UPPAbaby Cruz V3 vs. Vista V3, Which is Better for You?

In a nutshell:

Both the UPPAbaby Cruz V3 and Vista V3 Strollers offer plenty of storage space, parent-friendly magnetic buckles and easy maneuverability. So, which to invest in? Narrower city-friendly frame aside, the Cruz V3’s new lay-flat seat gives families of one a usable stroller from birth at no extra cost. Accommodating up to three kiddos, the Vista V3 now offers growing families an all-weather toddler comfort seat and slightly larger wheels for a smoother ride, whether you’re strolling downtown or through the countryside.

When two strollers are of similar quality—and even from the same brand—how do you decide which is the right one for your needs? From the size of the frame to the type of wheels, there’s a lot of technical information to consider. If you’re trying to choose between the popular UPPAbaby Cruz V3 and Vista V3, you may be trying to figure out where to even start.

Don’t worry, though: We’ve done the bulk of the research for you. And we didn’t stop there: we put both of these strollers in the hands of parents who’ve tested these sets of wheels out for themselves. Here’s how the latest versions of the UPPAbaby Cruz and Vista compare.

Family Size and Adaptability

At a Glance

• The Cruz V3 is a single, full-size stroller suitable from birth until baby reaches 50 pounds or 40 inches tall (whichever comes first).
• The Vista V3 is a single-to-double stroller. It boasts a larger frame that accommodates extra seating attachments for growing families.

Child capacity and configuration

“The [Vista V3] is very well-designed," our tester and mom of two, Dani tells us. “You can personalize your entire experience, making everyone happy.” It can be used as a single, double or even a sit-and-stand stroller with the UPPAbaby Piggyback—giving it a noticeable edge over the Cruz V3’s single stroller design if you have multiple children.

While the bassinet only fits on the bottom when the UPPAbaby RumbleSeat is attached, the Vista V3’s intuitive design impressed Dani. “It’s really wild how easy it is to take off and put on the bassinet and stroller seats,” she added. “Even just moving the seats so they’re facing different positions, it’s all so simple.”

The good news is, even if you only need a stroller for one, the Cruz V3 makes the conversion from infant to toddler just as easy as switching modes on the Vista. “I think the toddler seat was a great size to grow with your child,” our Cruz V3 tester, Erin, shared. “It looks very sleek and good-quality right off the bat.”

Use as a travel system

Both the Cruz and Vista can be used in concert with an infant car seat as travel system strollers. Out of the box, they’re compatible with the UPPABbaby Mesa and Aria Infant Car Seats, and available car seat adapters let you attach several other car seat brands.

Seat positioning and reversibility

The other perk the Cruz V3 shares with the Vista V3: reversible seating that can seamlessly transition forward, backward and even upright. “If my toddler decided she wanted to face me on today’s walk, I just press down two buttons, and the seat unlatches,” Dani explains. “I pick it up, turn it and click it back down into place.”

Since both strollers share many of UPPAbaby’s signature features —reversible seating and Mesa/Aria car seat compatibility—your decision really comes down to the frame design and expandability. The Vista V3 is more expensive, but the extra cost brings extra options. If you have multiple children (or if your family looks set to grow soon), the Vista V3 may just be the better fit. If you’re one-and-done, you might want to go with the Cruz.

Stroller Size

At a Glance

• The Cruz V3. Unfolded, the Cruz V3 measures 37.5" (L) x 22.8" (W) x 40" (H). Collapsed with the toddler seat attached, it folds down to 10.6" (L) x 22.4" (W) x 42.1" (H) and weighs in at 25.5 pounds.
• The Vista V3. In contrast, the Vista V3 is 36.5" (L) x 25.7" (W) x 39.5" (H) when open, and folds up (with the seat) to 16.3" (L) x 25.7" (W) x 33.8" (H), weighing in at almost 28 pounds.

Folding for transport

A couple of pounds and a few inches on either side may not seem like much. But if you’re constantly in and out of the car and have a smaller vehicle to boot, a stroller that fits easily in your trunk and is easier to lift makes a difference.

