REASONS TO BUY
Integrated tensioner/lock-off
Easy-to-adjust shoulder straps
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Below-average crash test analysis
Tensioner/anti-rebound bar doesn't work in all cars
Expensive for average performance
Baby Jogger City GO2 Review
Generally average or below average results for a seat that costs more than better-performing options
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ October 1, 2023
Contributions From: Juliet Spurrier, MD
Our Verdict
We eagerly anticipated testing the Baby Jogger City GO2 because having a same-brand seat to pair with Baby Jogger strollers would be nice. Unfortunately, this seat performed disappointingly and wasn't impressive in the key areas. While it offers an easy-to-use seat with above-average comfort and quality, but it wasn't enough to pull up its poor score. This car seat earned a below-average crash test analysis of the sensor data results we obtained through third-party testing. Installing using any method is also more challenging than much of the competition. These two metrics are critical in creating a safer car seat experience. Overall, we think there are better seats on the market and several less expensive seats in our review, including infant car seat award winners.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Baby Jogger began in 1984 by fathers who longed to jog with their little ones. These men invented the first actual jogging stroller.
This video shows the crash testing we commissioned for the Baby Jogger City Go 2 from MGA Research.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
Crash Testing
The City GO2 earned a below-average result for the crash test analysis.
While every seat in this review is considered safe and meets federal guidelines, some showed better sensor results in our crash testing than others, potentially offering an additional margin of protection over those with lower scores.
Our commissioned crash tests were a little hotter than the federal guidelines, so we expect to see a little more stress on these seats and perhaps a wider variation of results. The City GO2 earned relatively impressive chest sensor results with a lower number than much of the competition (lower is better). However, its HIC, or head sensor, results were less impressive and higher than average (lower still better here). Other infant car seats in this review earned better results in both sensors but certainly much better results, often by half, for the HIC sensor. So, while considered safe, the City GO2 results earned it a below-average score in this metric.
Whether you use LATCH or the vehicle belt to install the City Go2, you'll use the anti-rebound bar as a belt tensioner/lock-off.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Installation LATCH
Ease of installation using the LATCH system is the easiest method for the Baby Jogger, but that isn't saying much. With a below-average experience, it isn't anything to crow about, especially as it should be the easiest installation method.
The anti-rebound bar on the City Go2 works as a belt tensioner for the LATCH straps and the vehicle belt. It can be hard to close.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
This seat has push-in LATCH connectors with flexible straps attached to the base. It features bubble-level indicators on both sides and an anti-rebound bar, but no load leg.
The bubble level indicator on the City Go2 has a wide acceptable installation area and works well.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
This seat was more accessible to install in the sedan than in the small SUV we rented for testing. Depending on your car, you might have more luck, but tightening the straps was difficult, and the shape of the rebound bar made it somewhat wiggly because it doesn't align with the seat back in every car. Also, the anti-rebound bar is incorporated into the lock-off system, and we barely got it to snap down, and once we did, it wasn't tight enough. After starting again, the tightened belt made it hard to push down past the threshold to lock in because the bar hit the back of the vehicle seat.
While everything is “okay” for the installation and removal of this base, it isn't the best. Everything is slightly more complicated than it needs to be and kind of a pain.
The recline adjustment on the City Go needs to be adjusted before installation.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Recline Adjustment
This base has four recline angles available to help with installation. The adjustment is on the end of the base that goes against the vehicle seat, and this means you need to adjust it before installation is complete, or you won't have room to reach the button.
Ease of Installation - Belt
Installing the base using the vehicle belt is similar to the LATCH by utilizing the rebound bar as a tensioner to try to get the belt tight. It is significantly harder to install the City using this method, and we preferred the LATCH installation and installation without the base.
This base has color-coded routing and a built-in tensioner/lock-off, which should make things easier. Unfortunately, the tensioner is the anti-rebound bar, and it is hard to find the sweet spot between the belt not being too tight to get the bar pushed down and closed, and not tight enough to install the seat stably. It takes some finagling. Once installed, it felt a little wiggly and less secure than the LATCH installation. Overall, it felt like too much hassle to try to get the belt tensioner fully closed and still pass the wiggle test on secure installation.
The City Go2 utilizes the European belt path with the shoulder of the vehicle belt wrapping around the back of the carrier shell.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Installation - w/o the Base
The City GO2 performed below average for installation without the base, but this method is more straightforward than with the vehicle belt and the base.
The City GO2 uses the European threading method, which goes around the back of the carrier and across the foot area. It is color-coded and easy to thread, and we got it tighter in the sedan than in the SUV. The real problem we had was getting the vehicle belt to let go to get the carrier out. We also had struggles with the canopy getting in the way during installation.
The City Go2's buckle and chest clips are straightforward and easy to use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
Ease of use is where the Baby Jogger stands out, with one of the highest scores in the group.
Buckle
The buckle is more accessible than the average buckle. It is square, textured, and has a slight depression in the middle. The prongs have metal inside to create friction, preventing them from sliding on the strap and disappearing under the baby. The chest clip is pretty standard and works smoothly both to connect and disconnect.
