UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair review

From the moment you open the box, you can tell this is a premium quality product that has been carefully designed and crafted, and as the old adage says, 'you get what you pay for!'

How easy is the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair to build?

The Vista V3 takes just a matter of moments to build. The instruction manual is laid out in simple, visual steps that are really easy to follow. Essentially:

• Step 1 - open the frame.
• Step 2 - attach the 4 wheels.
• Step 3 - attach the toddler seat.

It’s that simple! The carry cot requires a little more assembly as it comes flat-packed so you’ll need to raise the sides and insert the mattress, but it was built and ready to go in under a minute.

The Vista V3 feels strong, sturdy and durable, which is exactly what you want from a pushchair. I had confidence in it before I’d even used it!

How well does the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair adapt for growing families?

When we purchased our first pushchair for Noah a few years ago, one thing we overlooked was what would happen should we have another child, as our pushchair couldn’t convert into a double. The Vista V3 takes away this worry, as it can be used as both a single pushchair or double travel system.

Noah loved being able to ride with his little brother and look down at him to make him smile. Until now, he either had to walk alongside us or sit next to Ollie in a side-by-side double buggy, so this formation really helped with their engagement and bond whilst on days out.

In comparison to other travel systems I’ve tested, the Vista V3 operates as both a single and double really, really well. Sometimes you find that double buggies feel quite heavy and clunky when being used as a single, but this certainly isn’t the case here.

Once your baby has outgrown the carrycot, you can continue using this travel system by purchasing the Rumble Seat (£299). This can be both parent- and front- facing, which is nice to give your child the choice of which way they face

How easy is it to convert the UPPAbaby Vista V3 from a single to a double pushchair?

Converting the Vista V3 from a single to a double requires purchasing additional sets of Upper Adapters (£29.99) and Lower Adapters (£24.95). The upper adapters raise the height of the toddler seat to allow space for the carrycot at the bottom.

The lower adapters clip onto the bars of the frame to attach the carrycot – I did find these to be quite stiff and a little fiddly to connect. In the end I drafted in help from my partner – team effort!

What did you think of the UPPAbaby Vista V3 carrycot?

Ollie is a baby that doesn’t enjoy lying down – cot, moses basket, carrycot… you name it, he normally cries! However, he seemed really comfortable in the Vista V3 carrycot. He’s quite a long baby (65cm at 4 months), but there’s still room for him to use it for the next few months.

The mattress isn’t too firm or soft, and is made from air-mesh instead of foam. This makes it washable and also suitable for safe, comfortable overnight sleeping. Whilst I didn’t test the overnight sleeping, I do think it’s a huge bonus for families wanting to utilise this feature. There is also great airflow throughout, with mesh panels on both the hood and body of the carrycot.

How easy is it to remove the UPPAbaby Vista V3 carrycot?

The catch to detach the carrycot from the frame is positioned on the handle of the hood and requires you to push down and across at the same time – adding that extra layer of security in comparison to other travel systems that just require you to push one button or pull one handle.

The carrycot itself is relatively light but the handle/frame is very sturdy which makes lifting it on and off the pushchair really easy. Plus, it gives you the confidence that your baby is secure inside.

How easy is it to fold and unfold the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair?

Folding and unfolding the Vista V3 is pretty straightforward and doesn’t involve many steps – however, unlike some other pushchairs, it can’t be done one handed. Some travel systems require the frame to be folded down separately without the seat, however this system allows it to be folded with the toddler seat attached, which is a big plus in my eyes.

As the pushchair is fairly lightweight (9kg for the frame and 12.5kg for the frame and seat), it doesn’t feel like you’re battling trying to fold or unfold it. It packs down really compactly (L44cm x W65cm x H100cm with the seat attached), which is ideal for storage. It also lays very neatly in the boot of a car, and allows for the carrycot to be placed on top (should you be using it as a double buggy).

The only issue I found was that the footrest panel can get scuffed easily depending on which angle it is placed at when you fold it down, so I recommend practising on a carpeted area before doing it outside. Whilst only aesthetic, it’s not the nicest feeling when you scuff a buggy you’ve had for less than 24 hours!

Unfolding can be quite fiddly to undo the catch that holds the frame together, as you have to slide your hand between the frame to unlock the catch to open it. Even after a month I’m still unsure of what way to push the catch and slide the bars.

How do you fold the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair?

• Step 1 – extend the handle.
• Step 2 – lift the catches up on either side of the bars.
• Step 3 – pull the handle down to fold the buggy.
• Step 4 – fold the footrest flat.

How do you unfold the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair?

• Step 1 – undo the catch holding the frame together.
• Step 2 – open the frame by pulling handle up.
• Step 3 – open out the footrest.

How comfortable is the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair for your baby and toddler?

Noah changes his mind every 2 minutes between wanting to sit in the pushchair and to get out and explore. However, he was more than happy to sit in the seat for a longer period whilst we explored woodlands and our local parks. I think this is primarily down to his comfort, as the seat has some brilliant features that make it as comfortable as possible for toddlers.

The seat is padded and feels spacious, so your child won't feel squeezed in during the colder months when they’re layered up and wearing a coat. The bumper bar also provides toddlers with plenty of room, and has a nice leather detail across it.

