Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Review

Peg Perego is an Italian company started in 1949. Giuseppe Perego founded the company with a single baby carriage. Peg's popularity continued to rise during the 60s with the development of strollers and a highchair. In the 70s, Peg launched lightweight strollers and ride on toys for toddlers. The 80s saw the first Pilko options and electric riding toys. Peg Perego works to design innovative and stylish products with the hope of making life easier.

Performance Comparison

We compared the Primo Viaggio (in blue) to other top products. The chart shows a comparison of overall scores for the infant seats tested in this review

Additional details on how the Peg Perego performed during testing can be found by metric below.

Crash Test

The Peg has comparatively impressive crash test results overall scoring an 8 of 10, well above average in our test, and suggests it provides a higher level of protection than required by the basic Federal safety regulations. The Peg performed better in crash tests than most seats we reviewed.

The crash test results were based on the G forces recorded in the sensors located in the head and chest of crash test dummies in sled tests designed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) specifications. The tests ensure each seat meets the Federal safety guidelines outlined in FMVSS 213. The test results were compared to one another and the Federal minimum guidelines to evaluate each seat. While any seat sold in the US must offer the basic level of protection, some seats offer an additional margin of protection with crash test results above the minimum requirements. The Peg is one of those seats.

The charts show the Peg (in black) compared to the top performing seats (shown in green) for the head and chest regions. The Chicco Keyfit 30 had the lowest Gs (best) recorded in test results for the head region (HIC), and the Cybex Aton 2 for the lowest Gs (best) recorded in the chest sensor (g).

The Peg has an anti-rebound bar on the foot end of the base. The marketing claims this feature decreases the movement of the base and seat in the event of a crash.

The bar extends up toward the back of the vehicle seat and limits the amount of motion that can happen to the car seat during an accident. This can decrease the amount of motion for the baby's head and body. We do not have any tests results to determine the benefits of this additional feature, but the concept has some merit.

Ease of Install - LATCH

The Peg earned a 7 of 10 for the ease of install using the LATCH system.

This car seat has the more substantial, but easier to use, anchor (below left). It is utilized by pushing it on the vehicle's U LATCH anchor and releases by pushing the red button. The straps are easy to tighten, but it is only average for loosening. Given that this is something you aren't likely to do often, we don't think it is a deal breaker and it is easier than most of the competition.

The Primo Viaggio's level is a bubble indicator (above right) in a bright green liquid that should sit at a different spot depending on the weight of the baby. This level works like an ordinary construction level, and we found it worked consistently unlike some of the ball style levels where the ball got "hung" up.

The base recline adjusts using a knob that moves the foot up or down. Unlike some of the other seats, the foot is easy to adjust even after the base is tightened. We think this will lead to greater compliance with ensuring that the base remains properly installed as baby grows.

Ease of Install - Belt

The Peg earned a 9 of 10 for ease of install using the vehicle belt.

This score is the high score for the metric.

The Peg Perego has a belt lock-off on the base of the seat that helps make belt installation a breeze. The lock-off is the easiest one in the group to use. The openings for the belt thread are somewhat open and the belt threads easily. Once installed, it feels stable whether you use a shoulder/lap belt or a lap-only belt. We think this base has one of the nicest and easiest to use lock-offs in the group.

Ease of Install - Without the Base

Installation without the base is the installation metric where the Peg really excels.

It earned a 10 of 10, tying with the UPPAbaby Mesa.

This seat has a color-coded European belt path. This means the shoulder portion of the vehicle belt wraps around the back of the carrier and threads under a clip to hold it in place. The lap portion of the belt travels across the lower portion of the carrier.

The vehicle belt is easy to install and it threads nicely without any struggle through all of the threading points. We did not have to use a towel or a pool noodle to achieve a secure fit.

Ease of Use

The Peg Perego Primo earned a 7 of 10 for ease of use.

This score is 1 point below the high of 8 for the group.

Harness

The buckle comes apart with minimal effort but is stiffer than some to put back together. It doesn't require a lot of thumb strength and the chest clip is easiest operated with one hand. The button is easy to push, and the sides slide apart without catching. They are also easy to match up when putting the sides together.

The harness tightening strap located at the foot of the carrier is easy to pull and tightens smoothly. The shoulder pads are small enough that they don't impede the tightening process or limit how small the harness can go like some of the competition. There is a button located at the foot of the carrier under a small amount of padding used to loosen the harness.

