REASONS TO BUY
Good comfort
Canopy fits with handle
Retractable LATCH
REASONS TO AVOID
Lower crash test analysis
Disappointing indicator
LATCH release is hard to press
UPPAbaby Mesa v2 Review
A hard to love seat given the lower crash test results and higher price given the higher-performing competition
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ February 21, 2025
Contributions From: Juliet Spurrier, MD
Our Verdict
The UPPAbaby Mesa V2 is a comfortable seat with a retractable LATCH system. It features UPPAbaby stroller compatibility and is of nicer quality than much of the competition. It has easy-to-use features and a nice canopy/handle design that works well together and is easy to install using the vehicle belt. Unfortunately, the crash test analysis for this seat isn't the best, and it is harder to install using LATCH than some competitors. Given the higher price and the disappointing performance results in key areas, we don't think it is the best fit for most families, even if you love UPPAbaby in general (like we do).
Our Analysis and Test Results
UPPAbaby is an American company with more than a decade of juvenile product experience. They offer car seats and some of our favorite strollers.
Crash test video of the UPPAbaby Mesa V2 at the MGA facility.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research
Crash Testing
The V2's crash test analysis result is not as impressive as the other UPPAbaby infant car seats we have tested in the past. While it is considered safe by the federal guidelines, it scored below average for the group in our “hotter” run test, which puts a little more stress on the seats than the guidelines require.
We are looking for seats that perform better than the average seat, with the lowest possible forces on their head and chest sensors in the crash test dummies. The HIC or head sensor result was one of the highest in the group (lower is better). The chest clip sensor results were also higher than the average. The overall crash test analysis results were below the average and lower. If you are looking for a potential additional margin of protection over the average seat, this is likely not the seat for you.
Pressing on each side of the Mesa V2 helps the retractable LATCH strap to tighten until the red indicator turns fully green.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Installation LATCH
LATCH installation is the second-best installation method for the Mesa V2, and it managed a slightly above-average result compared to other seats. It has push-style LATCH connectors on a retractable, flexible strap, a dial level indicator, and an anti-rebound handle position, but no load leg or traditional anti-rebound bar.
The LATCH connectors are easy to use and push right on the anchor points. The retractable strap works well and makes tightening a breeze with few issues. It is hard to twist the straps accidentally. The lock-off is the real problem, as it is more challenging to use because it is smaller.
The Mesa V2 level indicator has a limited range, and it is harder to read when you are installing the seat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
We used a towel in both test cars to get the right angle, as the indicator had a small tolerance window that didn't like the contours of the vehicle seat or the tight installation. The indicator is harder to see, and we worry some parents will get too frustrated to bother. Pressing on either side of the base helps finalize the tightening and creates a secure installation that barely budges when tugged on. The lack of a load leg means less hassle. Releasing is straightforward, with a pull tab to release the LATCH connectors. Once they detach, you help them retract into storage cubbies.
The Mesa V2 recline adjustment is a center grey button that unlocks the incline foot to move up and down.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Recline Adjustment
The seat has a limited acceptable installation angle, and there aren't many subtle variations in the four levels of the recline adjustment. We often fell outside the range, with the adjustment doing little more than putting us outside the range in the other direction. Adjustment is a grey button on the foot of the base that you press to help the “foot” lower or raise into one of the four positions.
The Mesa v2 uses the European belt path system.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Installation - Belt
Installing the Mesa V2 with the vehicle belt is the easiest installation method for this seat, which is a bummer since LATCH is supposed to be more foolproof. The Mesa V2 has a color-coded belt pathway and a built-in lock-off, but no tensioner. While we love a good tensioner, some seats have a sufficient lock-off, and tightening isn't a problem.
The LATCH system makes everything on this model a little crowded, but still manageable. The slots are thin, but we had no problem threading the belt. The belt lock-off was smaller than most, and keeping the lap belt in place without bunching took significant effort. Pressing the lock-off down was more difficult for this reason.
Installation of the Mesa V2 with the vehicle belt isn't difficult, but the belt is wider than the lock-off, making it more of a struggle than needed.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Tightening was somewhat easier, and the angle of pull helped avoid tipping. It does have a green indicator color change when you get the base tight enough, which is a nice reassurance. It wasn't a lot of effort, and it feels fairly snug in both test cars, but better in the small SUV.
Ease of Installation - w/o the Base
Installing the Mesa V2 without the base is the hardest method, but it is still slightly above-average. It isn't prohibitively tricky and could be used occasionally on public transportation or when traveling. It utilizes the European belt pathway that pulls the carrier in snugly with the shoulder belt around the back. It has color-coded indicators and a line decal on the shell for leveling.
The belt slots are nice and open and have color indicators. You have to guide the shoulder belt around the back and into the clip, and the smaller carrier size helps with belt placement from outside the car.
We had some trouble tightening, as the carrier felt like it wanted to slip out. If the back path were in a slightly different location, it would probably help. It isn't the most stable in the group, but it passes the wiggle test.
Ease of Use
This UPPAbaby is one of the easiest-to-use seats for daily functions. While it isn't the best, we think most parents will appreciate the little things that UPPAbaby offers that we didn't see elsewhere.