The footrest can sit at various different angles based on your child's preference, which really helped with Noah’s comfort as he has fairly long legs which normally get cramped in other pushchairs. The seat goes from fully upright to lie-flat (with various angles in between), which was useful when Noah fell asleep for his midday nap. Plus the various different angles all add to the levels of comfort you’re able to offer your child rather than being restricted to 1 or 2.

What do you think of the harness on the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair?

It's great. The easy-to-adjust harness has a magnetic buckle, which removes the fear of children getting their fingers trapped between the belt and buckle like traditional harnesses have. You also need to push in buttons on either side of the buckle to undo it – which adds that extra layer of security. I found the harness really easy to adjust to sit comfortably on my son’s shoulders, simply sliding the buckle up or down to where it is needed. In comparison, I normally find myself getting frustrated and wrestling with other buckles that need to be rethreaded.

What's the hood like on the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair?

I really like how much coverage the extendable canopy provides on the toddler seat, especially for sunny days. It pulls further over the seat than I’ve seen with any other pushchairs. It also has 2 mesh panels, so you can keep your little one shaded and well ventilated at the same time, and is both water-repellent and UPF 50+.

How well does the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair handle different terrains?

The Vista V3 boasts dual-spring FlexRide suspension and 'never flat' tyres for the ultimate smooth riding experience – it really does handle better than any other pushchair I’ve used. From grass and pavement to cobbles and woodland paths, I didn’t have any complaints from either of my 2 boys on the comfort of their ride. The only difference was how much effort it took to push the pushchair across the various terrains, but that’s to be expected.

How easy is it to push and manoeuvre the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair?

With double travel systems you can either have the '2 in tow' formation like the Vista V3 or side-by-side, and I do think it comes down to personal preference as to which you prefer. For me, I find side-by-side buggies more difficult to push and manoeuvre as they’re wider and tend to be heavier, whereas I prefer the lighter and slender design of the V3.

For the most part, I was able to push the pushchair one handed when both of my boys were onboard and only needed to use both hands when turning tight corners. This is the downside to this pushchair being fairly long, it doesn’t handle tight corners the greatest. However, I’d be happy to compromise with this as it does fit through doorways and generally controls a lot easier than the side-by-side buggies I’ve tested.

The brakes are really secure too, and have a nice firm click to lock on and off. There’s also a really nice display which shows red or green to indicate if the brakes are on or off, so no more “have you locked the brakes?” from my partner (thank you!).

How practical is the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair for parents?

Whilst having lots of fancy features is great, the key question has got to be – is it practical? And in short – yes, yes and yes!

The storage basket underneath is easily accessible and is huge. It can hold up to 13.5kg which is more than enough for everything you need for a day out. You do need to consider how you pack items into it when it’s used in double mode, but we were still able to store 2 baby bags, a picnic blanket, a football, a few other toys and our lunches for an afternoon adventure.

It’s clear the team at UPPAbaby wanted to make this pushchair as user-friendly as possible so parents can focus on getting out and enjoying time with their little ones.

What’s in the box?

• Instruction Manual
• Pushchair Frame
• Carrycot
• Toddler Seat
• Rain Shield (both Carrycot & Toddler Seat)
• Bug Shield (both Carrycot & Toddler Seat)
• Toddler Seat Storage Bag

Are there any accessories you can buy separately?

Yes. I used the Upper Adapters, Lower Adapters and Rumble Seat for this review, which can all be bought separately. The UPPAbaby Vista V3 can also be used as a travel system with all UPPAbaby car seats and numerous other leading brands.

What are the sustainability features of the UPPAbaby?

The Vista V3 arrived in fully recyclable packaging, mainly consisting of cleverly constructed cardboard formations to keep everything safe during transportation.

The travel system itself has a GREENGUARD Gold Certification, which means it’s been built to be low-emitting and contribute to cleaner, indoor air.

If there are any parts that get broken or damaged, UPPAbaby has a brilliant replacements parts catalogue which means you can replace singular parts instead of replacing the whole pushchair.

Is the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair worth the money?

Had I done some more research and known about the Vista V3 before Noah was born, I would have definitely chosen this over the pushchair that we did. Yes, it’s a higher price point at £1099.99, but as I previously mentioned, with this pushchair you really do get what you pay for. Whilst I’ve only tested this for a month, I know it’s going to last a very long time. Everything from the design allowing you to adapt it from a single to double and the quality of the materials to the ease of use and the way it drives and handles, makes it worth every single penny.

Where can I buy the UPPAbaby Vista V3 pushchair?

It's available at John Lewis, Very and Natural Baby Shower.

MadeForMums verdict

I will only ever recommend a product if I genuinely like it, and I LOVE the UPPAbaby Vista V3. It is without a doubt the best single and double travel system I have used, and I have tested a lot of the options on the market.

Aside from the very minor issues I’ve mentioned in this review, this pushchair has brought back the joy of getting out and about with my family. I used to get stressed with managing days out with both my boys – including loading everything in the car so it fits, getting from A to B without stopping every few minutes and struggling to manoeuvre the pushchair. The Vista V3 has removed all of that stress and anxiety. Game-changer.