Doona Liki Trike S5 review: Compact, stylish, and built to grow

The best toddler trikes offer a way for your little one to develop motor skills, build confidence, and burn off that endless energy, all while giving us parents a break from the stroller struggle. We love models that grow with your child, adapt to changing needs, and offer just enough control to keep everyone safe and sane. One model that does exactly that is the DOONA Liki Trike S5.

The most recent version of the Doona Liki Trike S1 - which won a Bronze Mother&Baby award in 2023 - the Liki S5 promises to take the hassle out of transport while keeping things fun for toddlers. It’s foldable, portable, and designed to shift effortlessly from parent-controlled mode to a fully independent trike.

In this review, Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert covers how the Liki Trike performs in real-world parenting life with her one-year-old son, Theodore and whether it earns its place as your next go-to ride.

Testing the DOONA Liki Trike S5

A toddler trike is a pretty common first birthday gift, so I was excited to give my son Theodore his Doona Liki Trike S5 when he turned one. I wanted something that was built to last, could be adapted as he grew bigger and wouldn't take up much room in our home.

Build

The Liki arrived neat and tidy in a small box, and assembling (if you can even call it that) it together into the first mode was so simple. The trike itself - including canopy - is already put together for the most part, you just need to unfold it and then attach the parent control bar and the storage bag and cup holder, if you wish to use this. Both my husband I loved the look of the Liki S5, it's pretty stylish as far as trikes go and you can tell the best materials have been used to make it, which is reassuring.

The instructions manual is quite basic and relies mostly on imagery, whereas I prefer written instructions, but we were able to figure it out easily, as it was a simple process. There are also plenty of videos on the brand's website to help if needed.

There's a little more to do when it comes to changing modes as your child grows, but you obviously won't need to do this frequently, and it mainly consists of removing parts or changing positions of things like the pedals which can all be done quickly.

The five-point harness has a central buckle that clips together. It's secure enough that little ones can't undo it, yet not too fiddly for parents with wriggly tots. It's also easy to adjust to suit your little rider.

I like the option of popping the cup holder on the front of the Liki S5, but this is only fits baby bottles or traditional water bottles; my son's sippy cups, which have handles (as most tend to), don't fit, which is a shame. There is an accessories hook where you can pop the included storage bag, however, which while not huge, is great for popping in things for your child like a jacket or muslin or even your phone, purse and keys.

The UV hood offers good coverage and is efficient at keeping the sun out of Theodore's eyes, while not being too low that he can't see where we're going.

Usability

Folding and unfolding the Liki S5 are both straightforward processes and once you've done them a few times and got the hang of it, it does get quicker. A couple of the accessories need removing or parts folding down so you can fold the trike, but this is no issue at all and certainly worth it for the compact package you get at the end of it. There's also a small handle so you can easily lift the trike up and carry it when required, which is also helped by the fact that it's so light.

You can go one step further and put the trike into the travel bag which comes with it, but we found we didn't personally have any use for it. The bag would be useful if taking the trike on holiday, though and it does come with straps so you can wear it like a backpack, ideal if you don't have a car or are taking both a pushchair and the trike on a walk.

It was lovely being able to pop the Liki S5 into the boot of my small Volkswagen Polo for a day out and not worrying about having room for the changing bag or any shopping. We're fortunate that our son has no problems with being in his Nuna Triv Next pushchair, but having an alternative option with a trike offers him a whole new experience.

Performance

While my husband had no issues from the start, I found steering with the parent control bar took a little getting used to because it's so responsive. Along with the compact build, this does mean it's great for tight turns though, whether it's a cafe table or a crowded path.

Day to day, it handles well on smooth pavements and grass, but it wouldn't be something you'd use on rough terrain as the small soft-ride wheels struggle when it comes to gravel or uneven ground.

While the ride generally feels stable and secure for my toddler, I did find that you needed to be careful with sharp turns or steep curbs, as there were a couple of times where the trike nearly tipped.

The seat and backrest are suitably padded and seem comfortable for my little one, and I like that I can recline the backrest into multiple positions if my son feels tired.

Final verdict

Overall, the Doona Liki Trike S5 has been a fantastic addition to our plethora of baby gear and one I’m really glad we chose for our son's first birthday. It ticks the main boxes I was looking for: it’s well-built, grows with him, and doesn’t take up much space in our home or car. The setup was genuinely simple - more of an unfolding process than true assembly - and once you’re familiar with it, switching between modes is quick and intuitive.

I really appreciate the thoughtful features like the reclining seat, UV canopy, and five-point harness, which give me peace of mind that Theodore is comfortable and safe. The compact fold is a major plus -we can pop it in the boot without sacrificing space, and it’s light enough to carry when needed. While the cup holder didn’t quite work with our sippy cups, the storage bag and backpack-style travel bag more than make up for it when we're on the go.

Steering did take me a bit of practice, but it’s incredibly responsive once you get the hang of it, and the trike handles beautifully on pavements and park paths. It’s not built for bumpy terrain, and I have to be mindful of sharp curbs, but for everyday outings, it delivers a fun, smooth, and practical ride.

In short, the Liki S5 has become a go-to option for outings - something that makes life easier for me and more exciting for my little one. I’d definitely recommend it to parents looking for a stylish, space-saving trike that truly grows with their child.

Emily Gilbert is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby. With a background in both print and digital journalism, she has written extensively on pregnancy, fertility, perinatal mental health, and the best in baby and parenting products. A first-time mum to Theodore, Emily combines her professional expertise with personal experience, offering readers trusted advice and relatable insight. Specialising in product and travel reviews, she stays ahead of the curve on the latest parenting trends and is passionate about showing that life with a little one can still be full of adventure.