UPPAbaby Cruz V2 vs. UPPAbaby Minu V2 Stroller Comparison

If you’re a parent who’s tight on living space or simply prefers to travel light, you might like the lightweight yet full-featured UPPAbaby Cruz V2—and you might like the 16-pound UPPAbaby Minu V2 even more.

For years, the Cruz has been a popular choice with parents seeking a full-size stroller that isn’t too bulky. It weighs 25 pounds and is easy to fold and lift, yet it’s still sizable enough to offer a reversible seat and an ample storage basket.

But the Minu is far lighter and more compact—while offering many of the same features of the Cruz, like compatibility with an infant car seat, the UPPAbaby bassinet, or a piggyback board for an older sibling to stand on.

While the Cruz still offers superior features and maneuverability, the Minu might win over urban parents—as well as suburban parents seeking a lighter, secondary stroller for travel and errands.

In this post, we'll compare the UPPAbaby Cruz (which was updated to the Cruz V2 in 2020) and the UPPAbaby Minu (which was updated to the Minu V2 in 2022).

UPPAbaby Cruz V2

The lightweight and easy-to-fold UPPAbaby Cruz is an ideal companion for exploring the city—or anywhere else you find yourself cruising. The Cruz offers plenty of features, like a reversible seat, extra-large storage basket and a simple, standing fold.

In 2020, UPPAbaby released the Cruz V2, featuring larger wheels with all-wheel suspension, along with other upgrades like a roomier seat, no-rethread harness and redesigned sun canopy. The Cruz V2 offers improved maneuverability over the previous model, which has smaller wheels with front-wheel-only suspension.

UPPAbaby has made no functional changes to the Cruz V2 stroller between 2020 and 2022 except the inclusion of more colors that were previously exclusive to the VISTA V2. Compare the UPPAbaby VISTA V2 vs Cruz V2 here.

Learn more about the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 in the video below.

 

UPPAbaby Minu V2

While ultra-compact and lightweight at just 16.9 pounds, the UPPAbaby Minu V2 offers high-quality features seen on much larger strollers, like all-wheel suspension and compatibility with an infant car seat and bassinet.

That makes the UPPAbaby Minu ideal for travel and city life, especially because the stroller can be folded with just one step and one hand. The Minu is even compact enough to fit in some airplane overhead bins.

The UPPAbaby Minu was released in 2018, but was updated in 2022 in just about every aspect, bringing it updated features previously only seen on the larger Cruz V2 and VISTA V2 strollers from UPPAbaby such as a no-rethread harness, zip out sun canopy, deeper storage basket, and bassinet compatibility.

Learn more about the UPPAbaby Minu vs. UPPAbaby Minu V2 in this article, and see what's new for the Minu V2 in this video:

 

UPPABABY CRUZ V2 VS. UPPABABY MINU V2 PRICE

The UPPAbaby Cruz V2 costs $250 more than the Minu V2 but includes more features, such as a reversible seat with full recline and larger wheels, seat and basket.

Unlike in previous years, UPPAbaby offers the same price points for any Cruz V2 fashion or Minu V2 fashion.

• Cruz V2: $699.99
• Minu: $449.99

 

UPPABABY CRUZ V2 VS. UPPABABY MINU V2 WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS

The UPPAbaby Minu V2 is one of the lightest strollers on the market, especially among those that can be used with a car seat or bassinet from birth.

After being upgraded with a larger seat and larger wheels in 2020, the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 is average in weight for a stroller. In 2022, additional features that add comfort to the Minu V2 raised the stroller weight from 14.5 pounds up to 16.9 pounds. The Cruz V2 is now 8.5 pounds heavier than the Minu V2.

The Minu V2 is more compact than the Cruz V2, especially when folded. The Minu will save you about 10 inches in height and 5 inches in length when stored in your trunk, compared with the Cruz V2.

Stroller Weight

• Cruz V2: 25.5 pounds
• Minu V2: 16.9 pounds

Dimensions

• Cruz V2: 37"L x 22.8"W x 40"H
• Minu V2: 35.5"L x 20.5"W x 41"H

Folded Dimensions

• Cruz V2: 16.5"L x 22.8"W x 33"H
• Minu V2: 12"L x 20.25"W x 23"H

Weight Limit

• Cruz V2: 3 months to 50 pounds (from birth with bassinet, car seat or Infant SnugSeat)
• Minu V2: 3 months to 50 pounds (from birth with bassinet or car seat using adapters)

UPPAbaby Cruz vs. UPPAbaby Minu Configurations

Both the UPPAbaby Cruz and Minu can be used from your newborn's first stroll until the time she doesn't need a stroller anymore, and both strollers can accommodate a car seat or bassinet. But there are also key differences in the configurations available for each stroller.

