CBX Leotie Lux pushchair review

It’s cheaper than its closest market competitors, such as the Cosatto Giggle Quad travel system, (£699 on Amazon) and the Joie Versatrax travel system, at £490, but that does not equate to poorer quality. In fact, it’s surprising just how well made the CBX Leotie Lux is for its £489.95 price tag.

Tested by:

Liza lives in London with her husband Jonathan and their 12-week-old daughter, Iliana. She’s been using the CBX Leotie Lux to go on long walks with Iliana, as well as for shopping trips and lunches out.

What were your first impressions of the pushchair?

It’s a great-looking pram, with the tan-coloured, leather handlebar giving that touch of luxury. In fact, the CBX Leotie Lux looks a good deal more expensive than it is compared to its competitors like the Joie Versatrax.

One thing I’m not too keen on in terms of looks is the brakes system – there is a bar running between the two back wheels, and I think the pram would look smarter without it. What’s more, although the springs give the pram great suspension, I think having them on show lets down the minimalist look of the CBX Leotie Lux.

How does the CBX Leotie Lux compare to other travel systems you have tried?

In terms of folding and unfolding the CBX Leotie Lux, I was genuinely surprised at how quick and simple it was –unlike other prams I tried while shopping around during my pregnancy. For me, this is the most important factor when choosing a pram, and in this regard, the CBX Leotie Lux scores top marks.

I tried the Bugaboo Cameleon in store, as well as the iCandy Peach, and I didn’t like how many steps were involved, but the CBX Leotie Lux is much simpler, and an added bonus is that it’s significantly cheaper, too!

The only other pram I have real experience with is the UPPAbaby VISTA. In terms of folding and unfolding, the two seem to have the same mechanism. The Uppababy Vista feels sturdier and has a few extra features that indicate better quality – the carrycot’s hood is lined, it has ventilation panels and an extendable sun canopy, while the basket underneath has sides that give so that you can squeeze more items in without the risk of them falling out, as well as two pockets in the basket for smaller items – but it’s also more than double the price.

What age is it suitable for?

It is suitable from newborn, as it has a carrycot so babies can lie completely flat – great for a travel system of this price. With the reversible seat unit, it then goes up to 15kg.

Is it easy/hard to build the CBX Leotie Lux?

The chassis was very easy to put together and the instructions were clear, so it took very little time – less than 10 minutes.

Putting the carrycot together was not as quick, as the instructions were not as simple, plus the bars that run along the base of the carrycot required some strength, so my husband did this bit for me. This took around 15 minutes.

What do you think of the carrycot?

The carrycot seems comfortable for newborns, and at 12 weeks old, Iliana seems very content – she’s had some nice afternoon naps in there!

However, the Cybex website states that the carrycot can be used up until your baby is six months old or weighs 9kg, but although Iliana seems very comfortable in the carrycot at present, I definitely do not see it lasting that long. It’s quite snug and shallow with limited space, especially compared to the Uppababy Vista carrycot – I can only see it lasting another month or so before Iliana outgrows it.

Cybex also says that the CBX Leotie Lux carrycot is suitable for occasional overnight sleeping. I have not tried this myself and I think I would only do so in emergencies, due to the size of the carrycot.

Is the CBX Leotie Lux seat unit comfortable for your little one?

Iliana is still too young to go in the seat unit, being only 12 weeks old. The material feels very soft and seems comfortable. I also like that the tanned leather bar across the seat matches the handlebar of the chassis.

However when MFM tester Karen, used the seat with her 9 month old she found the 5-point harness easy to do up but did find it fiddly to adjust. When using the seat with her 3 year old, although she sat comfortably, she commented, "Her head sat above the top of the seat unit and when it rained and we put the hood up she had to lean her head to the side to fit and she’s not particularly tall."

With a seat capacity of 15kg, the CBX Leotie Lux has less longevity than some of its competitors, like the Cosatto Giggle Quad which allows up to 20kg or the Joie Versatrax which has a seat capacity of 22kg.

How many recline positions does the seat have?

The seat can be reclined to 3 positions and it’s very easy to do – you simply hold down the silver button that sits on top of the seat and move the seat up or down until it clicks into place.

Is the CBX Leotie Lux easy to fold and unfold?

Yes, it’s super simple!

• First, you remove either the carrycot or seat by pressing the buttons on either side as you lift it off.
• Next, you push up the 2 grey levers on either side of the handlebar.
• Holding these levers up, you then push down on the frame until it has collapsed completely and locked into place.
• To unfold the pram, you lift up the grey tab to release the lock and then lift up the frame for it to open out completely.

