Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SL Car Seat Review

You can expect a touch of Italian luxury from Peg Perego, and though prices sit at the mid-to-upper end of the market, you are getting what you pay for – a product that lasts. The brand takes safety very seriously – any parent’s number one concern when buying a car seat.

The Primo Viaggio SL is an approved Group 0+ car seat, suitable from birth up to around a year old. It’s a chic, rear-facing car seat with plenty of safety features to make you feel in good hands.

The car seat is also compatible with a number of Peg Perego strollers, so can be used as part of a travel system, if that’s what you’re after.

Coming in at £160, it’s a great, mid-price car seat delivering some impressive safety features and luxe finishing beyond its price tag. Sitting alongside other mid-price Group 0+ car seats such as the Maxi Cosi Rock, £169, and Silver Cross Simplicity, £160, it stands out thanks to its good looks (must be the Italian influence!).

Like these competitors, it can be installed using a 3-point seatbelt or Isofix base (which you will need to buy at an additional £120), but you can also opt for a belted base – a cheaper option at £50, to help install the car seat in cars with seatbelts slightly shorter than the average model.

If you’re after a 360° swivel chair, this isn’t for you – instead, check out more expensive products on the market, such as the Cybex Sirona S i-Size for £269 or the Britax Römer Dualfix i-Size, £375.

Tested by:

Sarah Dawson lives in a small village in The Cotswolds with her husband, 3-year-old son Wilfred and 3-month-old baby daughter, Edie. She tested the Primo Viaggio SL car seat and Isofix base, in their Nissan Qashqai, from birth.

First impressions?

Very good! It’s clearly a very well-made car seat, in plush materials and with a high-quality finish. It looks great and is surprisingly light for a car seat (5.3kg). Thumbs-up from me!

What age is the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SL car seat designed for?

It’s a Group 0+ category car seat, which means it’s suitable for children from birth up to around a year old (a maximum of 13kg).

It comes with a removable cushion, making it suitable and safe for newborns, which helped keep my baby snug and comfy – so is a great option if you’re looking for a car seat to grow with your baby, from birth.

Is it easy to install in the car?

The Primo Viaggio SL can be fitted in place with a 3-point seatbelt, using a belted base or using an Isofix base. The instruction booklet for both installation options is reassuringly comprehensive – both written and illustrated instructions are featured – and they were very easy to follow.

However, I drive a Nissan Qashqai and found the seatbelt too short to install the seat this way, despite following the instructions and video tutorial correctly, so tested the car seat using the Isofix.

The Isofix base was really straightforward to install in the car and, once in place, it made life so easy for me, just clicking the seat on (the indicators on the side will turn green when the seat is fitted in place correctly) and off the base in seconds.

It’s a real plus point when it’s tipping with rain and you need to get your baby – and you – in the car safely as quickly as possible, without getting drenched faffing about with a seatbelt.

If you have the budget, I can’t recommend investing in an Isofix base enough. It’s a game changer!

Does the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SL car seat feel secure once in place?

The seat didn’t budge at all when locked in place on the Isofix base. In fact, it couldn’t feel more secure.

How is strapping your child in?

It was so easy to strap my baby into the seat using the 3-point harness.

• Once I’d placed her in the seat it was a simple case of fitting the clasps together and clicking in place – no fishing about underneath the baby to try and dig out the harness
• You just have to pull on the bottom strap to tighten the belt until it fits close to your baby’s body
• The strap was really easy to tighten up and loosen – so many car seat straps are stiff to adjust, but this was very smooth and stress-free

Although the 3-point harness made it easier to get a squirming baby in and out of the seat, and it ticks all the safety requirements going, I personally prefer a 5-point harness when it comes to car seats for such young babies.

Is the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SL car seat i-Size compatible?

This model isn’t i-Size compatible, but the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio i-Size and Viaggio FF 105 car seats are.

Tell us about its main safety features.

Peg Perego take safety seriously. The Adjustable Side Impact Protection offers improved protection against side impacts and the adjustable headrest means your baby’s head is always supported and protected as much as possible.

Does it feel sturdy?

Absolutely – very sturdy and excellent quality.

Are there different seat positions on the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SL car seat?

