REASONS TO BUY
Super adjustable
Very roomy
Nice armrests
High-quality
REASONS TO AVOID
Back sort of floppy
Tricky belt routing
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle Plus 120 Review
While it has better crash test analysis, there are higher-ranking boosters that cost less
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Our Verdict
The Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle Plus 120 is an impressive booster seat with more adjustability than the competition. This high-ranking option includes some of the lowest combined crash test sensor data in the booster group, creating a seat we think could offer an additional margin of protection over the average seat. The Shuttle Plus 120 is a seat that grows with your child, including side wings that expand in width, a headrest/seatback that extends taller, and a back that is removable. We love the quality materials, the useful armrests, and the narrow width that makes buckling easier for passengers. This seat has a rigid LATCH connection, so it isn't free-floating in the car when a child is not on board, and it appreciates the ability to switch between high-back for everyday use and backless for travel and carpool. While the Shuttle Plus is more expensive than its competitors, we think it justifies its higher price with its better performance in most metrics. If your budget can afford it, we think you'll be pleased.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle Plus 120 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Booster Car Seat |  Easiest to Use Booster Seat |  Better Crash Test Booster Car Seat on a Budget | Best Budget High Back Booster Car Seat | |
| Price | $300 List $299.99 at Amazon | $250 List | $300 List $294.99 at Amazon | $180 List $179.99 at Amazon | $160 List $159.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Impressive crash test results make it appealing, but the price is higher than better-scoring options | Better crash test analysis results paired with a reasonable price and higher rank in all metrics make a seat great for most families | This booster offers better crash test analysis results and performs well in all metrics, making it a favorite among testers | 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 |
| Rating Categories | Peg Perego Viaggio... | Nuna AACE | Peg Perego Viaggio... | UPPAbaby Alta v2 | Chicco KidFit Zip A... |
| Crash Test (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight/Size (15%) | |||||
| Comfort (15%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Peg Perego Viaggio... | Nuna AACE | Peg Perego Viaggio... | UPPAbaby Alta v2 | Chicco KidFit Zip A... |
| Modes | High Back Booster | High Back Booster | High Back Booster | High Back Booster | High Back Booster, Backless Booster |
| High Back Booster Weight Range | 40-120 lb | 40-110 lb | 40-120 lb | 40-100 lb | 40-110 lb |
| High Back Booster Height Range | 39-63 in | 38-60 in | 39-63 in | 38-57 in | 38-57 in |
| Width | 16.0 in | 16.0 in | 16.3 in | 15.5 in | 18.2 in |
| Weight | 16.4 lb | 15.9lb | 15.7 lb | 17lb | 11.8 lb |
| Backless Booster Weight Range | Not Mentioned | 50-120lb | N/A | N/A | 40-110 lb |
| Backless Booster Height Range | Not Mentioned | 38-60 in | N/A | N/A | 38-58 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 | Yes |
| Recline Positions | Many | 2 | 5 | None | 2 |
| Foam Type | EPS | EPS | EPS | EPS + EPP | EPS |
| Seat Lifespan | 12 Years | 10 Years | 12 Years | 10 Years | 8 Years |
| Aircraft Certified | No | No | No | No | No |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Peg Perego has been in business since 1949, launching the company with a baby carriage. The company continued to grow through the 1960s, offering new strollers and high chairs. In the 1970s, they started making children's ride-on toys and smaller travel style strollers. The 1980s ushered in the era of the Pilkp stroller and 12-volt ride-ons. Peg Perego makes car seats, including convertible car seat options,impressive infant car seats, and compelling booster car seats.
Performance Comparison
The Shuttle Plus earned better than average crash test analysis results in our tests.
Credit: MGA Research
Crash Test
The Shuttle Plus 120 earned one of the best results in the booster group for our crash test analysis metric.
We commission professional crash testing through MGA with a test that is slightly faster and a more modern sled than the federal guidelines require. Our goal is to determine if any of the boosters stand out and could potentially offer an additional margin of protection over the average seat. As all of the boosters in this review are assumed to pass the federal guidelines, they are all considered safe.
The sensor data collected for the Shuttle Plus 120 showed fewer G-forces than many competitors. It has some of the lowest combined results for both the HIC and chest clip sensors in a competition where lower is better. We think these results indicate it could offer a margin of protection over most of the competitors in this review.
The LATCH connectors on the Shuttle Plus release is located under the seat bottom cushion. The rigid design is easy to push onto the vehicle LATCH anchors.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ease of Use
The Peg is one of the easier-to-use boosters in the group. It has more features and adjustments than several competitors, but it still manages to be straightforward and function in a predictable way.
The LATCH connectors on the shuttle Plus are easy to release.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Our test model had no problem connecting the vehicle buckle. While the width of the seat bottom is reasonable, the armrests and cup holder can get in the way. However, with some practice, it was not hard to accomplish with the model in the seat.