How compact is the pushchair when folded and unfolded?

The carrycot folds completely, which is really useful for storing away. The frame also folds down to L41cm x W65cm x H106cm.

Does the CBX Leotie Lux fit in the boot of your car?

Yes, the frame and carrycot fit nicely into the boot of my car – a Lexus NX 300. There is still a little space left over for other items, although not loads. I tend to put any extra items and shopping in the back seat of my car for ease - this lack of boot space would be tricky with another child in tow, though!

How lightweight is the pushchair?

It’s very lightweight – at 7.48kg for the frame and 6.62kg for the carrycot, I have no issues picking it up and putting it into the boot of my car. I have had back problems in the past and so I have to be quite careful when lifting heavy items. Although I have not used the pushchair seat, it weighs just 3.87kg, so it will be even easier to move around. Having a pram that is lightweight is therefore really important for me and a factor that I definitely appreciate.

It's also lighter compared to competitors like the Cosatto Giggle Quad and the Joie Versatrax, which are 8kg and 11.7kg respectively.

How easy is the CBX Leotie Lux to push and steer?

Very easy – it’s a pleasure to go for walks with Iliana in this pram. This is a huge plus for me as I’m very keen to get back into shape, but have not yet made it back to the gym. I’m therefore relying on walking as my only exercise at present.

It’s also worth mentioning that I even find it easy to steer the CBX Leotie Lux with one hand, which is very handy for the inevitable multi-tasking that comes with being a mum!

How does it ride on smooth surfaces?

The CBX Leotie Lux rides really nicely on smooth surfaces – it feels sturdy, yet light. I found shopping with this pram especially easy.

How about on more challenging surfaces?

I’ve gone on some long walks in the park and along some very bumpy pavements and have had no problems whatsoever. Thanks to the great suspension, I find it easy taking this pram over uneven surfaces, and MFM tester, Karen, found the suspension even helped to counter balance the pram when walking along a pavement with lots of dropped curbs.

It’s a little trickier over grass, but I tend to walk on pathways in the park anyway, so this wasn’t an issue for me.

How did you find the CBX Leotie Lux on public transport?

I took a short trip on the London Underground with the CBX Leotie Lux and had no issues with it. Obviously I needed help carrying the pram up and down the stairs, but that wasn’t too difficult. Once on the train, I put the brakes on immediately and the pram stayed in place for the entire journey. It was also easy to manoeuvre along the aisle too, which was handy.

It’s worth mentioning, though, that I went while it was very quiet and steered completely clear of rush hour! With a busy train, it would be very tricky to move around.

What do you think of its wheels?

The wheels are lockable and swivel with rear-wheel suspension, giving the pram great manoeuvrability. I also think they are the ideal size – big enough so that traversing along bumpy pathways and mounting high kerbs is easy, but small enough so that fitting through doorways isn’t a problem. Being on the smaller side (they are smaller than the wheels of my Uppababy Vista), the pram becomes quite compact when folded.

Are the brakes effective on the CBX Leotie Lux?

Yes, and the position of the brake pedal on the right-hand side makes it easy to use, while staying out of the way. Releasing the brake is not as easy, but this is probably a good thing as it could potentially avoid accidents!

The brakes do not have a colour-coded system like other prams, which I think is a handy feature, and as mentioned, I’m not keen on the looks of the brake bar, either.

Is the frame strong?

Yes, the frame feels strong, durable and not at all flimsy. I could see this pram lasting for more than one child.

How easily can you access the basket on the CBX Leotie Lux and is it big enough?

The basket is another feature that I think could be improved. It’s not as spacious as others – my Uppababy Vista fits a lot more items.

Once the carrycot is on the chassis, I find it really difficult to put my changing bag in the basket as the sides are too high for me to squeeze it in. I eventually gave up trying and now I just clip it onto the handlebar instead. This is a shame as I prefer to have Iliana’s changing bag underneath in the basket, so that it’s not in my way while walking.

How is interacting with your child when in the buggy?

The carrycot’s apron has a high lip, which works great as a windbreak – definitely an advantage in British winters! However, this also means there is less space to interact with Iliana than in other carrycots I’ve tried, such as the Uppababy Vista, but it’s not too difficult for it to be a problem.

What do you think of the hood of the CBX Leotie Lux?

I think the carrycot’s hood is the CBX Leotie Lux’s biggest let-down. It does not have any additional features, such as a drop-down sun shade or ventilation panels. Neither does it have a peekaboo window or pockets. In that respect, there is a lot of room for improvement.

