Chicco Goody Plus pushchair review

Chicco describes some of the key benefits of the Goody stroller as being its wide and comfortable seat, ease of use and premium finishing. The Chicco Goody Plus has further improved by having the option to attach Chicco’s soft carrycot or select Chicco car seats to make the ultimate 3-in-one travel system for parents on the go.

Tested by

Amber is a journalist with a background in newspaper editing. She lives in semi-rural Derbyshire with her partner and two children, 4 year old Caleb and 3 month old Harlow. She tested the Chicco Goody Plus stroller mainly on countryside walks and around the city centre.

What were your first impressions of the Chicco Goody Plus?

My first impressions of the Chicco Goody were generally really good. It came folded down in the box, so I could immediately see how small and lightweight the stroller was. We had quite a bulky pushchair before, so this looked like a very promising lightweight little stroller. The graphite black colour gives it a lovely modern feel too.

Does the Chicco Goody Plus require assembly?

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m completely clueless when it comes to building anything, I’ll quickly scan the instructions, and then my partner will take over! So, when I was able to have the stroller up and functional within 5 minutes I was really impressed. The instructions were genuinely foolproof and really simple to follow. Fellow testers Princess Frances and MFM Consumer & Commerce Editor Gemma Cartwright, who tested it with their toddlers, agreed. The stroller comes folded up within the box and the only assembly required is to snap the front wheels onto the frame, unlock the stroller and fit the basket underneath - all of which was really straightforward.

What age is the Chicco Goody Plus suitable for?

The Chicco Goody Plus is suitable for babies from birth through to 22kg in weight (which is approximately 4 years of age depending on the weight and height of your child).

How does the Chicco Goody Plus compare to previous models of the Chicco Goody?

The Chicco Goody Plus is the second-generation lightweight stroller, following on from the incredibly popular Chicco Goody. On measurements and looks alone, there isn’t any difference between the Goody and the Plus. The difference with the Chicco Goody Plus is the possibility of adding a soft carrycot or a Chicco car seat (adaptors not included) to make the ultimate 3-in-one travel system.

The newer version of the Chicco Goody essentially gives parents the flexibility to carry smaller children and babies in the stroller without forking out for an extra travel system. For parents of young babies, such as myself, it’s not always ideal to carry babies in a lighter weight stroller so the ability to attach a soft carrycot is a real bonus.

How easy is the Chicco Goody Plus to push and steer on smooth surfaces?

I was really surprised at how easy the stroller was to push. Initially, we tested the Chicco Goody Plus with my four year old and I did think that we’d struggle to push him as he’s on the higher end of the intended weight for the stroller - this wasn’t the case at all! Pushing him on the pavement was a breeze and he really enjoyed the ride,
As a city stroller, the Chicco Goody Plus is light enough to weave in and out of the way when needed and is narrow enough to negotiate busy shops and street traffic. The only downside to the stroller in this scenario is the issue with kerb handling. Using the kerb was tricky with both our baby and our four-year-old in the Goody Plus and we really had to push to make it work. That aside, the stroller works really well on the pavement and in smaller spaces.

How easy is the Chicco Goody Plus to push and steer on challenging ground?

It did become incredibly difficult to use the stroller as soon as we encountered any uneven surfaces or had to use the kerb. He had to come out of the stroller before we got to the park, as anything but pushing on smooth surfaces was becoming a bit challenging.

MFM's Gemma Cartwright agrees, adding: "It is particularly difficult to get up and down kerbs, more so than other compact fold pushchairs I have used such as the Babyzen Yoyo. The wheels look really cool with their clear plastic design but they don't really perform and in general this is a bit cumbersome to push on anything other than the smoothest of pavements."

However, fellow tester Princess Francis was impressed with the Goody’s manoeuvrability in the park. She says: "It seemed to cope well with the bumpy surfaces at our local park. I'd gone over a few larger holes and some stoney surfaces and the stroller simply glided over with no issues. I used the stroller one-handed and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to manoeuvre."

How lightweight is the Chicco Goody Plus to carry?

This was my favourite feature of the Goody Plus stroller, it’s so lightweight! Weighing just 6.9kg it is perfect for carrying in and out of the house and it doesn’t take up the whole car boot which is a godsend for travelling.

The stroller folds down using the handlebar which you then hold on to when carrying, all in all, a really compact system that we absolutely loved.

The stroller is so lightweight and so easy to carry that my four-year-old managed on several occasions to retrieve the stroller from under the stairs, open it up himself and use it as a seat to have snacks and play on his tablet!

