First drive: Citroën Grand C4 Picasso

The financial pressures really on for families. Its just as well, then, that this new 1.6 Grand C4 makes the seven-seats impressive space and practicality available to them for £3500 less than our favourite version, the 1.6 HDI SX.

That means they still get the airy interior, three large, separate sliding middle-row seats that are a doddle to move about, plus a pair of extra rear seats that can be hidden in the floor to create a gigantic boot.

Theres a compromise, though: you wont be going anywhere fast.

The engines greatest pulling power of 118 lb ft is late to arrive (at 4250rpm), so its hard to get any real momentum when you set off, and you need to rev it hard to make anything near brisk progress. At motorway speeds, the sound of the engines straining becomes a bit tiring.

At lower speeds and revs, however, the cabin is a haven of peace and calm. Its a good choice if most of your travel is around town; its urban economy of 28mpg is pretty good, compared with most other petrol seven-seaters, too.

Citroën Grand C4 Picasso 1.6i VTi 120bhp
Price from £14,995
On sale Now
You'll like Affordable; practical; quiet
You won't Sluggish; noisy when revved