Diono & Peg Perego Infant Car Seats Performed Poorly in CR Crash Tests

In 2 out of CR’s 3 rear-facing tests of the Diono LiteClik30 XT using a dummy to simulate the size (29 inches) and weight (22 pounds) of a 12-month-old child, and with the base of the seat installed with a seat belt, the infant carrier released off the base during the crash test. 

While the dummy remained secure within the carrier, the detachment of the carrier from the base was cause for concern. A car seat that does this in a crash poses an increased risk for the child, especially because many crashes aren’t single-impact events. Imagine a crash where the impact on a vehicle comes from multiple directions, or a crash that’s followed by a rollover. A detached carrier can also expose a child to contact with surfaces within the vehicle. 

It’s worth noting that the carrier remained attached securely to the base when installed with the lower LATCH anchors and the dummy inside. 

The Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Urban Mobility is a new baseless model from Peg Perego designed to offer the flexibility of not requiring a base for installation. In 4 out of 4 rear-facing tests, there was significant cracking in the seat shell along the internal seams of the seatback.