Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat Review: The Ultimate Upgrade for Growing Families?

There’s a specific moment of panic every parent of a growing family experiences. For us, it was a sunny Tuesday morning at the park. Our four-year-old was happily settled in our trusty Evenflo Pivot Xplore wagon, snacks at the ready. Our two-year-old was chasing pigeons. But the newest member of our crew, a sleepy three-month-old, was strapped to my chest in a carrier, getting progressively warmer and fussier under the spring sun. Juggling the wagon, a wandering toddler, and a sweaty infant was a masterclass in controlled chaos. We loved our wagon—it was a rugged, go-anywhere beast—but it was built for two. The arrival of our third child had suddenly rendered our perfect system… incomplete. This is the challenge that sends so many of us down a rabbit hole of research, searching for a way to expand our gear without replacing it entirely. How do you transport a toddler, an older child, and an infant without resorting to a convoy of separate strollers?

What to Consider Before Buying a Modular Stroller Accessory

A modular stroller accessory, like a second seat, is more than just an add-on; it’s a key solution for extending the life and functionality of a significant investment. It transforms a single or double stroller into a dynamic transport system capable of adapting to a growing family’s needs. The primary benefit is avoiding the cost and hassle of purchasing an entirely new, often cumbersome, triple stroller. It allows you to create a customized setup that works for your unique age gaps, whether you have a newborn and a toddler or three kids under five. This adaptability is crucial for navigating everything from zoo trips to simple neighborhood walks with ease and comfort for everyone involved.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a parent who already owns and loves the base stroller system—in this case, the Evenflo Pivot Xplore wagon. They are facing the classic “we’re having another baby” dilemma and need to accommodate a younger child who isn’t ready to sit unassisted in the wagon bed. This solution is a game-changer for parents of two, three, or even four young children. However, it might not be suitable for those who don’t already have the compatible base or for parents who prioritize an ultra-compact, lightweight travel solution above all else. If you’re starting from scratch, you might consider an all-in-one convertible travel system as an alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Compatibility & Fit: First and foremost, ensure the accessory is designed specifically for your stroller model. A poor fit can be unstable and unsafe. The Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat is engineered precisely for the Pivot Xplore wagon, ensuring a secure and seamless connection every time.
• Capacity & Age Grading: Check the weight and age limits for both the add-on seat and the total stroller system. The second seat should safely accommodate your youngest child, while the overall system must handle the combined weight of all passengers and cargo. This seat, for instance, supports a child up to 55 lbs, offering incredible longevity.
• Impact on Functionality: Consider how the new seat affects the stroller’s original features. Does it hinder the fold? Does it block storage? Does it impact maneuverability? A great design minimizes these compromises, allowing you to use the stroller as intended, even with the new component attached.
• Comfort & Safety Features: Look for critical features like a multi-point harness, adequate padding, recline options for naps, and a sun canopy. The safety and comfort of your little one are paramount, especially for infants who require more support.

Considering these factors will help you determine if an add-on seat is the right evolution for your family’s transportation needs, turning a great stroller into a perfect one.

While the Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat is an excellent choice for expanding your wagon, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models that grow with your family, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing the Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat

Pulling the Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat from its box, our first impression was one of substance and quality. This isn’t a flimsy, afterthought accessory. The 100% polyester fabric feels durable and easy to clean, mirroring the rugged aesthetic of the Pivot Xplore wagon itself. The frame is solid, and the components click together with a satisfying and reassuring sound. Assembly was incredibly intuitive; the adapters snap directly into the wagon’s frame where the snack tray would normally go, a process that took us less than two minutes without glancing at the instructions. The seat itself then clicks securely onto these adapters. We immediately appreciated the large, multi-panel canopy with its mesh peekaboo window, which felt more premium than many canopies on standalone strollers. Compared to simply using a car seat adapter, this dedicated seat feels far more integrated and comfortable for longer journeys, a sentiment echoed by many users who made the switch. Our initial reaction was one of impressive build quality, which you can verify by checking current user feedback.

