REASONS TO BUY
Great 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
Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 Review
This good-looking seat offers better crash test results, LATCH installation, lots of adjustability, and impressive performance across metrics
The Viaggio Flex earned some of the best crash test analysis scores in our review.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Peg Perego Viaggio Flex 120 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Easiest to Use Booster Seat |  Best Overall Booster Car Seat |  Better Crash Test Booster Car Seat on a Budget | Best Budget High Back Booster Car Seat | Best Booster for Travel and Carpooling |
| Price | $300 List $294.99 at Amazon | $250 List | $180 List $179.99 at Amazon | $160 List $159.99 at Amazon | $40 List $37.98 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This booster offers better crash test analysis results and performs well in all metrics, making it a favorite among testers | Better crash test analysis results paired with a reasonable price and higher rank in all metrics make a seat great for most families | The better than average crash test analysis make the easy to use and budget seat worthy of consideration | 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 average crash results make it less appealing as an all-the-time booster |
| Rating Categories | Peg Perego Viaggio... | Nuna AACE | UPPAbaby Alta v2 | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | BubbleBum |
| Crash Test (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight/Size (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Peg Perego Viaggio... | Nuna AACE | UPPAbaby Alta v2 | Chicco KidFit Zip A... | BubbleBum |
| Modes | High Back Booster | High Back Booster | High Back Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster | Backless Booster |
| High Back Booster Weight Range | 40-120 lb | 40-110 lb | 40-100 lb | 40-110 lb | N/A |
| High Back Booster Height Range | 39-63 in | 38-60 in | 38-57 in | 38-57 in | N/A |
| Width | 16.3 in | 16.0 in | 15.5 in | 18.2 in | 11.3 in |
| Weight | 15.7 lb | 15.9lb | 17lb | 11.8 lb | 0.9 lb |
| Backless Booster Weight Range | N/A | 50-120lb | N/A | 40-110 lb | 40-100 lb |
| Backless Booster Height Range | N/A | 38-60 in | N/A | 38-58 in | 40-57 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 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Recline Positions | 5 | 2 | None | 2 | N/A |
| Foam Type | EPS | EPS | EPS + EPP | EPS | None |
| Seat Lifespan | 12 Years | 10 Years | 10 Years | 8 Years | 4 Years from purchase date |
| Aircraft Certified | No | No | No | No | No |
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 infant car seats, 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 higher 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 relatively impressive and when combined, they created a booster we'd recommend for those looking for better 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.
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.
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, it measures 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.
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.
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 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.
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 your goal is the best crash test analysis results, the Nuna AACE is the one you should consider. This booster is less expensive than the Peg and offers better-quality materials. While it is also somewhat heavier, the ease of use is comparable. If the Peg and Nuna prices are 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
You Might Also Like
