In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido Review

Better scores in crash tests with lots of comfort padding, but the headrest fabric and LATCH are a disappointment for the price
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Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $350 List
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Manufacturer:   Peg Perego
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz  ⋅  Oct 20, 2023
68
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 14
  • Crash Test - 40% 8.4
  • Ease of Install - LATCH - 20% 5.8
  • Ease of Install - Belt - 10% 5.5
  • Ease of Install - w/o Base - 5% 7.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 5.5
  • Comfort/Quality - 5% 4.5
  • Weight/Size - 5% 6.8

Our Verdict

The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido is a higher-end Peg seat with a load leg and a nod to comfort and quality. We like the better crash test results compared to the competition, and it has easy belt threading for certain types of installation. Unfortunately, it has a harder-to-use LATCH install than we prefer, and the fabric is itchy on the headrest and infant insert. Given the higher price compared to competitors, it would be nice if the features were easier to use and the design gave somewhat more consideration to everyday functionality. While it isn't a bad seat and is the recommended infant car seat if you want to pair it with a Peg Perego stroller, we think there are better seats in this review for most families.
REASONS TO BUY
Better crash test results
Lots of padding
Canopy/handle perfection
Easy belt threading
REASONS TO AVOID
Harder to install LATCH
Difficult buckle
Itchy fabric headrest/insert
Editor's Note: We updated this gear review on October 1, 2023, with a complete reset of 17 infant car seats purchased and tested, including new crash testing. On October 20, 2023, we had another update to remove discontinued seats.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Crash Test Analysis Infant Car Seat
Editors' Choice Award
Best Car Seat with High Stroller Compatiblity
Top Pick Award
Best Infant Car Seat for Quality & Comfort
Best Value Award
Best Crash Test on the Tightest Budget
Price $350 List
$319.99 at Amazon
$480 List
$479.99 at Amazon
$270 List
$229.99 at Amazon
$430 List
$429.99 at Amazon
$120 List
$119.00 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A hard-to-use LATCH and rougher fabric make this better crash test performer a disappointment for the priceWith impressive crash test results, this seat is a top contender for those with the right budgetGreat overall seat with high stroller compatibility and better than average results all aroundThis seat is high on quality and comfort, with good scores all around, but there are better crash tests for a lower price to be had elsewhereIf your budget is small, this seat has impressive crash test results
Rating Categories Peg Perego Primo Vi... Clek Liing Chicco KeyFit 35 UPPAbaby Mesa Max Graco SnugRide 35 L...
Crash Test (40%)
8.4
8.7
7.6
7.3
8.4
Ease of Install - LATCH (20%)
5.8
9.0
7.0
8.0
3.0
Ease of Install - Belt (10%)
5.5
8.3
7.0
6.5
3.5
Ease of Install - w/o Base (5%)
7.0
7.8
6.8
7.0
3.8
Ease of Use (15%)
5.5
5.5
8.5
7.0
5.5
Comfort/Quality (5%)
4.5
6.0
7.5
9.0
3.0
Weight/Size (5%)
6.8
6.8
6.9
6.8
8.5
Specs Peg Perego Primo Vi... Clek Liing Chicco KeyFit 35 UPPAbaby Mesa Max Graco SnugRide 35 L...
Minimum Weight 4 lbs 4 lbs 4 lbs 4 lbs 4 lbs
Maximum Weight 35 lbs 30 lbs 35 lbs 35 lbs 35 lbs
Maximum Height 32 in 32 in 32 in 32 in 32 in
Measured Carrier-Only Weight 10.6 lb 10.5 lb 10.4 lb 10.6 lb 7.6 lb
Built in Lock Off Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Method To Adjust Harness Shoulder Height Non-rethread Rethread Non-rethread Non-rethread Rethread
Belt Routing Style European European European European American
Anti-rebound Bar Yes No Yes Anti-rebound handle position No
Load Leg Yes Yes No Yes No
Shoulder Harness Positions 5 3 5 Infinite 4
Crotch Strap Positions 1 1 1 1 2
Number of Recline Positions Infinite 7 6 4 4
Locking Handle Positions 5 3 3 4 4
Allowed Handle Positions For Auto Travel Position C for base Install (even with the top of the seat),
Position A for Seat Only Install (all the way forward)
Upright Position Any position Position 4 (all the way forward) Any position
Level Indicator On Base Bubble, in middle Bubble, in middle Bubble, both sides Bubble, both sides needle, one side
Level Indicator On Seat Line on Decal Line on Decal Line on Decal Line on Decal Line on Decal
Aircraft Certified Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Our Analysis and Test Results

