We were so stoked to be introduced to this stroller at a recent baby show. We couldn’t believe how well engineered it was – and for such an incredibly attainable price. Thus, we are very excited to finally write this Evenflo Pivot Xpand Stroller review.
- Single Stroller — $349
- Second seat — $149
- Travel System (includes stroller frame, toddler/carriage seat, SafeMax infant car seat with base, built-in upper and lower adapters and one cup holder) — $319
- Rider Board — $62
This incredibly versatile stroller can easily grow and morph to meet the needs of your changing family over the years. You can purchase it as a single stroller for one baby or as a bundle for two (the travel system comes with the stroller frame, toddler seat, Evenflo SafeMax infant car seat and base, built-in upper and lower adapters and one expandable cup holder!). You can even add on a rider board to accommodate an older third child.
The two kid’s seats can be turned around to rear-face (ideal for the baby phase) or to face outward, and each seat holds up to 55 lbs. See also: Best Rear-Facing Strollers.
You get all this for a serious value: $377 for the entire bundle; $289 for the single stroller; an additional $111 to add a second seat; and $53 for the rider board if you have a third child. Compared to the higher-end (and far pricier) convertible strollers, such as UPPAbaby Vista V2, the Nuna DemiGrow and Baby Jogger City Select that offer similar versatility and expandability, the Pivot Xpand is a fraction of the price.
Before we delve into the details, take a minute to watch this video Meg shot a couple of years ago highlighting all the unique features of the Evenflo Pivot Xpand.
Evenflo Pivot Xpand Stroller Review: Size & Weight
This stroller comes in three colorways: Roan (light gray), Percheron (light and dark gray) and Stallion (black). The stroller itself weighs about 28.2 lbs.
Because it’s the width of a single, it measures about 26.5” wide, meaning it fits through standard doorways. That said, when you add a second seat — whether a car seat or toddler seat — some reviewers say it makes the stroller bulkier, which makes it tougher to maneuver through tight spaces. This comes with the territory.
Car Seat Compatibility/Bassinet Info
The Evenflo Pivot Xpand accepts one or two car seats! It’s compatible with Evenflo’s LiteMax (which comes with the travel System) car seats without the need for an adapter — woohoo!
However, you can also purchase the infant car seat adapter to attach the following car seats: Chicco KeyFit; KeyFit 30; Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 35; Graco SnugRide SnugLock 30, 35; and Peg Perego Primo Viaggio.
This biggest complaint about this stroller pertains to the car seat attachment, most users agree that it’s difficult to attach the infant seat (whereas attaching the second toddler seat is extremely simple and quick). One said, “The infant seat seems to be more cumbersome to attach to the adapters when compared to the toddler seat. It may just take some getting used to but it’s almost always a fight trying to get the infant seat attached and/or turned around.” Just something to keep in mind!
A very cool feature is that the toddler seat actually converts to a bassinet! We absolutely love that because, as Meg mentioned in the video, it’s one fewer accessory to have to store away in your garage when not in use! We love that it’s so efficient this way.
To use the seat this way, you need to recline it, lift the footrest, and detach the clip on the back of the footrest. Voila! You have yourself a bassinet. How awesome is that?!
Seats
The seat versatility is an area where this stroller really shines — it offers 22 different configurations! For comparison, the City Select offers 16!
The seat has three recline positions (which you can do with one hand) and a 5-position footrest to offer babies a cozy nap space during outings.
Adding a second “sibling” seat to the Pivot Xpand is super easy — and you don’t need any additional tools to attach it.
All you have to do is remove the seat (so you’re working with just the stroller frame), flip out the lower towers (attachment pieces), and slide the top attachment towers up. Now you’re ready to click on either an additional infant car seat (which you can place closest to you so you can easily attend to baby) or a second stroller seat! It’s really that easy.
A Well-Balanced Ride
Most people might not notice this, but we review strollers for a living, so I’m going to show you something cool…. You see, in singles mode, the one seat (or car seat) is balanced perfectly in the middle of the stroller (front to back). See below: Yes? Ok, good.
In doubles mode, most strollers add the 2nd seat to the very front or the very back of the stroller, which then throws off the center of balance (making it either too front-heavy (hard to maneuver and pop onto curbs)) — or too back heavy.
Our favorite part of this stroller is how they’ve properly balanced the weight of the two children by sliding the upper seat back and UP the stroller frame, it moves the center of gravity back to so the stroller isn’t so entirely front-heavy. Compared to a stroller like the Baby Jogger City Select, which is extremely front-heavy and nearly impossible to pop up onto curbs, this engineering trick is super impressive, especially in an economy offering. Thus, this stroller rides more like the UPPAbaby Vista V2 or Britax B-Ready, two higher-end strollers that are known for their well-balanced, easy to maneuver rides.