Although it doesn’t recline, the car seat has an adjustable headrest with 5 different positions, so your baby’s head can be supported whatever their size. This is specifically designed to reduce the impact on your baby’s head and neck in the event of a side collision.

The belt straps can also be adapted to fit your baby comfortably as they grow.

How comfortable is it for your child?

So comfy! The materials are soft, and the harness straps are padded for extra comfort. The newborn seat insert is a great touch to keep your baby comfortably secure and cosy during the first few months.

My baby isn’t a fan of car seats in general, but falls asleep almost instantly when she’s strapped into the Primo Viaggio SL!

Is the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SL car seat easy to transfer between cars?

Yes, although it feels slightly larger than an average car seat – certainly a touch larger than models I’ve used previously – it’s still really easy to carry from your home to your car, or to switch from car to car.

It only weighs 5.3kg, so you won’t break your back lifting this with your child strapped in too.

Is it easy to clean?

The fabric covers are straightforward enough to remove (the instruction booklet has a step-by-step guide on how to remove them and, crucially, how to get them back on again) and these can be hand-washed and air-dried when they inevitably become encrusted with biscuit crumbs and ancient raisins.

The plastic base can easily be given a wipe down with a damp cloth, too.

Would you take the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SL car seat on holiday?

At 5.3kg it’s quite lightweight as far as car seats go – a massive positive for me, especially when recovering from my C-section. I think it’s a great choice for travelling.

Peg Perego prides itself on high-quality craftsmanship – does this show in the product?

Yes, 100%. It’s the first thing that stood out when testing the car seat and something I feel makes it stand out from other similar models that are currently on the market.

What do you think of the design?

It’s a seriously good-looking car seat – something Peg Perego is known for – but it’s also packed with safety features and is straightforward to use. Can’t ask for more than that!

The carry handle can be adjusted to different positions, so the seat can stay static while you strap your baby in, then with a quick lift of the handles it’s able to rock gently – something I found very useful when trying to soothe a grumpy baby in a car seat while attempting to convince my three-year-old to put his shoes on!

It comes in 13 colourways, from grey, to beige to black as well as pale pink/beige and terracotta/black, so there’s one for every taste.

What feature do you like most about the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SL car seat?

It’s a toss-up between the comfy design of the newborn cushion and the adjustable headrest. Both are really intuitive features which make this car seat so impressive.

Is it good value for money?

Coming in at £160, it’s a reasonably priced Group 0+ car seat that will see you through the first year of your baby’s life. For the high-quality finish and safety functions, I feel it’s worth every penny.

A belted base adds an extra £50, while an Isofix base, for £120, bumps the price up significantly. However, it’s worth knowing that the Isofix base can also be used with the next car seat up, the Viaggio1 Duo-Fix K car seat for up to 4 years.

What’s in the box?

• Fully assembled car seat
• Adjustable hood (with UPF 50+)
• Instruction booklet
• Newborn cushion insert

Are there any accessories needed or available for the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SL car seat?

If you want the ease and convenience of using the Isofix function, you’ll need to purchase an Isofix base separately. The belted base costs £50.

You can also buy a Clima Cover removable car seat cover (£53.95), made of Tencel (perfect for keeping your baby warm in winter and cool in summer) and the Igloo Cover (£65), an ingenious ‘coat’ that safely covers your car seat and leaves your baby’s head popping out of the top, to keep them cosy in the winter without the need for lots of blankets and extra layers.

What do you wish you had known before you got it?

I wish I’d known about the difficulties of installing the seat with my car’s seatbelt. Although I prefer the ease of an Isofix base, it is an additional cost, and one that needs to be weighed up.

Would you recommend the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SL car seat?

If you’re looking for a lightweight, easy-to-carry and well-made car seat that will see you through from birth to a year, you can’t really go wrong with this model. Just check your car’s seatbelt length is compatible first if you don’t fancy buying the Isofix base, though.

Where can I buy the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SL car seat?

You can buy it from Amazon, Uber Kids, Kiddies Kingdom and Pramworld.

MadeForMums verdict:

It’s a super-stylish car seat that certainly looks the part, but also delivers, with impressive safety features that will give you peace of mind, and thoughtful touches like the newborn cushion insert and adjustable head rest to keep your baby comfy and secure. All this at a reasonable price tag make the Primo Viaggio SL a great choice for your first car seat.

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