Mothercare's Xcursion is a complete and versatile travel system with many adjustable features. Suitable from birth, it can be used in both forward and parent facing modes. The seat unit and car seat clip directly on to the chassis. The seat unit has multiple recline positions.
What we love
The Mothercare Xcursion Travel System was extremely easy to set up: the chassis was ready to go, I just opened it up, clipped on the two back wheels and it was ready for the seat unit or car seat.
The handle extends further than any other buggy I've used, which was handy since there's a big height discrepancy between my husband and me.
The brake was a simple pedal in the middle of the bar between the two back wheels. It was red, so it was obvious, and you simply step on it to stop and push it back up to go. So many buggies have quite complicated brake arrangements, so this one was refreshing.
Both the seat unit and the car seat are padded and look comfortable and luxurious. The hood just pulls up and pushes down without any clips etc, which is handy. The cosytoes is stylish and warm. The basket underneath is roomy and has high enough sides that your stuff won't fall out when you go up and down kerbs.
The seat unit reclines completely flat very easily. For babies under 6 months, you unclip a strap under the seat unit and it makes the seat more of a hollow. It looked comfy and Joe loved it even though he's 9 months and he usually hates lying down.
The seat and car seat are incredibly easy to remove: you simply push in a button on either side and lift the seat away. The great thing is they stay pushed in, so you're not trying to hold both and lift and the same time, like some other travel systems.
I've never previously used a travel system where the car seat clicks directly onto the chassis, which is what the Mothercare Xcursion Travel System does. It's such a space-saver (which is important to me because I have a very small car) and it's a cinch to install in the car (although it would be even easier with an in-car base, obviously).
What to watch out for
I had terrible problems unfolding the chassis. One side clicked into place, but the other wouldn't and, by the time I managed it, I thought I'd given myself a groin strain. I've also only adjusted the handle a couple of times and yet the metal finish is already quite scratched.
Joe is very curious and likes to be sitting completely upright so he can look around, but the Mothercare Xcursion wouldn't allow him to sit upright, leaving him reclined about 45 degrees, which he really hated. He hated it so much, in fact, that the first time we used the Mothercare Xcursion Travel System, I took him out for lunch and he screamed when I tried to put him back in. The next time I tried to put him in, he screamed again, but I found that he much preferred it without the cosytoes, when he could keep himself upright by holding on to the bumper bar. Handily, this is adjustable.
Joe preferred the car seat to the seat unit, but he wasn't particularly impressed with that either. It was a bit of a squeeze and Joe is actually underweight for his age, so I can't imagine it having much longevity. Plus the adjustable handle makes quite a loud clicking noise when moved and it made Joe jump and then cry.
Who is the Mothercare Xcursion Travel System best for?
Parents after an attractive, easy-to-use system at a reasonable price.
The Mothercare Xcursion Travel System is a bit of a grower. While you may not fall in madly love with it instantly, the more you use it, the more you appreciated its versatility and comfort levels. The car seat is easy to install and if it were bigger and the seat unit more upright, the Xcursion could be close to perfect.