Don’t get me wrong, this is still an economy stroller, so it’s not going to have the same high end fit and finish as a luxury brand, but still…
Canopy
A definite difference between this stroller and the more expensive convertibles is the canopy quality. The Pivot Xpand does not offer the level of UPF protection its competitors do.
That said, the 3-panel canopy does what it’s supposed to: it protects kids against the elements (sun, rain, wind, etc.), and it also offers a mesh peek-a-boo window for you to check on your tot every so often.
Basket
Another thing we love about the Pivot Xpand is how big the storage basket is! I mean — it’s huuuuge!
Look at that room! The basket expands to over two feet in length, and you can easily access it from the front or back, unlike the B-Ready G3, even with two seats attached! You can fit a diaper bag, jackets, toys, blankets, and whatever else you need in here with no problem.
Brake
The flip-flop friendly brake is super easy to use. It’s a simple lever you step on once to engage, and again to disengage. Easy peasy.
Fold
The Pivot Xpand offers a self-standing, compact fold, and… you can fold it with the main seat seat attached. But like many convertible strollers, you must remove the second seat in order to fold the stroller. That said, for a more compact fold — like if you’re trying to fit it into a small trunk — you’ll want to take the seat off. You can remove the bumper bar, too.
It’s easy to fold as well: lift the two levers on either side of the handlebar, and the stroller will fold in half, backwards.
Wheels
Another reason why the Pivot Xpand is far less expensive than its higher-end counterparts are the wheels. They’re not bad, just… less versatile.
The Xpand’s wheels are large “cruiser tires” that offer front-wheel swivel and rear-wheel suspension. The front swivel makes the stroller more agile and easy to maneuver, while the rear suspension makes for a smoother ride. This is not an all-terrain stroller.
That said, the ride will be smoothest (and thus, more comfortable for your kiddos) on flat, even terrain (as in, this stroller is best for gravel-free sidewalks, trips to the zoo and walks around the ‘hood). Yes, the push you get with the higher end strollers in this category is far superior.
Handlebar
The Pivot Xpand’s handlebar offers three adjustable height positions, making it comfortable to push for parents of differing heights. I appreciate this feature because this is always an issue in my family — my husband is 6 feet, and I’m barely 5’2”!
Bottom Line
Whether you have one child, two kiddos (two infants, an older and younger, toddler twins, etc.) or even three (just add on a rider board!), the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Stroller — either the single stroller or travel system — is a truly cost-efficient convertible stroller that should serve you well for many years to come.
While this stroller doesn’t have some of those high-end features that the pricier strollers offer (i.e. canopies with UPF50+ sun protection, all-terrain tires, etc.), it is extremely easy to convert from a single to a double (as in, it takes 30 seconds or less!), the seats can be configured in a multitude of ways to meet the needs of all your children, it has amazing underseat storage, a simple-to-use brake and well-enough functioning tires (on flat terrain). We know it’s not the Cadillac of convertible strollers, but we believe in the quality and versatility (and the pricetag!) of Evenflo’s Pivot Xpand Modular Stroller.
Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Do you know if you can configure the Xpand to two bassinets?
We have purchased the stroller just cannot figure out if it is an option (we are having twins)
Thanks!
Hi Kristina,
YES! Well — the two toddler seats can BOTH recline flat to become bassinets… so it’s a good stroller for twins.
Good luck!
Marissa
where can i get upgraded wheels for the Evenflo Pivot Xpand sensor safe.
The photo of the bassinet is deceiving because that fully flat position is only available on the single model. With the seat that fits the double stroller frame, it does not 100% recline flat which I was so deeply bummed about when my family grew and I realized the full bassinet doesn’t fit the double stroller frame.
Can you use one seat for a toddler and one reclined into a bassinet? Thanks!
Hi Emily!
Yes you can!
Thanks,
M
So much information to consider with strollers and car seat compatibility! With that being said, I see this comes with the infant car seat. Does that mean it’s no longer usable when they grow out of that phase? As in, what is the best car seat that I could get max lifespan out of that works with this stroller if possible? Or will I need to upgrade car seats at that time but then the car seat wouldn’t work any longer with the stroller? This our first, so we are learning a lot in our research!
Hi there, Candace! Congratulations on expecting your first. Super exciting! You can use this stroller after your baby outgrows the car seat, because at that point, you will put your little one in the actual seat– which can hold a child up to 55 lbs!
This stroller will definitely last you for a while.
Good luck!
Can the seat that comes with the stroller be used in either position, or just the top? What I’m trying to figure out is, if I want to put a car seat at the top, do I need to purchase the second seat for the bottom, or can I use the original seat? Thanks!
Hi Brook!
You can use the seat in either position! No need to purchase an additional seat. Check out this video from DadVerb and go to minute 4:25.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iENDVe9SDC4
Good luck!
Marissa