Peg Perego Nido Review

The Peg Perego Nido is a high-quality car seat that is easy to use and has higher than average crash test results.

In 1949, Peg Perego launched with a baby carriage created by Giuseppe Perego. The founder continued the company's growth through the 1960s with a variety of strollers and an adjustable highchair. The creation of ride on toys and umbrella strollers followed in the 1970s with the 1980s bringing the first Pilko strollers and ride on toys with a 12-volt 2 cell battery. Peg Perego strives to design and create innovative and stylish gear that makes life easier.

Performance Comparison

The Peg Perego Nido (in blue) car seat is the newest Peg infant car seat with a performance that almost matches its award-winning brother the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35.

Read additional performance details about how the Nido compares to the competition in the subsections below.

The headrest on the Nido has additional energy-absorbing padding.

Crash Test

The Nido earned a 7 of 10 in our crash testing both with and without the load leg. This score is slightly above the average score indicating a potential additional margin of protection.

It is important to understand that all car seats for purchase in the US meet or exceed the Federal guidelines outlined in the FMVSS 213. We compare crash test results to the competition and the guidelines to identify the car seats that potentially offer an additional margin of protection over the basic seat.

With the use of the load leg, the Nido earned a better head sensor (HIC) score with crash sensor result of 430 HIC. The Nido has a HIC of 573 (without load leg) where the maximum allowed is 1000 and the lower the result the better. Without the use of the load leg, the result is higher than the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 that has a result of 491. The comparison chart above shows the results for the Nido (in black) utilii=zing the load leg in comparison to the Chicco Keyfit 30 (in green) which has the lowest (best) results with a 330.

The Nido chest clip sensor (g clip) result is 46 sans load leg where the maximum allowed is 60 and a lower result is better. The Primo Viaggio 4-35 result is also 46 while the best result is 42.2 earned by the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 40. Unfortunately, using the load leg resulted in a worse chest sensor result of 51 g clip. Details of this comparison can be seen in the chart above.

The Nido has an elongated anti-rebound bar (above left) that extends higher than the one found on the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35. This feature helps prevent rotation in the event of an accident. The Nido also comes standard with a load leg (above right) that helps prevent the car seat from flopping back and forth during a crash. Both features theoretically increase potential safety though it is difficult to calculate their exact contribution. Our test results both using and not using the load leg indicate that the load leg is beneficial to the head sensor in the crash test dummy. Given that the chest sensor result is similar and the HIC result is better when using the load leg, it seems logical that parents should use the load leg when possible.

The LATCH strap on the Nido utilizes the same belt path and lock-off that the vehicle belt would use for installation.

Ease of Install - LATCH

The Nido is hardest to install using the LATCH system earning a 7 of 10 for this method of installation. The difficulty we experienced is a bummer because it is supposed to make installation easier and more foolproof. The connectors are easy enough to attach to the anchors but tightening the strap is harder and releasing the connectors is very difficult. It feels stable once installed but the process is more convoluted than it really needs to be.

The Nido has push buttons style LATCH connectors (above left) that are easier to attach and release than the clip style connectors. The Nido has a one-sided strap (above right) to tighten the base to the vehicle, which is more challenging than those with center pulls or self-ratcheting system.

The LATCH strap on the Nido utilizes the belt lock-off located near the end of the base.

The LATCH strap is located across the back of the base and slides under the belt lock of for additional stability.

This base has a liquid level with bubble (above left) similar to a construction level. This helps parents determine if the base is properly installed. If the angle is not correct, it can be adjusted with the turn of the knob on the base (above right). This feature works well and turns easily.

Installing the Nido with the vehicle belt is easier than using the LATCH method. While this is not our usual findings because LATCH is supposed to make installation easier, it does happen.

Ease of Install - Belt

Installation using the vehicle belt and the Nido base is easier than using the LATCH method with a score of 9 of 10. In the event you want to install the car seat where there are no LATCH anchors, you'll need to use the vehicle belt. Luckily, with the Nido, this method is easy peasy to use.

This process is easiest with the lap-only belt but can also be accomplished using the lap-shoulder belt combo often found on the sides of a backseat. The belt threads through the color-coded sides and belt lock-off (above left) in the center of the base. The lock-off is super easy to use and not overly tight like some of the competition. Once the strap is in place the lock-off is closed (above right) with the press of your palm. The base is stable once installed with little wiggle or shift along the strap.

Ease of Install - Without the Base

The easiest method of installation for the Nido is without the base earning a 10 of 10 in our testing for this metric. The Nido can be installed minus the base using the European (above left) or American belt path (above right). Both provide a stable final result and the belt lock-off makes getting the carrier tucked in tight enough a breeze.