The Mesa V2 buckle and chest clip are somewhat more challenging than the usual seat, and the buckle gave our thumbs a bit of a workout.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Buckle
The buckle has a square flush button. It took slightly more pressing force than most to release the prongs. While it wasn't annoying, it is more of a thumb workout and could be problematic for those with hand or thumb issues. The inside of the metal prongs, where the straps go, has some metal friction to prevent the prongs from sliding down. There are storage slots in the fabric that you can use to avoid this, but you might not need them since the prongs are less free-floating.
The cover on the Mesa V2 has slots to hold the buckle prongs which allows you to put your baby in the seat without putting them on top of the harness.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The chest clip includes a visual guide for placement, which we think is a nice reminder since social media pictures indicate most parents don't know where the clip goes. The release button is small, and you might need to use the tip of your thumb or finger to engage it. It was easy to push down, and the sides of the clip moved apart easily.
Harness Tightening/Loosening
Tightening and loosening work smoothly, but we wish there were more webbing on the strap to make getting the baby's hands in and out more comfortable. We almost pulled all the webbing out during testing to get the straps on. The release button is far from the edge and somewhat more difficult to press, and we had to move legs to use it.
To adjust the harness height on the Mesa V2 you pull the release strap and slide the head assembly up or down to the desired position.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Harness Adjustment
The harness height adjustment on the Mesa v2 is easy and a non-rethread style. The entire headrest assembly slides up and down smoothly, and it can be done from the front of the carrier with your baby in the seat.
The harness release tab is easy to find and pull and allows you to make adjustments with your little one in the seat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
We love this style of adjustment because you can make the changes as soon as you recognize a need.
Attaching the Mesa v2 carrier to the base and removing it is pretty straightforward, but the relatively flat base might require some shifting to get the connection.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Carrier to Base Connection
We didn't have trouble putting the carrier on the base. The base is relatively flat without much to guide it into place, so you might need to shift it around to hear the click. The handle/lever is on the back of the carrier, fairly low on the shell. It is easy to grasp and disengage. The foot of the carrier doesn't get hung up, and it is easy to lift with the regular handle and release lever.
The handle on the Mesa V2 is straightforward, moves smoothly, and doesn't collide with the canopy.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Handle
The handle on this seat is a pleasure to use. It moves smoothly after pressing the joint release buttons and doesn't interfere with the canopy. The anti-rebound position is a nice addition.
Canopy
The canopy movement is smooth and has two possible positions. It moves as one unit and doesn't feel rickety or require each side to be moved independently. This is one of the few that does not brush the handle, and it moves on its own track. The half-circle track dedicated to the canopy is a great design and likely why it functions so well.
The Mesa V2 user manual stows under the base in a slot. It is away from messes but also inaccessible after the base is installed, which feels short-sighted if you are using the manual to guide installation or help with harness adjustments.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
LATCH and Manual Storage
A slot on the bottom of the Mesa base keeps the manual away from messes, but accessing it requires uninstalling the seat, which feels like a mistake and a hassle to new parents with quick questions. The LATCH connectors retract into cubbies. The strap retracts independently, but you must help guide the connectors. The connectors have an orange pull tab for quick retrieval.
The Mesa V2 earned a respectable performance score for comfort and padding.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort/Quality
The Mesa V2 performs well for comfort and quality.
The Mesa V2 has additional padding for impact absorption around the headrest assembly.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Fabric and Padding
The fabric on this seat is nice and soft. Unlike some competitors with rougher material around the head and on the infant insert, this one is good overall, making it a standout. This seat has a lot of padding, including a pretty thick insert that helps boost smaller babies. It feels like memory foam and is more impressive than most. It also sports relatively nice pads on the shoulder and crotch strap buckle.
The canopy on the Mesa V2 is a sleek-looking option that covers about half of the carrier and doesn't collide with the handle at any point.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Handle and Canopy
The canopy and the handle don't collide, which is nice. There is ample room with the handle up, and the canopy is open so that you can put your arm or hand under the handle. It is a rectangle-shaped grip with soft edges. The canopy is larger than average, but the fabric is thin and only filters light instead of blocking it. It has two positions.
Shell
The Mesa V2 outer shell is pretty smooth, easy to wipe clean, and does not have sharp edges or places for grime to hide.
The carrier of the Mesa v2 is about average for the group, with a BabyGearLab measured weight of 10.5 lbs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight/Size
The Mesa V2 has a measured weight of 10.5 lbs. This weight is neither prohibitively heavy for carrying nor ultra-light. Depending on how often you think you'll be lugging your loved one on board, weight might be worth considering.
The Mesa v2 is an okay seat but it isn't our favorite or even our favorite UPPAbaby infant seat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the UPPAbaby Mesa v2
We love UPPAbaby, but the Mesa V2 is not our favorite product in their lineup. While we understand the desire to pair a UPPAbaby stroller and seat, this is not our favorite Mesa nor our favorite seat. No matter what you might be looking for, we think our lineup offers better options with more impressive overall performance.
What Other Infant Car Seats Should You Consider?
If you want a UPPAbaby seat, we prefer the UPPAbaby Aria, but only by a smidge. This lightweight seat has better crash test analysis, but is somewhat more challenging to install. If your goal is the best all-around seat, then the Nuna Pipa RX is our favorite seat, with better crash test analysis results than the competition and impressive performance across the board. If your mind is set on easy to install and some of the best crash test analysis results for a budget price, then the Romer Juni deserves a look.
Manufacturer Video
Side-by-Side Comparison
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