As we mentioned earlier, you can still get your hands on some Petite Star products and buggies and even spares that are floating around on the internet.
With all secondhand products there's guidelines you should check before buying.
The Petite Star Zia Evolve is the next pushchair from the Zia range and includes a three-in-one travel system, meaning that everything you need for your new baby is included in the price. Suitable from birth this pramette/stroller/travel system combo offers brilliant value as it includes a car seat, liner, footmuff, apron and raincover.
The Petite Star Zia Evolve was the final pushchair from the Zia range and Petite Star. A three in one travel system, meaning you get everything you need for your new baby, for a cheap price.
On first inspections on getting it out the box, we were very impressed with the way in which the stroller folds up- it folds up very small and left us with lots of space in our boot. We also loved the colour.
We put it up in stroller mode first and were really impressed with the size of the seat and how easy it was to recline.
My two year old found the seat very comfy, and she loved the footmuff that comes with it. There is a great hood that keeps the sun or rain off baby and also a raincover provided too.
On pushing the buggy, we thought that it ‘drove’ really well and was really easy to maneuver which to us is one of the most important decisions in purchasing a buggy. The adjustable handles meant that my husband who is quite tall could push it with ease.
The stroller part could be used by a baby from birth and will last for ages as the seat is quite big.
We then converted the stroller into pram mode to try my 10 week old in it. We found the way in which it converted - which is by lying the seat flat and inserting a soft pram insert - a little bit fiddly. Once it was in and my little girl was in place, she was very snuggly and cosy, but I did find the pram part awkward to get in place.
Finally we tried out the car seat part, which again was easy to do - it does need different adaptors and so you need to remember to bring them with you if you want to switch modes while you are out, but once on, the car seat is a good alternative and it faces the parent so it means lots of interaction and smiles from your little one!
It also clicks off the frame really easily too. I do however prefer our other brand car seat for in the car as we chose it for its safety aspect, so I would probably only use the car seat supplied as a different way for the baby to travel on the stroller itself, or perhaps as a spare car seat for grandparent’s cars.
This is just personal preference however, if you have a limited budget it is great that the car seat is supplied.
The added accessories make the travel system great value for money, and the shopping basket is a good size - it is not massive but I fitted in all the bits and pieces I needed for the day. The stroller also looks stylish too in whatever mode it is in.
What we loved
- Good value for money as everything included in box - car seat, carrycot, pram, hood, footmuff, raincover, etc.
- Pushchair is great to ‘drive’ - very easy to push.
- My daughter loved the footmuff - really snuggly and comfy for them.
- Loved the stroller part - would buy it just for this.
- Very lightweight.
- We loved the colour and pattern - the blue could be for girls or boys.
- It folds down really well, and took up little space in the boot of our car.
- Compatible with Maxi Cosi car seat.
- Adjustable handles - perfect for both myself and my partner.
- Adjustable seat recline - perfect for nap times.
What to watch out for
- Weren’t so keen on putting the travel system into pram mode and on the pram mode in general.
- Need to attach different adapters to put car seat on - bit fiddly.
Overall I was impressed with the Zia Evolve, especially considering its price tag. It would suit families looking for a nice pushchair who only have a certain budget, or perhaps would suit grandparents or childminder’s looking for an excellent value lower price tag travel system.
What you get for the price is great especially considering the quality of the accessories that you get supplied.
Both my girls found the pushchair comfy in its different modes, and I was especially impressed with it when it is in its normal stroller mode which I would imagine is what people use it for the most.
The only thing I wasn’t too keen on was the fact that it was a little fiddly to get the pram part attached. The main things we look for in a pushchair are the heaviness, the way it folds, and the way it drives and the Zia Evolve certainly passed the test in all of those.
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