UPPAbaby Kona: Meet UPPAbaby’s First Mid-Size Stroller

UPPAbaby's easiest everyday stroller to fold, carry and stow.

The Kona Stroller is UPPAbaby's brand-new mid-size single stroller, designed for parents who want premium features without full-size bulk. Here's what it does best: a newborn can ride in its reversible seat with the built-in newborn apron, the UPPAbaby Aria V2 infant car seat and the bassinet attach directly, and at 22 lb it folds one-handed and carries by its handle or strap. Plus, you can add on a PiggyBack rider board (sold separately) for big sister or brother.

UPPAbaby expected the Kona to be a hit, and the interest so far has exceeded their wildest hopes. Anyone who's wrestled a stroller through a narrow doorway, into a small trunk and up the steps into the house will understand why. If you already know UPPAbaby, the easiest way to picture the Kona is next to the Cruz V3, the brand's full-size single stroller: it keeps most of the Cruz's core features in a narrower, lighter-weight frame that folds much smaller, for $250 less.

Read on for more details, plus see how it stacks up against the Cruz V3 and Nuna's TRIV next.

How the Kona stacks up against other UPPAbaby strollers

The Kona sits right in the middle of UPPAbaby's lineup. We're fans at this price point. Travel strollers can be super light and fold tiny, but they skip some of the features you'll want in an everyday stroller. Full-size strollers have every bell and whistle... and the bulk to match. The Kona splits the difference, keeping the features that matter most from each.

At 22 lb, the Kona is the lightest everyday stroller UPPAbaby makes, by a wide margin: about four and a half pounds less than the Cruz V3 and five and a half pounds under the Vista V3. It's still about five pounds more than the Minu V3 travel stroller, but that buys you a seat that turns to face you, UPPAbaby car seats and a bassinet that click on with no adapters, and a full 30 lb basket capacity.

Here's the full spec sheet, from weight and folded size to the non-tox credentials:

The Kona is fire-retardant free, made with no PFAS, and GREENGUARD Gold certified for low chemical emissions. Those are the standards we check first for anything your baby spends hours in.

How does the Kona fold?

One-handed, with the seat on and facing either way.

The fold and carry are the Kona's headline features, and a big step up from UPPAbaby's full-size strollers. Pull up on the handle in the middle of the seat frame and the Kona folds down and latches. It's a self-standing fold, so the stroller stays upright while you buckle the baby into the car, and a carry handle and strap make it easy to get it up the front steps or into the trunk. It also improves on the Cruz V3's fold in two ways you'll notice every day:

• The seat can face either way. The Cruz V3 folds with its seat on only when the seat faces forward, so on parent-facing days you turn the seat around or lift it off first. You never have to think about that with the Kona.
• It's more compact. Folded, it's just 13.4 x 21 x 25.8 inches, nearly 4 inches less wide and almost 7 inches shorter. Whether you're stowing in a crowded trunk or hall closet, you'll be grateful for the extra space.

What everyday features does the Kona have?

Nearly everything you'd expect from a full-size UPPAbaby stroller. From a seat that lifts off with two buttons to a magnetic buckle, here's what you'll use every day:

• A seat that lifts right off. Press the buttons on both sides and lift, then set it back on facing you or facing out. That's all it takes to turn the seat around.
• A canopy that grows with your kid. It raises for more headroom as your kid gets taller, zips out for low afternoon sun, blocks UV with UPF 50+ fabric, and has a peekaboo window that closes with a magnet.
• A harness that's easy to live with. It adjusts without rethreading, and the magnetic buckle makes strapping in a squirmy kid quicker.
• A pocket for your phone. A zippered pocket on the back of the seat keeps your phone, wallet and keys in reach.
• A roomy basket. UPPAbaby is known for big baskets, and the Kona's is easy to reach and rated for 30 lb.
• Rain and bug shields, included. One for the surprise downpour, one for the evening walk when the mosquitoes come out.
• A leather-wrapped bumper bar. It swings open one-handed when you're lifting your baby out.

It's all backed by a three-year limited warranty: UPPAbaby covers the stroller against manufacturing defects from the date of purchase, with normal use. Keep your receipt, since it applies to the original buyer from an authorized retailer.

There are a few trade-offs, and we cover them below.

Can you use the UPPAbaby Kona from birth?

Yes! Recline the seat all the way, then pull the newborn apron (a fabric foot barrier) up from under the footrest and snap it to both sides of the seat. It closes off the end of the seat into a snug nest for a newborn, so there's no insert or bassinet to buy.

The seat reverses, so your baby can face you on those early walks, then turn around once they start craning their neck at every dog that passes. If you'd rather start with a bassinet, the UPPAbaby Bassinet V3 (sold separately) attaches straight to the frame with no adapters.

Which car seats fit the Kona?

UPPAbaby's own infant seats click on, no adapter. We offer the Aria V2 because it's free from added fire retardant chemicals and we do not sell the Mesa V3, as it uses FRs in the foam. Nuna's PIPA series, plus the Clek Liing, also will work, with the addition of this adapter (sold separately). (The same adapter also fits Cybex Aton and Joie Mint seats, which we don't carry because, again, we won't take part in exposing babies to fire retardants.)

Still choosing a seat? Our PIPA aire vs rx vs aire rx comparison might help.

