UPPAbaby Minu vs Cruz: Your Complete Comparison Guide

We hope you love the products we recommend! FYI -if you click on a product below and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission.

The Minu and the Cruz are two of UPPAbaby’s streamlined luxury stroller models. Both appealing stroller choices are praised for their high-quality features and sophisticated look, making either one a great option for the parent searching for a lighter, more compact design than the popular UPPAbaby Vista.

Why Trust Us?

Because my full-time job is being mom to 2 precious daughters, and I know a thing or two about strollers. Besides personal experience, I get feedback from other moms who use these strollers every day and put all that research into our unbiased stroller buying guides

- Kyli

In this UPPAbaby Minu vs Cruz guide, we’ll discuss the similarities and differences between these two strollers, and help you decide which one is right for your family.

Table of Contents

UPPAbaby: High Quality, Everyday Strollers

UPPAbaby rolled onto the stroller scene in 2006 with its flagship single-to-double stroller model: the UPPAbaby Vista. Since then, the brand has expanded to produce seven different strollers including three full-size and four lightweight options.

The Cruz is similar to the Vista in appearance and function, but its inability to function as a double stroller allows it to have a more streamlined size and design.

The Minu is a unique model that’s sturdier than an umbrella stroller but extremely compact, making it appealing for everyday use or travel. 

UPPAbaby prides itself on creating premium quality strollers that are easy to use while maintaining a sleek and modern look with high-end finishes and soft fabrics.

While these strollers are consistently at the pricier end of the spectrum, parents often find the investment to be worthwhile, giving UPPAbaby products unwavering high reviews.

The brand is also known for stellar customer support and offers a lengthy three-year warranty for all strollers.

Product Overview: UPPAbaby Minu vs Cruz

UPPAbaby Minu V2

UPPAbaby Minu

The Minu stroller, updated in April 2022, is a compact stroller ideal for parents who need a lightweight option but don’t want to sacrifice the premium features they expect from UPPAbaby.

The Minu has a four-wheel suspension with a multi-level reclining seat and footrest, making it comfortable for your child even on longer walks.

When you reach your destination, the stroller conveniently folds into thirds, making it easy to store in compact locations or carry along with you using the handy shoulder strap.

Watch UPPAbaby’s video demonstration of the Minu to see how it navigates everyday settings.

Things We Like:

  • Although costly for a travel stroller, it is significantly less expensive than the Cruz
  • Folds into thirds for easy storage in the car or at home
  • Comfortable, supportive, reclining seats 
  • Superior maneuverability for a travel stroller thanks to all-wheel suspension  

Room for Improvement:

  • Heavier than most travel strollers
  • Adapters needed for all car seats or bassinets 
  • Stroller seat is not reversible

UPPAbaby Cruz V2

UPPAbaby Cruz V2

The Cruz is a luxury full-size stroller that provides an unparalleled smooth ride for your child with abundant adjustable features and compatible accessories.

Although larger and more expensive than the Minu, the Cruz offers more in terms of convertibility, comfort, maneuverability, and storage.

It comes with a reversible toddler seat, bug shield, and rain shield, and is also compatible with an infant car seat or bassinet, sold separately.

To get a better idea of the size and feel of the Cruz, see UPPAbaby’s two-minute overview video.

Things We Like:

  • Accommodates reversible toddler seat, UPPAbaby infant bassinet, or Mesa car seat without adapters
  • Extra-large storage basket with a 30-pound capacity
  • Comfortable, supportive, reclining seats 
  • All-wheel suspension and large rear wheels provide an unparalleled smooth ride 

Room for Improvement:

  • Costly, almost twice as expensive as the Minu (although less than some luxury full-size strollers)
  • Heavy, making it difficult to lift over the curb or into the car
  • Takes up significant space when collapsed

For an overhead view of how these two strollers match up against each other and compare to all UPPAbaby’s current models, check out the brand’s helpful stroller comparison chart

Features That Matter

Let’s take a closer look at the specifications for each stroller, and the differences that might sway you in one direction or the other.

Cost

While the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 will set you back by about $700, the UPPAbaby Minu V2 is considerably less expensive, costing about $450.

Since UPPAbaby recently updated the Minu V2, it is also possible to purchase the original Minu at a discounted price, which can be a smart way to save some extra cash if you’re okay sacrificing a few updates to the stroller’s design.

While neither is a budget-friendly stroller, the Minu will certainly save you some dollars compared to the Cruz, making it more appealing for those looking to purchase a portable secondary stroller. 

Size & Portability

The Cruz is a 25.5-pound stroller, making it difficult to lift and cumbersome to load into the car.

In contrast, the Minu only weighs 16.9 pounds. While this is heavier than some other lightweight strollers, it’s considerably easier to transport for parents and grandparents alike.

Each stroller folds in one step and stands independently when collapsed. The Minu has a convenient carrying strap and a one-handed folding mechanism, allowing you to collapse the stroller with one hand while holding luggage or even your baby in the other.

