UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Mesa V2 Infant Car Seat Comparison

UPPAbaby now offers two choices for its infant car seats known for their safety and ease of use: the base model Mesa V2 and the upgraded Mesa Max.

The two models share features like a simple installation and compatibility with all UPPAbaby strollers, but the major differences lie in the bases included with each seat.

While the Mesa V2 uses the same base as the original Mesa, the Mesa Max has a new base that adds two leading safety features: a steel-reinforced load leg and an anti-rebound panel. Both features work to stabilize the base in a crash, limiting movement to prevent head and neck injury.

Both car seats are available to pre-order at Strolleria, with the Mesa V2 and the Mesa Max are both in stock now. The original Mesa has been discontinued.

We'll review the features and differences between the UPPAbaby Mesa Max, Mesa V2 and Mesa in this comparison.

 

UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. V2 Comparison Video

Get a side by side visual comparison of the new UPPAbaby Mesa Max and Mesa V2 infant car seats in this comparison video:

UPPAbaby Mesa V2 Video

See what's new for the Mesa infant car seat in the Mesa V2 infant car seat review video that explores features, function, and installation of the new Mesa V2:

UPPAbaby Mesa Max Video

UPPAbaby's best-selling infant car seat just got better with the Mesa Max infant car seat with UPPAbaby's first ever load-leg base in our UPPAbaby Mesa Max infant car seat review video:

UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. Mesa V2 Price

With its added safety features, the UPPAbaby Mesa Max is priced $70 to $100 more than the Mesa V2.

The Mesa Max has two price points based on color and fabric: The Gregory Blue Melange and Charcoal Melange are made with fire-resistant merino wool, which is more breathable and moisture-wicking than the DualKnit polyester fabrics included on the other Mesa Max models, as well as all Mesa V2 models.

Each car seat comes with its respective base, and because the shell of the Max features a new design, the two types of bases aren't interchangeable.

The load leg base fits only the Mesa Max, while the original base fits both Mesa V2 and Mesa models (but not the Max). With its added features, the Mesa Max base costs $30 more when purchased for a second vehicle.

Car Seat and Base Price

• Mesa Max: $399.99 to $429.99
• Mesa V2: $329.99 to $359.99
• Mesa: $299.99 to $349.99

Extra Base Price

• Mesa Max: $159.99
• Mesa and Mesa V2: $129.99

UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Mesa V2 Weight and Specifications

All UPPAbaby infant car seats—the Mesa Max, Mesa V2 and Mesa—are lightweight at just under 10 pounds.

While the carriers themselves are the same size and weight, the Mesa Max has a heavier base because of the added load leg and anti-rebound bar. If you change vehicles frequently, you might prefer the Mesa/Mesa V2 base for its reduced weight and smaller footprint.

All three car seat models can be used until your baby reaches 32 inches in height or 35 pounds, typically around her first birthday. 

Product Use

• All models: 4-35 pounds or up to 32" in height

Car Seat Weight

• All models: 9.9 pounds

Base Weight

• Mesa Max: 9.9 pounds
• Mesa and Mesa V2: 9 pounds

UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Mesa V2 Safety and Installation Features

The UPPAbaby Mesa Max has more safety features than the Mesa V2 and Mesa, thanks to the steel-reinforced load leg in its base.

A load leg, the leading safety feature in infant car seats, has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of head and neck injury by 46 percent. The leg extends from the base to the floor of your car, stabilizing the seat and preventing it from rotating or rebounding against your vehicle seat back in a front collision.

The Mesa Max base also includes a second safety feature not seen on the Mesa/Mesa V2 base: an anti-rebound panel on the opposite side of the base, which inhibits movement of the seat in rear crashes.

All three car seats are among the easiest to install—a safety feature in itself, considering that nearly half of all car seats are installed incorrectly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

How to Install

Any Mesa model can be installed in a matter of seconds, with helpful indicators to signal a safe installation.

First, ensure the car seat is level by checking the indicator on the side of the Mesa/Mesa V2 or the bubble on the Mesa Max.

Push the orange buttons to release the Latch connectors, then attach them to the anchors in your car. The connectors automatically tighten for a secure fit, and indicators change from red to green when you push down on the base.

