Great Stroller with Options!
April 13, 2020
Thanks to the Stellar Product Testing Panel for providing me with this e-assist stroller. I have used it at least twice a day for the past few weeks and it has made an impression on me. My overall experience with the Cybex e-Priam Electric Assist 3-in-1 Travel System Stroller has been above average and I would recommend this stroller to people that are looking for the specific features that it has to offer, but I don't believe that it the perfect stroller for everyone. I am an engineer by trade, so I want to give you a concise opinion and then get more in depth for the reasons why. The e-assist is great if you are walking over rough terrain or up and down hilly areas frequently. It is made from premium materials that look and feel very comfortable plus, my 1.5-year-old really loves it.
Packaging and Assembly - The packaging that the stroller came in was very nice. It was thoroughly protected so that shipping damage would be nearly non-existent. The box was well made, it shows clearly what is inside and each component was taken care to protect from scratches, dents, and dings. As for the assembly instructions, they leave a lot to be desired. It took me approximately 1 hour to complete the assembly, taking my time and care that everything was correct. The entire assembly is done in pictures, but the pictures don't do a very good job at showing what exactly you are putting together. After figuring out what the picture is trying to tell you, it did go together nicely. I had some difficulty getting some of the cloth pieces on initially because the fit is very close to perfect. All the seams pull tight and give the impression of a very high-quality stroller. Once together the stroller is very impressive.
Design and Construction - The construction of this stroller is high end except for a few parts. The metal pieces are very well crafted polished and present well. The plastic pieces are without blemish, and every single piece of leather and cloth on this thing is exquisite. I can't say enough about the fabric, it is very soft and pleasing to the touch, and it seems to clean easily as well. I let my son eat in it on several walks and a damp rag takes the gunk away easily. I also believe that it will be easy enough to pull off and put in the gentle cycle of the washing machine, I however have not done that (nor have I checked to see if they recommend that). My only gripe about the construction of the stroller is the plastic that the electric motors are in. They use a clam shell design that just doesn't hold the side to side motion as well as it should. After about a week, the 2 pieces started to squeak as the stroller moves side to side. I also do have concern about all the joints (where the stroller folds) being plastic as well but so far, they have held up great. My only other issues with the design, is that it does not lock together when folded down. It doesn't take much for the stroller to unfold itself when lifting to put into a car. On that not, it really doesn't fold down very small either. I have a large SUV and it takes up from the bumper to the back of the backseat worth of space. I personally wouldn't travel with it.
Functionality - As for functionality, this stroller functions exactly as expected. It rolls forward and back as you push it. I found it a little difficult to push one handed, but not a deal breaker. It does maneuver well around obstacles. The e-assist comes in very handy if you have to walk across grass or gravel, as well as up and down hills, as advertised. I found the assist takes a little longer to activate then what felt comfortable, but not long enough that I wondered if it ever would kick in. I walk primarily in a slightly hilly (probably 5-degree inclines), suburban area and it does well. The battery life has been amazing, as I have only fully charge it once in 2 weeks. The rear wheels lock very easily with a large rocker that you step on. The front wheels are harder to lock as they lock individually and up underneath the front of the stroller, but the back wheels do a good job at holding it in place when locked. My son loves that the seat will sit almost straight up without and hindrance of view so that he can look and see everything. It will also lay flat if you had a sleeping child too. There is also a bar that goes across the lap of the child that is nice. My son loves to hold onto it as we walk as a feeling of comfort. The straps have a built-in protector to avoid discomfort around the neck, and while it is very nice, I found it difficult to adjust. The stroller also has a storage area underneath the seat. It is easy to access but is limited in size. The cup holder left a lot to be desired. The mount location is very far away, I had to bend over the handlebar to get my drink out of it, and it is narrow and deep. A 12oz soda can leaves nothing to grab onto at the top once it is placed into the holder. The only thing I could see the holder being used for is a tall metal can like an energy drink or such. My last comment on the stroller is that I really missed some sort of storage around the handlebar area. There is nothing to put wipes, tissues, sunglasses or a cell phone in. Not a deal breaker but would be a huge advantage.
Overall thoughts - Cybex definitely made a solid stroller. It functions exactly as you would hope it would with some high end luxury finish and materials. The looks of the stroller are definitely appealing. As for functionality, it does everything you would want it to and more. If you live in a holly area, I think the e-assist is a must. It might also be one of those things that is nice to have just in case. My son loves using this stroller due to sitting upright and having an unobstructed view. My last thought to pass on is to think about how much space you have to transport it because it is not small when folded down.
This product review was collected by the manufacturer.