Wonderfold W4 Elite Stroller Wagon Review

Wonderfold W4 Elite

---

---

How it Compares

The W4 Elite is a little pricey but the price is compatible with the feature list:

We evaluated 25 stroller wagons and narrowed the list to seven 2-seat wagons and two 4-seat wagons to purchase and test. Here is how the W4 compares to the other wagons we tested.

Where it Fits Among Other Choices

There are currently three 4-passenger stroller wagons on the market that we believe are worthy of consideration:

• Wonderfold W4 (and variations from the same brand including the X4)
• Gladly Family Anthem4
• Famileasy Wagon
• Keenz 7S+ (recently announced)

The Anthem4 is relatively new and although there are comparatively few customer reviews available we decided to buy and test it.

The Famileasy 4-seat Wagon is manufactured and distributed from Canada. It is generally well-reviewed and we may test it in the future.

Wonderfold is a long-term player in the stroller wagon market and has these 4-passenger product lines:

Basic	More Features
Wonderfold X4	Wonderfold W4 Original
Wonderfold X4M	Wonderfold W4 Elite
	Wonderfold W4 Luxe

Wonderfold wagons are classic, boxy-shaped, push and pull capable, 2-seat and 4-seat wagons.

The Anthem4 has a lower profile and takes after the Veer Cruiser with large wheels in the front capable of traversing more difficult terrain.

The Wonderfold X series is generally $450 and up, and the W series is $595 and up.

You may consider a 4-seat wagon, for use by two children, to have extra room for play and storage.

Most Common Complaints

We read and collated all negative customer reviews about the Wonderfold W4 to compare them to our own experience and assess their merit. In the end, we agree with many of the common criticisms, while others may not be a concern.

Criticism	Our Experience
Brake in the way while walking	Agreed. Our 5′ 4″ mom, 5′ 6″ mom and 5′ 10″ tall dad all bumped their feet on the brake bar or axel, sometimes with every step, even with the handle extended to its farthest point. (see video below)
Push bar not height adjustable	Our handle was adjustable from 34.5″ to 45.5″. However, at the high and low points it doesn’t extend out from the wagon.
Customer service does not respond	Customer service responded to our email in 1 hour and 2 minutes
Big when folded	It is 15.7 cubic feet when folded, bigger than any other wagon we tested. The Anthem4 is 11.1 cubic feet folded.
Pulls to one side when pushing	In our testing, the W4 stayed on a centerline longer than all the other wagons we tested.
Difficult to push on a slope	Agreed. Very difficult to push up a hill or on a slope especially when loaded.
Stiching separates on storage basket	We haven’t noticed any weakness in the storage basket
Dirty without footwell	While the Wonderfold doesn’t have a footwell, the seats are raised so that children are not sitting where they step. Dirt stays on the flat surface at the bottom of the wagon.
Buckle ripped off seat	We did not stress test the harnesses or buckles
Missing parts	We had no missing parts
Wheels fell off	We did not have any problems with loose wheels. However, other wagons like the Keenz 7S did lose their wheels in testing.
Kids can unbuckle seat belt easily	We felt like the pressure required to unsnap the buckles is appropriate and unlikely to be a problem for smaller children

Kid Travel Video Review

Testing and Research

We conducted 65 tests and measurements on each stroller. We also used them on sidewalks, grass, hills and paths with bumps over a three-month period. We had help from moms, dads and kids and grandkids.

Parent Comfort and Usability

The Wonderfold W4 has great storage options and is easy to clean Here are the scores for parent comfort and usability:

Getting Started

Unboxing and setup of the Wonderfold took 26 minutes, longer than most other wagons, but the manual was clear and easy to follow. (English only)

Customer service sent a courteous response to our email in just over an hour.

Handles

The rear handle has a max height of 45.5″ which is higher than all other wagons we evaluated. Like other stroller wagons, you have to push buttons on both sides of the handle at the same time to release and adjust the height. This is a bit awkward.

Although the handles have a large range of height, they are only useful in the middle of the range where they extend farthest from the stroller. Otherwise, you are too close and bump your feet on the brake or axel bar. More about that later.

The handle is protected by a zippered cover.

Missing Parent Cupholder!

This would have been a handy feature.

Car Seat Adapter

No car seat adapter is included with the W4 Elite, and none are currently available for purchase for any of the Wonderfold stroller wagons.

See our Alternatives for a Wonderfold Car Seat Adapter article.

Storage Volume Ranking

The W4 has a large storage basket under the rear handle that is easily accessible.

There is another decent-sized storage bag in the front. The cloth side flaps also have a pocket for storage.

Cleaning

The fabric on the Wonderfold is easy to spot clean. It is also removable although that is quite a chore. There aren’t too many crevices for crumbs to hide, but you do have to work around the seats. Here are the crumb removal ratings:

Brake Operation

The brake on the W4 controls both rear wheels and is easy to activate. The Wonderfold didn’t come to an instant stop in our test, but performed well enough.

Releasing the brake is hard on sandaled and bare feet.