Even the armrests and cup holder on the Shuttle Plus didn't interfere with the ability to buckle in.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The headrest moves up for the child's height and to ensure the belt is aligned properly. Threading the belt in the shoulder positioner is easy, but it does take some concentration to slide it around the curve. it might be hard for younger passengers, but it can also stay in the positioner between uses to threading. It is not an everyday occurrence.
The Shuttle has rigid LATCH connectors that work well and are easy to apply. We love that the booster stays in place, even when a child is not in the seat. The Peg has two handles, one at the back of the headrest and one closer to the seat bottom. We aren't a big fan of the way the back flops around when you carry it, but it is a small price to pay for the adjustability, and you likely wouldn't be carrying it far or for very long.
Our water bottle barely fits in the cup holder on the Shuttle Plus, and you might need a narrower bottle better suited for regular use.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The cup holder is well-made, stays in place, and is within reach of older children, but our Thermos kid's water bottle didn't fit, and younger passengers might not find it as useful. It comes with one cup holder but you can purchase another if you need it.
The Shuttle Plus is fairly narrow at 16 inches at the widest point.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Weight and Size
The Shuttle Plus is neither lightweight nor narrow. It is narrower than many competitors, with a width of 16 inches.
The Shuttle Plus is relatively narrow near the place where the seat belt ties into the buckle.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The width can be a consideration depending on how many seats or people you need to fit in a single row, but it is also a consideration because when a booster is too wide, it can be challenging to buckle the vehicle belt in place.
The Shuttle Plus is somewhat heavy, with a weight of 16.4 lbs only a handful of competitors weigh more.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Peg's weight in full back mode is 16.4 lbs, heavier than most competitors. This is important if you need to move the seat frequently or carry it any distance. However, it might not be a huge factor in your buying decision if it is going to sit in your car unmoved most of the time or shift from one car to another nearby.
The Shuttle Plus back is removable to create an easy-to-carry and transport backless booster for travel or carpooling.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
If you need to take this booster on travel, the back is removable, creating a significantly smaller and lighter booster you can carry or stow in more places.
While we prefer a high-backed booster for everyday use, it is nice that the Shuttle Plus is versatile in this way for occasional carpooling or traveling.
The wings on the Shuttle Plus offer additional support and comfort.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Comfort
The Plus 120 is one of the more comfortable boosters and should be on your shortlist if you worry about chronic complaints from kids in boosters.
The seat has firm padding, and while more comfortable than those with primarily hard plastic with fabric over it, our kid tester felt it was bumpy but still gave it higher praise than others.
The Shuttle Plus does not have much padding in the seating area, like many of the competitors.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
This is another two fabric seat with a thicker and more durable fabric in the bottom area where most of the wear and tear will happen. The fabric in the middle is softer with armrests that almost feel slippery. While none of the materials are the softest in the group, they are not uncomfortable, even when rubbing on cheeks.
The headrest is well-cushioned and soft enough for napping. Curiously, Peg chose to use the rougher fabric in the headrest than the midsection. While it wouldn't have been our choice, we wouldn't count it out for this reason.
The components of the Shuttle Plus work well, and the materials feel durable and solid.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Quality
The Shuttle Plus 120 is a higher quality option compared to the competition. This Peg earned one of the higher scores in our testing for quality.
The fabric on the Shuttle is soft enough and feels durable. While not the softest option in the group, the head area is softer and doesn't feel like it would chafe. The padding is firm and supportive in the set area, with softer padding around the headrest area but minimal padding in the back. This is pretty standard in the high-backed booster arena.
Due to the adjustability on the back and wings of the Shuttle, the shell feels sort of flimsy. The padding is minimal, and the ability to move in and out to suit the size of the passenger leaves it feeling less substantial than those that do not adjust. That said, it doesn't seem to affect performance or our belief that it will be a durable choice over time.
The Shuttle Plus is a great choice for those who favor adjustability, customization, and better crash test results.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the Peg Perego Viaggio Shuttle Plus 120?
While the Plus 120 did not win an award, it is a higher-ranked high-back booster that performed well in our tests. This Peg earned impressive results for crash test analysis and is easy to use, making it a compelling option for many parents. If you need adjustability for your child or want reclining options with armrests and your budget is bigger, then the Plus 120 might be for you. There is nothing wrong with this seat. However, there are lower-priced choices where at least one earned a better crash test analysis result and offered better comfort and quality in our tests.
What Other Booster Seat Should You Consider?
We think the Nuna AACE is the booster for most families who can afford the mid-range price. This booster earned one of the group's highest crash test analysis results. It is easy to use and has impressive comfort and quality. While it is a bigger and heavier seat, we think the savings are worth the size and believe most parents will be grateful for the better crash test score. If budget is a top priority, the UPPAbaby Alta v2 is a possible contender with crash test results slightly lower than the Peg and a price tag lower by over a hundred dollars. The Alta v2 is one of the easiest to use in our tests and provides better quality with a similar comfort level.
—Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz
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