Silver Cross Horizon Moonlight pushchair review

The Horizon Moonlight is also compatible with the Dream i-Size or Simplicity Plus car seat and adaptors – with the option to purchase it as a travel system bundle (£980). The fact that it does away with the need for a separate carry cot makes it a simple, convenient option for parents looking for a fuss-free travel system.

Stand out features include its chic monochrome twill fabrics with tailored finish, luxe leatherette handle, spacious shopping basket and extendable, ventilated hood with pop-out sun visor that offers UPF+ sun protection.

Tested by:

Emma is mum to Lola (10), Mia (8), Finley (6) and Lana (5 months old), and tested the Horizon in her local neighbourhood in North London as well as on public transport, off road and in the city centre with Lana.

What were your first impressions of the Silver Cross Horizon Moonlight?

It was a bit of a struggle to get the Horizon Moonlight out of the box as it was packed in tight. I was surprised by the weight and size of it. That might be because I had been so used to using my ultra-light Babyzen Yoyo, but the Horizon does weigh 12kg, which is not outlandish for a travel system, but is towards the heavier end of the scale. The Bugaboo Fox 2 (£1029 on Amazon), for example, weighs less at 9.9kg.

Once out of the box I was impressed by the quality of the fabrics, chassis and overall chic, contemporary look of the buggy, yet with nods to the traditional. I did however feel it was quite wide.

How easy is the pushchair to build?

It was pretty easy to build the main body of the Horizon Moonlight and the instructions were easy to follow. It took around 15 mins to assemble the pushchair, including faffing with the baby nest, harness pads, straps and apron to my exacting standards (this may have taken up quite a lot of the time).

The only part I felt was a bit unclear (unnecessarily) were the instructions for attaching and adjusting the straps through the back of the pushchair. These could have been simpler, as once I put down the instructions I found common sense prevailed, and it was easier to just do it.

How does it compare to other similar pushchairs?

With an RRP of £595, it is definitely a premium purchase, sitting just north of the likes of the Babystyle Oyster 3 (£499), but cheaper than Silver Cross’s full-sized travel systems like the Wave 2020 or Pacific Autograph. However this is partly due to the fact the Horizon Moonlight comes with a 2-in-1 seat rather than a separate carrycot.

Other brands that feature toddler seats that convert to lie-flat cocoons include the Maxi-Cosi Lila (£549), which is also capable of converting into a double stroller with extra purchases.

How comfortable is the seat unit on the the Silver Cross Horizon Moonlight?

The Horizon Moonlight’s seat unit is roomy and comfortable, particularly with the additional super soft bamboo baby nest, which is also naturally anti-bacterial according to Silver Cross. I also like that the baby nest, apron and seat pad are all removable so they can be washed when necessary.

Lana slept so well in this pushchair. It is also a good height, so interaction with your child is easy without too much bending down. The buckle is easy to fasten, and the straps easy to adjust.

Reclining the seat was a breeze too – it’s controlled by a handle in the backrest which is very easy to operate.

However, it is worth noting that the seat doesn’t lie completely flat – I found there is still a slight incline. If you want a completely lie-flat solution then it's worth taking a look at a similar model like the Silver Cross Pacific Autograph, which comes a carrycot suitable for overnight sleeping.

How do the wheels perform?

The wheels are solid and look tough and sturdy and are marketed as "all terrain", but I found they did not handle different surfaces as expected (more on this below).

The wheels were easy to fix and unfix using the small lever situated behind each front wheel.

How easy is the Silver Cross Horizon Moonlight to push and steer?

On smooth surfaces the Horizon Moonlight handles brilliantly, unfortunately I cannot say the same about any other terrain.

Where we live, nearly every street is peppered with tree roots, wonky paving and a spot of gravel, so I need a push chair that can cope with these challenges.

I found the Horizon was not up to it. It has been stopped in its path by the slightest little bump or imperfection on a footpath. The front wheels have buckled several times when it has come up against tree roots, a slight curb or uneven paving stone. There have been instances where the pushchair has been unable to navigate one of these issues and nearly gone over, which made me more wary of using it on bumpy terrain.

I found it to also feel quite unyielding when taking a curb and takes some effort to push on grass and gravely paths despite being marketed as having "all terrain wheels".

Both my partner and mum were also unimpressed by the Horizon Moonlight's ability to handle rough terrain.

How do you fold the Silver Cross Horizon Moonlight?