There's one optional add-on worth knowing about here, because it changes how high the car seat sits. The height booster, sold as the Upper Adapters for Cruz V2 and Kona (sold separately), raises a UPPAbaby infant car seat or bassinet 4 inches. That brings your baby nearer your face on walks and means less bending every time you lift them in or out. It also increases your under basket capacity from a height standpoint.

Can the Kona hold two kids?

Yes, if the big kid's happy to stand. The Kona takes a single seat, and an older sibling can ride the PiggyBack for Kona (sold separately), a ride-along board for kids up to 55 lb.

The board flips up when your big kid wants to walk, and the stroller folds with it attached, so there's nothing extra to wrestle into the car. It's made for the preschooler who walks most of the zoo and runs out of steam by the gift shop.

If two kids both need to sit, or a new baby is coming while your first still naps in the stroller, the Vista V3 is the UPPAbaby stroller to buy. Add its RumbleSeat V3 for a second seat and its PiggyBack for a third rider (both sold separately). Our Vista V2 vs V3 comparison covers what changed in the latest version.

What are the Kona's trade-offs?

Lower seat, city wheels, lighter materials, no overhead-bin fold. Every mid-size stroller gives up a little to get smaller, and here's what the Kona gives up:

• Your kid sits lower. Next to a full-size UPPAbaby, the seat rides closer to the ground. If your newborn rides in a car seat or the bassinet, the height booster above lifts it 4 inches.
• The wheels are made for town. They're built for sidewalks, store aisles and park paths. On bumpy ground, lock the front wheels for more stability.
• The materials are a step down. Next to the Cruz V3 and Vista V3, the fabrics on the Kona we've been testing feel less premium, and the frame feels a bit lighter-duty. It's part of the trade for a stroller this light.
• It won't fit an airplane's overhead bin. Plan to check it when you fly. The Travel Bag for Kona (sold separately) takes it with the seat still on. If carry-on matters most, UPPAbaby's Minu V3 is the one stroller in Nuna's lineup built to fit the overhead bin.

None of these get in the way of everyday city and suburban life, which is exactly where the Kona's built to live.

UPPAbaby Kona vs Cruz V3: what's the difference?

Choose the Kona for lifting, the Cruz V3 for extras. Here's where they differ:

We've been pushing both around here. The Kona rolls smooth, but side by side, the Cruz V3's frame and fabrics feel a clear notch more premium (our Cruz V3 review goes deeper). That's where the extra $250 goes, along with the FlexRide suspension. If that matters more to you than 4.5 lb and a smaller fold, go with the Cruz V3.

Kona vs Nuna TRIV next: what's the difference?

The TRIV next is lighter; the Kona's seat takes newborns.

If you're cross-shopping Nuna, the TRIV next is the Kona's main rival: Nuna's lightweight single stroller for everyday use. Apples to apples, it's about a pound lighter than the Kona. Where the Kona pulls ahead is the first few months. A newborn can ride right in the Kona's own seat, while Nuna recommends pairing the TRIV next with a PIPA infant car seat until about six months, or adding the SWIV & TRIV Series Bassinet + Stand (sold separately).

Here's how they compare on paper:

Our verdict: If you're starting with a PIPA car seat anyway, the TRIV next makes sense. If you're starting with an Aria car seat, or want your newborn in the stroller's own seat, or need a basket that can really haul, go with the Kona.

Kona accessories

The Kona comes ready to roll. These add-ons fit it to the way you'll use it, from flights and coffee runs to cold mornings, rainy days and a big sibling who still wants a ride. All are sold separately:

• Cupholder for Kona, Minu, and Minu Duo. It stays on through the fold, so your coffee always has a home.
• Snack Tray for Kona. A tray for your toddler's crackers that folds with the stroller.
• Organic Seat Liner for UPPAbaby Vista, Cruz & Kona. Our own Simply Pure Organics liner fits the Kona too. It's made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and a kapok filling, adds a little cushion and catches the spills.
• Performance Rainshield for Kona. It's custom-fit and ventilated, with a quick-zip opening for reaching in on wet, windy days. If the shield in the box covers you, skip this one.
• CozyGanoosh. UPPAbaby's famous fleece-lined footmuff, with a hood and neck warmer, for winter walks. It's rated down to -20°F with one layer of clothing underneath.
• Travel Bag for Kona. The Kona goes in folded with the seat and wheels still on. Just unzip on the other end and you're good to go.
• PiggyBack for Kona. Somewhere for a tired big sibling to ride.
• Upper Adapters for Cruz V2 and Kona. The height booster from the car-seat section. It raises the car seat or bassinet, not the stroller's own seat, and answers one of the most common concerns from reviewers: babies sitting low in this stroller.
• Bassinet V3. A lie-flat bed for walks that's also approved for overnight sleep, with a foam-free mesh mattress and ventilated sides. Snap it onto the Bassinet Stand (sold separately) and the same bassinet becomes your baby's bed at home, up to 20 lb.
• Upper Car Seat Adapters (Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Clek and Cybex). The piece you need to click other infant car seats into the Kona.

Who is the UPPAbaby Kona best for?

Parents who want convenience and portability without sacrificing features.

It suits walk-ups, small cars and city sidewalks, and it carries your kid from their first stroll until they insist on walking the whole way themselves. Want the longer track record, the sun shield or a fancy suspension system? Look at the Cruz V3. If you'll need two seats, the Vista V3 is where we'd point you.

For everyone else, the Kona is the UPPAbaby we'd put on your doorstep first.