In 1949, Peg Perego launched a baby carriage created by Giuseppe Perego. The founder continued the company's growth through the 1960s with various strollers and an adjustable high chair. The creation of ride-on toys and umbrella strollers followed began in the 1970s, with the 1980s bringing the first Pilko strollers and ride-on toys with a 12-volt two-cell battery. Peg Perego strives to design and create innovative and stylish gear that makes life easier, including options in our best high chairs review and a variety of car seats across categories.

Performance Comparison



Crash test video of the Peg Perego Nido with a load leg and anti-rebound bar. You can see how they help limit the movement of the seat.
Credit: GearLab & MGA Research

Crash Testing


The Nido performed well in crash testing, and our analysis of sensor results gave it one of the highest scores in the group. This seat offered lower (lower is better) sensor G forces than most of the head and chest sensors competition.

This chart shows the G forces recorded on the head sensor in the...
This chart shows the G forces recorded on the head sensor in the Nido compared to the best in the group, the Clek Liing.
This graph shows the G forces recorded during crash testing on the...
This graph shows the G forces recorded during crash testing on the chest sensor for the Nido compared to the Clek Liing, one of the best in the group.

This seat has a very low sensor result for the HIC sensor, which is better than most of the competition for this test. The chest clip result is also low and better than the average. While all of the seats in this review meet federal guidelines and are considered safe, we ran a faster test on a more modern sled to see which options excelled in a somewhat “hotter” test. When the sensor results are combined and analyzed, it has one of the highest results in the review, making it one that likely offers a higher margin of protection than the average seat.

The LATCH installation for the Nido was difficult to tighten and juggle the load leg and anti-rebound bar, and these issues hurt its overall score in this metric.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Installation LATCH


LATCH installation of the Nido is the second easiest method for this Peg Perego seat. However, it wasn't easy, and it earned a below-average result for the group. It has an anti-rebound bar and load leg.

The installation experience is average, largely thanks to the sub-par lock-off and the wonky load leg. The load leg was such a bother and strangely designed that we began to wonder if ours was broken. The design requires pressing a button while you pull out the leg, and given that some auto-magically slide out and offer color indication it is right, this is a huge bummer.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The LATCH connectors push in easily enough, and you can hear the confirming click when they reach the anchor point. The strap connecting the two goes across the base much like a vehicle belt, and the lock-off helps hold it all in place so it doesn't shift. Tightening the strap was hard because it was on the closest side during installation, so pulling it was not ergonomic. Also, the lock-off doesn't seem to stay locked and offers no tensioning to boot.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido - installation of the nido seemed more difficult to us than is should...
Installation of the Nido seemed more difficult to us than is should be trying to juggle the anti-rebound bar and the load leg length.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Getting it tight was also challenging because of the anti-rebound bar that kept shifting while we tried to tighten it. Our first attempt was too wobbly, and we had to try again to get it right. Tightening and stability overall were better in the small SUV than the sedan, perhaps due to the padding and seat contouring on the SUV.

