Nuna Pepp Luxx Pushchair review

Probably best known for making the Leaf rocker and Sena travel cot (both Prima Baby award winners) Nuna also has an increasingly-popular travel section, which includes 3 cars seats and 2 buggies.

One of which is the Nuna Pepp Luxx. The updated version of the Pepp buggy, the Pepp Luxx has been marketed as “a first class cruiser,” the pushchair boasts smooth manoeuvrability, superior suspension, single hand function and one touch breaking.

But it’s the compact, flat fold for ease of tucking away in boots, taxis, hallways and restaurants, that’s a main selling point for the Pepp Luxx.

This stroller was a Gold winner in the best lightweight buggy category of the Prima Baby Awards 2014 and Silver winner in the Mother&Baby Awards 2015.

You can buy the Pepp Luxx at John Lewis, Kiddicare or Argos.

Priced at £250 it is comparable in price and function to Baby Jogger City Mini 3-wheeler buggy (£269), Graco Metro (£229.99), Micralite Fastfold Super-lite lightweight buggy (£195) and ABC Design Take Off (£200).

The Nuna Pepp Luxx is sold around its compactness and flexibility, is it light too?

No, although the Pepp Luxx is the lightest buggy in the Nuna collection, it weighs in at 9.76kg and wouldn’t be considered a lightweight buggy.

Saying that, it’s light enough to glide along effortlessly and make it easy to push and steer with one hand.

How sturdy is the pushchair?

I like the fact that the Pepp Luxx is light enough to make it really easy to steer, but not so lightweight that it runs away from you.

Adversely however, it still feels a bit flimsy when pushing out and about.

I wouldn’t feel comfortable rushing about with it in case I bumped it into a curb or pothole as I don’t trust that it would be able to absorb the impact.

When folded the Nuna Pepp Luxx closes to the rather small dimensions of H26 x W55 x D83cm

How is the fold on the Pepp Luxx?

A big advantage is how easily it folds and unfolds. You simply adjust the handle to the lowest position, pull up the levers on both sides, fold the handle forward and secure with velcro on both sides.

I’m looking forward to the ease of taking this on a flight with us soon as you can pull it along just like a wheelie case.

While the Pepp Luxx is easy to fold, it doesn’t fold using just one hand. When travelling on a packed bus, there’s no point having a buggy that folds easily when you need both hands to do so.

Who’s going to hold the baby if you need to fold the buggy down to make space for a wheelchair or if another buggy user is already occupying the designated area?

Handy tip time - a way to get around having to fold it with two hands is to leave the velcro straps undone.

How compact is it when folded?

Very. It easily folds down flat. We don’t have a car but it would be ideal for someone looking for a buggy that fits easily into the boot of any car.

Its compact size makes it easy to store and it will be ideal for us when we travel on airplanes and trains.

How well does the Nuna Pepp Luxx push when outside?

Quite easily, mounting curbs, buses and train platforms, isn’t a problem with this buggy.

When stuck for assistance, it is light enough for me to get it up and down stairs by myself. This is a huge advantage when negotiating London’s busy transport system.

One aspect that may not be great for all parents is the handle. I’m only 5ft 3in and pushed the buggy round at maximum handle height so I wonder if a tall person might find it uncomfortable.

It’s worth nothing that the buggy has four small hard rubber wheels on the front and two on the back.

Getting on and off of the bus or train is very easy with the Nuna Pepp Luxx as it's light to lift and only 55cm wide

And when pushing the buggy outside the wheels can be quite noisy. In fact the noise from the wheels was one of the first things I noticed when I took the Pepp Luxx out and about.

The buggy I normally use has large air filled rubber tyres, so in contrast, I really noticed the rattle from the wheels on the Luxx.

The front wheels are swivel wheels with the ability to lock straight for rougher terrain.

But while the Pepp Luxx is fantastic on flat surfaces, it doesn’t handle uneven surfaces well and mounting it onto a grassy verge is as far off-roading as I’d take it.

It has one touch central braking system so all you need to do is step on the large break at the back of the buggy to lock and to unlock just flip it up with the toe of your shoe.

It makes a firm clicking noise so I always felt reassured the break was on properly.

Would you use the Nuna Peep Luxx with a newborn?

No. The Pepp Luxx is supposedly suitable from birth, but my son is four-months-old and I just about felt comfortable pushing him in it.