Does the Chicco Goody Plus lie flat?

As with the Chicco Goody, the Goody Plus model is suitable from birth and does have a lie-flat position for babies to use comfortably.

Whilst my four-year-old was the main tester, we did use the Goody Plus with our three-month-old baby as well. Whilst my baby was fully supported and safe within the stroller, I didn’t feel completely comfortable with her being in there for long periods. As the stroller is front facing only and the hood didn’t have a viewing window, I couldn’t see her at all whilst pushing the stroller and would hold off her using it until she’s older.

While not included with the stroller, the option of a soft carrycot attachment with the Goody Plus is a really welcome addition and something I will consider using until my baby is a little older. It gives the stroller a real multi-use function and makes it even better value for money having a stroller that’s equipped to adapt to a growing child.

How easy is it to fold the Chicco Goody Plus?

Part of the reason for the Chicco Goody’s popularity was the one-button folding system, it’s truly a magical feature that takes all of the hassles out of folding down a pushchair, especially if you’ve got a grouchy baby in your other arm!

Folding the Goody Plus is as simple as sliding the button on the handlebar across, pushing the middle button then applying some weight forward then the stroller folds quickly and neatly and in the right position. The pushchair can then free stand until you’re ready to put it in the boot/carry it on the bus/into the house.

How compact is the Chicco Goody Plus when folded?

Folding completely down, the stroller measures just 56 cm x 46.5 cm x 25 cm, making it a great choice for those short on space in the house or with a smaller car.

Whilst we have a generously sized car boot, our baby’s usual Egg carrycot and stroller take up the whole boot, so the ability to get the Chicco stroller in the boot and leave enough room for changing bag and wellies was really impressive! It self-stands on its back wheels when folded so it doesn’t fall over whilst driving.

How well does it fare on public transport?

Using the Goody Plus stroller on the bus was a little tricky. It was a struggle negotiating any kind of kerbs or drops, so whilst we set out to use the stroller on the bus, we ended up folding it down and carrying it until we had finished our journey. On the plus side, it was no trouble to carry and took up almost no room on the bus. We did not find it difficult to negotiate tight or crowded spaces- as long as the terrain was flat!

What’s the chassis like on the Chicco Goody Plus?

I was really impressed by the frame and the overall feel of the stroller, it’s definitely really durable and through all our rigorous testing there hasn’t been any damage or scratches.

The chassis itself is a shiny chrome and black finish. We have the graphite black colour, but the stroller also comes in a Cool Grey which gives the stroller a really modern and luxe feel - a real bonus when you consider the stroller's RRP is under £200.

Is the handlebar adjustable on the Goody Plus?

No. It’s worth mentioning that there is no adjustment available on the handlebar and that it is fixed at 105cm. My partner is 5ft9 and he thought the handlebar was an ideal height, whereas, I, on the other hand, am 5ft 1 and would have preferred the handlebar a little lower. Overall I didn’t find this a big deal, and I loved that it’s one solid handlebar rather than two handles but that’s just my preference.

The faux leather material on both the handlebar and the bumper bar feels lovely, looks stylish and can easily be wiped clean, something which I think all parents will appreciate!

What is the seat like on the Goody Plus?

The size of the seat unit was the biggest surprise of this stroller and one we were really pleased with. My four-year-old is very tall for his age and is coming to the end of needing a stroller at all, just for quick rests after a long walk or quick naps out and about.

We needed a stroller that could comfortably take his height and weight, when I initially saw the Chicco Goody Plus folded flat I didn’t think he’d be very comfortable, but he absolutely loves it. He won’t recline at all so he uses it upright, and while it’s to be expected that his legs dangle off past the footrest, he’s very comfortable and looks snug while using it.

However, MFM Consumer & Commerce Editor Gemma Cartwright did query how comfy it would be for a younger child using it to nap, saying: "It could do with being a bit higher at the back: my son is 2 and his head is already way above the backrest. It didn't seem to bother him but would be a real issue if he were to need to sleep."

What recline options are there on the Chicco Goody Plus?

The reclining feature is, thankfully, very easy to operate. It’s as simple as holding the handle at the back of the seat and adjusting it accordingly. There are three different positions;

• Completely flat- suitable from birth and the setting we used when our three-month-old was in the stroller
• Slightly upright- suitable for older babies who want to see out more but need the support, also ideal for napping toddlers so they’re more relaxed and covered by the hood
• Upright- suitable for toddlers and older children, this was the setting we used when our four-year-old was in the stroller.