Adjusting the shoulder strap height is a non-rethread design you operate from the back. There is a sliding mechanism that you first need to squeeze together with your thumb and forefinger to move it up or down; the squeezing is simple, and the sliding is smooth. You can do this with your baby in the seat, but if you need to see it while you operate it, then it might be easier with an empty carrier. We prefer a non-rethreading height adjustment because we think parents are more likely to comply to ensure that baby is properly restrained in the harness. This seat has six shoulder height positions and one crotch position.

Handle

The handle on this seat is average. It doesn't rub on the canopy and it doesn't have a peek-a-boo window. The handle operates by squeezing the buttons on either side at the pivot point and then rotating to the desired position. It has five positions and must be in the correct position for driving. There is one position for installation with a base and another for installation with the seat only, so parents need to review the manual before driving. The handle rubs on the canopy somewhat when it is up, and the buttons for release are awkward to use and not as friendly as the competition.

Carrier and Base Connection

The carrier portion of the seat installs fairly easily on the base, but we did manage to occasionally connect only one side instead of both in multiple trials during testing. Connecting only one side is a little concerning, and we suggest parents pay very close attention to the audible click and give the carrier a good tug to ensure proper attachment to the base. We can see this carrier becoming loose due to improper attachment, especially if parents are in a hurry. There are no visual indicators that this seat is properly connected. To release the carrier from the base, you pull the handle on the back of the carrier and then use both hands to lift it off the base.

LATCH Anchors and Manual Storage

The LATCH anchors clip into small pockets on each side of the base near the recline foot for storage. Depending on positioning, the straps from the anchors could potentially get in the way of installing the carrier on the base. It is probably best to tuck the trailing straps under the base to avoid a problem. The carrier also has a small stow pocket in the back for the manual.

Comfort/Quality

The Peg Perego earned an 8 of 10 for this metric, tying with Chicco Fit2.

The Peg earned one of the top marks for the comfort of the padding on the seat. It has a medium firmness foam padding over the stiff dense foam found on all the seats. The double layer padding made this a really comfortable seat and one we think babies will really feel cozy in. The fabric is soft and smooth on the majority of the seat with a little bit of rougher fabric on the bottom cushion.

The shell on the Peg earned it the highest score in our side-by-side comparison for quality and durability. The way the padding and the fabric attach to the shell makes a very nice final product.

Weight

The Peg earned a 6 of 10 for weight. It weighs in at 9.58 lbs. Given that some of the higher scoring products weigh over 10 lbs, this product feels relatively light.

While the carrier weight of any seat is important, we don't think it should be the most important thing parents consider. We recommend that parents use the weight as a deciding factor as opposed to a major factor. It is more important for parents that may be carrying their seat for longer distances.

Stroller Compatibility

In our review for the best full-size strollers, we tested many of the top strollers to find the best choices for every family. While this Peg seat is compatible with the Peg Perego Booklet, the Booklet didn't impress us that much. Instead, we think the Primo Viaggio 4-35 would work well with our Best Value winner, the Baby Jogger City Mini. It requires the purchase of an additional adapter and it utilizes a two-step process that includes straps. While not our favorite, it is one way to combine this seat with a stroller. Alternatively, you can skip the stroller and use a great hands-free baby carrier instead.

Manufacturer Video

Installation using LATCH:


Installation using a seatbelt:


Installation without using the base:

Accessories

The company Cozy Greens makes a Cozy Greens Back Seat Mirror that is a great accessory for keeping an eye on baby. The mirror has a flat base that rests against the front of the back seat headrest and secures with two adjustable straps that fit both horizontally and vertically. The mirror has a convex shatterproof surface and can pivot and adjust to provide a wider field of view. Once the mirror is adjusted, it can be tightened to keep it in place.

Peg Perego accessories include:

• The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Rain Cover keeps your baby sheltered from the rain and snow.

• The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Clima Cover is a temperature regulating microfiber seat cover designed to keep babies warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

• The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Igloo is a cover for winter weather. It has a weatherproof outer layer and an inner layer of down padding to keep baby toasty warm on cold days.

Other Versions

We also reviewed the Peg Perego Nido, an interesting seat that while nice and high scoring doesn't offer enough extras in our opinion to merit the higher price tag.