Folding shorter than the Cruz V3, the Vista V3 offers greater flexibility for car-bound transportation. Still, “figuring out how to carry the stroller while folded up took a little getting used to at first,” Dani tells us. “I had to find the right area on the stroller to grab that was comfortable—that ended up being the stroller handle since it is padded.” This is the tradeoff with any single-to-double stroller: while you gain support for two kids, the extra frame adds weight, even if it folds shorter.

If you’re city-based, the Cruz V3’s narrower width may be better suited for navigating crowds and public transportation. The Vista V3 folds shorter and offers a little more boot space, but its wider single-to-double frame and extra weight may take practice to carry when folded. That said, while the Cruz V3 is a more streamlined set of wheels than the Vista V3, our tester Erin still found it a bit bigger than other full-size strollers she’s used in the past.

Storage on the go

Size differences aside, the Cruz V3 and the Vista V3 both offer spacious under-carriage baskets. Notably, the Cruz has upgraded from its smaller baskets of old to an extra-large, easy-access basket on par with the Vista. And yes, it holds up to 30 pounds, too.

“I put the diaper bag under there, two water bottles and some bags from our shopping trip, and I still had room in there to put other things if needed,” says Dani. “The cup holder in the lower basket is a nice feature, too. It held my full Stanley without tipping over the entire time. In double mode, the basket is the same–I can access it all from the back easily.”

Pushing and Steering

At a Glance

• The Cruz V3 has 7-inch front tires and 10-inch rear tires
• The Vista V3’s tires are 8.1 inches and 11.3 inches, respectively

Usually larger tires are better for a wider range of terrains than smaller ones. What’s more, since 2015 (meaning the V2 and V3 models), UPPAbaby has offered a set of all-terrain wheels for the Vista that will boost your wheel size to 8.5 inches in the front and 12 inches in the rear. Not only that, its deep grooves are better for gripping rough, slippery surfaces in all kinds of weather.

Terrain performance

Even if you choose not to get the all-terrain kit, the Vista’s larger tires allow it to handle rougher turf than the city-savvy Cruz V3 (a big perk for rural-based parents).

“Pushing the Vista V3 in double mode over flat ground like sidewalks and roads feels like the entire stroller is gliding,” shares Dani. “It’s such a smooth ride, and feels almost effortless to push—yes, even with two kids in it. My husband even mentioned how easy it was to push and that it felt like it was hovering because it rolled so nice.”

Bumpy surfaces weren’t an issue for this stroller either. “I was impressed with how well I could still push it through dirt and rocks,” Dani adds. You can put that down in large part to UPPAbaby’s enhanced FlexRide suspension—a dual-spring design that allows the springs in each tire to work independently, creating a seamless riding experience for kids and parents.

Despite the smaller tire size, the Cruz V3 has the same suspension, and Erin felt the impact (or lack of) immediately. “My kids didn’t seem disturbed or upset at all when it came to the bumpy terrain and were still able to ride comfortably,” she told us. “Baby actually liked it and went to sleep on those roads from the bumps.” So if you do choose the Cruz, you’re not going to be struggling off-road, it just won’t be quite as easy as the Vista.

Day-to-day maneuvering

The only catch with the Cruz V3? “I definitely had to use all hands and be intentional with where I was strolling,” says Erin. Still, the adjustability of the handlebar meant her husband could share the load comfortably, earning the single stroller major brownie points. And as much as the Cruz V3 held its own on country roads, it excels on smooth terrains. “It just feels so airy and light,” Erin adds.

The Vista V3’s maneuverability in cityscapes earned high praise from Dani, too. “We took both the kids in the stroller in double mode through some of our downtown little shops, and we could roll around in there easily,” she tells us.

In short, while both strollers have excellent suspension that makes pushing and steering easier, the Vista V3 handles rural paths and dirt roads with less effort, thanks to its larger wheel size. The Cruz V3 excels in smoother, urban environments but requires a bit more intention when maneuvering on rougher ground.

