Baby Jogger City Elite 2 pushchair review

The Baby Jogger City Elite 2 is the latest in the line of the luxurious 3-wheeled Baby Jogger series. This model is larger, yet slimmer, than the previous City Elite pram, with a new, spacious seat that can take heavier weights (up to 22kg). This pram could last you years and save you hundreds as you will not have to spend out for different prams as your child grows.

Stand-out features include the easy, one-handed quick fold as well as the lie-flat recline, with an extra-long hood which offers UV 50+ protection to shade baby from the day’s rays – perfect for those on-the-go naps. Wider, thicker wheels make it easy to navigate on any terrain – your baby is always guaranteed a smooth ride.

This pram can really be used anywhere; it has a fabulous off-road capability so could be used for urban or suburban use but is also travel-friendly with the one-fold motion for planes, and can also be used as an every-day stroller. With an RRP of £634, it's a premium 3-wheeler model that sits somewhere between the budget Ickle Bubba Venus Prime, £319, and Thule Urban Glide 3, £749.95, price-wise.

How easy is it to build the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 pushchair?

I am absolutely terrible at building anything, but I was able to get this up in 5 minutes, straight from the box.
The pram comes in one single piece that automatically folds out by releasing the easily visible safety catch on the side. You then attach the wheels by simply clicking them in place.

The City Elite 2 comes with a manual with step-by-step pictures, although I think it could be improved by having additional text alongside the images, as I did have trouble working out how the pram works once it was up.

I found it difficult to adjust the straps, and working out which bit released the wheels. Turns out there was a picture for it, but it was not made clear that the release brake was on the side of the pram, and needed to be activated by hand.

My 8-year-old son worked it out for me though, so it could well have been an issue with me!

How easy is it to fold and unfold the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 pushchair?

Very. It can be done one-handed, though I would say it is a bulky pram, so 2-handed is probably easier. In my opinion, this isn’t a pram you can fold down with a baby on one hip, due to the weight of it.

There are marked out pulleys on the seat. One is labelled ‘1’ so you pull that first, followed by the thicker and longer second pulley, marked ‘2’. Simply pull up and it’ll fold down almost flat.

As for putting it back up, it's even easier: Simply release the safety catch, take hold of the handlebar and pull upwards, and you are ready to go.

How compact and portable is the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 pushchair?

The pram folds to H82cm x W68cm x D36.7cm (similar to the Hauck Runner 2) and can stand up with ease, though the large wheels add to the bulk. There is also no carry handle on the City Elite 2, so carrying it could be a bit of an issue if you are juggling other things at the same time. I used the second pulley as a handle to carry the pram when it needed carrying, but I did find it heavy. Weighing 11.7kg, it's not lightweight, and so, not easy to carry for any type of distance.

How comfortable is the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 pushchair for your baby?

Elsie is on the small side, and has always been on the first percentile since birth. She is super lightweight, and small in size as well as weight, so I would liken her to the size of a 10 month old.

She could be in this pram for years and years to come, it really is a spacious seat. I had to secure the straps pretty much as tight as I could – but she was really happy in it.

It is a very smooth ride for her and she really enjoyed being able to look up and see me through the large viewing panel at the top.

What is the seat unit like on the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 pushchair?

The seat has great padding and reclines fully, all the way to lay flat. Elsie is a nap dodger, but this pram would be absolutely perfect for those long days out when they have to sleep on the go. The harness is secure, once you get the length right, but it does not have a lot of back support for smaller babies.

One great feature is the calf and footrest which can be placed up, or down, depending on the baby or toddler’s preference. I can imagine this making the pram seat really comfy for a toddler.

How smooth is the ride?

Very. The Baby Jogger City Elite 2 handles all different terrains really well. Pavements, grass and cobbles all are easily manageable with this pram, and the baby will have a smooth ride no matter where you are.

The hardy, all-terrain wheels are larger which provide the smooth ride and you can comfortably push with one hand. We took this pram over cobbles, in the skate park and even on a sandy beach and it passed the test every time.

