Citroën C4 Picasso review

This new Citroën C4 Picasso is the company's latest attempt to drag the brand kicking and screaming into the promised land known as 'upscale'.

Citroën person speaking boldly of discount culture becomes a thing of the past - not necessarily, just the size of the discount offered, which is true of any major player here. In other words, new models such as Picasso had to stand on their own merit and successful because of their inherent desires. Indeed, this is a trend that the company has started in high style with its DS range.

o The latest C4 Picasso took the fight to rivals such as the Ford C-Max and Renault Scenic. The first weapon is the styling that marks it out as a competitor individualistic. And that nose pretty piece LED-adorned hand, lending technical Citroën face and, dare we say it, wincing a little German.

It looks good that continues to profiles, enhanced due to the evolving blend of color plastic around the glass side and side of the body is contoured.

The interior is spacious enough to worry over its competitors, especially in the case of the boot volume, even with the rear seats in place. It is a five-seater for the moment - a seven-seat Grand Picasso will be launched early 2014 - with three rear seats capable of sliding and reclining individual.

With the rear squabs folded flat, you get a huge 640 liters of cargo space. The front passenger seat can also be folded flat so you can carry objects up to 2.5 meters long. But while there is a clever storage drawers spread throughout the interior, including under the rear floor, Picasso did not move in the medium MPV design in a significant way.

It is, though, a completely new vehicle built on a platform emp2 PSA, which in a similar way to rival manufacturers, will enable Citroën to a more cost effective spin off a number of different wheelbase platform for upcoming models. The new car is also a significant 140kgs lighter than the car it replaces.

The new platform Picasso means that while it is 40mm shorter overall, it gains significant wheelbase 55mm. It causes increased rear seat legroom, and while the car sits 4cm roofline is lower than before, headroom around still generous, even with the optional panoramic sunroof in place. So in his role as a transport for five people and a good amount of luggage, Picasso score well.

With a very large front screen and a panoramic sunroof in place, the cabin light and very airy atmosphere. The quality of materials and assembly also reflects the hotfix Citroen, with a warning bit later than some of the plastic lower-dash.

And the stars of two new dashboard digital display, the larger 12-inch one on the top and a 7-inch touchscreen below it - which one controls the functions such as air conditioning, navigation and radio. The screen on monitor critical car functions such as speed and fuel, and also provided information on driver-adjustable.

Picasso brings some latest security technologies to the table, though optional on all but the highest-specification models. These include radar-controlled Active Cruise Control that maintains a constant gap to the car in front, headlights with auto dimmer and Blind Spot Monitoring system with LED warning in the rearview mirror.

There is also a Lane Departure Warning system that vibrates the driver's seatbelt if he wanders the road markings. The latter proved a bit annoying, to be honest.

At launch, trim levels will include entry-level VTR, VTR +, Exclusive and Exclusive +. The most expensive model will be e-HDi Exclusive + 115 ETG6. The 'ETG6' refers to the increase, robotised six-speed manual gearbox.

Citroën UK has not completed equipment for each trim level, but even the most basic model will get their digital twin screens. With quite a healthy margin, Citroen UK considers that the top sellers will be the 115bhp diesel in the VTR + trim.

From launch, Picasso will be offered with two diesel engines, 90 and 115bhp and 155bhp petrol unit. The range will join in November with a choice of 150bhp diesel.

We tried the 115bhp diesel and found it very effective around town in lower gears, but a bit breathless on the motorway inclines - a lot of swapping gear, in other words. The standard manual gearbox is well suited for use, though, so do not trouble might have been.

Likewise, 155bhp petrol unit is the happiest in low gear - and a lot punchier than his brother diesel. Motorway responses in higher gears a bit sluggish, though.

we would say that the latter is the machine to go to, at least until the 150bhp version arrived. The fact that the entire claimed 115bhp returns 70.6mpg is another excellent reason for it in the shortlist.

Citroën C4 Picasso will be a dynamic competitor for the likes of the Ford C-Max, or even a Renault Scenic, but counters that with good ride quality.

Combine that with what might be a list of equipment are very competitive at every price point, a spacious interior and styling that challenge - mostly in a good way - and Citroën makes a strong case for itself.

PRICE AND SPECS

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