Luxury Strollers

Designer strollers: Worth the expense?

The Bugaboo Frog (*Est. $700) became the first must-have stroller after being featured on "Sex and the City" in 2002. The Frog's claim to fame was style, flexibility and maneuverability. Seven years later, it's only one of dozens of expensive luxury strollers. Other than style and a seemingly endless array of optional features, though, reviewers say you're not necessarily getting a stroller that's more functional and practical than one costing a third as much.

The big news in the high-end stroller market is newcomer Uppababy, which makes two umbrella strollers, the G-Lite (*Est. $120) and the G-Luxe (*Est. $160) (see our companion report on umbrella strollers) as well as the full-featured Vista (*Est. $670). Early feedback on the Uppababy Vista is excellent, with nearly perfect scores from baby-gear experts and parents. Highlights include rubber-coated tires designed not to go flat, a one-step fold, an elevated seat position and a large storage basket. It comes with both a bassinet and stroller seat, making it appropriate for newborns to toddlers weighing up to 50 pounds.

This year's big update of the Vista is an optional RumbleSeat (*Est. $130) to accommodate a second child. There's also a running board, called the Piggyback (*Est. $90), for older kids who just like to hop on for a ride when they get tired. These add-ons turn the Vista into a workable solution for parents with an older child who's not quite out of the stroller stage. The Piggyback can accommodate a child up to 50 pounds; the RumbleSeat maxes out at 35, but it can be used for the lighter child while the heavier one (again up to 50 pounds) sits in the main stroller seat.

At just under $700, the Vista is hardly a budget stroller, but several user reviews say it compares favorably value-wise with luxury strollers from Bugaboo and Stokke. One of the Vista's claims to fame is that the baby rides up high, closer to the parent and out of the way of traffic fumes. It's also a good option for taller parents and caregivers; one parent posting to Amazon.com says the Vista has the highest extending handlebars. The no-kick rear axel is another nice feature for parents with long legs who tend to bump up against the stroller as they walk. The big downside, according to some posters, is that the stroller seat doesn't recline to totally flat (though the bassinet can be used for infants). The Vista stroller also loses marks for bulk and weight (24 pounds with the seat; 27 pounds with the bassinet). The extra-wide wheel base (25 inches) makes it less than ideal for cramped walkways and bus aisles. On the other hand, parents say it's maneuverable, easy to steer and extremely durable.

The Uppababy Vista is similar to the I'coo Targo (*Est. $600), another luxury stroller that gets good reviews from expert testers. The I'coo comes with adjustable handle and footrest, bassinet attachment, one-hand recline, rain cover and car-seat adapter. The I'coo Targo is also available in two designer styles: a limited-edition Disney print (*Est. $700) and a Rock Star Baby version (*Est. $700) with a Swarovski crystal skull logo designed by singer Jon Bon Jovi. The Rock Star Baby earns the Hippest Stroller award at StrollerQueen.com's 2009 roundup. But otherwise, reviewers say the premium designs just add extra expense.

For parents still loyal to Bugaboo, there are two options in addition to the Frog: the Cameleon (*Est. $900) and the Bee (*Est. $530). The Cameleon has adjustable suspension for different types of terrain, as well as a height-adjustable handlebar. The handlebar also reverses for "city and woods," but reviewers say this really isn't an off-road stroller. There is also a large canopy and storage bag, which reviews suggest can be a bit tricky to access. The Bugaboo Cameleon weighs about 20 pounds. Still, users mention problems with folding the stroller. Some also mention that the large tires are awkward, especially when used in cities and other places where frequent maneuvering is required.

The Bugaboo Bee is more compact than either the Frog or the Cameleon. It weighs 17 pounds and has four 6-inch wheels, eliminating the awkwardness associated with the large 12-inch rear wheels found on both the Cameleon and the Frog. The seat is also a bit narrower -- 20 inches instead of 24 -- and the under-seat storage isn't as roomy. On the other hand, some parents say the storage is actually more useful because it's easier to access. Owners posting to Amazon.com praise the Bee's four-position recline (Bugaboo's other strollers have a three-position recline). Bugaboo doesn't recommend the Bee for rough terrain like sand or snow, but most parents say it's very easy to maneuver indoors and on pavement. (Note: In June 2009, Bugaboo announced a recall on the Bee, after more than 100 reports of the stroller's brakes failing. Owners can contact Bugaboo at (800) 460-2922 for a free repair kit.)

Quinny strollers have a history in the U.K. and Australia and are now available in the U.S. The three-wheeled Quinny Buzz (*Est. $480) is one of the heavier single strollers at 26 pounds. In 2009, Quinny released a four-wheeled version called the Buzz 4 (*Est. $630), which weighs 27 pounds (by comparison, the Uppababy Vista weighs 24 pounds). Both versions of the Quinny Buzz have pneumatic tires, an aluminum frame, all-wheel suspension and a reversible seat. Both come with a canopy and rain cover, but storage is limited to a zippered bag on the back of the seat. European reviews say Quinny Buzz strollers maneuver well, but the big selling feature is the spring-assisted unfolding mechanism. However, some reviewers say that the release buttons are stiff and that pushing the stroller closed takes some effort. Storage is inadequate, and it's cumbersome to fold unless you remove the seat first. The 25.5-inch rear wheel spread makes it challenging to maneuver, especially in cramped spaces. Overall, most reviewers say the Quinny Buzz is another great-looking stroller that isn't as practical as it could be.

We also read good reviews for the Micralite Toro (*Est. $550), another modern-looking stroller that's also available with a bassinet accessory called the Carrycot (*Est. $750). This stroller is one of the top picks in Cookie magazine's roundup of 2009 strollers; it finishes right behind the much cheaper Inglesina Zippy (*Est. $350). Editors say the Toro is notable for its super-fast ten-second fold. Maneuverability is also a plus due to the narrow-set back wheels. However, editors also note that some testers kicked the back tires as they walked and that the balance of this stroller is off; when empty, hanging a bag on the handlebars would tip the stroller backwards. Despite these issues, editors say, the Micralite Toro is a great choice for urban parents.

If you have your heart set on a luxury stroller, we found the best reviews overall for the Uppababy Vista. This stroller is a good choice for urbanites who use a stroller as their primary vehicle, and the optional second seat extends its life enough to make it a relatively good value despite the initial high price. If making a fashion statement isn't a priority, though, reviewers say you'll do almost as well with a high-quality mainstream stroller.