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UPPAbaby is a household name that’s been around since 2006. Their products can be found in retailers across the country including Buy Buy Baby, Nordstrom and Pish Posh Baby (our choice, as we prefer to support small businesses). The Mockingbird is a more recent entrant to the stroller game and definitely does not yet have the brand recognition of UPPAbaby. Mockingbird began selling their stroller in early 2019 and follows a direct-to-consumer business model, so you won’t find them in stores.
The UPPAbaby Cruz V2 and Mockingbird stroller are comparable strollers in design. Unlike the UPPAbaby Vista V2 which has the ability to convert to a double stroller, both the Cruz V2 and Mockingbird are single strollers that can’t be converted to a double.
Let’s take a look at the similarities and differences between the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 and Mockingbird strollers. Read to the end to see which one is better!
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The price of the 2020 UPPAbaby Cruz V2 is either $650 or $680 depending on the color option you choose.
The price of the Mockingbird stroller is $350 for all colors and design options.
Each company also includes different accessories with their stroller. With the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 you get a rain shield and bug shield (mosquito net). With the Mockingbird you get a magnetic sun shade.
Winner: Mockingbird The Mockingbird stroller is almost half the price of the Cruz V2. Even when you factor in the accessories included, the Mockingbird is significantly cheaper than the Cruz V2.
UPPAbaby has the following accessories available to purchase separately for the Cruz V2:
Mockingbird has the following accessories available to purchase separately for their stroller:
*denotes an accessory where there is no comparable offered by the other brand
UPPAbaby clearly has more accessories available, but more does not always equal better. For instance, some of their accessories are better described as spare parts in our opinion (like handlebar cover replacements). However, in general UPPAbaby does have some stand-out accessories that Mockingbird doesn’t - like the Travel Bag (with travel insurance!), ride-along board and snack tray. If these are “must-haves” for your family, then the Cruz is for you. Also note that the UPPAbaby accessories are more expensive than the Mockingbird versions.
The one accessory that Mockingbird offers that UPPAbaby doesn’t have is an equivalent for the the hand muff; however if this is a “must-have” for you, we would take a wild guess that it would also work on the Cruz V2.
Winner: UPPAbaby Cruz V2 The Cruz V2 has more accessories available for purchase than the Mockingbird. If you plan on doing lots of airplane travel with your stroller, the Cruz V2 may be your best bet considering the travel insurance that comes with the Travel Bag that UPPAbaby offers.
The 2020 UPPAbaby Cruz V2 comes in 9 colors:
There are 3 color options of the Cruz V2 that bring the cost of the stroller up to $650 (technically $649.99): Alice, Finn & Hazel. These are the cheapest options for the Cruz V2. The remaining 5 color options of the Cruz V2 raise the price to $680 (technically $679.99): Sierra Dune, Bryce, Emmett, Gregory, Jake: & Jordan.
The Mockingbird stroller comes in 3 colors: Black, Sky and Sea. All colors are at no extra cost.
Winner: Cruz V2 The UPPAbaby Cruz V2 comes in more color options than the Mockingbird.
Although Mockingbird only offers 3 color options, they actually have more design options in the end. You can customize your stroller in many ways that you can’t with the Cruz V2. With the UPPAbaby Cruz V2, the stroller color, frame color and leather color come as a package. If you want a black frame, you have no choice but to get the black colored stroller (Jake).
With Mockingbird, you get to select the stroller color, the frame/leather color and the pattern on the inside of the stroller canopy. The current options are as follows:
Canopy color:
Interior of the Canopy:
Frame/Leather combination:
Below are some example configurations of how you can customize the Mockingbird stroller:
Winner: Mockingbird The Mockingbird stroller is more customizable than the UPPAbaby Cruz V2.
The UPPAbaby Cruz V2 is suitable for ages 3 months and up, while the Mockingbird is suitable for ages 6 months and up.
However, both the Cruz V2 and Mockingbird can be used from birth if you purchase the appropriate accessory. Each company offers several accessories that make the stroller appropriate for newborns:
Weight Limits: Both the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 and Mockingbird are suitable for use up to 50 pounds.
Winner: Tied
Both the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 and Mockingbird are single strollers. Neither convert to a double stroller.
However, both the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 and Mockingbird stroller can be used for multiple children if you attach a riding board.
UPPAbaby offers a ride-along board, called the PiggyBack, that attaches to the 2020 Cruz V2 and allows a child to stand behind the stroller and ride along. It also flips up when not in use.
The Mockingbird doesn’t have their own brand of a riding board, but has stated on their Instagram page that the following two universal boards are compatible: Lascal BuggyBoard Maxi & Guzzie+Gus Universal Hitch.
Winner: Tied Though neither the Cruz V2 or Mockingbird convert to a double stroller, both have the ability to allow a second child to ride-along, with the purchase of a separate accessory.
The weight of the Cruz V2 is half a pound less than the Mockingbird. The Cruz V2 weighs 25.5 pounds, while the Mockingbird weighs 26 pounds.
