Bugaboo Donkey 3 Vs Uppababy Vista V2: An In-Depth Stroller Comparison

Wondering what are the key differences between Bugaboo Donkey 3 and Uppababy Vista V 2? Well, I am here to tell you all about it and to help you determine, which model of the stroller between the two will work best for you! So, continue reading to find out more.
Both Donkey 3 and Vista V2 are convertible models. Yet both of these strollers are designed while keeping a different approach in perspective. The Donkey 3 is popular for being a more two-child stroller which you can downsize if required and use for one baby. Whereas the Vista V2 is a one-child stroller that you can convert into two quite conveniently. Consequently, both of these strollers tackle different sorts of situations depending on your children’s age, height and weight. But what more do they offer? Let’s find out.
In this article, I am addressive all the major advantages of using these strollers as per your situation. As we have mentioned, they can be used as either a single or double child model. So, by keeping ease of use, comfort, longevity and drivability in perspective, I will determine a winner between the two strollers so that when you’re shopping for a stroller, you can make an informed decision.
But, before I compare the features of Donkey 3 and Vista V2 with one another, here is a brief review of both strollers separately so you can have a better understanding of what you’re in store for.
Table of Contents
Specifications of Bugaboo Donkey 3 & UppaBaby Vista V2!
Specifications | Bugaboo Donkey 3 | UPPAbaby Vista V2 |
Travel System Compatible | Yes | Yes |
Weight Kg | 9.9kg | 12.4kg |
Age | from birth with a carrycot to 3yrs | from birth with a carrycot to 4yrs |
Dimensions | L 86cm, W 52cm, H 34cm | L 91.4cm, W 65.3cm, H 100.3cm |
Folded Dimensions | L 90cm x W 47cm x H60cm | L 44cm x W 65.3cm x H 83.8cm |
Single OR Double | double | Single and double |
Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Bugaboo Donkey 3 Review
We’ll go a little way back to give you an idea of what the basic idea is of the Donkey 3. Remember the Buffalo lineup by Bugaboo? It has now been discontinued by the brand and the Donkey 3 is more like an expandable model of the same stroller. The Bugaboo Donkey 3 is a full-size stroller that is designed with a long-standing cannon and offers stellar longevity.
It features a solid frame that you can either attach to a carrycot or a reversible car seat. The frame is extremely durable so don’t expect it to rupture any time soon. As far as the size is concerned, the seat has a maximum length of 104cm which is just in line with most full-size strollers on the market. However, we did find the width to be slightly narrow at 27.5cm but don’t worry, it will still be extremely comfortable for kids under the age of 3.
The reason why the width of the seat is a little narrow is that Bugaboo wanted to make it a dual-stroller meaning, the seats had to be a little small so the parent won’t have to push too much bulkiness. But don’t worry, the overall construction is pretty lightweight and even when you have both of your babies belted to the stroller, you will still be at utmost ease.
We have to say that Donkey 3 has a lot of fancy features. It is convertible, you can pair it up with a bucket car seat and a bassinet. On top of that, this can be used as a side-by-side reversible seat and offers stellar everyday functionality. This everyday functionality aspect is what makes this baby so different from the rest of the strollers out there.
Another added benefit of the Donkey is that it is sufficiently foldable which means, you can pack it up and load it in the car. And, it is lightweight so you will not have to feel like you’re pushing tons of load on the road. However, keep in mind, the stroller does take a lot of time for set up but once that’s done, it will feel like a breeze to move it around.
The Donkey 3’s mono mode is a great feature as well. If you’re going out on a picnic or want to hook yourself up with a shopping spree, the stroller has pretty much got you covered. But, keep in mind, if you use the stroller in mono mode for a prolonged period of time with a heavier child, then it will put a lot of pressure on the child side of the chassis which may cause some unbalancing issues.
As far as terrain capability is concerned, whether you’re using the stroller in a single child mode or double, the stroller has excellent maneuverability, something I have no complaints with. The Donkey 3 features 10-inch front wheels, has a wider footprint with excellent weight distribution. The selling point of this stroller is that it can handle off-roads pretty well, even better than most strollers having the same caliber.
But also keep in mind that if you continue to push the Donkey 3 to its limits, it will tear down sooner than you may expect.
This also brings us to our last point, the only drawback of buying Donkey 3 is that it wears down pretty quickly as compared to all other options available for the same price. This is mainly because Bugaboo has used lightweight components for the construction of this stroller. Although it is the main reason why it is so popular, it’s also why not many people will buy it in the first place.
There is another stroller in this lineup, Donkey 3’s predecessor, Donkey 2 and you should also check out my comparison of both these strollers.
