C4 Picasso sales going well

Citroen has been successfully championing the benefits of small MPVs since 1999 when Xsara Picasso arrived on UK shores and the new C4 Picasso is the latest incarnation.

It’s already proved a big success across Europe so it’s little wonder that sales of the little car with a classy interior are going well here too.

Couple with young families who don’t want to compromise on style and practicality are being attracted as are older buyers who value space, flexibility and ease of access as priorities.

His is the first Citroen on the new EMP2 platform and is 4cm longer in length than the previous model, with reduced overhangs and wider tracks.

It looks different too, with a lower position for the engine block and floor and a roofline that has been lowered by 4cms.

There’s a new front end with fresh chevrons and slim LED daytime-running lights set high above the new style headlights. From the back you notice the biggest difference with a newly styled and impressive looking tailgate.

The C4 has a good looking interior with space for five and a big boot – though you wouldn’t really want to be the middle rear-seat passenger if travelling far.

Bright colours are prominent in the cabin and on the dashboard and you sit higher than in opposition models and you get as standard a panoramic windscreen plus the test car came with an optional large glass sunroof. 

If anything there’s a little too much to play with on the touch screen system and I did find myself a bit distracted at times but it’s impressive and everything is right there , where you would expect to find it.

The 40 litre boot easily extends to 630litre at the expense of the rear seats and if that’s not enough space you can fold the front seat passenger’s flat as well.

This is a practical little car too with plenty of extra pockets to be found under seats and in doors and a s a real bonus Citroen has added three 12v sockets in the front, rear and boot areas.

Running the Exclusive+ e-HDi 115 ETG6 model on test was not costly with 70.6mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of only 105g/km. There was a surprising top speed of 117mph and 0-62mph in 11.8seconds.

Safety features included ABS with EBD and EBA, traction control, hill start assist, auto hazards and all-round airbags.

The top of the range test car also came with active radar guided cruise control with collision alert; active seat belt safety system; blind spot monitoring; 18” alloys, tinted windows; driver seat electric massage functions; parking sensors and a motorised tailgate.

You pay for all these extras of course and the test model would set you back a cool £26,550 but there’s a model for everyone in the range with prices starting at £17,500.

There’s a lot of choice in this MPV sector and while the Picasso doesn’t handle as well as some it would be hard not to give the C4 a second look if in the buying market.