Bugaboo Fox 2 pushchair review

The amped-up 2020 version of the pushchair, the Fox 2, claims to be Bugaboo’s ‘best ride ever’. It has a few crucial tweaks to back up this promise which make it even more user-friendly for parents than its predecessor, including improved fold buttons making it easier to fold, a new canopy complete with a long-awaited peekaboo window and an easier-to-recline seat.

Importantly, it retains the signature comfort and opulence that’s so synonymous of the Bugaboo brand – an aesthetic that has picked up a whole host of parenting mega-fans and A-list followers.

Buy The Bugaboo Fox 2 Pushchair: Bugaboo, Boots, Uber Kids and Very

Tested by:

Journalist Natalie tried out the Bugaboo Fox 2 with her two daughters, aged 8 months and 4 years old. She travelled by bus, put the buggy in and out of the car, and tested the Fox 2 along country lanes and around the city.

What were your first impressions of the Bugaboo Fox 2?

It looks big but also incredibly comfortable-looking – I quite fancy a nap in it myself. Thanks to its large wheels, it’s instantly apparent how beautifully it will glide across almost any surface – so bouncy, I can picture it tackling craters on the moon without a jolt.

When you attach the carrycot, the Fox 2 has the stature of those large, retro prams of the 50s, albeit with a more modern shape, soft, easy-to-clean fabrics and a surprisingly lightweight frame that incorporates the very latest design tricks.

How is the Bugaboo Fox 2 different to the Fox?

The Fox 2’s revised design aims to make life easier for parents and the brand succeeds in doing so. The springy, central joint suspension makes all the difference in providing a comfortable ride, allowing the buggy to soak up bumps from the core of the frame, not just from each wheel.

There is a new fold button, which can be activated easier using less pressure, simply by sliding your thumbs simultaneously up each side of the frame. An upgraded rotating carry handle on the carrycot is another great change, making it easier to open and get your child in and out. A wide, slimline pocket is also a nifty addition to the carrycot, perfect for keeping wipes, small toys or your phone handy.

Bugaboo also istened to customer feedback and there’s now a peekaboo window in the buggy’s canopy, a nice extra.

The recline lever has been fine-tuned in the Fox 2 to create an even smoother transition between seating positions.

Finally, the buggy is ever-so-slightly bigger at L108-105cm x W60cm x H104-88cm compared to the previous model’s L83.4cm x W60cm x H88.5cm, but it weighs the same at 9.9kg.

How does it compare to other similarly-priced buggies?

Much like Bugaboo, Silver Cross is a popular high-end brand and the company’s Pioneer 2020 model lives up to its luxe reputation. It's a comparable weight to the Fox 2 at 10.2kg (single seat configuration) but unlike the Fox 2 it comes with a bassinet suitable for overnight sleeping.

The Uppababy Vista V2 is another high-end buggy that’s a big hit with parents and at around £999, it’s slightly cheaper than the Bugaboo Fox 2. The Fox 2 and Vista V2 both have a maximum child weight limit of 22kg, but the Vista V2 is heavier at 12.4kg (single seat configuration) as it can be used as a double compared to the Fox 2’s 9.9kg. Both fold in one-piece, although the Bugaboo’s one-piece fold is bulkier than the Vista V2.

Another best-selling favourite, the iCandy Peach, is a worthy contender in the premium buggy market. Priced at £999 it’s slightly cheaper than the Fox 2, and it has a higher weight limit of 25kg, making it better value for money if you’re planning to use it for the duration. Weighing in at 12.4kg (single seat configuration), it’s heavier than the Fox 2 (9.9kg), yet it’s not as wide, measuring 52cm, compared to the Fox 2’s 60cm. Like the Uppababy Vista2, it can also be adapted to become a single to double travel system.

What is the age range of the Bugaboo Fox 2?

The carrycot is suitable from birth up to 9kg and the seat unit is suitable from 6 months up to around 5 years, or 22kg in weight. The buggy feels reassuringly sturdy and the carrycot affords your baby plenty of space to stretch and grow.

My small, light 4-year-old sat in it to test it and looked comfy, although I imagine her legs would begin to dangle as she grows.

An upper weight limit of 22kg is a standard feature of similar buggies, although some models now go up to 25kg like the Silver Cross Wave 2020 and iCandy Peach.

How comfortable is the carrycot on the Fox 2?

This is one of the most-pillow-soft carrycots I’ve seen and there is loads of space for baby to nap peacefully. It’s worth noting that Bugaboo says the Fox 2 isn’t suitable for overnight sleeping.

It’s definitely one of the cosiest bassinets I’ve seen and it does have a small peekaboo window in the canopy which is handy for keeping an eye on your baby.

How comfortable is the seat unit on the Fox 2?

The seat unit is roomy and has more padding than you would find on earlier Bugaboo buggies. The seat is reversible and extremely easy to switch around – you just click the white buttons on each side (you can even do each one independently if needed), then lift the seat off, swing it around and slot into place.