Pros
- Commendably Lightweight Design
- Looks Stellar
- Perfect For Everyday use
- Reversible
- Supports two Children at one time
- Excellent Storage Capacity
Cons
- Uses Lightweight Components
- Wears Down Quickly
UppaBaby Vista V2 Review
Moving on to Vista V2, this stroller also comes with the same rigid frame bucket design but here, you will also find an adjustable leg rest which happens to be very convenient for bigger kids. The length of the seat on Vista V2 is roughly the same size as the Donkey 3. However, it is wider by a good 5cm which makes it quite suitable for larger kids.
There is one drawback though. The tandem seat contrast is much lower than that of Donkey 3 which kind of pushes the parents into putting their younger kids on to a less accessible lower position. This will cause great discomfort to your kid and in case they happen to be having a bad day, you will have to stop every few minutes to comfort your child.
One aspect where Vista V2 excels is the fact that it does not contract horizontally. This makes things way too easy for the parents. They will not have to perform even a little but disassembly to fold the V2 and can easily put it in the back of their car.
On top of that, one concern that I did have with Donkey 3 was its flimsiness which doesn’t seem to be a problem over here. The Vista V2 is extremely sturdy and offers a tremendous amount of durability that you can easily take it around town. Each and every component on this stroller is of premium quality and promises a whole lot of longevity.
As far as maneuverability is concerned, this is an aspect where Donkey 3 overshadows Vista V2 greatly. This stroller features only 8inch front wheels and the tires aren’t made out of high-quality materials. It will be very difficult for you to drag the stroller through rough concrete and may even give an experience of a bumpier ride which not all of us are up for.
All in all, the Vista V2 has a sturdier build and a much better suspension than Donkey 3. But, when you make both of your children sit in this stroller, the ride won’t be as convenient as you may want it to be.
Let’s be more precise, where longevity is concerned, Vista V2 is clearly the winner. The construction quality is stellar and each and every component on this stroller is made out of industry grade material. It also folds up nicely, without you having to do any labor, all of which are great reasons to put your money on this stroller.
I have also compared UppaBaby V2 with Bugaboo Fox 2. I am sure you will find a lot of worthy information over there as well.
Pros
- Sturdier Build Quality
- Very Easy to Fold together
- Compact Size
- Lightweight Construction
- Elegant Design
Cons
- Wheels are too Small and Flimsy
- Hard to Maneuver
Bugaboo Donkey 3 Vs Uppababy Vista V2 – Features Comparison
Now that you have gone through all the basic features of Bugaboo Donkey 3 and UppaBaby Vista V2. It is time for us to take a look at each feature comparatively and find out which one of these strollers is a clear winner!
Folding
If we compare Bugaboo’s folding mechanism to that of their previous models, we have to say that in Donkey 3, the brand has improved a lot. In this stroller, you can conveniently leave the seats on and wrap it up in a small package that will conveniently fit the back of your car. But, the stroller is still pretty big and you will have to perform some manual labor in order to break it down even more.
However, the UppaBaby Vista V2 features a one-step fold that can easily turn the stroller into a small package whether or not you have taken the seats off. Even if you decide to install a bassinet on the stroller, it is still very easy to unfold and you will not have any trouble at all. it can be easily tucked away into the trunk of your car and voila! So, where folding is concerned, UppaBaby Vista V2 clean sweeps.
Smooth Movement
The UppaBaby Vista V2 offers an effortless slide over sidewalks. It features large wheels with a commendable suspension system that is very well capable of handling debris and curbs. It may even perform excellently on snow and grass. However, the ride won’t be as smooth and flawless on harder terrains like gravel which is quite off-putting.
This is where Donkey 3 takes the main advantage. It features EVA wheels with a unique foam-filled design that makes them more maneuverable and lightweight. The suspension system over here is far more advanced that can absorb shocks so the child can enjoy a smooth ride. So, with regards to smooth movement, the Bugaboo Donkey 3 has everything you need.
Built-in Storage
Bugaboo Donkey 3 comes with dual storage areas so you can have an ample amount of space for everything your child is going to need while you’re out and about. There is also a side storage bag with a front compartment where you can keep all the small things you might need.
The Vista V2 however only features a small compartment that is not as spacious as that of Donkey 3. We would again declare the Donkey 3 a winner for commendable built-in storage.
Conclusion:
So, this is all that I could gather for a comparison between the Donkey 3 and UppaBaby Vista V2. As you can see, both of these strollers excel in some parts. Both drawbacks. So, it is entirely up to you which stroller you would like to go for.
Hopefully, I was able to provide you with all the information you needed here. If there are any other questions you’d like to ask, leave me with your feedback below and I will get back to you.
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