Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular Stroller Review (Is It Good?)

One thing I noticed many parents do when looking into affordable products is subconsciously trying to figure out where the catch is.

That's what I was doing when I first decided to buy the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular travel system.

But, in all honesty, there's no catch.

This is a well-built, affordable single-to-double stroller with practical design, decent features, and solid durability.

Now, it's not as outstanding as premium strollers and doesn't slide quite as effortlessly on different terrains, but I definitely got my money's worth.

I especially like that there are no hidden additional costs while it does perform well as a double.

So, if you're considering this stroller, join me in my first-hand comprehensive Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular stroller review for more details.

Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular is a practical single-to-double stroller that's incredibly straightforward to convert and makes one of the most cost-efficient offers on the market.

The price: Under $400.

Overall Rating

This is an affordable single-to-double stroller that caught my attention with its simple yet incredibly practical design.

It's inexpensive yet includes many modes, and most importantly, it doesn't include additional expenses to convert from a single to double.

There's a stroller and a travel system available on the market, but I strongly suggest the travel system because it includes a SafeMax Infant car seat, so it's even more cost-efficient.

The stroller is not really flawless design-wise but works great on an everyday basis, and it's a great alternative for moms and dads on a budget.

Why have I bought Evenflo Pivot Xpand?

The first characteristic that drew me to this model is that it pretty much offers all the features and versatility of a high-end stroller for half the cost.

The Xpand Modular Travel System comes with a frame, toddler seat, and an infant car seat for less than $500.

When we compare that to Vista, which alone costs a grand and doesn't include the second seat, it's quite a deal.

So I bought it.

When I took it for a trial ride, there was a bit of a struggle over the bumps and curbs, but it turns cleanly and provides a fairly smooth ride.

The handlebar is adjustable, and the system is the same as on Mockingbird.

You need to press the buttons and hinge it up and down to a position you find comfortable, which requires slightly more effort than Vista, for example.

However, I do feel like the 90 degrees angle gives me the most control over the stroller, so I like to set it up like that.

And it's definitely easy to maneuver for a double.

Another detail I absolutely love is the storage basket.

It's spacious and easily accessible, and while it maxes out at ten pounds, it can, in fact, hold more. For example, my 2-year old when he sneaks in.

Plus, there's an adjustable, removable cup holder, which is the first one that can actually hold my coffee thermos.

It's probably insignificant for most of you, but I think it's a nice touch that it expands to support different cups.

On the other hand, while functionality is on-point, quality-wise, you can certainly tell this is not a premium stroller.

Starting from the top, the handlebar is covered in soft foam, and while it does offer a nice, gentle grip, I noticed that it wears out and doesn't look as good as leather.

The stroller frame is metal with plastic parts, and the wheels include foam-filled plastic tires that work well on the street but can't be used on muddy, grassy, or bumpy terrains.

And this is probably the biggest point where high-end strollers such as Vista or Mockingbird shine because they include advanced suspension systems and softer tires that glide over the surface.

1. Versatility

One of the features that really pushed me into buying Evenflo Pivot Xpand is convertibility.

It comes with a SafeMax infant car seat, which has certainly delivered more than I expected.

It's surprisingly well-cushioned, supports children from 4 to 35 pounds, and it passed side-impact, rollover, and other crash tests. It even includes a rebound bar, so it's genuinely safe.

Additionally, it includes a toddler seat that maxes out at 55 lbs, however, it's slightly tight, so bigger kids really need to squeeze in.

Now, one secret feature I was thrilled by is that the toddler seat transforms into a bassinet.

All you need to do is recline it, unbuckle the harness beneath it, and it's an infant-mode bassinet.

I'm not entirely sure about the quality, though, since it's not really sturdy, but moms who used it more than we did are pretty satisfied with it.

Now, we've come to my favorite part.

To convert it from a single to double, you need absolutely no additional equipment, not even adapters.

Remove the toddler seat, slide the adapters up, position the infant seat in line with the adapters and lock it in.

Then on the basket, there's a button to release the lower adapters; you push it to release the adapters and lock in the toddler seat.

And, you're all done.

The best part is that it supports over twenty different configurations, parent-facing, forward-facing, siblings-facing, so it's really versatile.

And although it looks flimsy, it behaves pretty well on the street; we tested it in multiple configurations.

2. Infant seat compatibility

Without the car seat adapter, the Evenflo Pivot Xpand stroller supports the following car seats:

And if you buy adapters that are somewhere around $70, you can attach these car seats:

3. Weight and foldability

To be entirely honest, the Pivot Xpand Modular System definitely is on the heavier side.

The stroller itself weighs around 28 pounds, and when you include the infant seat, it weighs 42.60 lbs.

Now, add your baby and child to that, and it can be tricky to push it.

However, from my experience, I don't think that it's too heavy for a stroller and car seat.

Any double will be more challenging than a single stroller, for sure, and the only situation when I struggled with this one more than with Mockingbird, for example, is pushing uphills.

When it comes to the fold, it folds down pretty smoothly.

There are two triggers you pull, and you can fold it down even with the toddler seat on.

Now the fold is not the slimmest there is, but if you adjust the handlebar correctly, it's self-standing and fits most trunks.