Car Seat

With either the Cruz or Minu, you can attach an infant car seat from UPPAbaby or other brands to create a convenient travel system. But while the UPPAbaby Mesa doesn't require adapters to connect with the Cruz, adapters are needed to attach any car seat to the Minu—including the Mesa.

See lists of car seats compatible with the Cruz and Minu in the next section.

Bassinet

Both strollers offer a bassinet option (sold separately) that allows your baby to sleep in the safest position: flat on her back, with plenty of room and ventilation to keep her comfortable.

New for 2022, the Cruz V2 and Minu V2 can share the same bassinet, using new adapters for the Minu V2 coming out in Summer 2022. The bassinet for the UPPAbaby Cruz that now fits the Minu V2 is like a bed on wheels. With its hard, ventilated bottom, the bassinet is approved safe for overnight sleeping when placed on a flat surface or into the UPPAbaby bassinet stand (which turns into a laundry hamper)!

2021 and older Minu models used a different type of "bassinet" called the From Birth kit, which was an unstructured fabric that cannot be used off of the stroller. The From Birth kit also requires the baby to be buckled into a harness for safety, while the Cruz and Minu V2 bassinet does not. 

Toddler Seat

UPPAbaby recommends that both stroller seats be used from 3 months to 50 pounds. While the Minu seat does not recline flat enough for a newborn, the Cruz seat can be used from birth by attaching the Infant SnugSeat.

One main difference between the two seats: The Cruz seat is removable and reversible, allowing a younger child to face you and an older child to face forward. Because the Minu seat consists of fabric attached to the frame, it can't be reversed—and removing it would require unfastening and reattaching the fabric to the frame.

Additionally, the Cruz V2 has a larger and more structured seat that's more comfortable for a toddler, with a canopy that slides up on the frame to create more space for a taller child.

HOW TO FOLD UPPABABY CRUZ AND UPPABABY MINU

The Cruz V2 offers a one-piece standing fold that keeps the stroller clean and allows for easy storage and lifting.

To fold the Cruz V2, engage the brake and lower the handlebar to its shortest position. Pull back on the triggers integrated into the stroller frame and pull the stroller toward you, grasping the bumper bar to guide the stroller until it locks into place while standing on the handlebar. To lift the stroller into the car, grab the bumper bar and press the stroller into your thigh for lifting that’s easier on your back.

See how the Cruz V2 folds and unfolds in the video below.

You only need one hand to fold the Minu V2. Using your thumb on one side of the handlebar button and fingers on the other, press in and down until the stroller collapses and auto-locks. To unfold the stroller, simply undo the lock and pull up on the stroller until it springs back into place.

The Minu V2 folds with car seat adapters attached, but you will need to remove the car seat or bassinet before folding - easily done with the click of a button at the top of the car seat or bassinet's carry handle.

The 2021 and older Minu folded with the From Birth kit bassinet attached. Fold the Minu in the same fashion, using the buckles underneath the bassinet to secure it to the stroller frame. 

See how the Minu folds and unfolds in the video below.

CAR SEATS COMPATIBLE WITH UPPABABY CRUZ AND UPPABABY MINU

Both the Cruz V2 and Minu V2 are compatible with a number of infant car seats, although the Cruz offers more options and greater convenience.

With the Cruz V2, the freestanding toddler seat is easily removed and replaced with a car seat. Because the Minu's seat is a piece of fabric, not a standalone unit, the seat can only be removed by unfastening the fabric from the frame. If undoing the fabric seems like a pain, the car seat can also sit on top of the stroller seat.

Both the Cruz and Minu are compatible with the UPPAbaby Mesa infant car seat. But no adapters are needed for the Cruz, while adapters (sold separately) are required for the Minu.

