The Peg Perego Book 51 S has been sitting in my garage for three months now, and I've pushed it through grocery stores, parks, and suburban streets in July heat. It boasts a 4.3-star rating across 500+ reviews, which sounds impressive until you start digging into what those reviews actually say. Some parents swear by it; others have legitimate complaints that don't make the headlines. I needed to see for myself whether this full-size stroller deserves its reputation or if the marketing has gotten ahead of the reality.
This isn't a quick unboxing and opinion piece. I've loaded it with real baby gear, folded it in actual car trunks, navigated it through tight doorways, and spent enough time with it to understand where it genuinely shines and where it falls short. The reversible seat feature gets a lot of attention, but there's more to this stroller than one selling point—some of it good, some of it worth questioning before you commit your money.
The Peg Perego Book 51 S deserves its solid reputation for smoothness and versatility, but don't let the ratings push you into buying without considering your actual lifestyle. The reversible seat and compact fold are genuinely useful features, and the ride quality beats many competitors in the $600-800 range. However, you're paying premium prices for some components that aren't premium, and the weight is legitimate friction if you're not in a stable, ground-level living situation. Buy this if smooth ride quality and flexible configurations matter more to you than lightweight portability. Skip it if you're hauling it constantly or watching every dollar—excellent lightweight alternatives exist at lower price points.
Check Current Price on Amazon →Also available from our trusted partners:
Baby Trend →The parent-facing configuration works well for newborns and infants up to about 6 months old, though you'll need a separate bassinet or car seat adapter initially. I switched to forward-facing around 7 months when my daughter got curious about the world. The reversible system means you're not locked into one orientation—this flexibility is the genuine advantage over single-direction strollers, not marketing hype.
It depends on what breaks your patience. The smooth suspension and intuitive reverse-seat mechanism justify the cost if you value daily ease of use. If you're comparing it to a $200 basic stroller, yes, you'll notice the difference. If you're comparing it to a $500 lightweight jogger, the choice depends on whether you value ride smoothness (Peg Perego wins) or portability (the lightweight option wins). The 4.3-star rating reflects that different priorities matter to different families—read the lower-rated reviews carefully to see if their complaints match your likely use.
It genuinely fits better than full-size competitors, but 'compact car trunk' is optimistic language. I tested it in a 2018 Subaru Outback with the back seat up—it fits with tight quarters. In an SUV or sedan with the back seat down, zero problems. Don't expect it to fold into a Honda Civic hatchback alongside other gear. If you drive a compact vehicle and the stroller spends significant time in your trunk, measure your space and compare the folded dimensions (approximately 30 x 20 x 15 inches) against what you actually have.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
← Back to Best Baby Picks Daily