In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible Review

Nice quality option that is easy to use but the competition is hard to keep up with
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peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $350 List
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Manufacturer:   Peg Perego
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team  ⋅  Dec 21, 2021
67
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#8 of 17
  • Crash Test - 35% 5.0
  • Ease Of Install - LATCH - 20% 8.4
  • Ease Of Install - Belt - 15% 7.8
  • Ease Of Use - 15% 6.9
  • Comfort / Quality - 10% 7.6
  • Weight / Size - 5% 5.5

The Skinny

The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible seat is almost as impressive as its brother the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 infant car seat, but it misses the mark with this stiff top-ranking convertible car seat competition. It is a nice seat that scored well for quality, comfort, and ease of use, and it installs easily using LATCH or the vehicle belt. This Peg has a nice design with storage for components and a smooth-looking fit and finish. However, it failed to meet the high scores found in the best car seats we've tested and paled in comparison.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to install
Nicely put together
Non-rethread harness
REASONS TO AVOID
Basic crash test results
Higher price
Editor's Note: An update of the Peg Perego occurred on December 21, 2021, to provide additional sections with information to help parents make a final buying decision based on the testing details.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Best Value Award Editors' Choice Award   
Price $350 ListCheck Price at Amazon$235 List
$234.99 at Amazon
$230 List$220 List
$219.97 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Pros Easy to install, nicely put together, non-rethread harnessGreat crash test results, easy to use, attractive price, lighterBest crash test results, rear-facing till 50 lbs, pricePrice, easy to use, best head sensor crash testPrice, easy LATCH installation, easier to use
Cons Basic crash test results, higher priceHarder to install using the vehicle beltNot the best quality, harder belt installationLess padding, somewhat harder to install using vehicle beltAverage crash result analysis
Bottom Line Nice quality option that is easy to use but the competition is hard to keep up withA lightweight, easy to use seat with excellent crash test result and priceBest crash test results on a budget-friendly seat that lets little ones sit rear-facing for longerBetter crash test results make this easy to use, inexpensive seat a winnerSlightly better than an average seat with no real standout features
Rating Categories Peg Perego Primo Vi... Britax Emblem Graco Extend2Fit Britax Allegiance Graco SlimFit All-i...
Crash Test (35%)
5.0
8.0
8.5
8.0
6.0
Ease Of Install - LATCH (20%)
8.4
7.2
6.6
7.2
7.9
Ease Of Install - Belt (15%)
7.8
6.0
7.0
6.0
6.6
Ease Of Use (15%)
6.9
7.6
7.3
7.6
7.4
Comfort / Quality (10%)
7.6
7.4
5.8
6.8
5.8
Weight / Size (5%)
5.5
5.5
5.0
5.5
5.0
Specs Peg Perego Primo Vi... Britax Emblem Graco Extend2Fit Britax Allegiance Graco SlimFit All-i...
Crash Test HIC Score 353.9 218 214 186 320
Crash Test Chest G Clip 44.8 42 40 43 43
Min/Max Rear Facing Passenger Weight 5 - 45 lbs 5 - 40 lbs 4 - 50 lbs 5 - 40 lbs 5 - 40 lbs
Min/Max Forward Facing Passenger Weight 22 - 65 lbs 20 - 65 lbs 22 - 64 lbs 20 - 65 lbs 22 - 65 lbs
Max Rear Facing Passenger Height Child's head must fit with the head rest at or below position 7. Child's head must be at least 1 in. below the top of the head restraint Child's head must be at least 1 in. below the top of the head restraint Child's head must be at least 1 in. below the top of the head restraint 40" and the child's head must be at least 1 in. below the top of the child restraint.
Max Forward Facing Passenger Height 49" 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the head restraint. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the seat shell. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the head restraint. 49" and the child's ears must be below the top of the seat shell.
Measured Rear Facing Seat Weight 21.5 lbs 18.8 lbs 18.7 lbs 18.5 lbs 18.6 lbs
Measured Forward Facing Seat Weight 21.3 lbs 18.8 lbs 18.7 lbs 18.5 lbs 18.6 lbs
Width 18.25" 18.9" 19.6" 18.8" 19"
Recline Positions 1 Rear Facing
1 Forward Facing
1 Rear Facing
2 Forward Facing
4 Rear Facing
3 Forward Facing
1 Rear Facing
2 Forward Facing
4 Total
2 Rear Facing
2 Forward Facing
1 Booster
Max Recline Angle 51° 42° 51° 42° °
Shoulder Harness Positions 10 10 10 10 10
Crotch Strap Positions 2 2 2 2 3
Built in Lock Off No Yes No Yes No
Anti-rebound Device No No No No No
Head Support Yes No No No No
Newborn Insert Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
No Rethread Harness Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Onboard Manual Storage Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Level Indicator On Seat Line on Decal Line on Decal Ball in Tube. Line on Decal Ball in Tube.
Foam Type EPS EPP EPS EPP EPS
Seat Lifespan 7 yrs 7 7 yrs 7 10 yrs
Warranty 2 Years 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year

Our Analysis and Test Results

Peg Perego is an Italian company that makes a variety of baby products, including car seats across all categories, strollers, a high chair in our best high chairs review, and ride-on toys. They are known for their attention to quality and detail. The Perego family started the company in 1949 and takes pride in being part of the entire process, from design and development to production.

