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For most families with one child, the UPPAbaby Cruz V3 is the full-size stroller we'd start with: it works from birth without a bassinet, folds with the seat on and is narrower than most. If a second baby is likely in the next few years, the UPPAbaby Vista V3 is the safer buy. If your sidewalks are rough, icy or gravel, look at the Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew.
Below are our seven picks, what each does best and who should skip it. Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this.
Our picks at a glance
| Stroller | Best for | Weight | Newborn without extras? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxi-Cosi Zelia Luxe 5-in-1 | Best value, car seat included | 21 lb (stroller only) | Yes, carriage mode | $899.99 |
| UPPAbaby Cruz V3 | Most single-child families | 26.5 lb | Yes, infant insert | $919.99 |
| UPPAbaby Vista V3 | A second child later | 27.6 lb | No, needs Bassinet or SnugSeat | $1,039.99 |
| Nuna MIXX Next | Shortest fold, Nuna car seats | 28.3 lb | Yes, flat recline | $1,200.00 |
| Silver Cross Reef 2 | Lie-flat seat and suspension for the price | 26.5 lb | Yes, lie-flat seat | $1,299.95 |
| Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew | Rough sidewalks, snow and gravel | 12.3 kg (27.1 lb) | Yes, bassinet included | $1,598.95 |
| Cybex Platinum Priam 5 | Premium finish, accessories included | 28.4 lb | No, needs cot or infant seat | $1,599.95 |
UPPAbaby Cruz V3: the one most families should look at first
The Cruz V3 is our default recommendation for one child. It comes with an infant insert, so you can use the seat lie-flat from day one without buying a bassinet. It's 22.5 in wide, about 3 in narrower than the Vista V3, which matters in condo hallways and older Vancouver doorways.
It folds with the seat attached, and UPPAbaby Mesa and Aria infant car seats click on without adapters. The basket is generous for a stroller this narrow.
Skip it if: you expect two children close together and want both seated. The Cruz V3 takes a PiggyBack ride-along board for an older child, but not a second seat.
UPPAbaby Vista V3: buy once if a second baby is coming
The Vista V3 starts as a single stroller and converts to a double with a RumbleSeat, or to a triple with a RumbleSeat and PiggyBack board. If you're planning a second child within a couple of years, buying a Vista now usually costs less than buying a single stroller and then a double.
It has a 30 lb basket, one of the largest here, and folds in one step with the seat on. UPPAbaby Mesa and Aria seats attach directly.
Skip it if: you're sure you'll stay at one child, or your trunk is small. At 25.7 in wide it's the widest stroller in this list, and the toddler seat starts at 3 months, so a newborn needs the Bassinet or Infant SnugSeat (sold separately).
Torn between the two UPPAbaby models? Our Cruz V3 vs Vista V3 comparison goes into the details.
Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew: for rough paths and snowy sidewalks
The Fox 5 Renew has extra-large puncture-proof wheels and suspension built for cobblestones, grass and gravel. If your daily walk includes unplowed sidewalks in Ottawa or trail loops around Burnaby Lake, this is the most capable push in the list.
The complete stroller includes the bassinet, so it's ready for a newborn out of the box. It folds with either the bassinet or the seat attached, and the seat extends 10 cm as your child grows. Bugaboo adds two years to its standard two-year warranty if you register within three months.
Skip it if: your walks are mostly smooth city sidewalks. You'd be paying about $680 more than a Cruz V3 for terrain you don't use.
Nuna MIXX Next: the shortest fold
The MIXX Next has a fold-away rear axle, so the folded stroller is only 19 in tall. That's the shortest fold here, and it helps in sedan trunks and condo storage lockers. It folds with the seat facing either way.
The seat reclines flat, so it works from birth. A ring adapter for Nuna PIPA infant seats is included, which makes it an easy travel system if you've already chosen a PIPA. The seat fits children up to 45 in tall, the tallest limit here.
Skip it if: weight matters most. At 28.3 lb it's one of the heavier strollers in this list.
Silver Cross Reef 2: lie-flat seat and suspension
The Reef 2 has a reversible seat that goes lie-flat from birth, puncture-proof wheels and four-wheel suspension. A fitted rain cover is included, which is useful in Vancouver and saves you about $60 on a separate purchase. The handlebar adjusts from 39 to 44 in, and the seat is rated to 55 lb or 4 years.
Skip it if: you want machine-washable fabrics. Silver Cross says to sponge-clean the seat and not machine wash it. Car seat adaptors are also sold separately.
Cybex Platinum Priam 5: the premium pick
The Priam 5 has all-wheel suspension, a one-hand fold and a seat rated to 55 lb. Unlike most strollers here, it comes with car seat adapters, a rain cover and a cup holder in the box.
Skip it if: you want to use it from birth without extra cost. The seat starts at 6 months, so a newborn needs the Fold Lux Carry Cot or a compatible infant car seat. It's also the heaviest stroller here at 28.4 lb.
See the Cybex Platinum Priam 5
Maxi-Cosi Zelia Luxe 5-in-1: the best value
The Zelia Luxe travel system includes the stroller, a Mico Luxe infant car seat and a base for $899.99. That's less than most strollers here cost on their own. The seat converts from a newborn carriage to a toddler seat, and an insulated boot cover and weather shield come in the box.
Skip it if: you want a one-piece fold. You take the seat off before folding the frame, so it goes in the trunk as two pieces. The included Canadian base also has no load leg.
How to choose between them
- Will you need a second seat? If yes, the Vista V3 is the only stroller here that converts to a double. Otherwise, any of the others.
- Where does it live? Measure your trunk and storage spot. The MIXX Next has the shortest fold, the Cruz V3 is the narrowest, and the Vista V3 is the widest.
- What's under the wheels? Smooth city sidewalks suit the Cruz V3 or MIXX Next. Snow, gravel and broken pavement suit the Fox 5 Renew or Reef 2.
- Which infant car seat? If you already have one, check which strollers it fits without extra adapters. Our travel systems guide covers compatibility.
For a wider look at how to think about full-size strollers, see how to choose a full-size stroller. For winter routes specifically, see choosing a stroller for Canadian winter.
Try the fold before you buy
A fold that looks easy online can feel different when you're holding a bag. Our Richmond, Burnaby and Ottawa stores carry many of these strollers. Call ahead and we'll let you know which models are on the floor that day, so you can push and fold the ones on your shortlist. You can also browse all full-size strollers.