Steering and Maneuverability

You would expect larger wagons to be harder to push and steer. We found this to be true with the Wonderfold. But the Anthem4, also a 4-seater, performed well in this category. Steering and maneuverability ratings:

Pushing and Turning

Sometimes you have to make a sharp turn from a dead stop. We measured the force required to make the turn holding one corner of the handle and pushing on the other with the wagon fully loaded.

Let’s just say it is good exercise.

We also tested how much force it took to get the Wonderfold rolling from a stop.

Terrain Performance

The W4 isn’t too difficult to push for short to medium time periods on flat surfaces. However, on paths with bumps, on grass and over hills, pushing the Wonderfold is challenging and tiresome.

Grass: It is easier to pull than push on grass. The wheels work over grass but it requires some effort.

Hills: Avoid going uphill with this wagon while loaded. Sidehills on the grass where one side is higher than the other was very challenging to keep the nose going straight.

Bumps: The Wonderfold didn’t do well getting its small front wheels over obstacles like roots, sticks and stones. This wagon is not good for hiking trails.

The Wonderfold W4 has 9.5″ diameter rear wheels and 8″ diameter front wheels. Those are small considering that it is a big wagon. Even smaller, 2-seater wagons like the Keenz, Jeep and Radio Flyer have 12″ rear wheels.

All-terrain wheels for the Wonderfold are sold separately. Although the upgraded all-terrain wheels are larger in diameter, they are not much wider if at all. We have not tested them, but they don’t appear wide enough to make the wagon truly all-terrain capable.

Bumpy terrain test:

Staying Straight

The Wonderfold performed well in our test to check how quickly a wagon veers off the centerline when pushing straight. Straight push test results:

Steering

The Wonderfold did not perform well in our maneuverability tests. Maneuverability Ratings:

Kicking the Back

We read that some customers complained they were constantly kicking the rear brake bar when pushing the wagon at a normal pace.

This happens to us too. Our mom testers hit the brake bar or rear axel with almost every step while pushing the wagon. A taller dad tester also kicked the back although not as consistently.

The wagon is designed with smaller rear wheels which put the axel and brake closer to the ground. Although the handle is adjustable, even at an optimal, extended position, we still kicked the bars while pushing.

An extended handle can be purchased separately. We haven’t tested the longer handle to see if it solves the problem.

Folding and Transport

The W4 takes quite a bit of time and effort to fold. Once folded it is big and difficult to load into vehicles. Folding and Transport ratings:

Folding

The canopy of the Wonderfold W4 isn’t difficult to operate but it takes some time to unlatch each of the 4 posts and then store the canopy properly. The remainder of the fold process requires flipping over the side flaps, unlatching a strap and pulling the wagon up from the middle. The seats in the wagon hamper the folding so you have to apply force to squeeze the wagon enough to get it latched in a folded position.

The following fold times include canopy removal. Without the canopy, fold time is much shorter but not a lot easier. Fold times:

Once folded, the Wonderfold is stable when standing and rolls easily on its wheels.

Unfold time is much faster.

Folded Size in Cubic Feet

Here is how the stroller wagons compare in folded size in cubic feet:

The W4 will fit in the back of a minivan with the seats up. There isn’t much room left and it is a monster to lift at 53 lbs.

Kid Comfort and Usability

The Wonderfold scores well for kid comfort and usability mainly because of the reclining seats and footwell. Here are the scores for Kid comfort and usability:

Seats

The seats in the W4 are removable and adjustable. They are held up by brackets that slide over the sides and back of the frame. To make them recline you move the brackets closer to the center of the wagon.

The wagon is tall enough to provide a very large space for childrens’ legs and feet.

The seats themselves are sturdy and comfortable.

Like several other wagons, the Wonderfold is a dark gray color that gets warm in the sun. The sides of the wagon are fully ventilated and kids sit high enough to be able to see easily over the sides.

The harnesses are padded and 5-point with buckles that can be opened with one hand.

Snack Tray and Storage

There is no snack tray. There are 4 mesh pockets on the inside that can be used for cupholders or storage for small items.

The Inside

With the seats installed the inner dimensions of the W4 are 30″ x 19″ x 18″. This is less inner length than the Keenz and Jeep because the seatbacks take a bit of room.

It is 19″ wide which, for a 4-seater, is not much wider than the Radio Flyer, Keenz and Jeep’s 18″ widths. The Anthem4, also a 4-seater, is 21″ wide.

4 kids can fit in the W4 but it is a tight fit, and 4 larger or older children would be uncomfortable.

With the seats out, the Wonderfold can become a small pack ‘n play with a firm, flat bottom that kids can play on or nap on.

Getting In and Out

Wonderfold has created a secret entrance for kids to climb in and out of. But not every child will wait to use the zippered door.

Canopy

The canopy frame slides into four holes and the posts are secured with latches.

It is stored using fabric holders on the sides of the storage bit and a strap that buttons onto the side of the frame.

The canopy does not provide full coverage but it is easy to adjust from one side to another.