Bugaboo says the Fox 2 has a high seat placement at 23-inches above the ground. We found it great for pushing against a table like a highchair when out at cafes. I have seen higher seating positions on other buggies, but I felt this is as high as I would need a seat to be – you can interact closely with your baby as you walk along.

It’s worth noting that the seat unit and the bassinet share the same frame and need to be assembled using different fabric sets. it is a fiddlier process but a great space-saving option as you don't have to then store either a carrycot or seat.

Is it easy to take the carrycot and seat unit on and off?

It is very easy – both the carrycot and the seat unit are incredibly straightforward to attach to the chassis. Bugaboo has developed a two-finger click mechanism that ‘remembers’ that it has been pressed. Basically, there are two large, white buttons on either side of the frame that can be clicked independently of each other, with surprisingly little pressure.

It’s also really simple to remove the bassinet and seat unit with just one hand and the whole process is a much slicker operation than anything I’ve tried before.

How many recline positions are there?

There are 3 recline positions on the Fox 2. One of the newest updates for the Fox 2 is an enhanced recline lever – a light squeeze is enough to seamlessly drop the whole seat into each position.

The upright position was my favourite and most used, the middle position was slightly laid-back so might be useful for a nap, and in the full recline, which isn’t completely flat – my daughter’s legs seemed quite high compared to the position of her body. So only the upright position was ideal for me.

What do you think of the Fox 2 seat harness?

Each strap on the five-point seat harness is easy to click into the central lock, though the straps themselves felt a little flimsy and also the top part of the shoulder straps sat slightly awkwardly.

I prefer straps where two clasps are connected before fitting into a central lock as it feels like there is less wiggle room for a squirming toddler. When clipping one strap in at a time, it felt like a slower process and more likely for my little one to wriggle out.

What is the bumper bar like?

The bumper bar is another new innovation for the Fox 2, as it’s now much easier to open and swivels around 360°, making it super easy to take your baby in and out of the seat without having to remove it completely. The bumper bar doubles up as a carry handle for the bassinet when the frame is in this mode.

How easy is it to push the Bugaboo Fox 2?

The only way to describe it is hyper-smooth – you can definitely navigate obstacles without endangering your latte! Bugaboo says the Fox 2 has power steering and it certainly felt capable and responsive. It is a dream to steer one-handed, even up steep roads. The smooth-spinning wheels skip over thick grass seamlessly, while the carrycot doesn’t wobble much at all, so my daughter wasn’t troubled by our various off-road strolls.

The front wheels can easily be snapped into a fixed position, for when you need to get up and over particular lumps and bumps, and after pushing my daughter through farmland that would normally set her crying if she wasn’t in a sling, it seems that the buggy can tackle most surfaces. Which is good news for my back and means potentially longer walks in the country for us as a family.

This excellent, multi-terrain suspension teamed with the brilliant power steering is what really sets the Fox 2 apart from the competition – it’s ability to navigate even the bumpiest of surfaces nimbly is a serious stand-out feature that no other competitors offer.

Another nice extra is the safety wrist strap on the handlebar that gives you peace of mind when rolling back down steep hills.

How does the Bugaboo Fox 2’s two-wheel position work?

It’s something that I’ve not seen elsewhere – the ability to change the chassis and tow the buggy behind you on just two wheels.

To do so, you lock the buggy’s front wheels then fold the frame, pushing the wheels away from you, so that the seat is resting on the two back wheels of its frame. You can then pull the buggy behind you on snow or sand.

How do the wheels perform?

The puncture-proof wheels are fairly light but feel as though they are made from premium materials and freewheel effortlessly, taking the strain out of pushing a loaded pram.

They’re also a really decent size, another reason why pushing the Fox 2 is such a dream. The front wheels are 8.5-inches in diameter and the rear wheels are 12-inches – slightly bigger than wheels of the Uppababy Vista V2, which come in at 8in in the front and 11.5in at the back.

How does the brake perform on the Bugaboo Fox 2?

Applying the brake involves lightly stepping down on the well-engineered peddle, situated just beneath the basket next to the wheel. To release it, you step down on it once again, meaning thankfully you don’t have to scrape your toes trying to push a lever upwards.

Is it easy to interact with your child when they’re in the buggy?

The Fox 2’s new peekaboo window in the canopy is a long-awaited addition to the buggy that has been the focus of customer feedback for some time. The great news is it’s wide, so it’s perfect for watching your child, and it’s really quiet to open, another win as it means there’s no danger of waking up a sleeping child when you take a peek. My daughter really enjoyed peering back up at me through it.

How sturdy is the Bugaboo Fox 2?

I would expect the thick frame of the Fox 2, though it is made of a lightweight material weighing in at 9.9kg, to last a long time. In fact, if a door were to close on it, I fear the door might come off worse! Each joint in the frame has large, sturdy components, so I had no worries about mishandling them either.