Performance Comparison



peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - this peg seat uses eps foam for energy absorption during a crash
This Peg seat uses EPS foam for energy absorption during a crash
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Crash Test


The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio crash test data indicates that it meets the Federal Minimum guidelines for safety as defined in the FMVSS 213. In crash tests designed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) specifications, this seat was below the maximum limit for both the head and chest sensor data during testing. All of the products in this review meet or exceed the guidelines and are therefore considered safe according to the standard. However, the Peg results show sensor data that is higher than some of the competition and, therefore, does not offer an additional margin of safety over seven of the competing products in this review.

The charts shown below include the crash test data results for the head and chest sensors located in the crash test dummy from the Peg Perego (shown in black). The test data for the products with the least G-forces for each sensor show a comparison.

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - the essentials by britax allegiance earned the best results for the...
The Essentials by Britax Allegiance earned the best results for the HIC sensor with a 186 compared to the Primo result of 353.9 where the lower number is better.
Credit: BabyGearLab, MGA Research
peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review
Credit: BabyGearLab, MGA Research

The sensor in the head portion of the Britax Allegiance test dummy has the lowest recorded G-forces. The Clek Foonf has the least amount of G-forces in the dummy's chest sensor than all the other seats that were tested (in green).

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - we liked that the latch system on the peg has a tightening strap on...
We liked that the LATCH system on the Peg has a tightening strap on both sides as opposed to one. This made it easier to tighten and secure the seat properly
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Install - LATCH


Peg earned an 8 of 10 for ease of installation using the LATCH system.

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - the level indicator on the primo is a line on the side of the seat...
The level indicator on the Primo is a line on the side of the seat that should be parallel with the ground when installed correctly
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Utilizing the LATCH should be easier than installing with the vehicle belt. For the most part, testers felt it was equally easy to install rear-facing as it is front, but at least one tester had difficulty installing the seat rear-facing in a Subaru Outback. The seat didn't feel very stable in the rear-facing position, even though we had the straps so tight we could barely get them unbuckled. It almost needs a towel under the base to get a proper angle in most of the vehicles we tested, but then the towel gets in the way of the anchors. We liked that there are dual tightening straps instead of the more common one-side strap. Overall the stability of the seat and our ability to install it securely was better than average with this seat.

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - rear facing installation with the peg is simple with an easy to...
Rear facing installation with the Peg is simple with an easy to follow belt path
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Install - Belt


The Peg earned an equal score for belt installation as it did for LATCH, which is pretty impressive given that the LATCH should be easier than the belt.

The belt lock off on the Perego is easy enough to use, but we had at...
The belt lock off on the Perego is easy enough to use, but we had at least one vehicle belt that had a button right where we wanted to close it in the lock offf
Larger hands might have trouble following the belt through the rear...
Larger hands might have trouble following the belt through the rear facing path on the Peg, but this is a common problem many seats shared

The belt path for the forward-facing configuration (above left) varies compared to the rear-facing configuration (above right) for the Peg.

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - the recline adjustment handle on the peg is under the seat bottom...
The recline adjustment handle on the Peg is under the seat bottom and very difficult to access after the seat is installed rear facing. Adjustments should be made prior to installation
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Peg does not have a belt lock-off as much as it has a positioning/stabilizing clip on the sides of the seat. The clip where the buckle inserts into the vehicle is the only one you use, and we had some difficulty with the plastic button on the seatbelt crossing in the same path as the clip making the clip hard to close. The belt path for forward and rear-facing are easy to follow, and hands of almost any size can thread the belt. The recline adjustment is in the front of the seat near the foot and is hard to access with a rear-facing installation. In general, we could get a stable installation using the belt in both the rear and forward-facing positions.

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - the perego chest/retainer clip is easier to use than the buckle...
The Perego chest/retainer clip is easier to use than the buckle, which we found to be stiff and hard to depress
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Perego earned an above-average score in the ease of use section with features that compare favorably to the competition.

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - the perego is one of the few seats to offer a harness holding system...
The Perego is one of the few seats to offer a harness holding system that is supposed to make it easier to get baby in the seat. While this is probably the most useful of the bunch, none of them were that impressive or really very useful
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Harness


The buckle on the Peg isn't the best of the bunch and is similar in ease of use to about half the other buckles. The chest clip is easier to use and didn't have any issues.

The harness height adjustment on the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio has an...
The harness height adjustment on the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio has an easy pull tab to operate with no rethreading of straps necessary. This is one of the easiest adjustment options in the review.
The Harness release button on the Peg PErego is hidden under padding...
The Harness release button on the Peg PErego is hidden under padding and fabric, and is deeper down than most of the competition

This Peg seat has a non-rethread harness height mechanism in the moveable headrest. The headrest shoulder straps smoothly slide when you pull the tab at the top. The harness has ten different options for height adjustment, and the crotch strap has one position. This type of design is one of the easiest in the group. We appreciate that it can be adjusted on the go while the baby is still in the seat. Tightening and loosening the harness is also easy with the tightened strap and loosen button located near the foot of the base.

