In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 Review

This good-looking seat offers the best crash test results, LATCH installation, lots of adjustability, and impressive performance across metrics
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Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 Review (The Viaggio Flex earned some of the best crash test analysis scores in our review.)
The Viaggio Flex earned some of the best crash test analysis scores in our review.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $300 List
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Manufacturer:   Peg Perego
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Jan 26, 2024
83
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 14
  • Crash Test - 35% 8.7
  • Ease of Use - 25% 9.0
  • Weight/Size - 15% 6.9
  • Comfort - 15% 8.0
  • Quality - 10% 7.5

Our Verdict

The Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 is a stellar favorite booster seat from our review. This high-backed, sleek-looking booster seat has so much to love. With some of the best crash test scores in the group, it will be the shoo-in winner for parents who want the safest thing, and money is no object. It offers more adjustability than some of the competition and can accommodate different-sized children more easily with height and width adjustability. This booster has a folding feature for transportation and it installs using LATCH to avoid the floating seat when little ones are not using it. This seat is one of the more expensive choices, which could make it a no-go for some. It also lacks an armrest and cannot be converted to a backless booster for travel. However, despite these minor hiccups, we think many families will find it hits the sweet spot of all their goals if their budget allows.
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent crash test scores
Lots of adjustability
Easy-to-install LATCH
Folds for transporting
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
No armrests
Cup holders lack bottom
High-back only
Editor's Note: We update the Flex 120 on January 26, 2024, as part of a completely new lineup and testing of booster seats.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Crash Test Booster
Editors' Choice Award
Best Booster for Most
Top Pick Award
Best Booster for Travel and Carpooling
Best Value Award
Best Booster on a Budget
 
Price $300 List
$299.99 at Amazon
$160 List
$159.99 at Amazon
$40 List
$37.98 at Amazon
$120 List
$79.99 at Amazon
$29 List
$20.49 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This booster offers the best crash test analysis results and performs well in all metrics making it a favorite among testersGreat choice for most families with better crash testing analysis, easy installation, and cozy seating for kidsGreat for travel and carpooling, but the quality and crash results make it less appealing as an all-the-time boosterA comfy headrest and good crash test results make this lightweight choice an option that won't break the bankThis basic booster offers disappointing results in most metrics, including crash test analysis, making the low price less appealing
Rating Categories Peg Perego Viaggio... Chicco KidFit Zip A... BubbleBum Diono Cambria 2 Graco TurboBooster...
Crash Test (35%)
8.7
8.2
6.5
8.0
5.3
Ease of Use (25%)
9.0
8.3
8.0
5.1
7.5
Weight/Size (15%)
6.9
6.5
10.0
5.9
7.9
Comfort (15%)
8.0
7.3
4.4
6.1
3.2
Quality (10%)
7.5
8.0
3.5
4.0
3.5
Specs Peg Perego Viaggio... Chicco KidFit Zip A... BubbleBum Diono Cambria 2 Graco TurboBooster...
Modes High Back Booster High Back Booster, Backless Booster Backless Booster High Back Booster, Backless Booster Backless Booster
High Back Booster Weight Range 40-120 lb 40-110 lb N/A 40-120 lb N/A
High Back Booster Height Range 39-63 in 38-57 in N/A 38-63 in N/A
Width 16.3 in 18.2 in 11.3 in 19.9 in 16.3 in
Weight 15.7 lb 11.8 lb 0.9 lb 12.0 lb 4.5 lb
Backless Booster Height Range N/A 38-58 in 40-57 in 38-63 in 43-57 in
5 Point Harness Weight Range N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
5 Point Height Range N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
LATCH Equipped Yes Yes No Yes No
#REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF! #REF!
Recline Positions 5 2 N/A None N/A
Foam Type EPS EPS None None None
Seat Lifespan 12 Years 8 Years 4 Years from purchase date 8 Years 10 Years
Aircraft Certified

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Peg Perego Company started in 1949 with a baby carriage. The 60s saw the growth of various strollers and a top-ranked high chair. The 70s included a top-ranked travel stroller and ride-on toys for children. The 80s saw Pilko strollers and the 12-volt two-cell battery ride-ons. Peg Perego strives to create innovative products that make life easier. They also make car seats, including best infant car seats, best convertible car seats, and boosters.

Performance Comparison



In our commissioned crash testing through MGA Research, the Peg Perego performed well with lower G-Forces recorded in the HIC and chest clip sensors of the test dummy than much of the competition.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research

Crash Test


The Peg Perego offers some of the best crash test results in the group, leading to one of the highest analysis results in this lineup.


All of the boosters are considered safe and have passed the federal guidelines, but we ran our commissioned tests faster and using a different sled than the federal standard. We hoped to identify boosters that potentially offer an additional margin of safety. We believe the Peg is one of these boosters.

The graph depicts the Peg Perego sensor data from the HIC head...
The graph depicts the Peg Perego sensor data from the HIC head sensor on the crash test dummy used in our commissioned crash tests.
The Peg Perego has some of the lowest sensor data for the chest clip...
The Peg Perego has some of the lowest sensor data for the chest clip score in the group from our commissioned crash tests.

This booster had some of the lowest-recorded G-forces in the group for the HIC (head sensor) and chest clip sensor. Both were impressive, and combined, they created a booster we'd recommend to anyone looking for the best crash test performance.

