CITROËN C4 PICASSO MPV FULL REVIEW

Citroën C4 Picasso MPV full 9 point review

Performance

4 out of 5 stars

Buyers have the choice of two petrol and three diesel engines. The petrols are both 1.6-litre units, with either 118 or 153bhp, but the diesels make more sense, thanks to their superior economy and pulling power. The 108bhp 1.6 diesel is expected to be the biggest seller, and rightly so: it's smooth, flexible and feels perfectly suited to the car.
Ride & Handling

3 out of 5 stars

MPVs are designed for carrying people, so a comfortable ride for all the family is more important than a fun drive for mum or dad up front. The C4 Picasso follows this brief exactly. It rides smoothly at most speeds, with only the biggest road scars disturbing the calm, and it is undemanding to drive, with light controls. The steering could do with more feel, though, and there's too much body roll through bends.
Refinement

4 out of 5 stars

Both diesel engines are very quiet when cruising and largely unobtrusive at other times. Wind noise is well suppressed, too, but some road and suspension noise can penetrate the cabin. This is a very refined MPV, particularly with the optional laminated side window glass. The gearboxes aren't so impressive. The manual has a long-winded, imprecise gearchange and the EGS semi-auto is slow in auto mode, although it's much better in manual mode.

Buying & Owning

4 out of 5 stars

The Citroen is a bit pricier than many rivals, but huge discounts will be easy to negotiate, and this will help to offset the heavy depreciation it will suffer. For the best economy and lowest emissions, stick with an eHDi diesel-engined version - it averages the best part of 60mpg.
Quality & Reliability

4 out of 5 stars

Step inside the C4 Picasso and you can't help but notice how classy the interior looks. Investigate further and you'll realise that everything feels well screwed together, too. Soft-touch plastics and chrome highlights add to the sophisticated look, while owners rated the car's reliability as above average in the 2011 JD Power survey.
Safety & Security

5 out of 5 stars

The C4 Picasso is stuffed with safety kit. Twin front, side and window airbags are standard, as is one to protect the driver's knees. There are also four ISOFIX child-seat mountings. Standard stability control helps avoid an accident in the first place. Deadlocks (which prevent the doors being opened if a window is smashed) will deter thieves, while optional laminated side windows further boost safety and security.

Behind The Wheel

3 out of 5 stars

Tired of being conventional? Then you'll love the C4 Picasso's interior. It's far from the norm, with a fixed steering wheel hub, centrally mounted instruments and air-con controls positioned at the edges of the dashboard. It's not form over function, though. Most controls are easy to use (small stereo buttons excepted) and drivers of all shapes and sizes should be able to make themselves comfortable. A huge glass area and thin front pillars make for excellent visibility.
Space & Practicality

5 out of 5 stars

Five adults will be comfortable in the C4 Picasso. The three identical seats in the rear row all slide back and forth individually, plus the backrest angle can be altered. Not only that, but the rear seats couldn't be easier to fold down: all you do is pull a cord on the side of each chair. The big 500-litre boot is a square shape and the loading lip is very low. There's also plenty of stowage space in the cabin.
Equipment

3 out of 5 stars

VTR is the Picasso's base trim, and it's so well equipped - with air-conditioning, electric front windows and the smart 'Look Pack' - that many will be happy with it. For us, though, the alloy wheels, leather steering wheel and electric rear windows of VTR+ cars make that the trim level of choice. Range-topping Exclusive models have climate control, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlamps, but are too dear to recommend.