Citroen C4 Picasso MPV (2007 – 2013) expert review

The Citroen C4 Picasso has to be one of the most stylish MPVs on sale at the moment, with its curvy roof line and rising kinked waistline. Design highlights include the massive panoramic front windscreen, wraparound glass and angular rear light clusters. Considering the styling is over four years old, we think it still looks quite futuristic when compared with rivals such as the latest Ford C-MAX and SEAT Altea.

The inside of the C4 Picasso is as futuristic as the exterior, with features such as centre-mounted digital instruments and the steering wheel with its fixed central hub. The dashboard design is attractive and the quality of the textured plastics and seat trim are  a pleasant surprise too, making the C4 Picasso appear much more expensive than you might expect. The panoramic windscreen and glass roof make the interior a very light, airy place to be. We are not a fan of some of the switchgear or the oddly placed air-con controls on the driver’s side of the car.  The shiny chromed plastic around the interior gives the  car a cheaper feel and will scratch easily.

Sadly, an excellent driving position in the C4 Picasso is spoilt by too little foot room. This, along with a clutch rest that’s mounted too high, can make for an uncomfortable drive. Still, headroom in the front is fine for taller drivers and the seats are both supportive and comfortable. There is plenty of headroom and legroom for the three individual rear seats and these move forward and back to increase practicality. The 550-litre boot is a practical shape and compares well to its rivals. The three rear seats fold down easily to increase space to 1,734 litres. The C4 Picasso’s short front and rear overhangs make it difficult to judge distance when parking and manoeuvring. Parking sensors are an option.

The C4 Picasso’s ride is always refined, but the imprecise steering and wallowy handling mean it is not as satisfying or as much fun to drive as either the C-MAX or Altea. However, grip is generally good and the C4 Picasso is easy to drive, with light controls.