Here are the car seats compatible with the Cruz:

• UPPAbaby Mesa, Mesa V2, Mesa Max (no adapters required)
• Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit30 and Fit 2 (with adapter)
• Clek Liing (with adapter)
• Cybex Aton series (with adapter)
• Maxi-Cosi Mico series, Citi, Cabrio and CabrioFix (with adapter)
• Nuna PIPA series (with adapter)
• Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, 4-35 Nido, and 4-35 Lounge (with adapter)

See the video below for an overview of attaching various car seats to the Cruz.

These car seats are compatible with the Minu using adapters:

• UPPAbaby Mesa, Mesa V2, Mesa Max (with adapter)
• Nuna PIPA series (with adapter)
• Maxi-Cosi Mico series, Pebble, Pebble Plus, Cabrio Fix, Citi (with adapter)
• Cybex Aton series (with adapter)

See the video below for a look at attaching the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat to the Minu.

 

UPPABABY CRUZ VS. MINU ACCESSORIES

From a cup holder for your morning coffee to a snack tray for your child, numerous Cruz accessories make the stroller even better for both parents and kids. Both the Cruz V2 and Minu V2 include a bumper bar accessory with purchase of the stroller.

The full line of UPPAbaby accessories can be used for the Cruz, including:

• Bassinet and bassinet stand
• Cup holder
• Carry-all organizer
• Infant SnugSeat
• Ganoosh footmuff
• Snack tray
• PiggyBack ride-along board
• TravelSafe travel bag

These are the accessories available for the Minu V2:

• Cup holder
• Bassinet (needs adapters to attach)
• TravelSafe travel bag
• Rain shield 
• Bassinet rain shield
• Minu V2 Piggyback ride-along board
• Snack tray

UPPAbaby Cruz vs. UPPAbaby Minu Pros and Cons

So which stroller is better: the UPPAbaby Cruz or UPPAbaby Minu? Only you can decide which one is right for your family, but here are the benefits and drawbacks we see.

UPPABABY CRUZ

BENEFITS

• Reversible seat allows child to face you or face forward
• Larger wheels than Minu, allowing for superior maneuverability over curbs and uneven terrain
• Compatible with a wider range of car seats and does not require adapters to pair with the UPPAbaby Mesa
• Stroller seat is larger with better padding and a height-adjustable canopy, making it more comfortable for a larger child
• Seat is easier to recline with integrated recline button
• Large storage basket easily accommodates a diaper bag or purse
• Compatible with a wider range of accessories, including Piggyback ride-along board for a second child

DRAWBACKS

• Weighs 8.5 pounds more than Minu and is heavier to lift and carry
• Costs $250 more than Minu
• Requires two hands to fold and unfold
• Requires more storage space than the Minu

UPPABABY MINU

BENEFITS

• One of the lightest and most compact strollers that can be used with a newborn
• Can be paired with an infant car seat or Bassinet (with adapters sold separately)
• Costs $250 less than Cruz
• Folds and unfolds quickly with only one hand
• All-wheel suspension is unique for a small stroller
• Easy to carry with integrated carry strap or handle
• Takes up significantly less storage space, compared to Cruz and other full-size strollers

DRAWBACKS

• Small wheels are not as durable and maneuverable over uneven surfaces
• Seat is not a standalone unit that can be removed or reversed, like Cruz seat
• Storage basket is small for everyday use
• Seat is not as padded or roomy as Cruz seat
• Requires adapters to attach all car seats, including UPPAbaby Mesa

CONCLUSION

If you live in an area where you have a car and ample storage space, you’ll probably choose the UPPAbaby Cruz. The Cruz offers all of the features most parents are seeking in a stroller, such as a seat that reverses and reclines, a roomy storage basket, and compatibility with a car seat and bassinet. 

But if you live in a city or apartment—or if your main priority in a stroller is its light weight—you’ll like the Minu for its one-handed fold and 16-pound weight. Few options exist for parents who want a lightweight stroller but need to use it from birth, as umbrella strollers typically can't be fully reclined or used with a car seat or bassinet. The Minu's ability to be used with an infant will make it a popular choice both for an everyday stroller for city families and a full-featured lightweight stroller for families who travel.

QUESTIONS?

Strolleria is an authorized UPPAbaby retailer based out of Arizona, and we're dedicated to making the baby gear buying experience less overwhelming for parents. If you have more questions about the UPPAbaby Cruz vs. UPPAbaby Minu debate, feel free to contact us at 480-442-9433 or customercare@strolleria.com.