Chicco
Chicco (pronounced KEY-ko) has a 65-year history as one of Europe’s major juvenile products makers. Along with Peg Perego, Chicco is one of Europe’s biggest baby gear brands. One difference between the two: Chicco strollers are made in China; Peg strollers are made in Italy.
Chicco was started by Pietro Catelli in Como, Italy in 1958 and is named after his son, Enrico. His nickname was Chicco.
Castelli first sold diapers in Italy before selling rubber pacifiers (Chicco's first product). Chicco is part of the Artsana Group, which was founded by Catelli in 1946 as a seller of syringes and thermometers. Artsana also owns the baby gear brands Boppy and Recaro.
Chicco divides its strollers into five categories: full-size, lightweight, jogging, double and frame strollers.
Flagship model: Mini Bravo Plus
Chicco is probably best known for its lightweight strollers, including the flagship model Mini Bravo Plus (19.6 lbs).
This lightweight stroller can hold any Chicco infant car seat and features ventilated/extended canopy. The one-hand quick fold is a key feature. The Mini Bravo Plus stands when folded and has a three-position reclining seat. The weight capacity is 50 lbs.
Other Lightweight Models: Liteway, Presto
The Liteway is Chicco's entry level ligthweight stroller. The Liteway (17 lbs.) features two handles, rear wheel suspension, padded five-point harness, cup holder and a full recline. We liked the boot that tucks away when not in use. Over time, Chicco dropped the price and simplified the design a bit. FYI: the Lightway still isn’t car seat compatible.
By contrast, the Presto (16.8 lbs) is car-seat compatible and features an extended canopy, two cup holders and one-hand standing fold. It is priced similar to the Mini Bravo Plus. The Presto holds any Chicco infant car seat without the need for adapters.
The Presto also features all wheel suspension and a removable child bumper bar. The weight capacity is 50 lbs.
Full-size Strollers: Viaro, Bravo, Corso and (coming soon) Corso Flex
Chicco's full-size strollers come in two varieties: three-wheel models (Viaro) and four-wheel (Bravo, Corso).
The Viaro (19.9 lbs) is Chicco’s lightest travel system with a stroller that weighs in at 19.9 lbs. It is sold as a travel system with the Chicco KeyFit infaant seat or as a stand-alone model.
Besides the light weight, the Viaro has a one-hand fold similar to the Baby Jogger Citi Mini, front wheel suspension, trays with cupholders for both parents and baby, toe-tap brake locks and dual access basket.
The Bravo (24.9-26.5 lbs.) comes in a couple of configurations (Bravo, Bravo LE , Bravo Quick-Fold, Bravo Primo and Bravo Primo Air). All Bravo models features a self-standing, quick fold and the ability to hold a Chicco infant seat. The main difference in the Bravo models is the canopy, as the Bravo LE and Bravo Quick-Fold add a pull-out visor for. the canopy. The Bravo Primo and Bravo Primo Air have upgraded tires (treaded rubber with foam core).
Some of the Bravo strollers are sold as stand-alone models, while others like the Bravo Primo are only sold as travel systems (paired with an infant car seat).
One key feature for Bravo: the strollers have three-position, height-adjustable handles.
The Corso (23.4-24.8 lbs) is Chicco's newest stroller with a modular design—the seat can face forward or back toward the parent. As with most Chicco models, the Corso comes in several variations, with the upgraded tires (Corso LE) as one feature.
The Corso lacks height-adjustable handles.
New for 2023, the Corso Flex will debut as model that can hold two car seats and convert from a single to double stroller (like the UPPAbaby Vista). The Corso Flex will be sold as a stand-alone model and as a travel system, paired with a Chicco car seat. Like the Vista, the Corso will have a second seat as a separate accessory. The Corso Flex will be able to fold with all of its components.
Jogging Strollers: Activ3 and TRE
Chicco's two models in the jogging/all-terrain category have similar features (they share the same seat) and have similar weight capacities (50 lbs.) plus height-adjustable handlebars.
The less expensive Activ3 (27.5 lbs) is sold a stand-alone model or as a travel system with the KeyFit 30 infant. This model features treaded rubber with foam core tires.
By contrast, TRE (28.5 lbs) jogging stroller that has air-filled wheels. This stroller is sold as a stand-alone model only, but can work with all Chicco infant car seats (sold separately).
The TRE also has a hand brake that the Activ3 lacks.