Here are the size specifications for each:

Cruz

  • Folded: 16.5” x 22.8” x 33”
  • Unfolded: 37.5” x 22.8” x 40”

Minu

  • Folded: 12” x 20.3” x 23”
  • Unfolded: 35.5” x 20.3” x 41”

While the strollers don’t differ more than a couple of inches in unfolded dimensions, the Minu becomes much more compact when folded.

UPPAbaby Minu folded

While the Cruz can easily take up half a car trunk, the Minu is easy to stow in the trunk, on the floor in front of your child’s car seat, or in an overhead plane compartment.

UPPAbaby Cruz V2 folded

Of note, the Cruz is only two inches wider than the Minu, making it an impressive, streamlined design that’s not too wide for navigating narrow doorways or crowded shopping aisles.

Storage Capacity

The Cruz has a roomy storage basket with a 30-pound weight capacity. That’s a lot of room for groceries, toys, and other glamorous essentials like a take-along potty!

Cruz storage basket

The Minu’s slightly smaller basket still holds an ample 20 pounds of cargo, allowing room for a loaded diaper bag or carry-on.

Wheel Type & Suspension

UPPAbaby shines with its premium shock absorption and wheel design. Both strollers have top-of-the-line spring-action suspension on all four wheels, meaning you can take long strolls over varied terrain without worrying about your child becoming uncomfortable.

UPPAbaby Minu stroller outside

While the Minu’s 6.5″ rear wheels make this stroller more portable, the Cruz’s 10″ rear wheels add superior maneuverability, especially on rougher surfaces like cobblestone or gravel.

Seating Configurations

Both strollers come with a supportive toddler seat, which is reversible on the Cruz, and have the option to swap to an infant car seat or bassinet, sold separately by UPPAbaby.

With the Cruz, no adapters are required for UPPAbaby’s Mesa car seat or the infant bassinet, but the Minu requires the purchase of adapters for both options. Parents can also purchase adapters for both strollers to accommodate seats from a variety of popular car seat brands.

To transport a total of two children, parents can purchase UPPAbaby’s piggyback ride-along board, which snaps onto either stroller to hold a standing older sibling.

Age & Weight Recommendations

As purchased, the Cruz and the Minu can both transport children from 3 months to 50 pounds (which usually occurs around age 7 per the CDC), making them long-lasting investments.

Adding from-birth options like a car seat or bassinet allows you to use either stroller from day one.

Adjustable Features

The Cruz is full of features that adapt for the comfort of parent and child. The reversible seat allows your child to face you or face forward, and a telescoping leather handlebar extends upward to accommodate taller parents.

UPPAbaby Cruz V2 stroller

Both strollers have multi-position recline and adjustable footrests for your child, so they can lay back and snooze or sit up and enjoy the sights.

Sun Protection

Both strollers come with a UPF 50+ protection sun canopy that zips out to create more coverage for your little one. The canopies have mesh panels for airflow and peekaboo windows so you can see your child easily.

The Cruz’s height-adjustable canopy slides upward as your child grows to allow for more headroom.

The Minu’s canopy comes with a pocket behind it to conveniently store your phone, keys, and water bottle.

Accessories

The sun canopy and bumper bar are included with the Cruz and the Minu. The Cruz also includes a bug shield and rain shield for its toddler seat.

Both strollers have compatible add-on accessories available for purchase, including a snack tray, a carry-all parent organizer, and a cupholder.

In addition to the infant bassinet, which both strollers can accommodate, the Cruz has the possible add-on of an infant snug seat that can be attached to the toddler seat to create a cozy spot for your newborn to lounge.

UPPAbaby also sells a travel bag for all its strollers.

When purchasing, parents can register their stroller with the brand’s TravelSafe program, which reimburses for damage incurred during air travel.

The Final Verdict

UPPAbaby has created sophisticated, high-quality strollers in both the Cruz and the Minu.

For parents needing a primary stroller to last their family through the years, the Cruz is an ideal option. Although pricey, it is less expensive than UPPAbaby’s flagship model, the Vista, and customers receive a beautiful, durable full-size stroller with the Cruz.

For parents looking for a travel stroller or a lighter-weight option that’s also suitable for everyday use, the Minu is an excellent less expensive option.

I find it to be the more impressive stroller because although it’s lightweight and compact, it does not sacrifice quality. It has the features and storage capacity my family needs, and we use it at least as frequently as our full-size UPPAbaby stroller.

To learn more about each stroller, read our full UPPAbaby Minu Review or UPPAbaby Cruz Review

To compare these models against other options, including some more budget-friendly choices, check out our guides on the Best Convertible Strollers or Best Lightweight Strollers.

For families with twins, the Minu or the Cruz might not be the best options. If that’s the case, be sure to head over to our post on the Best Strollers for Twins.

Share with your friends:

Christy Rivard

Christy Rivard

Originally from Philadelphia, Christy lives outside Boston with her husband and her toddler son. She loves all things outdoors: running, hiking, camping, swimming, skiing, riding her bike, and chasing after her two-year-old. Her current strollers are the UppaBaby Minu, UppaBaby Vista, Thule Urban Glide 2, and Thule Coaster XT Bike Trailer.