On one trip, our baby used it first, so we lay it flat. It was then incredibly easy to adjust when our older child wanted to sit in the stroller for a while.

I would say that my four-year-old is probably at the maximum for the Chicco Goody Plus, but he is 4ft tall and the average weight for his height. To get the maximum from the stroller I’d recommend it for the ages of 2-4 but that’s just because I prefer to parent face as long as possible and it's dependent on different children’s height and weight.

What’s the hood like on the Goody Plus?

Sadly, the hood is the only part of the whole stroller that has a ‘cheap’ feel. The material feels very thin and became really creased quite quickly. It does however have a UV50+ label on the hood and extends well (and stays down!), although it would be great if it was a little longer.

Princess Francis adds: "I loved how far down the hood went. On a particularly sunny day the hood really gave great shade, although when it's pulled down halfway the layers feels quite flimsy."

There is sadly no peephole which isn’t ideal for smaller children and it’s one of the reasons our baby didn’t spend much time in the stroller. The hood is also quite noisy and a bit creaky when adjusting which could risk waking a sleeping child!

What are the wheels like on the Goody Plus?

The wheels look really stylish. They’re made with transparent plastic which I really like, it also means they’re really easy to clean after a muddy walk! They have a lightweight plastic feel but support the frame and the weight of an older child well. The front wheels clip on and off really easily allowing for easier transportation and adding to the Goody’s reputation of being a super easy-no frills stroller. While I struggled slightly with different terrains, it’s a small price to pay for the sake of a lightweight, easy stroller.

What is the brake like?

The brakes for me were incredibly frustrating to use, I don’t know if it’ll loosen over time but I found the brake lever really stiff. I had to try two or three times as hard as I could to push it in and that was without a child in the stroller. While in use though I couldn’t complain, it’s easy to find and once the brake was on I was confident that the stroller wasn’t going anywhere.

How do you rate the basket on the Chicco Goody Plus?

The basket is another lovely feature of the stroller. With a weight limit of 3kg, it’s not a huge basket in any sense, but of a lightweight stroller, I was impressed. It’s sturdy and I felt as if everything underneath was secure, especially at the back where there’s more of a sturdier side to it. In comparison to my baby’s Egg stroller, I much prefer the Chicco Goody’s basket and found we could store a box of formula milk, jackets, and water bottles, without overstuffing it. However, fellow tester Princess Francis says: "I feel the shopping basket could be a bit deeper. After putting in my handbag, raincover and my toddler's snack bag there wasn't much space left."

What’s in the box?

• Chicco Goody Plus stroller- front wheels came separately from the frame and needed attaching
• Rain Cover
• Instruction Manual

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

• Chicco Soft Carrycot
• Chicco Kaily car seat
• Chicco KIROS i-Size car seat
• Adaptors

Now you’ve tested it, what would you have wanted to know about the Chicco Goody Plus before purchasing?

I tested the stroller with both of my children of different age groups to get a better idea of who the stroller works best for, in hindsight I would have purchased a Chicco soft carrycot and adapters for my three-month-old as I don’t feel comfortable with her in the stroller and would benefit from the extra comfort a carrycot would provide.

Who would the Goody Plus be most useful for?

In my opinion, this nippy stroller is ideal for children between the ages of 1-3 with the possibility of a smaller four-year-old using it for occasional, rather than everyday use. The stroller is useful for younger toddlers that still nap in the pushchair as the reclining method is incredibly easy to use and whilst the hood is noisy to adjust, it would definitely make nap time much easier. It's best suited to city and suburban pavement users than parents tackling bumpy terrain.

Is the Chicco Goody Plus worth the money?

The stroller currently retails at around £199, so it’s a great budget option for those not looking to spend a fortune on a new stroller. Its affordability is one of the biggest plus points and Chicco’s reputable brand is another positive for me personally. The Chicco Goody’s Plus’ predecessor was highly rated for its affordability and happily, the Plus is also a fantastic price and comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty so there’s extra peace of mind when deciding on the Chicco Goody Plus for your next stroller.

The basket, the lovely leather feel material on the handlebars and the brilliant functionality of the fold-down system mean that with the Chicco Goody Plus, you’re getting a budget stroller with all the thoughtfulness and practicality of a high-end model.

How does the Chicco Goody Plus compare to other strollers on the market?

Where can I buy the Chicco Goody Plus?

The Chicco Goody Plus is available from John Lewis and Kiddies Kingdom

MadeForMums Verdict:

A budget-friendly yet modern and lightweight stroller, with a one-handed easy fold, ideal for city dwellers.