UPPAbaby Kona vs Nuna SWIV
Two compact-ish full-size strollers at nearly the same weight, 22 lb for the Kona and 21.8 for the SWIV, so the question is whether the SWIV's sideways-sliding seat is worth $350. Owners say it earns its keep in crowded shops. The Kona answers with a seat that reclines for newborns, a 30 lb basket against 22, and Mesa and Aria seats that click on directly, where a Pipa needs the SWIV's included ring adapter. Most buyers should take the Kona.
Folded, the UPPAbaby Kona makes a 4.2 cu ft box to the Nuna SWIV's 5.37 cu ft. Neither fits a 22 x 14 x 9 in carry-on sizer: the UPPAbaby Kona misses by 7 in and the Nuna SWIV by 8.5 in. The Nuna SWIV is 0.2 lb lighter by its maker's figure (21.8 lb to 22 lb). The UPPAbaby Kona is newborn-ready as sold; the Nuna SWIV needs a bassinet, insert or infant car seat for the first months. UPPAbaby Mesa seats click straight onto the UPPAbaby Kona; every seat listed for the Nuna SWIV needs an adapter.
UPPAbaby
UPPAbaby Kona
~$650
Kona is UPPAbaby's newest full-feature single, cut down to 22 lb and a 13.4-inch-deep fold that works with the seat facing either way.
Best for: City walkers wanting a full-size seat in a smaller fold
Check price on Amazon
Nuna
Nuna SWIV
~$1,000
SWIV's party trick is a button on the push bar that unlocks the rear wheels too, so the whole stroller slides sideways into a parking spot or along a crowded aisle.
Best for: Daily errands through crowded shops and tight parking spots
| Specification | UPPAbaby Kona | Nuna SWIV |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$650 | ~$1,000 |
| Type | Full-size | Full-size |
| Weight | 22 lb | 21.8 lb |
| Newborn lift weight | 22 lb (seat is from birth) | not published |
| Newborn option | Seat is rated from birth | Needs a bassinet, insert or car seat (sold separately) |
| Folded size | 13.4 x 21 x 25.8 in | 14.5 x 21 x 30.5 in |
| Carry-on check | Over by 7 in (3 sides over) | Over by 8.5 in (3 sides over) |
| Folded box | 4.20 cu ft | 5.37 cu ft |
| Unfolded size | 33.6 x 21 x 38 in | 34.5 x 21 x 42.5 in |
| Fold | One-hand fold | One-hand fold, stands when folded |
| Basket | 30 lb | 22 lb |
| Max child weight | 50 lb | 50 lb |
| Recline | 4 positions (One-hand recline with 4 positions, including fully upright and lay-flat) | 3 positions (One-handed recline with 3 positions including near-flat) |
| Car seats | 2 seat families: 2 click in directly | 1 seat family: 1 with an adapter |
| Warranty | 3 years | not published |
UPPAbaby Kona: what it gives up
- No second-seat or sibling option listed
- UPPAbaby does not say whether it stands when folded
- Too new for any long-term durability record
Nuna SWIV: what it gives up
- $1,000, which is $400 more than the TRIV next
- Seat makes no from-birth claim; newborns need a car seat or the bassinet
- Only three recline positions
- Newborns need the SWIV & TRIV series bassinet, which Nuna sells separately
Full pages: UPPAbaby Kona · Nuna SWIV