What’s more, the hood is not lined, so you can see the stitching for each panel – this makes it look less smart than other prams I’ve tried. Thankfully, though, the hood is not at all noisy to pull back, which is helpful when Iliana has nodded off while we’ve been out walking. And it provides good cover, which is great for cold days out.

On the seat unit, the hood extends a fair bit and has a peekaboo window, which MFM tester, Karen, found useful for checking on her child when in forward facing mode. However she says, "The hood doesn’t come down very far and with the seat fully reclined the hood doesn’t prevent the sun from shining straight onto the child at all, you would need to attach an additional sun shade."

What do you think of the handlebar?

The handlebar is perhaps the CBX Leotie Lux’s nicest feature in terms of looks. It’s made of leather and has a lovely stitching detail, making it feel really luxurious. The colour is really nice, too.

The handlebar adjusts to three different heights, ranging from 90cm to 103cm, which is great – you can find the right height for you, while others can also use the pram comfortably, as it’s so easy to adjust.

What did you think of the CBX Aton car seat?

The Cybex CBX Aton car seat is suitable from birth up to around 18 months, or when your baby weighs 13kg.

Installing the CBX Aton car seat was very simple and quick to do, with clear instructions. The car seat itself feels very soft and padded, so Iliana seems quite comfortable in there. The handlebar adjusts to four different positions, which is useful, and it’s very easy to adjust the straps after each use. It’s also easy to take the newborn inlay out when your baby outgrows it; you simply remove the shoulder pads so that the two straps can be threaded out. Once this is done, the inlay can be lifted off easily.

Although it seems simple to remove the CBX Aton car seat from the Isofix base – you push the green button at the front of the car seat, which lets you release the grey lever that it sits in – I personally found it fiddly and a little tricky at first. Only with a bit of practice was I able to do it quickly, but even so, I still worry about getting my fingers caught when trying to release the grey lever!

I also like that the CBX Aton car seat has a removable sun canopy, which provides UPF 50+ protection. I find the canopy useful for wintertime too, as it acts as a windbreak when going to and from the house and the car. That said, it does not provide as much coverage as my Uppababy Mesa i-Size car seat, whose canopy extends further and does not have gaps on the sides of it either, so it acts like a kind of cocoon for Iliana.

Can it be used as a travel system with other car seats?

Yes, the CBX Leotie Lux is also compatible with the CBX Shima, the Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix, Maxi-Cosi Pebble and Maxi-Cosi Pebble Plus.

How did you like the look of the CBX Leotie Lux pushchair overall?

The overall look of the CBX Leotie Lux is great, it’s modern and minimalistic. The pushchair comes in two colourways: Comfy Grey and Jeansy Blue. Although they are both very stylish, I think there could be more options to choose from.

Are there any customisable options?

I could not find any customisable options, which is a shame as every parent has different tastes.

What’s in the box?

• Chassis
• Carrycot, including mattress and apron
• Seat unit
• Adapters
• Rain cover

The Aton car seat and Aton Isofix base come in separate boxes.

Are there any additional extras that you need to or can buy for the CBX Leotie Lux?

No, there aren't any additional extras available to buy for the Leotie Lux currently.

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

I would have liked to have known that the basket is not very practical when the carrycot is in place and that there is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to the carrycot’s hood.

Also, as previously mentioned, I don’t believe the carrycot will last the six months promised for my baby.

Who would the CBX Leotie Lux be most useful for?

It’s great for those wanting a good-quality pram that is super easy to fold or unfold, but who prefer to steer clear of more expensive models on the market. It’s also helpful for parents with back problems that need a lightweight pram.

What was your favourite feature?

How easy it is to fold and unfold – the CBX Leotie Lux is actually brilliant in this respect. Being a new mum, I’m still getting the hang of getting Iliana in and out of the car, unloading her pram, as well as all her bits and pieces, all while doing so as quickly as possible so she doesn’t get cold.

She often gets upset moving from one thing to another, as such, having a pram that unfolds so quickly is a huge plus for me!

Would you recommend the CBX Leotie Lux?

The CBX Leotie Lux is absolutely worth the price tag – it’s excellent value for money and, as such, I definitely recommend it. Yes, there are some things that can be improved, but there are other aspects in which it is better than prams that are double the price.

Where can you buy the pushchair?

You can buy it from Amazon, Kiddies Kingdom, and Smyths.

MadeforMums verdict

The CBX Leotie Lux is a fantastic pram – it’s well made, lightweight, easy to steer, and super simple to fold and unfold. Although there are a few things that could be improved, such as the size of the carrycot and basket, and the basic carrycot hood, at only £489.95, the stylish CBX Leotie Lux offers some excellent features as well as brilliant value for money.

Read More…

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