Joie Vinca pushchair review

Tested by:

Joanna is an editor and managing director in lifestyle publishing who has contributed to and managed titles such as Woman and Home, Conde Nast Traveler and The Sunday Times. She lives in London with her husband, four-month-old baby Finn, and cocker spaniel Pringle. She tested the Joie Signature Vinca and Ramble XL carrycot on city streets, in parks, on nature walks with Pringle and on local London transport.

What were your first impressions?

Upon removing the Joie Vinca and Ramble XL carrycot from the box, it’s easy to see why this 4-in-1 pram is such a hit with those looking for a stylish option with affordability in mind. The Eclipse colour scheme with midnight black frame, black and cream upholstery and mahogany leather trim really gives it a premium feel.

I was really pleased to see the feature of a height adjustable bassinet and seat, as we are a family with a large height difference and this has presented an issue in the past.

I was very impressed that the price includes the carrycot and it makes the package price very appealing. The Vinca looks the part and could be mistaken for having a much more expensive price tag.

How easy is it to build the Joie Vinca?

The stroller and carrycot each come with a clear and easy to follow instruction handbook, however these documents were barely needed. The frame lifts out of the box easily and when unfolded, you just need to insert the front wheels into the frame (with a click to confirm) and it’s ready to go.

The Ramble XL bassinet is collapsable, but is easily assembled and is ready to be attached to the frame in an instant. There is an additional step here as adaptors must be attached to the bassinet before it can be inserted onto the frame. It's easy to do, but this does mean that there is an additional element to construction and of course, the possibility of a part to lose further down the line.

What do you think of the Ramble XL carrycot?

The Ramble XL carrycot felt spacious and looked comfortable for my baby. He spent many a morning enjoying a nap on the soft mattress and benefiting from the breathable elements that have been incorporated for maximum baby comfort. It’s designed for infants up to 9kg and felt like it had room for a baby of this size.

The bassinet is remarkably similar to the more expensive Nuna Mixx Next carrycot, however unlike the Nuna model, this bassinet is not recommended or approved for overnight sleeping.

The hood on the Ramble XL is billed as an all-weather canopy, which is UPF 50+ and easily attachable to the sides of the bassinet via a velcro mechanism. This feature was very useful when protecting from wind and light rain, meaning it could easily be deployed before the full rain shield was added to the pram. It is easy to raise and lower, using push-buttons on either side of the hood, which need to be pressed simultaneously.

The bassinet felt well-suited to my baby at 4 months old and feels likely to last until the recommended 6 month mark. He is a long baby for his age and there still felt like there was plenty of room for him to move around and grow over the coming months.

How easy is the carrycot to add on and take off the pushchair?

The carrycot is extremely easy to remove from the pushchair, using lever-style buttons on either side of the cot. The levers remove the bassinet from the adaptors, leaving them in place on the pushchair frame.

How do you fold the Joie Vinca?

The buggy folds by pulling two sliding mechanisms on each side of the handle towards you, first the right and then the left, and pushing the handle down to collapse the frame. The carrycot must be removed before folding, however the buggy can be folded with the toddler seat still in place.

The Vinca is large when folded and without the seat in place it is not freestanding, which was a little annoying at times. When the buggy folds, it clicks into place and will not unfold again until you unlock the clasp. Once it's unlocked, it unfolds with ease.

How does it feel to push the Joie Vinca?

The Vinca steers excellently with only one hand and can easily manoeuvre through small and winding spaces. I tested the pram at my local shops, using only one hand as I held a basket in the other for my groceries. I found the manoeuvrability to be one of the best aspects of the pram overall, especially given its size, and it felt smooth and comfortable to handle. However, I found pushing the Vinca up kerbs to be quite tricky due to the lack of rear chassis between the two back wheels. When using other pushchairs, I would use the chassis to put my foot on in order to help angle the pram up a kerb, so I found this lack of foot support caused difficulty when trying to mount larger kerbs.

The Vinca suspension is excellent, meaning it navigated rough terrain with ease and I felt that my baby was well cushioned when it came to tackling tough surfaces. London pavements can be notoriously uneven, with tree roots and potholes causing havoc. The Vinca navigated all different types of terrain beautifully, with the all-wheel suspension really coming into its own on grass when following our dog Pringle on one of his muddy adventures.

How well does the Joie Vinca work on public transport?

There is no getting away from the fact that at 13.52kg, the Vinca is a large and heavy pram and therefore it was challenging at times to use on public transport. Many train stations require navigating steps at one point or another and it was not possible to lift the pram alone. Once on the tube or train the carrycot felt sturdy and protective for my baby to be in, especially when in a crowded or busy environment.

