Joovy Scooter

Joovy is known for its innovative line of strollers, and the Scooter is no exception. Both professional reviewers and users give it high scores. By far the most touted feature is the Scooter's enormous storage basket, which reviewers say holds even the largest diaper bag. The wide seat and high seat back make this stroller ideal for larger children, and the canopy provides almost complete coverage. Although it can be used for newborns to 3 months only with a car seat, the Scooter fits a number of Graco car seats and they fit right into the bumper bar inserts with no need to buy additional adapters.

Safety

Safe and secure ride, use car seat for infants. The Joovy Scooter has an adjustable, fully padded five-point harness and a bumper bar for added protection. Because it doesn't recline fully, it shouldn't be used for a child younger than 3 months unless a car seat is used. It accepts Graco car seats and the installation method is secure.

Ease of Use

Assembles and unfolds easily, and use is the same. One main complaint about the Scooter is that it's hard to fold. It takes two hands, and the manual locking mechanism requires an extra step. In addition, there are complaints that the cup holder and canopy can pop off. Despite the fold, reviewers say the stroller is easy to assemble and use. It unfolds easily, with one hand, although at least one owner said she had to shake it to get it to go down.

The Scooter's basket is easily accessible, and its swivel bumper bar makes it easy to get children in and out. Owners say it's a cinch to push and maneuvers well, but smooth surfaces are where it does best. It can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Lifestyle features

Good for bigger babies, but not bigger parents. The Joovy Scooter's handles are an unusual shape, described by one reviewer as "bug antennas." Some say they like the handles fine, but others find them  uncomfortable when pushing the stroller for longer periods. They're also not adjustable, and taller caregivers complain of hunching or kicking the back axle.

While the Scooter doesn't accommodate infants unless a car seat is used, it's a great stroller for larger or older children. It has an upper weight limit of 55 pounds, and a roomy seat that's both wide and tall. Parents say it's well padded and comfortable.

The Scooter's fold isn't particularly compact and several owners say it takes up a good bit of room in the trunk, so it may not be the best choice for a small car. At 18.5 pounds, it's lighter than most full-featured strollers. While Joovy calls it lightweight, in our book that distinction belongs to strollers weighing 17 pounds or less.

The Joovy Scooter is at the upper end of our "under $150" category, but it can often be purchased new for $100 or less. In spite of its affordable price, the stroller has some great convenience features, including a large windowed canopy, parent cup holder and large storage basket.

Customer Service

Earns kudos from parents. The Scooter comes with a one-year warranty. Several owners praise the excellent, prompt response from customer service when they called with issues. Our experiences with Joovy mirror this feedback: We find them helpful and friendly.

The bottom line

The Joovy Scooter is a great stroller for the price. Its canopy and storage are both ample, and it's a generally easy-to-use stroller with good weight ratings. It's not suitable for a newborn, but 3 months is still adequate for accommodating infants. Just be sure to measure your trunk before buying this stroller, and be sure you can lift it in and out without a problem.