Deep Dive: A Feature-by-Feature Performance Analysis

An accessory like this lives or dies by its real-world performance. It’s not enough to just fit; it has to integrate seamlessly into the chaos of family life. We put the Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat through its paces on neighborhood walks, trips to the farmer’s market, and a day-long adventure at the zoo to see how it truly performed.

Installation and Versatility: A Seamless Transformation

The single greatest strength of the Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat is its brilliant simplicity. It truly transforms the wagon in seconds. The process involves removing the wagon’s standard child tray and clicking the two included adapters into place. From there, the seat itself snaps onto the adapters with an audible click. We found we could install or remove the entire seat in under 30 seconds, a crucial feature when you’re trying to get a car packed with tired kids. One user confirmed this, noting she could easily install it by herself on a trip to the zoo, no problem. This ease of use is a major selling point. You can check the latest price for this versatile seat here.

What truly elevates the design is its versatility. The seat can be mounted facing forward, allowing the baby to see the world, or parent-facing, which is perfect for infants and for maintaining that crucial connection. We were thrilled to discover this, as some users initially believed it was forward-facing only. One parent of three under three shared her excitement online after figuring out how to flip it around, calling it “amazing.” Furthermore, the modular design is intelligent; it doesn’t interfere with the wagon’s core push-or-pull functionality. You can still flip the handle to switch modes without ever having to remove the second seat. This level of thoughtful engineering means you’re adding capability without sacrificing the features you already love about the wagon.

Comfort and Safety for the Smallest Passenger

When you’re placing your youngest child in an elevated seat, comfort and safety are non-negotiable. Evenflo clearly put thought into this. The seat offers two distinct recline positions, which we found easy to adjust with a simple lever on the back. The near-flat recline, combined with the adjustable footrest raised to a horizontal position, creates a comfortable, enclosed space for a napping infant. For our three-month-old, this was perfect. The five-point harness is robust and secure, with straps that are easy to adjust as the child grows. The UPF 50+ canopy is another standout feature, extending far enough to provide excellent shade, and the mesh peekaboo window offers ventilation and a quick way to check on a sleeping baby without disturbing them. This large canopy is a feature that truly sets it apart for sunny day adventures.

However, we did encounter the one notable design flaw that several other parents have pointed out: the placement of the plastic harness adjustment clips. For a very small infant, especially in the fully reclined position, these hard plastic clips can end up sitting directly behind their head. We noticed this on our second walk, and while it didn’t seem to cause distress, it was a concern. Following the ingenious advice of other users, we solved this easily. By adding a simple infant insert (we repurposed one from an old car seat), we provided extra padding that completely negated the issue. Another user mentioned simply tucking a small blanket behind her six-week-old’s head. While it’s a frustrating oversight from Evenflo that requires a workaround, it’s fortunately one that is easily and cheaply remedied. Despite this, the overall comfort and security offered by the seat are excellent, especially for babies who are a few months old or have better head control.

The Sibling Experience: Life in the Wagon Below

Adding a second story to your stroller wagon inevitably impacts the passengers on the ground floor. We were pleasantly surprised by just how much space remains in the wagon bed with the seat installed. Our four-year-old, who is average height, could sit comfortably underneath without her head touching the bottom of the seat. She still had a clear view out the sides and front of the wagon. As one parent of a four-and-a-half-year-old noted, her daughter “doesn’t mind at all that there is less headroom.”

There is ample room for two toddlers to sit in the wagon bed below, and we even tested it with our two- and four-year-old simultaneously. They had plenty of legroom and personal space. A user review even mentions fitting two four-year-olds below while a baby rode up top. The clever design of the seat’s adjustable footrest is key here; when raised for an infant, it creates a contained space for the baby without their feet dangling in the face of the child below. The main trade-off is the loss of the central snack tray, as the seat adapters occupy its slot. Evenflo does include one smaller tray that can be used by the children in the wagon, but they do have to share. Additionally, the seat can create a bit of a visual barrier between the child on top and those below, limiting their interaction. For us, this was a minor issue compared to the immense benefit of being able to transport all three children in one streamlined unit.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment from parents who have purchased the Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat is overwhelmingly positive. It’s frequently described as a “game-changer” and “worth every penny” for families with newborns and toddlers. One mother on a small homestead raved, “My baby goes everywhere with me…in this seat. It easily reclines for newborns and when he is bigger I can set it upright.” Many, like us, found it to be a superior solution to the car seat adapter, which can be bulky and often blocks the view of the child in the wagon.

