Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 Review
Our Verdict
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This Product
Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 | |||||
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Awards | Best Crash Test Booster | Best Booster for Most | Best Booster for Travel and Carpooling | 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 | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | This booster offers the best crash test analysis results and performs well in all metrics making it a favorite among testers | Great choice for most families with better crash testing analysis, easy installation, and cozy seating for kids | Great for travel and carpooling, but the quality and crash results make it less appealing as an all-the-time booster | A comfy headrest and good crash test results make this lightweight choice an option that won't break the bank | This 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%) | |||||
Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
Weight/Size (15%) | |||||
Comfort (15%) | |||||
Quality (10%) | |||||
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.