Leveling to get the right angle on the base took time and precision, thanks to the turning knob and the anti-rebound bar. We had to keep making minor adjustments to get it all dialed in correctly.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido - the nido has push-style latch connectors with a small red release...
The Nido has push-style LATCH connectors with a small red release button that was harder for us to use than some other similarly styled connectors.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Removing the LATCH connectors is a small red button to press, and it isn't as easy to use as some, but it is miles better than the clip-style connectors that are prohibitively hard to remove.

The recline angle indicator on the Nido is a bubble indicator in the...
The recline angle indicator on the Nido is a bubble indicator in the center of the base.
The angle adjustment on the Nido is a turning knob that while easy...
The angle adjustment on the Nido is a turning knob that while easy to operate, can be a pain because it takes so many turns to get the level you need.

Recline Adjustment


The Nido has an infinite number of potential level adjustments. The level indicator is a bubble style that settles quickly and is easy to read. The recline is a knob-twisting adjustment that is easy enough, even if it is a drawn-out process of repeated turning. It takes forever to move, depending on how much adjustment you need.

Installing with the base is one of the easiest installation methods for the Nido.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Installation - Belt


Installation using the vehicle belt is the most complicated installation method for this seat. It scored below the average for the test group. It has a built-in lock-off but not a tensioner.

While the belt lock-off on the Nido was fairly easy to operate, it...
While the belt lock-off on the Nido was fairly easy to operate, it also didn't seem to work as well as others and came open easier than we felt comfortable with.
We like that the Nido belt path is open and easily visible without...
We like that the Nido belt path is open and easily visible without small holes that require threading and more patience.

The vehicle belt goes straight across the foot end of the base. The pathway is color-coded, and they are open slots with no holes or obstacles to worry about. The lock-off in the middle of the path isn't our favorite, and while it is easy enough to use, it didn't seem to help much in getting things tight; we could pull on the belt, and it just popped right open. We ended up feeling that it was nice but less functional than the competitors. We really struggled to get the vehicle belt tight. We had to pull the belt tight and engage the retractor on the car before using the lock-off to get it tight enough. This lock-off process hurt its score for this kind of installation because we loved the simplicity of the belt pathway design.

The Nido load leg stows on the bottom of the base when not in use.
The Nido load leg stows on the bottom of the base when not in use.
The Nido load leg is more difficult to adjust and install than...
The Nido load leg is more difficult to adjust and install than others in our review.
Without an indicator on the Nido and in conjunction with the...
Without an indicator on the Nido and in conjunction with the anti-rebound bar and angle adjustment, it was hard to find the best length for the leg.

The overall stability after installation isn't our favorite. It didn't feel as stable as in other installation methods or compared to other seats. It really is just average. The load leg wasn't as straightforward as we'd like, and there is no indicator when you get it right, which we have in some of the completion load legs.

Ease of Installation - w/o the Base


Installing the Nido without the base is the easiest method for this car seat. This is good if your plan is public transportation or frequent travel, but it's a bummer otherwise, given that the base has the anti-rebound bar, and the LATCH installation should be the easiest method. It uses the European belt path, and the slots are color-coded for easier placement. The carrier has a decal with a level line for reference during installation.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido - the nido belt pathway for installation without the base relies on...
The Nido belt pathway for installation without the base relies on slots in the handle and this put them ore over the lap of the baby than the foot of the carrier.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The carrier is a bit wider than average, and you must bring the handle forward to access the belt pathway. This gives better access to the belt pathway, and the handle position is only allowed when installed without the base. The lap belt was easy to thread, but the shoulder portion was more of a struggle.

During the installation of the Nido without the base, we almost ran...
During the installation of the Nido without the base, we almost ran out of vehicle belt length when wrapping it around the back side of the carrier.
Installing the Nido without the base utilizes clots on the handle...
Installing the Nido without the base utilizes clots on the handle for the lap portion of the belt and the handle all the way to the foot portion of the carrier to act somewhat like an anti-rebound bar.