The mechanism to fold the Horizon is simple, easy and smooth – you can fold it with the seat unit attached, and even parent facing:

• You need to fold down the seat back
• Then release the mechanism (press button and slide) on both sides of the handlebar
• The unit then collapses into a clamshell fold
• Make sure the folded chassis clicks to secure it in place

It is easier to fold than it is to unfold it, it can take a bit of grappling at times, but practice makes perfect!

How big or compact is the Silver Cross Horizon Moonlight when folded?

When folded, with the seat unit attached, the Horizon Moonlight looks quite bulky and isn’t the easiest to handle. Its folded dimensions are L87cm x W60cm x H35cm, so it’s still quite long. I do not have a car but can image it would be a struggle to get the Horizon Go into smaller sized boots, and it certainly wouldn’t leave too much room in an averaged sized one either.

It does not self-stand either, so it has to be propped up against a wall (I keep mine in my entrance hall), but it does have a tendency to fall over.

How well does it work on public transport?

The Horizon Moonlight can be a bit of a struggle getting into and off a bus – especially if the basket is laden with shopping and due to it being quite wide people need to move out of the way.

On some buses the Horizon is too wide to get in the front doors of the bus (I tried once and got stuck!), so must be accessed through the second set, but once in, the pushchair bay it is fine and there is room for another pushchair too. Its width of 60cm is actually similar to other pushchairs in its category – the iCandy Lime is 62cm, for example. So again, it’s probably just down to be being used to the compact Yoyo.

I found it easier to manoeuvre onto the tube - although trying to carry it up/down stairs in the station was the killer!

How sturdy is the chassis on the Silver Cross Horizon Moonlight?

The Horizon’s chassis is very strong and has a black gloss finish. It already has a few scuffs but nothing very noticeable.

How do you rate the handlebar?

The buggy handle’s leatherette finish makes it tactile and comfortable to hold (although really slippery in the rain). It has a button in the middle to adjust its height, which makes it super easy. It’s great for both short and tall parents.

How is the coverage with the hood?

The hood is fantastic. I love that it is extendable and has an additional sun visor with sun protection. There is also a very discreet peep hole window, that is so well hidden it could be missed.

The only problem I found was when the seat was in the lie-flat position and the sun was behind me as I pushed, even with the hood fully extended the sun could still get in my daughter’s eyes, so I had to use an additional covering.

How effective are the brakes?

The brake system is great and fool proof to use: red pedal to initiate the brake, green button to release. I liked that it was situated out of the way to the side so there was no accidentally applying it when on the move and getting the handle bar in the stomach.

I did however find it a bit stiff at times and when wearing big, clumpy boots, it can be a bit trickier to hit the release button.

How do you rate the basket on the Horizon Go?

I absolutely love the basket on the Horizon. It is large, deep, sturdy and easy to access from both the front and back, yet its high sides mean that the risk of items falling out is kept to a minimum.

I can get my change bag, all the kids’ school bags and various paraphernalia under it in one go, and it can hold a fair bit of shopping too. It is quite surprising how much it can hold.

What’s in the box?

• Seat unit
• Hood & Apron
• Chassis
• Rain cover
• Bamboo Baby Nest and harness pads
• Seat cover and harness pads for front facing push chair

The rain cover that comes with the push chair is fantastic and has its own storage pouch. It fits the pushchair snuggly and has a zip to undo and remove your child without taking the whole thing off.

Additional accessories that you can buy:

• Silver Cross Dream i-Size (£195) or Simplicity Plus car seat (£175)
• Car seat adaptors (£30 on Amazon)
• Silver Cross Parasol (£36)

Is the Horizon Moonlight worth the money?

The Horizon Moonlight retails at £595 for the pushchair (£980 as a travel system bundle) so it is on the more expensive end of the market. If the handling was up to scratch, it would definitely be worth every penny.

As it stands, I don’t think it is, and feel it is a case of style over substance. That said if you have the cash to splash and are not planning to use it much outside the realms of the high street, then the Horizon is worth a punt.

Where can you buy the Silver Cross Horizon Moonlight?

It's available from Silver Cross, Natural Baby Shower and Pramworld.

MadeForMums verdict:

The Horizon Moonlight is no doubt a beautiful looking pushchair with lots of fantastic features. It would be most useful for those looking for a stylish all-in-one pushchair/travel system alternative who live in an urban environment in a neighbourhood with mostly smooth terrain.

Sadly it is let down by its handling. I found its 4-wheel suspension to be pretty much non-existent and the "multi-terrain wheels" found it hard to deal with uneven surfaces on a suburban street. If this is not an issue for you and you are looking for an ultra-stylish urban travel system, then the Horizon Moonlight may be for you.

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