Part and Material Quality

Although the Wonderfold W4 didn’t rank the highest in this category, we are comfortable recommending it from a quality perspective. Here are the scores for part and material quality:

It was well packaged, missing no parts and everything operated well after the wagon was assembled. The manual was very easy to follow both for assembling the stroller and for understanding how to operate it.

The W4 has a spring suspension which was missing in a few wagons we tested:

We didn’t find any problems or weaknesses in the buttons, zippers or moving parts of the wagon.

Wheels

The front wheels are similar in size to the other wagons we tested. The rear wheels are the smallest of any wagon we tested which is inconsistent with the size of the wagon.

They are constructed from EVA foam.

Wonderfold W4 vs X4

We didn’t put the Wonderfold X4 through our testing process but we did get to compare them side by side.

The X4 lacks many of the creature comforts of the W4. It doesn’t have raised seats or a footwell, so children sit flat on the wagon floor with their feet extended and bumping into kids on the other side.

However, the X4 doesn’t have many of the drawbacks of the W4 either. It is very easy to fold, 12 lbs lighter, more maneuverable, 5 inches wider and 2 inches longer on the inside.

It is also much less expensive.

Advantages of the Wonderfold W4 over the X4:

• Reclining seats
• Footwell
• Additional storage
• Zippered door kid entrance

Advantages of the Wonderfold X4 over the W4:

• Lower price
• Easier to fold and lift folded
• 12 lbs lighter
• Easier to push (not much easier to turn/steer)
• Includes an inner liner which can be removed for cleaning

Wonderfold W4 vs Veer Cruiser

The Wonderfold W4 and Veer Cruiser are similar in price but different in function. The Veer is strong in maneuverability, folding and transport. The W4 is great for extra storage, comfortable seats, playing and napping.

The W4 is 4-passenger and the Veer is 2-passenger.

Both stroller wagons are well made. The Veer Cruiser has a heavy welded aluminum frame and feels very rugged. The Veer is missing a canopy and extra storage out of the box.

The Veer handles grass and non-flat terrain much better than the W4 even when loaded.

Our full review of the Veer Cruiser

Advantages of the Wonderfold W4 over the Veer Cruiser:

• Includes a large storage bin and other storage compartments
• 4-passenger
• Has a flat inner surface that can be used for napping and playing
• Includes a canopy

Advantages of the Veer Cruiser over the Wonderfold W4:

• Is easier to fold and has a more compact folded size
• Has better terrain performance and is easier to maneuver in general
• Is easier to stow in a vehicle and will fit in a sedan trunk
• Includes a snack tray

Wonderfold W4 vs Keenz 7S

We tested the Wonderfold W4 and Keenz 7S. The Keenz 7S is a 2-seater but Keenz has introduced the 7S+ which is a 4-seater with similar features.

The Keenz 7S and Wonderfold W4 are similarly equipped. Both come with extra storage and canopies.

Keenz seats do not recline and there is no footwell. The sides are high and only larger children can see out when seated and buckled in.

The Keenz 7S maneuvers better than the W4 and performed better in our steering and terrain testing. The Keenz is also easier to fold than the W4 but not it is not nearly so easy as the Veer Cruiser or Evenflo Pivot Xplore.

Our full review of the Keenz 7S

Our full comparison of the Wonderfold vs Keenz

Advantages of the Wonderfold W4 over the Keenz 7S:

• Reclining, adjustable seats
• A footwell
• 4-seater with more storage space inside
• A zippered door child entrance

Advantages of the Keenz 7S over the Wonderfold W4:

• Lower price
• Slightly easier folding and smaller folded size
• Better maneuverability
• Roll down sunshades and mosquito netting

Wonderfold W4 vs Gladly Family Anthem4

These are the two 4-passenger stroller wagons we chose to purchase and test. The Anthem4 had equal or higher scores in all five scoring categories.

The Anthem4 is easier to push, fold, steer, stow and transport. It is designed much like the Veer Cruiser and handles very similarly.

Although the Anthem4 is generally easier to fold than the W4, we had problems with the folding mechanism sticking sometimes.

Both stroller wagons have a footwell and nice storage options.

While the Anthem4 is two inches wider inside, the footwell is smaller and shallower. Ultimately the W4 provides more room for larger kids and its reclining seats are comfortable for longer durations.

Our full review of the Gladly Family Anthem4

Advantages of the Wonderfold W4 Elite over the Gladly Anthem4:

• Reclining seats
• A deeper footwell
• A zippered door child entrance

Advantages of the Gladly Anthem4 over the Wonderfold W4 Elite:

• Typically lower price
• Better pushing, steering and maneuverability performance
• Easier folding and stowage in vehicle
• A nap and play mat forming a flat surface over the seats
• A low profile that allows kids to climb in over the sides
• 13 lbs lighter

Wonderfold W4 Elite vs Jeep Wrangler

Here’s our full article on how the W4 compares to the Jeep Wrangler. Wonderfold vs Jeep