You do have to remove the belly bar, though, so it's one additional step before you put it into the trunk, but it's really a minor thing, and after all, you have to do the same with Mockingbird.

4. Canopy

When it comes to the canopy, I don't have much to say. It's a decent canopy with a peek-a-boo window included.

But it doesn't offer full coverage. It would be more purposeful if it had at least a sunshade attached.

On the other hand, it's not awful or anything; I'm just used to the extended canopy, so it was a slight disappointment.

Also, there is no magnet or velcro on the flap that goes over the mesh window, and I find it annoying.

5. Upgrade: Evenflo Gold Pivot Xpand

I was honestly excited to see the upgraded version of the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular, especially because all the features I don't like are minor bugs that don't make this travel system dysfunctional but give out a mid-class impression.

To distance myself at the beginning, I haven't tried this line myself, so everything I'm saying here is based on what I heard about it and the research I've done.

So, the first change that Evenflo made is adding GOLD to the product name to implicitly tell us the new Evenflo Gold Pivot Xpand Travel System is a level up from what we saw on the market.

They provide a lifetime warranty for it and a 100-day trial period for you to test the system out.

And from what I've heard, the customer service is surprisingly receptive, so this is a move we shouldn't take for granted.

Now, the feature that's unique for this line and probably the biggest asset of Evenflo in the promotion of the Gold Line is the Sensor Safe System.

It's a device you connect to the 5-point harness on the infant and toddler seat, connect it to the app on your phone, and it alarms you if your baby unbuckles.

It also sends signals when it becomes too hot, so it's definitely useful.

Additionally, Gold is lighter than the original Pivot Xpand Modular Travel. It weighs 39.8 lbs, and it also includes both a toddler seat and the Safe Max Infant.

I definitely think they made an upgrade on the wheels. The new system includes cruiser wheels, larger, and supposedly all-terrain. And there's the rear suspension system.

Now, the upgrade I got the most excited about is the canopy.

The new canopy includes a zipper, like UPPABaby Vista, so I guess it offers more coverage than the original Pivot Xpand, and you know how annoyed I was with it.

One disadvantage of this model in comparison to the original is the weight capacity of 35 pounds, compared to 55lbs of the Pivot Xpand Stroller.

But other than that, all the features are pretty much the same.

What I love about Evenflo Pivot Xpand stroller?

I already mentioned what the main advantages of the Pivot Xpand Travel System are, but I haven't really summed up why I love the stroller as it is.

Well, the first feature that makes my life so much easier is definitely the easy convertibility.

I like that it takes us literally five minutes to get the second seat attached, which is not the common feature of the convertible stroller.

Also, we even managed to lock the seat in with our baby in it, so it speaks for itself.

I also like that it unfolds way more conveniently than other strollers.

It's due to the handle that you pull out, don't push, so it's easier to do it as I'm taking the stroller out of the trunk.

For example with Vista, you definitely need to take it out, put it on the ground, then push the lever to unfold it.

It has a ton of storage space, and I already mentioned the fantastic parent cup holder.

What needs improvement on Evenflo Pivot Xpand stroller?

The first thing I am not satisfied with is the wheels.

I mentioned that they are not adjusted for different terrains, but another problem is that the front wheels don't lock.

This is really inconvenient when I'm in a hurry because the front wheel pair keeps swiveling, which makes the stroller hard to steer.

Next off, the weight of 28.6 lbs is definitely on the heavier side.

And given that it's so heavy, the storage basket could have a better weight capacity, although, I do admit, it's very spacious.

Another drawback I noticed is the 3-point harness on the toddler seat. I really believe both seats should have a 5-point harness because it's the safest way to ride your baby and toddler.

Finally, the whole system could have just a slightly more compact fold.

It's not awful, it fits in my trunk, but I wish it were slightly slimmer because it's definitely not travel-friendly now.

Why shouldn't you buy the Evenflo Xpand Modular travel system/stroller?

The alternative: Mockingbird

Since they're more or less within the same price range, most people are deciding between the Evenflo Pivot Xpand and Mockingbird single-to-double stroller.

Now, to my mind, the Mockingbird is better for the overall quality. It's more sturdy, with better wheels and more durable materials.

However, it doesn't include the second seat for the price.

It's a single stroller until you buy the second seat kit, while for a similar price, you get an entire travel system from Evenflo.

Now, the Pivot Xpand has a higher weight limit than the Mockingbird, which maxes out at 45 pounds.

But, the Mockingbird has a 25-pound storage basket in comparison to Evenflo's 10-pound basket.

Another segment where Mockingbird leads is the canopy.

It has an extended canopy that offers better coverage. And it also folds down to a slightly more compact fold than Evenflo.

Mockingbird also includes a suspension system on the rear wheel pair, but the Evenflo Pivot converts to infant mode (bassinet) while Mockingbird doesn't.

All in all, this is a nice counterpart for families in search of baby gear within a similar price range but better quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

All in all, the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular Stroller is definitely a model I would buy again.

It has its flaws, but when we take everything into consideration, it more than pays off in the long run.

I can't remember ever buying such an all-inclusive piece of baby gear for so little money ever before.

If you care about the general quality and design, you should maybe check the Mockingbird or Gold variant of the Evelenflo Pivot, but if you need a solid budget-friendly day-to-day stroller, do buy this model.