Citroen C3 Picasso

Expert Rating:

Introduction

Citroen continues to release a seemingly endless variety of new models aiming at plugging any gaps in the niche market and sweeping up the sales where the main players don't tend to focus. The C3 Picasso is an innovatively stylish small MPV that brings an almost unique appeal to the marketplace.

What are its rivals?

The UK car sales pool is positively overflowing with a huge number of hatches and, more recently, MPVs based upon them. Such is the proliferation of MPVs now that Citroen itself offers seven different options of varying size and quality. Few rivals offer this breadth of models and few have on sale a car as individual as the C3 Picasso.
Ignoring its individuality one can assemble a list of a broad range of competitors as varied as the Renault Grand Modus through to the Mercedes A-Class.

How does it drive?

Citroen's 1.6-litre HDi engine thrums away merrily beneath the heavily sculpted bonnet and does a fine job of pulling the C3 along, its 109bhp transmitted via a five-speed gearbox with the minimum of fuss and not insignificant efficiency - returning as it does economy figures that regularly hover around the 50mpg mark.

Performance isn't exactly sprightly, but more than sufficient for an MPV and no way as tardy as some rivals. The large glasshouse ensures that there's a good overall view of the world from the lofty driving position and all of the controls are light and easy to use. It isn't fun but it goes about its business with the minimum of fuss.

What's impressive?

Citroen's approach to cars has always been unconventional and the C3 Picasso is one of the standout MPVs on sale today due in no part to its pseudo concept car styling - both inside and out. The exterior blends Citroen's corporate chevron trademarks on a horizontal grille with bold design cues such as the complex headlights that sweep back into the wings. The designers have also managed to avoid the pitfalls of slab sides and bland rear ends that often tarnish MPVs.

On the inside, a large interior space complete with the prerequisite plethora of cubbies and hidey holes ensures that the cabin is as practical to use as it is good to look at, though more bulky items such as SLR cameras need to be stowed in the boot. Citroen's designers have incorporated many details in to the cabin that mark it out from the competition, ranging from the detailing of the air vents to the dark inlays that give an air of quality and variety.

What's not?

Simply put, the driving experience doesn't live up to the visual drama and is rather underwhelming. It isn't bad, but it's in no way memorable and there is little additional pleasure to be derived from trying to have some extra curricular fun with it. Although the controls are light and direct our test car's gearshift was rather obstructive in changing down from 5th to 4th, instead preferring to slip towards the reverse gate, immediately below 5th - a small but significant annoyance.

Sadly, the driving position is a flawed one too, with the pedals being awkwardly angled in the footwell, somewhat reminiscent of the original VW Beetle. This is compounded by the angle of the seat squab and the seat back, which lack the necessary range of adjustment relative to each other - and the pedals - to get truly comfortable; seems an odd oversight.

Should I buy one?

Given the appearance and the individuality many buyers will flock to the C3 Picasso just to have a practical car that doesn't necessarily look like one. Given that the C3 manages to blend this aesthetic appeal with the core capabilities required from an MPV, Citroen looks set to repeat the successes enjoyed with the other Picassos, the Xsara and the C4.

Dave Jenkins