While it’s quite cumbersome to lift, the weight is definitely manageable for one person over the course of five or so steps.

How does the Bugaboo Fox 2 fold and unfold?

There are two folds, and the most compact method is achieved by storing the buggy in two pieces.

• The carrycot or seat is removed first, by pressing the white buttons on each side.
• Slide the buggy’s handle in next, after lifting the clasps on each side.
• Put your thumbs over the white buttons on each side of the frame and slide them back in order to push the frame down.
• Lift the frame by its central axis and push the wheels and handle into a folded position on either side.

The bassinet can be folded away neatly too, quite simply by sliding the end supports down into the base of the cot, winning back some much-needed boot space in your car.

It is also possible to fold the Fox 2 as one piece although this wasn’t immediately obvious to me until I had watched a Bugaboo video. As the buggy then stands alone when folded, this is handy for when you want to leave it in your hallway, or the cloakroom of a café or soft play. It takes a couple of takes to get the hang of it but it’s an invaluable feature.

The Fox 2 unfolds in a couple of seconds, by sliding the same buttons again on the frame with your thumbs.

How compact is the Bugaboo Fox 2 when folded?

In two pieces, it really doesn’t take up much room at all – in fact, it’s smaller than its competitors like the Uppababy Vista V2 and Silver Cross Wave 2020 when folded. If you have a very small boot, you may want to remove the back wheels, as they add a lot of height to the folded frame.

Where the Fox 2 really wins is its weight - coming in at just under 10kg, lighter than the Vista V2, Wave and iCandy Peach.

What is the hood like?

The hood unfolds quietly although it can be a little jerky. Bugaboo is well known for its generous canopy and it doesn’t disappoint – it’s satisfyingly large and completely covered the carrycot and kept the sun off my daughter’s face and body when she was in the seat. It is longer than most in this buggy’s category and reached my eight-month-old’s ankles.

What do you think of the size of Bugaboo Fox 2 basket?

The basket is medium sized and easily accessed from the back, less so from the front unless your child is sleeping and lying more reclined. Another storage option is the slimline pocket around the carrycot – a fantastic new addition that’s great for keeping essentials handy.

How would the buggy fare on public transport?

While it’s not a buggy that is designed for narrow bus aisles, at 60cm wide, it would fit. The buggy would pack away fairly easily onto the luggage rack of a train, although the large wheels will get in the way if you want to store bags alongside. It would be a faff to take the wheels off on a journey each time, though they do come away easily.

Does the Bugaboo Fox 2 fit into your car boot?

In two pieces, the seat and frame should fit into every car boot, as it has a space-saving square shape. When the carrycot is squashed down it really doesn’t take up too much space either and can lay on top of the frame without adding much height at all. The buggy piece is slightly hefty but it will still fit in most car boots. The bulkiest item is the back wheels, which can be removed.

What is in the box?

Along with all the pieces needed to build the buggy, a substantial raincover came with my Fox 2, which was of a good quality. The ‘style set’ box included plastic white wheel hub caps that I found hard to fit and faux leather wrappings for the handle bar.

Is the Bugaboo Fox 2 easy to build?

Irritatingly, the Fox 2 was fiddly to build, taking me around two hours. All the pieces are well-built and clip in easily where they should go, but the instructions were just not clear, with no written instructions. I would definitely prefer to have written instructions alongside the brief pictures that I was given.

Even when watching a video of a lady – rather swiftly – putting the buggy together, I was still confused about which way round to insert, push, pull or squeeze certain clips. And I’ve built a few Ikea beds. Not ideal.

What would you have wanted to know before you bought the pushchair?

That I would need time to watch the videos to put it together.

Do you like the style of the Bugaboo Fox 2?

Yes – it has an understated, comfortable look. It’s hardly head-turning, but the ride speaks for itself and the overall effect is one of a premium pushchair.

Does this buggy offer value for money?

There’s no denying the Bugaboo Fox 2 is expensive, but if you want something that provides your child with the most comfortable ride out there, while making pushing a breeze, this is money well spent.

Are there any additional extras?

There are a number of optional accessories you can buy, including a footmuff (from £65.70 on Amazon) cup holder (£19.95 on Amazon) and seat liner (from £49.95 on Bugaboo).

Where can I buy the Bugaboo Fox 2?

The Bugaboo Fox 2 has now been replaced with the Bugaboo Fox 3.

You can read our Bugaboo Fox 3 review here, or purchase it from Bugaboo, Mamas & Papas and John Lewis.

MFM verdict:

A luxurious buggy that offers top notch engineering and the ability to glide through a range of terrain with your baby in the ultimate comfort. Although it has a premium price tag – the Bugaboo Fox 2 steers like an absolute dream, has a beautiful, slick finish and a number of thoughtful touches to make it a joyous, worthwhile investment.

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