Maclaren Techno XLR Stroller Review

Maclaren Techno XLR is a top of the line umbrella stroller with many features of a full size model. It features huge canopy, adjustable handle bars, roomy seat and easy one-hand fold. The four double wheels and all-wheel suspension will provide your little rider with a smooth ride as long as you stay on a flat surface. Like many umbrella strollers, Techno XLR is designed for running errands, going to the mall, and travel. Although it doesn’t have all-terrain wheels, it can tackle some grass, mulch or uneven pavement.

The narrow frame (only 20.5″) makes it great for public transit and navigating narrow store aisles. But, don’t count on fitting a lot of groceries into that basket, it’s pretty small (medium size for umbrella model) and hard to access especially if the seat is reclined. Speaking about recline, it is one-handed with three positions including an almost flat one suitable for a newborn. The included seat liner and a head support called ‘head hugger’ will provide your newborn with plenty of support. You can use this stroller from birth and up to 65 lbs. Another unusual feature for an umbrella model is that it accepts an infant car seat so you can turn it into a travel system. BTW, the car seat adapter is INCLUDED!

I gave it 5 out of 5 stars because its is compact and can take a car seat. I have to say that the weight of 17.4 lbs is a little heavy for an umbrella stroller. But I think there is a trade off. If it was lighter, it probably wouldn’t have some of the luxury features, high weight capacity of 65 lbs, and couldn’t accept an infant car seat. This baby is NOT cheap! So if you already have a full size stroller and this is your second or third (in my case it would be fourth. LOL) stroller, I would go for something lighter and less expensive. But if you want to buy ONLY one stroller that can get you through the “omg-I-can’t wait-till-school-starts” years, Techno XLR is the one. You can use it with a car seat as a travel system till 6 months and then just put your child into the seat with the head support.

The Techno XLR retails for around $639 on Amazon (free shipping/free returns and no sales tax). The price varies depending on the color and the year. I know it is kind of expensive for an umbrella stroller, but it comes with a lot of accessories like car seat adapter, rain cover, seat liner and head support. Note: the accessories might vary depending on the store. Some include a boot cover instead of car seat adapter.

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Features

-Huge canopy! I love large canopies, and the canopy on Techno XLR hits all the marks. It is a large canopy that slides up and down the frame to protect your child from the sun at any angle. You can make it even bigger by unzipping it in the back to expose another panel that makes the canopy go down to a bumper bar. And, like this wasn’t enough, it also has a UV protected pop-out sunvisor. Full sun protection! It has a medium size peekaboo window on top of the canopy that does not have a closure, but is UV protected. The canopy is made out of water repellent material.

-Adjustable handle bars. It has two adjustable handle bars that go from 42″-43″ from the ground. These are very tall bars that is great for tall parents. If you are much shorter, test it first.

-Very large seat! It is 15″ wide with 19″ seat back and a measurement of 27″ from the back of the seat to the top of the canopy. If you have a very tall child, you can slide the canopy up to get 3″ more. I can’t believe it goes up to 30″! That should last you till college. LOL. It has one-hand lever recline that reclines only the back of the seat. You will need only one hand to recline the seat and ONLY one hand to brig it back up. There are FOUR recline positions (three in a previous model) including almost a flat position that can accommodate a newborn. You can use the seat from birth and up to 65 lbs. For those of you who cares how upright the seat is, I can say that it’s very upright. The seat fabric can be easily removed and is machine washable. I like easy cleaning!

-Opening in the back. The seat doesn’t go all the way to the canopy and once the seat is reclined you will see an opening that will provide nice air circulation during hot summer day. You can cover the opening with a cover attached to the canopy.

-Two storage pockets. There are two storage pockets in the back of the canopy for mommy items like keys, wallet, ~~lipstick~~, chapstick, or sunglasses.

-5 point harness. It has an adjustable padded 5 point harness with a center release buckle that is hard to unlock for a toddler. All you need to do is push the back and the front of the button a the same time.

-Adjustable leg rest. It doesn’t really adjusts, but it has two small slider on both sides of the seat that you can slide out to lift the leg rest up to get more flat surface for your younger child.

-Medium size basket. Like on most umbrella strollers, that basket is not big and is impossible to access once the seat reclined. You will probably fit a medium size diaper bag in it, but that’s about it.

-Wheels. It rolls on four double 6.5″ hard rubber wheels. The front wheels are swivel, but can be locked straight for rougher terrain. This stroller is designed for smooth surfaces, but can also tackle some grass, or mulch if needed.

-All-wheel suspension. This is not the same suspension system they put on a jogger, but it will definitely help to make the ride a little smoother.

-Parking brake. It has a single brake pedal that locks both rear wheels in place. It’s flip-flop friendly.

-Easy fold. You can easily fold it with one hand. You just need to lift a red lever located on the crossbar with your foot, unlock the frame by stepping on the pedal on the side and fold it down. Easy! And there is an automatic lock. The folded dimensions are 41.3″L x 12″W x 16″H. It also has a carry handle on the side.

-Reversible seat liner. INCLUDED! It comes with a reversible seat liner and a head support for a newborn. One side of the seat liner is made out of the same fabric as the seat in the stroller and the other side is made out of soft microfiber material. Very nice!

-Car seat adapter. INCLUDED! Now you can easily transform it into a travel system for your newborn. It excepts the most popular infant car seats.

-Rain cover. INCLUDED! Here is another accessory that you don’t need to buy. The more the better!

Cons

I almost have nothing bad to say about this one (almost never happens. LOL).

-Heavy weight. I mean 17.4 lbs is not heavy for a full size model, but it is for an umbrella stroller. I think the weight really puts it in between the umbrella and a full size model. If it was any lighter, it probably wouldn’t be stable enough to be used with a car seat.

-Price. It is expensive! I know that $450 is lot of an umbrella stroller which is usually a second or third stroller you buy. On the bright side, if you want to buy only one stroller Techno XLR would be a great choice. It has all the features you would need to get your through the first 4 years. After that, walking walking walking…

Video Review

Here is a video by Maclaren.

Specs

Stroller weight: 17.4 lbs
Weight limit: 65 lbs
Folded dimensions: 41.3″L x 12″W x 16″H
Handle bar height: 42″ – 43″
Seat to canopy height: 27″ – 30″
Wheels: 6.5″
Overall length: 32.4″
Overall width: 20.5″

Warranty

Maclaren provides LIFETIME warranty from the original date of purchase and you have to be the original owner. Here is more information on the warranty.

Available colors

This stroller is available in four colors: black-champagne, charcoal-scarlet, dove-orchide smoke, medievel blue. All strollers come with a silver frame.

Where to buy it

My favorite place to buy strollers and a lot of other baby items is Amazon. It usually has the lowest prices, free shipping, free returns and no sales tax. How great is that? You can get Maclaren Techno XLR in one of the three beautiful colors for around $639 on Amazon (free shipping/free return and no sales tax).