Newborn-Friendly Features

One of the most notable updates to the Cruz V3 from the V2— and a first for UPPAbaby — is its new fully flat carriage mode. The updated toddler seat now features a from-birth recline with an infant insert included, meaning it can be lowered completely flat to accommodate newborns from the get-go. No more purchasing a newborn-friendly bassinet separately, unlike the Vista V3.

The Cruz V3’s Carriage Mode

Our research tells us that parents love not having to buy an extra bassinet attachment with the Cruz V3. But your mileage may vary—Erin wasn’t crazy about it. “I do love that the stroller can lie fully flat,” she tells us. “But during the newborn stage, they’re so fragile, and I felt like baby was kind of feeling like he was free-falling. It didn’t feel very snug or cozy in my opinion.” If you feel the same, a bassinet attachment is still available (more on that below), although for most parents, the carriage mode is a great money-saver.

Erin’s toddler, on the other hand, fell asleep while using it. “It worked so great for her! She was able to fully relax comfortably and move her arms freely up and down with enough room while putting her legs straight and them not dangling down.”

Bassinet comfort and newborn experience

The UPPAbaby Bassinet V3 is compatible with both models of stroller. “My baby loves how comfy and warm it is,” Erin tells us. “He never got sweaty or overheated inside, and when it was warm outside, I just unzipped it and let the fresh air blow in. Baby boy slept in there on our walk for a good 20 minutes.”

Attached to the Vista V3, Dani’s little one also had a comfy cruise in the brand’s signature bassinet. “He fell asleep immediately when I laid him down in there. And when he woke up mid-walk, he looked so interested in where he was. He just kept staring inside the bassinet, looking around, completely happy,” she shares.

Bassinet setup and at-home use

The bassinet (which is sold separately) arrives already assembled, which both moms appreciated. Simply unzip it and lock it into place on the stroller frame—no building required. “I can’t express enough how easy it is to remove and put on this bassinet,” Dani praises. Noting the foam-free air mattress on the bottom, she adds, “I would feel comfortable letting my baby sleep in this bassinet disconnected from the stroller. It sets down completely flat and sturdy.”

You can also purchase one more add-on, the UPPAbaby Bassinet Stand, which transforms the bassinet attachment into an overnight sleep option. This appealed to Erin, too (“you have to remove the bassinet from the stroller compartment regardless”). While the bassinet and stand are an additional expense, our testers agree it’s worth it for its sturdy design, which can serve as a safe sleep spot for baby at home or on the go.

The Cruz V3’s new carriage mode is a standout cost-saving upgrade that makes the stroller newborn-ready right out of the box. It’s convenient and versatile, though some parents may find it less snug for the earliest weeks. But it’s good to know that for Vista owners (or for parents who simply don’t like the carriage mode), the bassinet attachment works seamlessly with both strollers.

Toddler-Friendly Features

The Cruz V3 and the Vista V3 both come with a full-size, reversible toddler seat, with one noticeable difference: the Cruz V3’s option lies completely flat. As we’ve discussed, this means you can use it immediately from birth. But once transformed back to seat mode, Erin found it super simple to set up her 4-year-old in it. As well—her kiddo was even able to take a great nap in it. “It was easy to lean back once she fell asleep,” she praises. “And I loved that I was able to put up the footrest to lie flat so her feet weren’t dangling down.”

Seat comfort and adjustability

The Vista V3’s seat has also gotten a toddler-friendly upgrade. It now boasts an all-weather design with a seasonal seat liner that offers warmth on chilly days or converts into a mesh back for breathability in warmer weather.

It doesn’t lie completely flat like the Cruz V3, but the Vista’s seat offers a multi-position recline setting so toddlers can get comfy on the go. “I think this will fit my 3-year-old for a couple more years,” Dani shares. “She loved being able to personalize the recline to what she wanted–something all toddlers love, if you know, you know. Same with the footrest.”