For the Mesa Max, extend the load leg to the floor of your car, checking for the green indicators on the top and bottom of the leg to ensure proper positioning.

All Mesa models can also be installed using only the vehicle seatbelt, allowing you to ditch the heavy base for travel and taxis.

The Mesa Max and Mesa V2 offer European-style installation, which involves threading the vehicle seatbelt over and behind the seat. Additionally, the carry handle can rotate forward to prevent rebounding.

The original Mesa has an American-style seatbelt installation, with the seatbelt guides only on the front of the seat, and its handle can't be used in the anti-rebound position.

 

UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Mesa V2 Canopy

The Mesa Max maximizes protection for your baby, whether you're shielding him from the sun or from curious visitors during his nap.

The canopy for the Mesa Max offers near-complete coverage, while the Mesa V2 canopy extends about halfway across the seat. Both canopies retract into the carrier when not in use, and both are larger than the canopy on the original Mesa—by 43 percent for the Mesa Max and 20 percent for the Mesa V2.

 

UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. UPPAbaby Mesa V2 Headrest and Harness

The redesigned headrests on the Mesa Max and Mesa V2 are larger than that of the Mesa, offering both added comfort and more side impact protection.

The infant inserts on the Mesa Max and Mesa V2 can be used until your baby reaches 11 pounds, compared with 8 pounds for the original Mesa insert. The new insert is contoured to be more supportive for a newborn, with side wings to provide proper positioning. 

Because of the redesigned insert, the Mesa Max and V2 models now have one crotch buckle position, instead of the two positions that require a manual adjustment on the Mesa.

Infant Insert Use

• Mesa Max and Mesa V2: 4-11 pounds
• Mesa: 4-8 pounds

Harness and Headrest

• Mesa Max: No-rethread with infinite adjustments
• Mesa V2 and Mesa: No-rethread with three headrest positions

UPPAbaby Mesa Max vs. Mesa V2 Colors and Fabrics

Both car seat models introduce new colors that pair with UPPAbaby strollers like the Vista and Cruz.

Additionally, all plastics on the Mesa Max and Mesa V2 are now a darker charcoal, compared with a lighter gray on the Mesa—giving the car seat a more sleek and sophisticated look.

All colors of the Mesa Max are free of flame-retardant chemicals in both the fabrics and foam, while the Mesa V2 offers chemical-free textiles. All fashions have achieved the Greenguard Gold certification for chemical emissions standards.

Additionally, the Greyson and Gregory colors of the Mesa Max are made with merino wool, a naturally fire-retardant fabric that's also soft, breathable and hypoallergenic.

The UPPAbaby Mesa Max offers five colors:

• Greyson Charcoal Melange (with merino wool)
• Gregory Blue Melange (with merino wool)
• Anthony White Grey Marl
• Jake Charcoal Black
• Noa Navy Melange

The UPPAbaby Mesa V2 comes in five colors:

• Greyson Charcoal Melange (with merino wool)
• Gregory Blue Melange (with merino wool)
• Stella Grey Melange
• Jake Charcoal Black
• Alice Dusty Pink

Strollers Compatible with UPPAbaby Mesa Max and Mesa V2

UPPAbaby car seats are primarily designed for UPPAbaby strollers. All car seat models are especially easy to use with the UPPAbaby Vista and Cruz strollers, as they connect without adapters and disconnect with a one-handed push of a button.

With the purchase of adapters, you can also use any Mesa model on the UPPAbaby Minu compact stroller or the UPPAbaby Ridge jogging stroller.

UPPAbaby doesn't make adapters that allow the Mesa to fit any other brands' strollers, but a few manufacturers such as Thule and BOB offer adapters for their strollers. Compatibility for the Mesa Max model has not been confirmed.

Here are the strollers compatible with the UPPAbaby Mesa series:

• UPPAbaby Vista / Vista V2
• UPPAbaby Cruz / Cruz V2
• UPPAbaby Minu (with adapters)
• UPPAbaby Ridge (with adapters)

QUESTIONS?

Strolleria is an authorized UPPAbaby retailer dedicated to making the baby gear buying experience less overwhelming for parents. If you have more questions about UPPAbaby car seats, feel free to contact us by starting a live chat, calling 480-442-9433 or e-mailing customercare@strolleria.com.