The most consistent piece of critical feedback relates to the harness system for very young infants. A parent of a six-week-old noted, “the plastic clips to change the straps land RIGHT behind my 6 week old’s head,” forcing them to use a blanket as padding. Another was more forceful, stating the product should not be for infants under 6 months due to this issue, as the clips caused their baby to scream. While this is a significant concern, the community has largely found a simple solution with infant inserts. The other common drawback mentioned is its lack of portability. As one user aptly put it, the wagon and seat are “two space hogs” that need to be transported separately, as the wagon can’t fold with the seat attached. Despite these critiques, the consensus is clear: this accessory brilliantly solves a major logistical problem, making outings with multiple young children dramatically easier. The overwhelmingly positive feedback makes it clear why this is a popular choice for growing families. You can read more detailed testimonials and see it in action.

How Does the Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat Compare to Alternatives?

The Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat is an accessory that creates a unique travel solution. If you don’t already own the Pivot Xplore wagon, or if you’re seeking an all-in-one package, you might consider some of these integrated travel systems instead.

1. Graco Modes Pramette 3-in-1 Travel System

The Graco Modes Pramette is a versatile single-child travel system that excels in newborn convenience. Its main seat converts into an infant bassinet, and it includes the SnugRide 35 Infant Car Seat. This is an excellent choice for first-time parents who want a complete system from day one. However, unlike the Evenflo wagon setup, it does not inherently accommodate a second or third child. It’s a fantastic, streamlined solution for one baby, offering multiple riding modes, but it lacks the expandability that makes the Evenflo Pivot Xplore with the second seat so appealing to growing families.

2. Graco Modes Nest2Grow Travel System Expandable Double Stroller

The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is a more direct competitor to the expanded Evenflo system. It’s designed from the ground up to convert from a single to a double stroller with over 15 configurations. It includes an infant car seat and a toddler seat that can be positioned at different heights using the Slide2Me feature. This is a strong choice for parents planning for two children close in age. The primary difference is the format: the Nest2Grow is a traditional tandem stroller, while the Evenflo is a wagon. The wagon format often provides more space and a “playpen on wheels” feel for older toddlers, which can be a significant advantage on long outings.

3. Baby Trend Passport Cargo Travel System with EZ-Lift PLUS Infant Car Seat

The Baby Trend Passport Cargo system blends the lines between a traditional stroller and a wagon, featuring a large under-seat storage basket that gives it a “cargo” feel. It comes as a single-child travel system with the EZ-Lift PLUS Infant Car Seat. While it offers impressive storage capacity for one child, it does not have a native option to add a second seat in the same integrated way as the Evenflo or Graco Nest2Grow. For a parent of one who needs to haul a lot of gear—for sports, beach trips, or shopping—this is a compelling option. But for families needing to transport multiple children, the Evenflo Pivot Xplore with its dedicated second seat provides a more robust and purpose-built solution.

The Final Verdict: Is the Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat Worth It?

After extensive testing, we can say with confidence that for any parent who already owns and loves the Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon, the Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat is not just a useful accessory; it’s a transformative one. It seamlessly converts an excellent two-child wagon into a legitimate and highly functional transport system for three, solving a massive logistical headache for growing families. Its effortless installation, sturdy build, and versatile riding options provide a safe and comfortable perch for the smallest passenger without sacrificing too much space for the older siblings below.

While the awkward placement of the harness clips for newborns is a design flaw that requires a simple DIY fix, it’s a small hurdle to overcome for the immense functionality gained. This single product extends the useful life of your wagon, saving you from buying an entirely new and expensive triple stroller. If you’re expecting a new baby and want to keep your beloved wagon in rotation, we wholeheartedly recommend this upgrade. It makes family adventures easier, more comfortable, and far less chaotic. You can get the Evenflo Pivot Xplore Second Seat and transform your wagon today.