Taking the Vinca on London buses was challenging due to the designated areas for prams and pushchairs often being tightly angled or already in use. The size of the pram (L97 x W65 x H109 cm) was again a disadvantage in this scenario, and having owned smaller models, I would definitely say that there are easier options if public transport is a daily non-negotiable for you and your family.

How do you rate the buggy handle?

The handle of this buggy was easily adjustable and offered a wide range in heights, meaning it was suitable for both myself and my husband, between which there is a significant height difference. The handlebar itself has a mahogany leather trim and felt comfortable to hold for long periods of time. The trim also offered substantial grip, contributing to the manoeuvrability and handling of the pram.

What’s the hood like?

The hood extends out over the bassinet and has a zip function to offer an additional reach. There is a breathable mesh panel at the back of the hood which would come in very handy in hot weather.

What are the wheels like?

The patented PunctureProof rubber tyres are foam-filled, which gave me confidence on long walks that I wouldn’t be stranded with a flat tyre. The wheels are large and come with four-wheel suspension, meaning it’s a great buggy for covering all kinds of terrain. The swivel-front wheels of the pram lock when tackling rough ground, giving added comfort and assurance across difficult surfaces. The large wheels did however add to the bulk of the pram when folded, which was especially noticeable when loaded into the boot of my car.

How good are the brakes?

The pump-action braking system was different to anything I've seen before, but was easy to use and worked well. The simple colour code system meant it was clear when the brake had been applied, and the braking mechanism overall was able to hold the pram steady even when on an incline.

How do you rate the basket?

The large basket is easily accessible and sits elevated between the four wheels. It comes with the bonus of being partially covered, meaning it kept items secure when handling rough terrain and also kept valuables out of sight. The basket feels like it is situated higher than on some other pushchair models, which means that water and dirt were less likely to make their way into the basket from the wheels when on the move. This was key when using the pram on grass and on days when it had been raining.

What’s in the box?

• Pram frame with seat
• Ramble XL carrycot
• Rain cover
• Adaptors

What are the additional accessories that you can buy?

The Joie Vinca is billed as a travel system as it comes with car seat adaptors, but does not come with a car seat. These are available to purchase separately.

What did you think of the packaging of the Joie Vinca?

This product was adequately packaged, with each element sufficiently protected in a way that did not feel excessive. There was plastic covering used, but it did feel considered.

How sustainable is the Joie Vinca?

The Joie Signature Vinca is not made from recycled materials, however Joie are branching into this area now with their recently released ‘Cycle’ collection, so it will be interesting to see if they apply these principles to other product ranges moving forward. The pushchairs can be easily maintained and repaired, which should improve the lifespan of existing pushchairs and ensure they can be given a new lease of life when needed.

What are the repair options like if it breaks?

Joie pushchairs come with a 2 year warranty and the company will replace or repair any faults free of charge within this timeframe. There are terms and conditions around standard wear and tear, so it would be worth checking this out.

Can the pushchair be used with a car seat to create a travel system?

Yes, the pushchair is compatible with the Joie Gemm, i-Gemm 3, i-Level Recline, i-Jemini and i-Snug 2, and it is car cot compatible with the Calmi R129. The included adaptors work with all these models. You can also use Maxi-Cosi style attachment adaptors to pair with other brand infant carriers.

Who would this pushchair be most useful for?

This pushchair would be excellent for a family who like to get outdoors and are looking for a pram which will cover all-terrain but still hold its own in a city location. With its large covered basket, it’s perfect for nipping to the supermarket for a weekly shop, before heading off on an off-road adventure. It would also be perfect for a family where one or both of the parents are particularly tall, as the adjustable seat height is a real bonus and this is a standout feature from other prams on the market.

How does the Joie Vinca compare with similar pushchairs?

Is this pushchair worth the money?

This pram is great value for money given that it comes with the Ramble XL bassinet as standard. The quality has not suffered given the reasonable price bracket, it feels and looks premium, and there are some excellent features such as the covered basket and the collapsible bassinet.

Where can I buy the Joie Vinca?

It is available from Natural Baby Shower and Kiddies Kingdom.

MadeForMums verdict:

I’d thoroughly recommend the Joie Signature Vinca and Ramble XL carrycot to any parents looking for a hassle-free system which will see them through those important early years, without the need for an expensive upgrade. It’s a stylish, affordable option which feels sturdy enough to cope with rough ground, but will keep up appearances in the style stakes.