The harness on the Gity Go2 tightens with the pull of the strap near the release button on the foot of the carrier. Tightening has a little more resistance than much of the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Harness Tightening/Loosening
Tightening the harness is easy enough, but due to how the straps are routed, there is more friction from the backside than in much of the competition. Releasing is also straightforward, with an exposed button that is easy to press.
The harness shoulder height adjustment on the City Go2 works from the back of the carrier by pinching the light grey portions in before sliding it up or down as needed.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Harness Adjustment
This seat has a non-rethread harness, which means you can adjust it with your baby in the seat and on the go when you notice it needs adjustment. The adjustment is a pinch design that runs along a slotted platform that looks like a spinal cord. It has 17 possible positions, which is huge compared to most that offer closer to 4. Do we think you'll need 17? No, but it could provide a better fit, which increases protection. It has two crotch strap positions.
Removing the City Go2 carrier from the base is done by pinching the release lever and pulling the carrier up and off the base.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Carrier to Base Connection
Connecting the carrier to the base is straightforward, and we had no problems and don't see how you can do it wrong. Removal is a button on the back of the carrier. Those with shorter arms might struggle to reach it from outside the car. The handle pulls up easily, but it is easier with the canopy up and out of the way.
The Baby Jogger handle rotates back and forth by pushing the button to unlock the handle.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Handle
The handle has four positions, and all are allowed when driving the car. It rotates on each side near the canopy and has a thicker center for hand-holding.
The canopy on the City Go2 is average size and feels durable, but it isn't very breathable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Canopy
Like many other seats, this option has a handle and canopy collision problem; using both simultaneously is a problem. It seems like a minor thing, but it also feels wholly unnecessary and a poor design.
LATCH and Manual Storage
LATCH storage is so tricky that we had to Google where it is and eventually found a YouTube video for help. It isn't intuitive, with strange storage under the anti-rebound bar. You have to pull the storage compartment up, and there are two! The extra webbing gets shoved into an adjacent storage area. If you don't get it all in correctly, then you won't be able to close the anti-rebound bar. The manual storage is in the base near the bottom, tucked away from little fingers and accidental soiling.
The City Go2 is a nice looking seat that is more comfortable than the average seat in this group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort/Quality
This seat performed well in our tests for comfort and quality, scoring above the average compared to the competition.
The City Go2 has dense EPS foam to aid in force absorption.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Fabric and Padding
The fabric isn't the best, but it isn't the worst. It is about what you'd expect on a car seat. It has a few parallel stick lines along the neck rest and infant insert, but nothing we think will cause chafing. There is a warning label in the center of where the baby's head will rest, and it could be irritating if your little one has no hair, and some of the stitching could be irritating over time with a rubbing head. This seat has thicker padding on the head and neck area than most. The padding is dense, with only a little give when pressing it. We did find some complaints of excessively sweaty babies, and we can see that dense padding and this kind of fabric potentially lead to less breathability.
Handle and Canopy
The handle is straight up and across with no ergonomic bend. It has a very nice leather-cushioned center. We wish it went down the sides so we could carry it with a hooked elbow. It doesn't rattle and feels firm.
The canopy is a ripstop material that feels durable but not breathable. It looks taut for the most part, but there is a dip at the top. The canopy can be pushed back.
Shell
The shell sides are smooth and easy to wipe clean; there are no nooks or crannies for gunk build-up. The adjustable harness area on the back will be hard to use if it gets gunk in it, but this area is not exposed to the passenger.
The City Go2 is on the heavier side, which is something to keep in mind if you plan to carry it frequently.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight/Size
At 10.5 lbs, the Jogger carrier is on the heavy side. While the difference between carriers could be just a few pounds, those pounds add up quickly the longer you hold the carrier and the bigger your baby gets. If you plan to carry your infant in their car seat, this might matter to you, and a lighter-weight carrier will be important.
Overall, we think there are better car seats in our infant review than the Baby Jogger.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the City GO2
If you own a compatible Baby Jogger full-size stroller, we see how this short shelf-life car seat might intrigue you. With a simple attachment that makes car-to-stroller easy with no adapters, we get it. However, we think it is better to choose your car seat before you choose a stroller because the seat is a safety concern more so than a stroller. Several higher-scoring seats with better crash test analysis and ease of installation scores are available that are compatible with many popular strollers. Some of them even cost less. So, overall, we think our review has better options no matter what your car seat goals.
What Other Infant Car Seats Should You Consider?
If you are looking for a seat that is highly compatible with lots of strollers and has better crash test analysis results, we love the Chicco Keyfit 35. This seat is less expensive than the City GO2 and earned a better overall score. If your goal is the best crash test analysis results, then the Nuna Pipa RX is a top-performing option with higher quality and ease of installation. While it has a higher cost, its impressive performance in every metric shows it has the chops to justify the price if you can afford it. If you want an easy-to-install seat with better crash test results that also save you money, the Romer Juni is the one for you.
Manufacturer Video
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Baby Jogger City GO2 versus top competing products:
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