The LATCH clips on the Peg click into a storage pocket where they...
The LATCH clips on the Peg click into a storage pocket where they attach and can't come loose without pressing the release button. The extra strap can be rolled and tucked inside as well
The excess tether strap on the Peg is stored in the top pocket on...
The excess tether strap on the Peg is stored in the top pocket on the back of the seat. A plastic door ensures the strap cannot escape unless you want it too

LATCH Storage


Storage for the LATCH anchors is better than much of the competition. While this feature isn't as crucial on convertible seats as it is on infant bases where the straps could cause trouble installing the carriers, it is still nice to be able to store the anchors out of the way and in a safe location. The clips attach under the seat on the top of the base, and the tether strap stows away in a hard case on the back.

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - the user manual for the peg perego fits in a designated storage...
The user manual for the Peg Perego fits in a designated storage pocket with a clear door that is easy to use and well placed. It is highly unlikely that the book with be damaged or lost with this storage method
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Cover


Removal of this fabric is more convoluted than some products, given the adjustable headrest contraption but still manageable. The cover fabric is machine washable (woohoo!), but it should be air-dried.

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - the peg perego cover and padding envelope the seat and curl around...
The Peg Perego cover and padding envelope the seat and curl around the shell and frame for an overall nice fit and finish.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Comfort/Quality


This Perego offers high-quality materials brought together in a manner comfortable for little passengers. The fabric wraps around the bottom and edges of the shell and is smooth enough to wipe clean. The infant insert and fabric around the head are both textured and seemed like they would be more absorbent than most of the fabric on the seat. The fabric is not particularly soft or comfortable, but it feels like quality fabric that should stand the test of time. The padding is firm and thick enough over the hard plastic shell that you can't feel bumps or grooves on the seat. It isn't a lot of padding, but it is enough to avoid obvious discomfort.

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - the shell back on the peg is fairly contained. while not smooth, it...
The shell back on the Peg is fairly contained. While not smooth, it does have pockets and cubbies for everything so nothing is left "out" or in the way
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This seat is one of the rare in the group that is self-contained and smooth. This design will make it easy to keep clean and avoid the collection of crud in the small spaces and grooves found on most of the seatbacks. The LATCH anchor storage is also very tidy, and the tether strap has a storage box where it hides, and there is even a slot on the back for the user manual.

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - the bottom of the perego is smooth and does not have any rough or...
The bottom of the Perego is smooth and does not have any rough or sharp edges that could potentially damage vehicle seats
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This seat's overall fit and finish are partly to credit for the Peg's good showing in this metric. The fabric fits precisely over the frame and conceals the edges of the seat. The plastic frame feels sturdier than most of the competition with plastic-only shells/frames. It has nice rounded edges, and apart from two holes, the bottom is entirely enclosed and flat. This surface means a significantly smaller chance of this product causing damage to your vehicle.

peg perego primo viaggio convertible convertible car seat review - the peg comes with an infant insert the maintains its shape even...
The peg comes with an infant insert the maintains its shape even without baby in the seat. It also add additional padding for a more comfortable ride
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight


The Primo convertible is about 21 lbs. This weight makes it one of the heavier options in the group. If you live in the city or plan to take your seat on travel, then the overall weight might factor into your decision on what to purchase. Alternatively, depending on your vehicle or number of children, you might be more interested in how much space the seat takes up in your vehicle and whether or not you can fit 2-3 across or have space for another person to sit between two seats. The Peg is 18.25 inches at its widest point, making it one of the narrowest seats in the review. The combined weight and width measurements give it a 6 of 10 for weight and size.

Should You Buy the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Convertible?


We understand why parents might be attracted to the Peg Perego convertible seat. It is a nice, self-contained, sleek-looking seat with comfortable padding and quality materials. It is easy to use and sports a non-rethread harness height adjustment. However, it only earned an average overall score in our tests, and the crash test analysis is average. Given the higher than average price, we think parents and babies deserve more bang for their buck. While we can bet that most families would be happy with this purchase, we believe there are smarter choices in the group no matter what your safety seat priorities might be.

What Other Convertible Car Seat Should You Consider?


If you like the Peg's quality or additional comfort features, you might consider the Nuna RAVA with its additional features for passengers. However, the Rava is one of the more expensive options in the group and might not be a good choice for those without the budget to play with. If that is the case, we love the Graco Extend2Fit and its impressive crash test analysis results and impressively low price tag. If you have concerns bout installation, the Britax Boulevard ClickTight ARB is an almost fool-proof car seat with an installation that earned top scores for every style in our tests. If you want a good quality seat with a name people love, the Britax Emblem gives you a high-scoring seat with an impressive price tag and better than average scores for most metrics.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team
 

Honest, objective reviews. Led by a Pediatrician.

BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.

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