Winner: Cruz V2 (though it’s pretty close!)
The dimensions of the Cruz V2 when folded are: 16.5″L x 22.8″ W x 32.5″ H.
The dimensions of the Mockingbird stroller when folded are: 16″L x 26″ W x 33″ H.
Winner: Tied This is another close call - Although the Cruz V2 is technically more compact when folded than the Mockingbird, the Mockingbird is shorter in length and width.
The seat of both the Cruz V2 and Mockingbird must be forward facing in order to fold.
The Cruz V2 has a two-handed fold. There are two slide release triggers on the frame of the stroller that need to be pulled upward in order to collapse and fold the stroller.
The Mockingbird has a one-handed fold. There is a lever in the center of handlebar that needs squeezed in order to collapse and fold the stroller.
Winner: Mockingbird Neither stroller is hard to fold, but we find the one-handed fold easier.
Both the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 and Mockingbird stroller stand when folded.
Winner: Tied
Both the Cruz V2 and Mockingbird have have never-flat polyurethane tires.
The front wheels of the Cruz V2 are 6.4″ and the back wheels are 10″, while the front wheels of the Mockingbird are 6.5″ and the back wheels are 9.5″.
Due to the size of the wheels, the Cruz V2 will perform best on smooth surfaces like pavement and indoor surfaces.
Winner: Cruz V2 It’s a close call, but the Cruz V2 has slightly larger rear wheels than the Mockingbird. Typically, bigger wheels mean a smoother ride.
The UPPAbaby Cruz V2 has all-wheel suspension while the Mockingbird has seat suspension.
Winner: Tied One is not necessarily better than the other in our opinion.
Both the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 and Mockingbird have a pretty standard size canopy (before any extensions). Both also have two covered mesh peek-a-boo windows that also can help airflow.
The major difference between the two stroller canopies is that the Cruz V2 is expandable to provide extra coverage. The Mockingbird’s canopy is not expandable, but they offer a unique solution for sun coverage. The Mockingbird stroller comes with a removable magnetic sunshade that attaches to the canopy. The magnetic sunshade provides full coverage.
Winner: Mockingbird This one was close to call and could honestly go either way depending on how you look at it. We deem the Mockingbird the winner since the sunshade provides more coverage than the Cruz V2 canopy. However, the downside is that it takes more steps to set up than traditional expandable canopies. The verdict is also still out if the Mockingbird sunshade is truly effective.
Both the Cruz V2 and Mockingbird have a reversible stroller seat.
Winner: Tied
Both the Cruz V2 and the Mockingbird have a 5-point, no-rethread harness.
Winner: Tied
Both the Cruz V2 and Mockingbird have an adjustable handlebar, however they’re a bit different.
The Cruz V2 has a telescopic handlebar that expands upwards from the frame. The height of the handlebar is 40.5″ at the lowest setting and 43″ at the tallest setting (from the ground).
The Mockingbird has a rotating handlebar. The height of the handlebar is 33″ at the lowest setting and 42.5″.
Winner: Tied Both the Cruz V2 and Mockingbird strollers have an adjustable handlebar. The Cruz V2 is half an inch taller but the Mockingbird has a lower setting.
Both the Cruz V2 and Mockingbird stroller have a generously sized basket. The weight limit on the Cruz V2 basket is 30 pounds while the weight limit on the Mockingbird basket is 25 pounds.
Winner: Cruz V2 The Cruz V2 can hold more weight than the Mockingbird stroller.
Both the Cruz V2 and the Mockingbird are compatible with certain car seats.
Here is the full list of the car seats compatible with the Cruz V2:
No Adapters Needed:
UPPAbaby Mesa
Adapters Needed:
Here is the full list of car seats compatible with the Mockingbird stroller:
UPPAbaby offers a 3 year warranty on the Cruz V2. Mockingbird offers a lifetime warranty on their strollers. Of course, with any warranty, make sure you read the fine print.
Winner: Mockingbird The Mockingbird stroller has a better warranty than the Cruz V2.
Both the Cruz V2 and Mockingbird stroller have leather on the handlbar and bumper bar. There are no alternative vegan options with either stroller.
Winner: Neither Both the Cruz V2 and Mockingbird contain leather. If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly stroller, neither of these options are for you.
We are happy to report that both the Cruz V2 and Mockingbird stroller are free of flame retardants!
Winner: Tied
We worry about other toxic chemicals in our products, especially children’s products.
Both the UPPAbabyCruz V2 and Mockingbird stroller are compliant with the most recent ASTM and JPMA standards.
Additionally, neither the Cruz V2 nor the Mockingbird stroller contain the California Prop 65 warning!
Winner: Tied
The UPPAbaby Cruz V2 and Mockingbird are very similar strollers. Based on our comparison, the Mockingbird appears to be the clear winner. There are a few areas where the Mockingbird falls slightly short of the Cruz V2, but the price of the Mockingbird is significantly less.
However, each family has to consider their unique needs when deciding between these two strollers to find the best fit.
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What Does the Mockingbird Stroller Come With?
