UPPAbaby Vista V3 Review: Is It Still the Best Convertible Stroller?

Who is the UPPAbaby Vista V3 for?

The UPPAbaby Vista V3 is for parents who expect their family to grow, or who simply want one stroller they will not outgrow. It is a full-size stroller that can carry a toddler seat, a bassinet, an infant car seat, a second seat or a riding board. BabyGearLab names it a top pick for bigger families. If you will only ever have one child, the lighter and cheaper Cruz V3 does much of the same job. The Vista suits parents who drive to most outings, because at 27.6 lb with the seat it is not something you want to carry up stairs every day. It also suits parents who care about resale value and a 3-year warranty. UPPAbaby lists the price at $999.99, but the Bassinet V3 is sold separately, and retailers list it at about $280. Add a second seat later and the total grows again. In short, the Vista is for families who want room to grow more than they want a small footprint.

How does the Vista V3 ride and steer?

UPPAbaby lists the Vista V3 with never-flat tires, all-wheel suspension and front wheel locks. Reviewers at BabyGearLab found it steady and easy to push, with larger rear wheels and shock absorbers that let it feel like a smaller stroller. They rated it among the best of the full-size group on hard surfaces, and it handled varied terrain well, though rough ground called for locking the front wheels. One caution from the same reviewers: the stiffer suspension produced more wake-up jolts for a sleeping child than most rivals. At 25.7 in wide, it is wider than the Cruz V3, so very narrow shop aisles and doorways take a little more care. UPPAbaby does not recommend running with it, so think of it as a smooth city and suburb stroller, not a jogger. Consumer Reports, in a separate review, also questioned the suspension.

• Maneuverability9.3 / 10
• WheelsNever-flat tires with all-wheel suspension and front wheel locks

How big is the Vista V3 when folded?

UPPAbaby lists the Vista V3 at 27.6 lb with the toddler seat: 19.8 lb for the frame and 7.8 lb for the seat. The fold is one step, it works with or without the seat attached, and the stroller stands on its own when folded. UPPAbaby gives the folded size as 16.3 x 25.7 x 33.8 in with the seat attached, or 11.3 x 25.7 x 32.3 in with the seat removed. That is a tall, bulky package. Reviewers at BabyGearLab said the fold takes two hands, that the stroller can be rolled like luggage once folded, and that the frame can pinch fingers. They scored it lowest in the group for transport and storing. It fits in most trunks, but a small hatchback may be tight once you add a bassinet or second seat. There is no carry handle, so lifting means grabbing the frame.

Is the Vista V3 comfortable and safe?

The toddler seat reclines to fully flat with a single button, and the leg rest has three positions. UPPAbaby says the seat is for children from about 3 months, and that a newborn rides in the Bassinet V3 or on the Infant SnugSeat. The bassinet is listed at up to 20 lb or until the baby pushes up on hands and knees, per Macrobaby. The five-point harness uses a magnetic buckle, which BabyGearLab reviewers liked for avoiding pinched fingers once they learned it. The canopy is one of the largest in the group, with UPF 50+ fabric, a peek-a-boo window and a zip-out mesh extension. UPPAbaby lists GREENGUARD Gold certification and Baby Safety Alliance verification, and Babylist's listing also shows JPMA Certified. The seat holds children up to 50 lb.

How much storage does the Vista V3 have?

Storage is the Vista V3's strongest point. UPPAbaby lists a basket limit of 30 lb, and BabyGearLab reviewers said it holds large diaper bags under the seat, with small pockets for keys and a wallet. Narrow kid bottles fit in the side compartments, but adult-sized bottles do not. Access is easy from the back and sides, even with the seat reclined. The Cruz V3 shares the same 30 lb limit, so the Vista does not win on capacity alone. What it adds is a frame that can take a second seat, so the basket keeps earning its place as the family grows.

How does the single-to-double setup work?

The Vista V3 is built so you can change its setup as your family changes. You start with the toddler seat or the Bassinet V3. When a second child arrives, you add a second seat, sold separately, to the same frame. Seats can face the parent or the world, and an infant car seat can go on in place of a seat. BabyGearLab says the frame can hold a second seat, a bassinet, an infant car seat or a riding board, which makes it suitable for up to three children. UPPAbaby says its Mesa and Aria car seats attach directly, without adapters. The cost is weight and length. Adding seating increases both, and BabyGearLab scored the Vista V3 Double lower for transport and storing than the single. Plan on a bigger trunk and a bigger budget if you go this route.

UPPAbaby Vista V3 vs UPPAbaby Cruz V3 vs Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew

UPPAbaby Cruz V3: Same brand and 30 lb basket, $100 cheaper, 1.1 lb lighter, for one child. Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew: Bigger wheels and a one-hand fold, but costs $500 more and does not convert to a double.

How we rated the UPPAbaby Vista V3

Six criteria, weighted by how much they shape everyday life. Read our methodology.

1. Maneuverability 20%9.3
2. Fold & portability 20%8.0
3. Comfort & safety 20%9.3
4. Storage & practicality 15%9.8
5. Build & durability 15%9.5
6. Value 10%8.6

Weighted total9.1— Exceptional

UPPAbaby Vista V3 full specifications

What to buy instead

• Same brand and 30 lb basket, $100 cheaper, 1.1 lb lighter, for one child.

  UPPAbaby Cruz V3

  9.1 — Exceptional. 26.5 lb, folds to 17×22.5×32.5 in, $899.99.

• Bigger wheels and a one-hand fold, but costs $500 more and does not convert to a double.

  Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew

  8.8 — Excellent. 26.5 lb, folds to 17.3×23.6×35.4 in, $1,499.

• Another single-to-double stroller if you want to grow into two seats.

  Mockingbird Single-to-Double 3.0

  8.6 — Excellent. 28 lb, folds to 34×26×18 in, $549.