The vehicle belt in one car almost felt not long enough to wrap around, and it took some finagling to get it in the correct position. The shoulder strap needs to be guided into the slot on the back. It was easy enough to tighten once both belt portions were placed correctly. It helps there wasn't much slack on this. The red level reference line was easy to see and use as it is long, bold, and doesn't get muddled with the writing. The seat feels very wobbly, and only a few felt more sturdy once installed without the base.

Ease of Use


The Nido earned a below-average score for ease of use and was harder to operate daily than most of the competition. While a few seats are harder to use, it is a disappointment, given the seat's price.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido - the nido buckle is hard to use and left our tester's thumb feeling...
The Nido buckle is hard to use and left our tester's thumb feeling tender. The chest clip isn't much better, and neither was preferred by users.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Buckle


The main buckle is unbearably stiff, and our tester felt it hurt her thumb enough that it still felt tender later. The shoulder straps have retention webbing on the inside of the carrier that keeps it out of the way while you put the baby in the seat. The prongs slide down the webbing with no friction, which allows the side prongs to fall deep into the seat if you don't use the retainer.

The chest clip button is on the left instead of the center or right. This made our lefty tester happy but could make right-handers frustrated. The button is harder to press down to clear the mechanism to slide the two sides apart.

The harness release button on the Nido is about equidistance from...
The harness release button on the Nido is about equidistance from the barrier foot to the crotch strap.
The Nido harness tightening strap comes out on the very end of the...
The Nido harness tightening strap comes out on the very end of the carrier, unlike most of the competition that are closer to the release button.

Harness Tightening/Loosening


The harness is easy to tighten, and the shoulder straps move smoothly without problems related to the shoulder padding or otherwise. The tightening strap is located on the very foot end of the carrier and has plenty of webbing. There is a slit in the fabric further up on the carrier, closer to the crotch strap, where the release button can be found. The button is easy to press and works well.

The harness height adjustment on the Nido is located behind the carrier behind a flimsy plastic cover that frequently fell off during testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Harness Adjustment


The harness shoulder height adjustment on the Nido is a non-rethread style that does not require the user to remove the straps from a splitter plate. This carrier has a pinch mechanism on the back behind an access panel of the carrier where you pinch and slide the assembly up or down to the desired position. It moved smoothly and offered five positions. The crotch strap has two positions.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido - the back of the nido carrier has the release lever and the shoulder...
The back of the Nido carrier has the release lever and the shoulder strap clip for the European beltpath.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Carrier to Base Connection


Connecting the carrier to the base isn't too hard, but removing it is more challenging. You can tell it is connected when the back half slots go in place, and it is nice to have a visual reference point to go with the audible click.

Removing the seat requires grasping and squeezing the handle until you feel it disengage. It isn't really ergonomic, and our tester experienced a pressure point in her palm while pressing down. A second tester with larger hands didn't share this problem. The back of the canopy tends to slide down and get in the way of the release handle as well. It isn't an impossible task, but is more arduous than most competition.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido - the nido handle has dual release buttons on the back side of the...
The Nido handle has dual release buttons on the back side of the joint and the clot for without the base installation is located nearby on the handle.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Handle


The handle has dual-press joint release buttons on either side. The handle moves free and only interferes with the canopy slightly during movement up and down but not in the upright position. The handle has five possible positions, with Position C (even with the top of the carrier) allowed when installing with the base and Position A (all the way forward) allowed for installation without the base. Please read the manufacturer's directions for details.

Before you use the Nido's zip-out canopy extension, it is smaller...
Before you use the Nido's zip-out canopy extension, it is smaller than most competitors but nice looking.
The Nido canopy is one of the few with side vents for air flow. This...
The Nido canopy is one of the few with side vents for air flow. This vent might help with breathability, but it also allows more light in.

