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First published: October 2026 · Specs and prices checked against icandyworld.com, uppababy.co.uk and UK retailer listings October 2026
Our verdict
The iCandy Core 2 wins — the suspension is the best I’ve encountered.
Both are premium full-size singles at around the same weight, but the Core 2 folds one-handed with the seat attached in either direction, has an integrated ride-on board, and comes with a 5-year warranty. Choose the UPPAbaby Cruz V3 instead if a high 58cm seat matters most to you — but the Core 2 is the finer pushchair to push.
How we compared them
iCandy Core 2: a fairly generous session in store — long enough to put it through its paces properly. Push quality, suspension, fold mechanism and build quality all assessed hands-on.
UPPAbaby Cruz V3: shop-tested in September 2026 with Janette and a lovely assistant named Jill — pushing, steering, folding, lifting, the recline and the handlebar.
Specs and prices: checked against icandyworld.com, uppababy.co.uk and UK retailer listings in October 2026.
iCandy Core 2 — official product image
iCandy Core 2
8.5/10
11.7kg · Suspension 10/10 · One-handed fold, seat attached
UPPAbaby Cruz V3 — official product image
UPPAbaby Cruz V3
7/10
12.3kg with seat · 58cm seat height · Two-handed fold
Choose the Core 2 if…
you want the best push in a premium single — on pavements and rough gravel park paths alike — with a one-handed fold and an integrated ride-on board for an older sibling.
Choose the Cruz V3 if…
a high seat is your priority — 58cm when I tested it — and you’re a city dweller, shops and pavements, who’ll usually fold it with both hands free.
Core 2 vs Cruz V3: where they differ
← Swipe to see the full table →
| Factor | iCandy Core 2 | UPPAbaby Cruz V3 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.5/10 | 7/10 | Core 2 |
| Weight with seat | 11.7kg (chassis 7.8kg, seat 3.85kg) | 12.3kg (frame 7.8kg, seat 4.5kg) | Core 2, just |
| Suspension and terrain | Exceptional — our first 10/10, effortless on rough gravel paths | Quite hard tyres — bobbly on rougher ground | Core 2 |
| Fold | One-handed with the seat attached, parent- or world-facing; stands on its own | Two hands in our test; seat forward-facing and handlebar lowered; stands on its own; no carry handle | Core 2 |
| Seat height | — | 58cm when I tested it | Cruz V3 |
| Older sibling | Integrated ride-on board, rated to 20kg | PiggyBack ride-on board, sold separately | Core 2 |
| Second seat | None — single only | None — single only | Level |
| From birth | Yes — lie-flat seat suitable from birth; carrycot depending on bundle | Yes — infant insert included | Level — different approaches |
| Price | £699 for the pushchair (John Lewis) | £749.99 at UPPAbaby, £749.95 at Natural Baby Shower | Core 2 |
| Warranty | 5 years | 3-year limited | Core 2 |
Prices at our October 2026 check. Bundles differ in what’s included, so check exactly what you’re getting — and prices change often.
What makes the iCandy Core 2 stand out
I had a fairly generous session with the iCandy Core 2 in store, and the verdict is straightforward: this is an outstanding pushchair. The suspension is exceptional — I don’t give 10/10 lightly, and it’s the first time I’ve done so for any single category on this site. To put it in real-world terms: the Core 2 would handle Ilkley Park or Myrtle Park on a rough gravel path on a winter’s day without breaking stride.
It’s lightweight and good to the touch, it folds one-handed with the seat attached in both directions, and an older sibling who can stand can hitch a ride on the integrated board. The caveat is the same as the Cruz: it’s a single, with no second seat option at any point.
Read our full iCandy Core 2 review →
What makes the UPPAbaby Cruz V3 stand out
The Cruz V3 is UPPAbaby’s full-size single. It handles well, it’s easy to push, it’s easy to steer and it feels fairly nimble… on the flat. It’s fairly sturdy, and the seat is high — 58cm when I tested it, and you very much notice this height. It makes a real difference to both comfort and interaction with your child.
But it’s OK rather than exceptional. The tyres are quite hard, which will make it bobbly on rougher ground, the fold needs two hands, and there’s no carry handle once folded. It’s not cheap either.
Read our full UPPAbaby Cruz V3 review →
⚠️ Janette’s note on the Cruz V3
Janette felt it to be fairly sturdy, and she liked that when it’s folded it stands on its rear wheels and frame bumper, which stops the fabrics from getting dirty on the ground.
The question that decides it
Where will you push it? If your week includes park paths, gravel or rougher ground, the Core 2’s suspension is in a different league — and on the flat it’s the finer pushchair to push too. The Cruz V3 is fine for shops and pavements, but you might expect for the size that it would handle rougher ground a little better, and it doesn’t.
Then think about the fold. If you’ll ever fold it with baby in arms, the Core 2’s one-handed fold with the seat attached settles it. As I always say, before buying a pushchair you need to understand where you will use it and how you will use it.
💬 If this were my money…
Of these two, the Core 2 — it’s iCandy’s finest single, and the push is exceptional. The Cruz V3 lets itself down with the fold and the handling.
If there’s any chance of a second child, neither is right — look at the iCandy Peach 8 or UPPAbaby Vista V3 instead. As always, choose the right pushchair for your needs and budget.
Choose the iCandy Core 2 if:
- You want the best push in a premium single
- Park paths and gravel are part of your week
- You need a one-handed fold
- An older sibling could use the integrated ride-on board
Choose the UPPAbaby Cruz V3 if:
- A high seat is your priority
- Your routes are shops and pavements
- You’ll usually fold it with both hands free
- You’d like UPPAbaby’s infant insert from birth in the box
Also on Amazon: Cruz V3 →
Also worth reading
- iCandy Core 2 Review — the in-store session and the full scorecard
- UPPAbaby Cruz V3 Review — the shop test and the full scorecard
- UPPAbaby Vista V3 vs Cruz V3 — if a second child is part of the plan
- iCandy Core 2 vs Bugaboo Fox 5
- iCandy Core 2 vs Mamas & Papas Ocarro 2
- Best All-Terrain Pushchairs
Frequently asked questions
Which is lighter, the iCandy Core 2 or the UPPAbaby Cruz V3?
The Core 2, just. It weighs 11.7kg with the seat against the Cruz V3’s 12.3kg.
Which is better on rough ground?
The Core 2. Its suspension is exceptional, our first 10/10, and it would handle a rough gravel park path without breaking stride. The Cruz V3’s tyres are quite hard, which will make it bobbly on rougher ground.
Which has the better fold?
The Core 2. It folds one-handed with the seat attached, in either direction. In our test the Cruz V3 needed two hands, a forward-facing seat and a lowered handlebar.
Can either be used as a double?
No. Both are singles. The Core 2 has an integrated ride-on board for an older child, and the Cruz V3 can take a PiggyBack board, sold separately.
Which would you buy?
Of these two, the Core 2. The Cruz V3 lets itself down with the fold and the handling. As always, choose the right pushchair for your needs and budget.
📋 See all our iCandy reviews: iCandy Pushchairs →
📋 See all our UPPAbaby reviews: UPPAbaby Pushchairs →
About this comparison
Mark founded MyPushchair.co.uk in 2006 after struggling to find honest, straightforward pushchair advice as a new dad. For this comparison he had an extended in-store session with the iCandy Core 2, and shop-tested the Cruz V3 with Janette in September 2026.
Mark Hartshorne · Founder, MyPushchair.co.uk · How we review pushchairs →
Still torn between the Core 2 and the Cruz V3? Get in touch — happy to help.