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Citrn C3 Picasso car review

01/04/09

Price11,495-£15,595
We like...The way it looks and drives
We don't...Centre rear seat isn't comfy

Big inside, small outside, Citrn adds another people-friendly bus to its line-up. We've driven it and think it's a winnerIt’s a box – to transport people and things around in. The C3 Picasso is one of those no-fuss cars that’s at ease with what it is – square, practical and affordable. But it isn’t going to let itself be branded as dull, too.

Rather, its designers have played with its shape – or, at least, the details – to pen a car that’s fresh and personable. Cheeky-looking, even. Incidentally, it looks nothing like the C3 supermini that's been around for years.

From its pug-nose to its sawn-off rear, the Picasso isn’t much longer than the latest Fiesta. But even so it’s a spacious five-seater that also packs a big boot. It is also jam-ful of hidey-holes and handy pack-in spaces to store belongings, including twin under-floor bins in most models.

Citrn C3 Picasso The doors are big and wide-opening, while the rear seats slide back and forwards to juggle passenger and boot space according to need. They’ll also drop their backs easily to deliver a flat floor to carry bigger loads.

It’s a comfy place to sit, although if you pick the centre rear chair, you’ll find that the safety belt buckles dig spitefully into your behind. Leg room is good, though, as is shoulder and head room. It’s airy inside, too, thanks to its big windows and that natty front screen design, which pushes the broad, load-bearing screen pillars well clear of the driver’s line of sight.

Inside, the dash is a handsome thing, crafted from expensive ripple-look plastics and lifted by chrome around the air vents and gear shift, while the seats and other fittings look good for the asking prices (no small point this, because the insides of some other Citrns now look cheap for the money).

Driving, the first thing you notice is the absorbency of its ride. It’s supple but not soft, set up to take bends quickly without heeling over on its springs but also very able at easing you over the bumps. The steering is positive and quick enough to make it easy and fun along a curvy lane, while the high-set gear shift is nicely close to the wheel and makes it a cinch to pick the gears cleanly. You sit pretty high, allowing an easy view out. And while the nose drops away too sharply to judge the far corner easily, it is easy to reverse thanks to its vertical, boxy rear.

Citrn C3 Picasso You pick between five engines, two petrol and two diesels. We’ve tried the 95bhp and 120bhp petrols and, for us, the smaller is the sweeter and the better match for the car, although we reckon that it would struggle uphill when you’ve five plus luggage aboard. Of the diesels, the 90bhp looks to be the pick – it’s relaxed, quiet and brisk, while its extra weight compared to the petrol engines helps that already soothing ride. The 110bhp dsn’t feel that much quicker.

Buyers pick between three trim levels: VT, VTR+ and Exclusive. Of these, the VTR+ is the one to have for its alloy wheels, extra airbags, air conditioning and a fold-down extra mirror that lets you keep an eye on the kids while driving.

The C3 Picasso adds to the choice of Citrns rather than replacing any. Its nearest equivalent second-hand is the Xsara Picasso. This is an ageing model but bought used it’s a lot of car for little money.

New, this newest Picasso may become Citrn’s best car yet. It’s practical, appealing sweet to drive and pretty cheap for its size and usefulness. We like it a lot.