The European path includes the lap portion of the belt across the foot of the carrier and the shoulder strap around the back of the carrier (above left) and tucked under the clip (above right) to hold it in place.

The Nido canopy is by far the largest one we've seen on a car seat and it has zip-open ventilation which is a great feature for hotter weather.

Ease of Use

The Nido is easy to use earning a 7 of 10 which is just one point below the high for the metric. Ease of use testing encompasses the features and functionality of the Nido during everyday use.

The Nido has a harness retainer system that holds the straps in an open position so you can place baby inside without recovering the straps from under the baby when it is time to buckle them.

Harness

The Nido has a 5-point harness that can be held back with the harness retainer system. While nice in theory we suspect most parents will stop using it over time. The buckle on the harness is easy to use but the chest clip is stiff and takes some serious strength to operate.

The harness has significant padding on the shoulder straps and the crotch strap (above left). The Nido has a non-rethread height adjustment (above right) with six positions and crotch strap with two positions. The height adjusts from the back with a squeeze that slides the entire assembly up and down.

Despite being located under the padding, the button to loosen the harness is easy to find and press.

The harness tightens easily enough with a pull of the strap at the foot of the carrier and the release button is under the fabric but close to the top and easy to depress.

The handle adjustment is sort of awkward on the Nido though it is difficult to say why as the concept is similar to most carriers.

Handle

The handle on the Nido rubs on the front of the canopy and a little on the sides when the canopy is up. The handle release buttons are awkward and not as user-friendly as they could be. The handle rotates when you press on both sides simultaneously. For driving there is only one safe position for the handle and this depends on if you are using the base or not, so parents need to make sure the handle is in the right position before the vehicle is in motion.

The Nido has a new extendable canopy that offers more protection for little ones than most infant car seat canopies. The canopy is UPF 50+, has mesh sides that zip open for ventilation and looks good. Unfortunately, this large hood comes with a handle/hood interference problem.

Removing the carrier from the base is easy with the squeeze button on the back of the carrier.

Carrier and Base Connection

The carrier attaches to the Nido base easily but we often were able to install it with only one side connected, but it is better than the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35. Because it lacks a visual indicator to ensure correct installation, we recommend parents give the handle a good tug to ensure it is latched on both sides. Releasing the carrier is a breeze with the handle on the back of the carrier.

The Nido manual storage is located in the back of the carrier so you'll always have it with you even if you aren't using the base.

LATCH Anchors and Manual Storage

The Nido LATCH connectors stow in the base and are not automatic. The storage keeps the connectors out of the way so there is no interference with connecting the carrier to the base. The manual stores in a pocket on the back of the carrier. This location is preferred over those that store in the base because if you use the carrier without the base you won't have your manual should you need it.

The Nido has an impressive attention to detail for both quality and comfort.

Comfort/Quality

Peg Perego has a tradition of creating higher quality products with attention to manufacturing detail, and the Nido is no exception with a score of 8 of 10 for comfort and quality.

The Nido has firm padding for good support and soft fabric for comfort. The fabric isn't as soft as the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, but it is the second softest in the group. The shell feels solid and doesn't have any rough plastic edges. The fabric fits the shell nicely with a smooth self-contained look. The canopy is the largest one in the review offering significantly more coverage than the standard infant car seat. The size is especially cool if you plan to use your carrier with a stroller and the stroller canopies often are not useable with a car seat in place.

The Nido carrier is relatively heavy which may make it more difficult for parents who need to carry it for longer distances or time.

Weight

The Nido carrier is heavy with a weight of 10.6 lbs and a metric score of only 5 of 10. it isn't the heaviest option in the group, however, but every pound counts if you need to tote your little one for very far in a car seat carrier.

In comparison, the higher ranking Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 only weighs 9.6 lbs. If you don't need to travel very far with the carrier in a suburban environment, then weight may not be something you give much "weight" to, but if you need to cart baby from your apartment 5 floors up and around the city streets, then it is something to keep in mind.

Stroller Compatiblity

This Peg seat is compatible with Peg Perego strollers without the need for adapters. This is a nice feature that cuts down on the loose items you can potentially lose while strolling with your baby. Given the newness of this seat, it is hard to say which stroller brands offer compatibility. We encourage parents to consider using a baby carrier for infants instead of a stroller. We find it is a great way to bond, keep your hands free, and prevent crying while out and about, plus you don't have to worry about a stroller.

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