The wheels are what Baby Jogger call “forever air tyres” with all-wheel suspension. This means there is no risk of punctures and the front wheel can either be swivelled or locked in place depending on the terrain you are walking on.

How easy is it to manoeuvre the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 pushchair?

The ride seems sturdy and safe and the pushchair is really easy to manoeuvre. The only issue is the size of the rear axle which I have, on occasion, misjudged, because it is wider. It is not as easy to operate in very tight spaces such as through tighter door frames.

Can the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 be used as a travel system?

Yes. Baby Jogger sell a range of additional accessories if you are needing the full works with this pram. There is a carrycot for newborns which RRPs at £244 if you are wanting to use from birth, plus adaptors to attach car seats.

It is compatible with Maxi Cosi, Cybex and Be Safe car seats.

Parents of toddlers can also purchase belly bars and parent consoles for storing easy-to-hand items such as phones and snacks.

How good are the brakes?

On previous prams my brakes have normally been on the floor, but the brake on the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 is reachable by hand instead, and at the side of the pram.

It is an extremely strong brake and will stop the pram dead as soon as you flick the catch. It is a very sturdy stop.

How practical is the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 for parents?

The basket is on the bigger size, and you can easily fit in a large changing bag, but because there is a bar that runs along the middle, I think it would be tricky to get lots of shopping in, for example. However, I did manage to get my 7 year old’s foldable scooter in the bottom when we went on a walk and she decided she didn’t want to scoot anymore.

The handle bar has adjustable heights depending on how tall you are, which was great for me on the shorter side.

What's the hood like on the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 pushchair?

The extendable hood is fantastic and did a good job of protecting Elsie from the sun. It is also removable should you want, although I can’t think why you would want it removed.

It's waterproof and has ventilation integrated panels which will be ideal when the weather turns hotter.

The peek-a-boo viewing window at the top is large and makes it really easy for parents to keep a close eye on their baby at all times, which solves the problem of this pram not being able to parent-face. The peek-a-boo panels at the side are also magnetic which I found really handy for when Elsie fell asleep – it meant I could silently check on her without having to pull apart Velcro, which obviously makes lots of noise and could wake her up.

Is it easy to clean?

Yes. You can take off the City Elite 2's seat and the fabrics are machine washable with Baby Jogger advising to wash “on a cold, gentle or delicate” cycle before leaving to drip dry.

They advise not ironing, dry cleaning or tumble drying the fabrics, and the metal and plastic frame can be wiped down really easily.

My daughter is now transitioning to a sippy cup from her milk bottle and we had a slight bit of spillage. It was minimal, but it did wipe straight off with a trusty baby wipe, leaving no mark or stain once dried which I was really pleased with.

Does the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 pushchair have any sustainability features?

Baby Jogger has thought of the environment with the design of this pram. It boasts TENCEL branded fibres which are produced by environmentally responsible processes and sourced from “natural raw material wood”. The TENCEL fabric is used all over the pram plus the canopy, which also helps your little one with heat regulation.

The fabric is certified biodegradable and the pram arrived in cardboard boxes, all easily broken down and recycled. Parts are all able to buy online should you need a replacement for anything.

Is the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 worth the money?

I'd say the pram is good value for money as it is on the larger side, so should last many years. I tested the pram in the stroller mode, but parents of newborns can create a travel system with most Maxi-Cosi, Cybex and BeSafe infant car seats. This model allows for children of up to 34kg, which is big enough and the seat is so roomy, I can’t imagine it not being suitable for a child 3-plus.

The Baby Jogger City Elite 2 pushchair looks and feels modular, sleek and modern in design, so I feel the £634 price tag is justified.

Where can I buy Baby Jogger City Elite 2 pushchair?

It's available at Amazon.

MadeForMums verdict:

Offering a smooth ride for your baby and lasting from newborn to no longer needing a pram, I think the Baby Jogger City Elite 2 is a great pram, and excellent value for money. It's a great product, which goes anywhere and through everything with no breakages, no punctures and no problems.

Just be wary of the wider wheels if loading into small cars, but even if it is a problem to get in, you can easily detach the first front wheel to save space. It gets the thumbs up from me!