Canopy


The Nido has a better-than-average canopy with a zip-out extension. It looks good and avoids the frumpy one-side more taut than the other side problem we often see. While the canopy is low enough under the handle to avoid rubbing when both are fully upright/open, it does struggle in other positions to get past the handle.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido - the nido manual storage is on the back of the carrier, which is a...
The Nido manual storage is on the back of the carrier, which is a nice place out of the way of messes but still on board if you travel without the base. This is also the location of the pinch assembly for moving the shoulder height up and down.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

LATCH and Manual Storage


The manual fits in a storage compartment on the back of the carrier. This location is so convenient, allows you to take it when you travel without the base, and offers easy access after installation and away from potential messes. Well done, Nido. Well done.

The back of the base has a compartment for the LATCH connectors. The door to the compartment is flimsy and didn't stay in place during testing, which was a pain to replace every time. Luckily, most families will install the base and forget it, but it is still noteworthy poor design.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido - the nido comfort and quality aren't terrible, but it doesn't stand...
The Nido comfort and quality aren't terrible, but it doesn't stand out in this competition of infant car seats.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Comfort/Quality


Comfort and quality are metrics where we'd expect a brand like Peg Perego to stand out. However, compared to the rest of the test group, the Nido failed to impress and struggled to keep up with much of the competition, earning a below-average score for this metric.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido - the nido has dense eps foam for impact absorption, much like most of...
The Nido has dense EPS foam for impact absorption, much like most of the competition has.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Fabric and Padding


The fabric on the Nido is below average for the group. The material feels breathable but is a bit rougher than most when we rub it on our cheek. The head portion and the infant insert are the roughest, which is a bummer, given the rest of the fabric is more skin-friendly.

The seat has a dual-stage padding system with an infant insert for additional support for tiny bodies. Stage one is more adjustable for newborns with crotch padding you can customize. The main seat padding is only okay, and we wish it were as nice as the insert. The Nido also offers soft padding for the shoulder and crotch straps.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido - the canopy on the nido is larger than average and the handle only...
The canopy on the Nido is larger than average and the handle only collides with the canopy if you try to fold it all the way down when the canopy is open.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Handle and Canopy


The handle is pretty basic and has a flat design that is not very ergonomic for grabbing or holding. It gets more narrow at the handle. The canopy is larger than average and opens halfway, with the potential for greater coverage if you unzip it. The fabric is thinner than most, but the canopy stays in the three planned positions. It has sun protection of UPF 50+. There are side vents for airflow, and some light still gets past the main canopy.

Shell


The outer shell is smooth, with no nooks for gunk to hide. There are no sharp edges to damage your car if you install it directly to your vehicle seat. Like many other seats, a huge mess in the seat could be hard to clean with the padding in place.

peg perego primo viaggio 4-35 nido - the nido shell is a little more contoured than some of the...
The Nido shell is a little more contoured than some of the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight/Size


The Nido weighs 10.6 lbs, which is about average for the group. It earned a score in this metric just below the average for the group. While some seats are as heavy as 17+ lbs, others are lighter than 8 lbs. If carrying your little one in their car seat is your plan, this is a metric you might want to pay attention to.

Should You Buy the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido?


The Nido earned a lower score overall than much of the competition, and while we loved the better crash test results, it isn't enough to make up for the harder-to-use features and the trouble we had during installation. Overall, it is somewhat expensive for something that struggled to keep up in most performance metrics. While the Nido is our Peg seat of choice, we think there are better options with lower prices in this review and recommend considering other possible seats with good crash test analysis results.

What Other Infant Car Seats Should You Consider?


The Chicco Keyfit 35 is a standout seat with good crash test results, a lower price, and higher performance in most metrics. We think it is a seat most parents will love. If you hope to pair a seat with a stroller, it is compatible with many strollers when you buy adapters. If budget isn't a concern, and you want the highest crash test results or the highest scoring seat all-around, then the high-quality Clek Liing is one for your shortlist. It has a load-leg and rigid LATCH connectors with impressive ease of installation.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz