiggle room.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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LATCH Storage

The LATCH storage should have been obvious with the seat icon displayed on it, but it took us a minute to find it. It is a cubby on the front under the seat. The connectors clip into place, so some effort is involved, and you can't just shove them into the space. The cubby is small, and everything barely fits, so you must be careful with your placement. There isn't enough room in the cubby to reach the disengage button on the LATCH with our thumbs, so it takes some patience to remove them. You have to angle the seat upwards to access the area.

Cover

The cover comes off in two pieces: the main body and the headrest. It is straightforward, and nothing is hard or time-consuming. There are some buttons, but they are not excessive or burdensome to operate.

Comfort/Quality

The Baby Jogger is about average in terms of comfort and quality. The fabric is good and isn't rough when rubbed against sensitive skin. It seems to have some cooling properties, which may make it suitable for warmer climates.

The Baby Jogger cover fits the shell nicely.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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A warning flap on one shoulder strap could become annoying over time. The headrest is nicely integrated into the rest of the seat and is over 11.5 inches tall for added comfort. The foam padding feels almost like memory foam, but not quite. It doesn't bounce back immediately after pressure but has some nice give. We'd like to see more foam overall as it is only a 1/4 of an inch or so thick on the back and sides, but there is more in the seating area, which is thoughtful. However, at this price, it still feels like not enough.

The swivel mechanism and the shell make us worried that gunk will collect between the seat and the base, making rotation more challenging over time. There is no great way to clean this area. The cup holder is removable but not very flexible and could crack over time or if stepped on. There is only one cup holder, which is easy for little ones to reach and has a notch insert to prevent removal.

The infant insert includes some doubling up of the backing and a three-stage system of padding pieces for size transitions. However, we still believe getting an infant-style car seat is best for many reasons.

Weight/Size

The weight and size of a seat only matter if your lifestyle requires regularly moving the seat, or your car is smaller. Several of the seats in this review are hefty, and some are narrower than others.

This seat weighs 27.5 lb and measures 19.3 inches wide. This is heavier and wider for a group with averages closer to 25 lb and 18 inches. These might not seem like significant differences, but they might matter if you need to carry them or use multiples.

Should You Buy the Baby Jogger City Turn?

The City Turn is a rotating option many parents are interested in. It performed well during testing, earning impressive crash-test results and ease-of-installation scores. While we love this seat and think many families will too, it does not turn in the forward-facing position, and it is expensive. These factors cost it an award and tester love, but it could be a good fit for some families looking for good crash test analysis, ease of installation, and rotation when rear-facing.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?

If you want a revolving seat that works in both forward- and rear-facing positions, our top pick is the Chicco Fit 360. This option is super easy to install, rotates forward and backward, and is easy to use day to day. If you want to rotate but want the best crash test analysis results, the Graco Turn2Me was an impressive option with some of the highest crash test scores, and it is easy to install using the belt. Plus, it costs less than the City Turn or Fit 360. If you aren't sold on the rotating feature, the Graco 4Ever DLX is a high-scoring seat that can save you a couple of hundred dollars while providing some of the best crash test results.

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