Graco Quattro Tour Stroller: Back To Basics Is Sometimes Best
 Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe in Portica |
The Quattro Tour Stroller ($150-190) is Graco’s top-selling full-featured stroller and we figured it was about time we formally reviewed it!
Assembly and Fold
I was able to assemble the Quattro Tour stroller in about 10 minutes, though it did require me to get pliers out to put the axle pins in. It folds easily with one hand and latches closed and stands when folded (a feature I really like). Just twist the handlebar while pushing a button with your thumb and let gravity do the rest. It’s a very simple fold that can be done with a baby in your arms.
Seat
The seat reclines fully and allows toddlers to sit upright. A basic, adjustable 5-point harness system opens with the press of a button. A unique, flip-up bassinet feature is perfect for newborns and doesn’t require any extra accessories. The bottom of the seat pad folds up and Velcros in place behind the toddler tray to make a cozy little nest. A padded infant head support is included.
The foot rest is part of the frame and does not move or adjust but it didn’t bother 3.5-year-old Finn in its set position. A removable toddler tray has two compartments for snacks or toys and one for a cup or bottle.
Storage
The Quattro Tour stroller has lots of storage, including a cavernous basket that lowers so you can reach in when the seat is reclined without waking the baby. Two other compartments on the handle are ideal for a parent’s sunglasses or phone. It has two cup holders for the adults and one for the passenger. I use them all the time and have always found cup holders essential on a full-featured stroller.
Sun Shade
The sun shade on the Quattro Tour is not the biggest we’ve ever seen, but it detaches at the top and pivots all the way down in front of the baby, which is great for minimizing distractions when napping. A large plastic viewing window is covered by a fabric flap with two zippers. The zippers aren’t the best mechanism for this (I prefer magnets or Velcro) but they work fine. The sides have two mesh panels so the breeze can pass through, but they’re not covered. The option to have those open or closed would be a nice addition.
When you’re using the Graco SnugRide car seat on the stroller, the two sun shades meet to cover the baby completely.
Ride
The ride is the one place where, in general, you get what you pay for. A Rolls Royce ride usually comes with a Rolls Royce price tag. In this case, there is no suspension and no air-filled tires, in fact, they’re made from hard plastic with very little traction. It’s fine for the mall but won’t be ideal if you walk on uneven sidewalks or a muddy path to the playground.
A simple brake stops both rear wheels and pivots like a seesaw. Both the “unlock” and the “lock” are done by pushing down with your foot, which means you don’t have to scuff the tops of your suede loafers when you unlock it. The grippy, rubber handlebar does not adjust for taller or petite parents but its position was comfortable for me at 5′6″.
Bells and Whistles
At this price point we don’t expect many extras, but the Quattro Tour includes a “Comfort Tracker” thermometer and clock on the parent tray. Necessary? No. We can tell when it’s hot outside. But the clock is kind of nice to have!
Pros: Full recline. Gigantic basket. Easy car seat compatibility. Simple, one-hand fold.
Cons: Hard plastic tires with little traction. Not particularly fashion forward in its design.
Final Verdict: The Quattro Tour is an affordable stroller that can be used for newborns (with or without the car seat) all the way up to toddlerhood. It’s not for off-roading but is extremely functional and easy to use.
– Kristen
Check out our other reviews of Graco products:
- Posted on Apr 10, 09 at 3:30PM
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- 4 Comments
April 10th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
We have both the Quattro Tour and the Quattro Duo (the double version) and love both of them! The one downfall of the Quattro Tour is it’s size. It’s HUGE. Otherwise, we’ve had ours for 4 years and two kids and it still looks and handles brand new.
My favorite part is the fully reclineable seat. We used the stroller from birth on and never used it with a carseat.
I actually disagree with what the reviewer says about not using it for walks and on muddy terrain. We never had any problem at all and that’s what we use ours for 90% of the time. The Quattro Tour Deluxe actually has rubber wheels instead of plastic too, so it depends on the style, but ours has plastic and they work fine. It handles bumps easily and I wheel it on dirt and even mulch all the time with no problems.
It certainly isn’t a stroller you want to pop in and out of the trunk of your car everyday, but otherwise for the price I thought it was exceptional.
April 11th, 2009 at 9:01 am
I happen to think my Quattro Tour is wonderful, mine has rubber tread tires, not the hard plastic ones and the ride seems quite comfortable for my daughter, however, the one thing I do agree with on your review is the zippered window on the canopy. Graco could have done a better job there, but that’s a very minor issue.
April 12th, 2009 at 1:41 am
I bought this stroller when I was expecting my second child, and before she was born I used it with my then-3-year-old for awhile. She fit, and it’s roomy, but it’s not great for us. I used it with my newborns car seat, and I love that the canopies meet, it’s a great feature, but you can get the same result with a blanket, and we always have those on hand. I have to say, I love the bassinet feature. That’s great. But my baby grew out of it fast, and when it came time for her to use the stroller without the infant seat, it wasn’t fun anymore. She had room, but never seemed comfy. She’s 15 months old now and we’ve given it to my sister to try out. My daughter could get out of the straps and the footrest was in the wrong spot. It was a bumpy ride, and pushing it was hard for me, it’s a big stroller and it pushes like a double. It shouldn’t. It’s also not very well padded, and the handle isn’t in the right place for me and I’m 5′7. It’s not right for us.
Overall, it’s good if all you do is walk on smooth surfaces, just remember, you get what you pay for.
April 14th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
This version seems to have some different features than the one I bought last week, but still pretty similar. Mine does not have the thermometer mentioned or clock, and also does not have the zipper cover for the plastic window, but I still love it.