It doesn’t feel sturdy enough to withstand a sudden jolt should you accidentally bump a pothole and it doesn’t have a crossbar (though looking on Nuna’s website it appears more recent versions of the Pepp Luxx do have a crossbar) which would make it feel more secure.

Especially on London’s hectic public transport system where you have to worry about something or someone falling onto the buggy!

With hard wheels and lack of suspension, it’s quite rickety and I’d worry about the baby’s head rattling about.

I’d also rather my newborn baby lay completely flat and in a parent facing position, and the Pepp Luxx doesn’t offer either.

It has a see through area at the back of the hood but this isn’t big enough and when the seat is reclined you can’t see your baby’s face properly. I kept having to lean round the side of the hood to make sure my baby’s blankets weren’t covering his face and his wooly hat hadn’t come down over his eyes.

The seat unit is low so you have to bend down to attended to your baby.

The basket on the Pepp Luxx looks a decent size, but in reality it quite small

What do you think about the basket?

It’s far too small and difficult to access, especially when the seat is in the recline position.

I couldn't fit my baby changing bag in it and when I tried hanging the bag over the handle it just slid down and bumped against the wheels.

I ended up carrying the changing bag on my shoulder, which was a major drawback. And there aren’t any storage pockets on the buggy.

Who is the Nuna Pepp Luxx best for?

This is certainly what I’d consider a summer stroller for an older baby or toddler. In my opinion it doesn’t feel very comfortable for a smaller baby as there isn’t much padding.

Also, during the summer, I wouldn’t feel the hood and sun visor offered enough protection for a newborn (though the newer version has a larger hood for greater protection).

Tell us more about the seat unit.

I found it very easy to adjust the seat unit. There are three positions - upright or two different recline options.

To place the buggy into the recline position you undo one or both zips at the back, depending on the height required. One irritating factor was the zips often got caught in the material.

The handle height is easy to adjust by simply holding up the lever on either side.

The leg rest can be placed up or down by pressing a button on both sides. For added protection from the sun, you simply pull the visor out from underneath the hood.

Tell us about the harness.

The Pepp Luxx has an adjustable, padded, 5-point harness. It’s a bit fiddly as you have to reattach the shoulder straps to the waist straps every time you unbuckle and it pieces together like a little puzzle. But the harness feels very secure.

How easy was it to use as a travel system?

Very, the Pepp Luxx doubles up as a travel system for smaller babies. Just add adaptors and clip any of these Group 0+ infant carriers: the Nuna PIPA, Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix, and Cybex Aton.

The Nuna Pepp Lux is travel system compatible with the Nuna PIPA, Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix, and Cybex Aton.

What do you think of the raincover?

The raincover came with the buggy. It was easy to put on and covers the whole buggy.

But there is no opening in it so you have to take the whole thing off when you need to attend to your child.

How easy is it to assemble?

Very, in fact there's no assembling involved you simply unfold it.

Is it value for money?

It’s slap bang in the middle of the market price-wise. And, as mentioned earlier, at £250 it’s roughly the same price as a whole range of other buggies that have pretty much the same functions.

But you can get cheaper strollers that offer the same features; you could even pay £50 for one if you were on a budget.

Saying that, you could also pay more for a smaller, lighter and more compact buggy, if you had the money.

It all really depends if you prefer the style of the Nuna Pepp Luxx, and are willing to spend the £250.

What’s in the box?

• Buggy
• Raincover

Any additional extras?

• Nuna Pepp Luxx car seat adaptors, £25
• Nuna Pepp Luxx footmuff, £50
• Nuna Pepp Luxx transport bag, £25

Car seat adaptors on the Nuna Pepp Luxx cost £25

MadeForMums Verdict:

The Nuna Pepp Luxx is a nifty little buggy that’s much more suited to toddlers, I see myself using it more when my son is about two.

It’s great for popping a toddler in and scooting around town and if they want to walk then you can hold their hand and push the buggy single-handedly.

Though I don’t know where you’d put your shopping, as the basket is small and difficult to access, it’s compact and easy to use.

But there are other lightweight buggies such as the Baby Jogger City Mini stroller, which is in the same price bracket but more ideal because it can fold single-handedly.

Read more…

• Compare the Nuna Pepp Luxx to the Babyzen Yoyo lightweight buggy
• Compare the Nuna Pepp Luxx to the Callisto by Jeremy Scott
• 10 of the best lightweight buggies