The rigid LATCH connectors on the Peg Perego pop out easily for a quick installation.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Peg Perego earned one of the highest ease of use scores in the group, with an impressive showing in this metric. This option was super easy for a child tester to buckle themselves into.


It has a narrow seat bottom and no armrests to get in the way of buckling up. The shoulder guide requires a little bit of finesse, but it also didn't accidentally fall out, so we will take it. The shoulder belt sits in a nice position and the lack of arm rest ended up with less lap belt shifting. The seat itself has loads of adjustability, including the torso/sides moving in and out and the headrest moving up and down.

With no arm rests on the Peg to work around, our tester had no...
With no arm rests on the Peg to work around, our tester had no trouble buckling the belt.
The shoulder positioner on the Peg places the belt in a comfortable...
The shoulder positioner on the Peg places the belt in a comfortable position that is not too close to the passenger's neck.

The lack of armrests helps make this option narrower and easier to maneuver. It has useful handles, and it folds in half for carrying. These features make it easier to maneuver in general.

Removing the Peg Perego from the LATCH anchors is an easy and straightforward process.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The bottom has a handle to pop out rigid LATCH connectors. We like that they pop out and don't require pulling or adjusting. They have a color indicator that reassures the user that the connection with the anchors has been made correctly. It has an intuitive recline adjustment that works well.

The Peg's cup holders flip out from the base and are a basic ring with no bottom. While not our favorite design, they did work well and the design will not collect as mush gunk as the closed competitors.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This option has two cup holders with open bottoms. The bottom being open reduces how fast the holders collect gunk, and the water bottle bottom rests easily on the car seat. This design worked well with our kid's water bottle, but it might not work well for shorter cups that can't touch the seat.

peg perego viaggio flex 120 - the peg folds in half, making it somewhat easier to carry than the...
The Peg folds in half, making it somewhat easier to carry than the seats that are more cumbersome and unwieldy.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight and Size


The Peg is narrow, but it is heavier than the average option in our group, with a weight of 15.7 lbs. While not prohibitive for moving from car to car in the same parking lot, it is likely too much for holding in line at TSA or making a kid carry for after-school pickup.


Its width is narrow for the group, however, perhaps in part due to the lack of armrests, measuring 16.3 inches at its widest point.

The Peg is more adjustable than much of the competition with two back height adjustments and side wing expansion.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Comfort


The Peg is one of the most comfortable options in this test group, which says a lot since it doesn't even come with armrests. When you sit on this booster, your whole body will relax.


The cushioning is nice, and you can feel the difference between it and most of the competition. It is both giving and supportive in all the right places. It is almost as if someone considered how a passenger would feel riding in it.

The Peg has adjustable side wings, which makes it a great contender for children of various sizes.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

There is also more adjustability in this seat with side supports that can be moved out and in in addition to the headrest moving up and down. Both features make this a good option for kids of varying sizes. This option also has back padding, which is oddly not a given in this category of safety seats.

peg perego viaggio flex 120 - the peg's headrest and shoulder positioner are height adjustable...
The Peg's headrest and shoulder positioner are height adjustable, and it moves smoothly.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The fabric is smooth and feels good on the face, and we think kids will agree. The headrest is snug to the back shell, and the sides are close to the head so that napping is comfortable and intuitive.

peg perego viaggio flex 120 - compared to the competition the peg has a thoughtful design and the...
Compared to the competition the Peg has a thoughtful design and the materials come together well with a polished fit and finish.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


Given the higher price, it is good that the Peg has a higher-than-average performance for quality.


The padding offers resistance that indicates support but gives enough for comfort and to avoid pressure points. There is slightly more padding in the seating area than average, and the thickness extends to the torso “wings” and back.

The lack of armrest on the Peg appears to be deliberate choice that...
The lack of armrest on the Peg appears to be deliberate choice that makes it both easier to use and brings the cup holder closer to smaller passengers.
The materials and adjustability bring to mind an attention to detail...
The materials and adjustability bring to mind an attention to detail that creates a higher quality seat than much of the competition.

The cover tucks in for a sleek and finished look that is tight to the shell and padding. The racing strip gives it a high-end look. The seat feels svelt and not bulky and we appreciate the adjustable features we didn't see elsewhere. It is not all plastic, and that means a lot in a category where many are flimsy plastic everywhere. It has no armrests, which is a choice, but our tester didn't seem to mind, and the lack of them might be good for larger children.

peg perego viaggio flex 120 - both grownups and kids enjoyed the peg perego, and it excelled in...
Both grownups and kids enjoyed the Peg Perego, and it excelled in most metrics including earning one of the highest crash test analysis scores.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Viaggio Flex 120?


Yes, perhaps. While we love this seat and its impressive crash test results, it might not be the option for all families. The Peg is a comfortable seat with impressive adjustability. It is easy to use and has features for both parents and passengers to swoon over. We suspect most families will love everything about this high-ranking booster seat and think it is one for most families to consider. However, this is a higher-priced option, and the price could be a deal-breaker for some families, making it a potential no-go for those with smaller budgets.

What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?


If the Peg price is out of bounds for you, the Chicco KidFit Zip Air Plus 2-in-1 is an impressive alternative that is nothing to sneeze at. This Chicco earned similar scores in most metrics to the Peg but has a price that is almost half that. We love the higher crash test score and the overall comfort and ease of use, and we think many kids will swoon over the leg lounger padding. While the price might be half, you get so much more, and we think most families will be just as pleased with the Chicco and the extra money in their pocket as they would be with the Peg Perego.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz