C3 Picasso masters the art of family travel

Published on Tuesday 3 November 2009 18:03

CITROËN isn't the first to produce a versatile MPV version of a conventional supermini but it is arguably the first to do the job properly. The company's C3 Picasso is a genuine alternative to larger five-seat mini-MPVs

With this kind of car, the driving experience is likely to be unremarkable but the travelling experience can often feel rather unique. So it proves with the C3 Picasso.

The first thing that you'll notice behind the wheel is the exceptionally light and airy cabin. If, like most potential buyers, you opt for the panoramic glass roof, this offers glass around the side and the top of the car. The high-set seating position gives you a commanding view of the road and the three-part panoramic windscreen with its slim pillars makes urban driving much easier courtesy of an unusually wide side vision angle.

Manoeuvrability and a tight turning circle are also a boon around town, while the car's vertical rear end makes parking easy.

Top-line safety is, of course, non-negotiable for this class of car and the C3 Picasso obliges, with ESP stability control available and all-round protection from up to six airbags (front, side and curtain), active restraint systems, a seatbelt warning system, anti-lock brakes, automatic hazard warning lights plus automatic locking on the rear doors and windows.

I particularly like the special extra child rear-view mirror so you can keep an eye on the fights and tantrums without turning round.

It's hard to think of a better car than this one to sum up the "small on the outside/big on the inside" philosophy that so many compact car buyers are looking for.

Measuring 4.08m long, 1.73m wide and 1.62m tall, the car makes the most of every millimetre of its bulk an incorporates everything Citron has learned over the years about MPV versatility.

To increase either boot volume or rear legroom, the split-folding rear seats slide back and forth independently and can also be folded away with one easy hand movement.

This function provides an entirely flat load surface which extends right up to the front seatbacks and can be further extended – to more than 2.41m – by folding the back of the front passenger seat down.

Unrivalled in its roominess, the cabin measures 1.66m in length – one of the longest in its class and a rival for a number of MPVs in the segment above. Elbow room is class-leading and knee room is also plentiful even with the rear bench moved forward and by using slim seat backs and bases on the front seats, rear passengers are afforded even more space.

Storage space is either 500 litres or 1,506 litres, depending on whether or not you fold the rear seats. There's also a removable boot floor which can be positioned at two different levels, at or below the floorline. Cubbyholes and storage spots are everywhere, the glovebox gets air-conditioning (if the system is fitted) to keep your chocolate and drinks cool and aircraft-style trays can also be installed in the rear with reading lights and cup holders.

You won't recognise an old-shape Citron C3 on first acquaintance with this car, either from a glance at the exterior or a look under the bonnet, at least if you're a petrol buyer anyway.

Ordinary C4 Picasso or Zafira-sized mini-MPVs sell mainly in diesel form but the lower mileages of supermini-MPV customers make the premium required for diesel harder to justify. Vital then for Citron to be able to offer a more cutting-edge selection of petrol units than the original C3 could.

The 1.4 VTi 95 version we're looking at here is one of two petrol units available, the other being the 1.6-litre VTi 120, both of these units taken from the new-generation of engines developed in partnership with BMW.

There are two diesel engines too – the HDi 90 and HDi 110 – more familiar from other models in the marque's range. In 1.4 VTi guise, there's a choice of VT and VTR+ trim levels.

You won't need to take out a second mortgage to run a C3 Picasso, especially if you opt for this 1.4 VTi variant, a car which should see you the right side of 40mpg on a regular basis. emissions are 154g/km with insurance at group 3.

Would you gain much by opting for a much more expensive five-seater compact mini-MPV – say a Renault Scenic or a Ford C-MAX – over this car? I think not. Which says it all.