Multi-kid setups and bassinet positioning

If you’re using the Vista for two children, you’ll most likely be using the UPPAbaby Rumble Seat for the lower position. Keep in mind that this add-on is slightly smaller than the included toddler seat and has a maximum weight capacity of 40 pounds.

The bassinet positioning when the Vista V3 is in double mode is also worth noting. Like the V2 model that came before, the bassinet must be placed on the bottom level of the stroller when the toddler seat is attached. This means your older child sits higher up, facing forward, and your newborn or younger infant is slightly further away.

For Dani, this was one of the only things she didn’t like about the Vista V3. “My 3-year-old is big and old enough to face forward without me having to keep an eye on her 24/7,” she observed. “But my newborn baby on the other hand, I like to have a close eye on to make sure he’s comfy and not rolling over or eating something he’s not supposed to. I have to keep stopping on our walk to peek in the bassinet up front and make sure he’s A-OK.”

Ride-along options

For older toddlers and little kids, the UPPAbaby PiggyBack (also sold separately) is a ride-along board attachment that’s compatible with both the Cruz V3 and the Vista V3. It quickly snaps on and off and can be lifted out of the way when not in use.

“I love that the stroller board doesn’t add to the width of the entire stroller like some others do when they stick out on the side,” noted Dani. “It honestly doesn’t even add to the length either.” The result? “I didn’t have to take smaller strides or anything either, even though it’s in front of me.” And when kiddo is done with it, it also folds up neatly with the rest of the stroller, so there’s no need to put it on and take it off regularly.

Both strollers offer comfortable, adjustable toddler seating, but the main difference is in how they accommodate different family sizes. The Cruz V3’s flat-lay seat is great for naps and everyday use with one toddler, and it can handle one older kiddo with the ride-along attachment. The Vista V3 adds all-weather comfort, deeper recline options and the ability to carry up to three kids—though its bassinet placement in double mode puts your newborn in the lower position.

UPPAbaby V2 vs. V3 Stroller Comparison

If you’ve used the V2 model of either of these strollers, here are the main upgrades you’ll notice on a V3:

• Magnetic seat buckles. Both the Cruz V3 and the Vista V3 feature magnetic seat buckles, which parents say are much simpler to use than the previous designs. “The normal stroller seat’s buckle is my favorite part. They use the new magnetic-style buckle, which makes my life so much easier. I’ve never used one before, and now I want all my baby gadgets to have them,” gushes Dani.
• Extended canopies. The V3s have extended UPF 50+ sun canopies for extra coverage on bright, hot days and in drizzly weather. While the Vista’s is slightly larger, both feature generously sized ventilation panels.
• Seat upgrades. As previously mentioned, the Cruz V3 is equipped with a full-size, lay-flat, reversible seat suitable from birth and the Vista V3 has a new all-weather comfort seat. The RumbleSeat V3 has also been remodeled to now accommodate a maximum of 40 pounds, compared to the 35 pounds it could previously hold.

UPPAbaby Cruz vs. Vista Conclusion

Both the UPPAbaby Cruz V3 and Vista V3 strollers offer car seat compatibility, enhanced dual-spring suspension and ample storage space to make outings with your little one (or ones) a breeze. What sets them apart are their size and their versatility.

With its bigger wheels (and all-terrain set), larger body and single-to-double capability, the Vista V3 may be better suited to rural or country life, or to larger families taking day trips in off-road environments.

Meanwhile, the Cruz V3, with its lighter, more compact frame, is particularly good for parents on the go with one kiddo and an older child in tow in a city or the suburbs.

About the writer:
Emma O’Regan-Reidy is a contributing writer and former editor for The Bump. She specializes in writing e-commerce content and has spent years researching the latest and greatest in baby gear, including UPPAbaby’s ever-popular stroller collection. Based on her extensive market knowledge, Emma strives to create supportive, informative articles to help new and seasoned parents pick out the best set of wheels for their family’s unique needs.