Chicco Cortina Magic Stroller Review

Pros
• Smooth ride
• Cushy, adjustable handlebar
• Full-shade coverage for infants
• Easy, one-handed fold

Cons
• Heavy and somewhat bulky when folded
• Limited canopy coverage for toddlers
• Initial assembly is complex

Bottom Line
The Chicco Cortina Magic Stroller is a sturdy everyday stroller for both infants and toddlers with lots of storage space and adjustable components, like the seat, footrest and handlebar, that make it easy to find a comfortable fit for your child.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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Features
The Cortina Magic has plenty of compartments for all your gear: It features a large lower compartment that fits a diaper bag and purse (and then some), and there’s a removable food and drink tray for toddlers with cup holders and a dishwasher-safe tray liner. There’s even an additional tray with a cup holder for parents. I used an umbrella stroller for several months before making the upgrade to this stroller, and I’m so thankful I no longer have to worry about slinging a purse or diaper bag over my shoulder or carrying a sippy cup in my hand.

The stroller also features a reversible canopy for both infant and toddler stages, although the toddler canopy is pretty small and doesn’t offer a ton of coverage. (The canopy for the infant stage is larger and offers full protection from sun, wind and rain.)

While I didn’t use this stroller until my daughter entered the toddler stage, it’s also compatible with the Chicco Keyfit and Keyfit 30 infant car seats (both options will latch right into the Cortina Magic). I used the Chicco Keyfit 30 car seat until my daughter was almost a year old, so I really wish I’d gotten this stroller sooner. But we’ll still get lots of use out of it since the weight limit is 50 pounds—my 17-month-old daughter is well under the limit, so we’ll probably use this stroller until she no longer needs one.

Performance
The all-wheel suspension system on the Cortina Magic offers a smooth ride, making it a great option for cruising sidewalks, paved paths and anywhere indoors. The wheels are relatively sturdy—I say “relatively” because they’re plastic and don’t function all that great on bumpy gravel trails (I’ll admit I’ve taken this stroller off-roading and while the wheels did okay, I don’t recommend it if you want this stroller to last). There are two tabs at the back wheels to put the stroller into lock mode, but you only need to step on one for both wheels to lock. And while I’ve never had the desire to do so, you can also adjust the front wheels to a straight position so they don’t swivel.

Overall, I’m happy with my choice. The stroller looks great and is extremely smooth to push, and it’s held up through daily walks around the neighborhood. I used the stroller for about a year, and it’s in such good shape that I plan to use it again for my second child, due in February.

Design
I had a pretty hard time putting this stroller together when it first arrived in the box—it has lots of parts! You have to assemble the wheels, canopy and tray, and the back wheels have some small parts that gave me a bit of trouble. (To be fair, I’ve found that strollers from other brands are equally difficult to assemble.) Thankfully, you only have to put it together once.

Once it’s set up, the Cortina Magic has a fully reclining adjustable seat with eight different positions and an adjustable footrest with three levels. Thanks to the “memory recline” feature, the seat returns to the same position it was before you folded it (just like magic, which is how the stroller gets its name). While the five-point harness is adjustable as well, the straps stick and it can be annoying to get them to where you want.

The Cortina Magic has a sturdy aluminum frame and folds up easily with the pull of one handle. The only other downside to the design is this stroller is still pretty bulky once folded, so it’s not ideal if you have a small car trunk and need to fit other items besides your stroller.

Summary
My daughter loves hopping into this stroller to head to the park. I actually have to hide the stroller from her so she doesn’t continuously point at it and utter sounds that seem to mean, “Come on, let’s go!” The Chicco Cortina Magic offers a smooth ride and is a great choice for an everyday stroller—as long as you aren’t looking for a super-compact option.