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Citroen C4 Picasso 7-st (2007 - )

What's Good

Distinguished from 'Xsara Picasso' by calling it 'C4 Picasso'. 7-seater 4,590mm x 1,830mm x 1,660mm. Launched first at Paris Motor Show 2006. Xsara Picasso carries on alongside. 5-seater (4,400mm) on same wheelbase as C4 later. All have four side windows each side. 7-seater longer from rear door back.

Features include vast panoramic windscreen, central digital instruments and satnav screen, optional 6-speed semi-automatic transmission with steering wheel paddles, air suspension at rear for good ride comfort, dash mounted electric parking brake, 575 litres loadspace when used as a 5 seater and total 1,951 litres seats folded and loaded to the roof. 2nd and 3rd rows of seats fold away into the floor without removing headrests, easy entry system for rearmost seats. 143bhp 2.0i petrol engine, 110bhp 1.6 HDI or 138bhp 2.0 HDI engines.

6-speed torque converter auto offered with 2.0HDI from late 2007.

Old Xsara Picasso continues alongside as cheaper option until 2010.

Three individual seats across the centre, each with ISOFIX child seat tethers, plus ISOFIX tethers for front passenger seat.

Has outsold the Ford S-Max.

2009 International Engine of the Year award in the ‘1.4-litre to 1.8-litre category’ has again been won by the 1.6-litre, four-cylinder direct injection turbo petrol engine designed by PSA Peugeot Citroën in cooperation with BMW Group. Introduced in 2007 in the Peugeot 207, the 175bhp version of the engine also equips the Peugeot 308 GT THP 175. The 1.4 to 1.6-litre engine range delivers between 95 to 175bhp and is capable of producing over 200bhp for future product developments.

Road Test 2.0HDI EGS Exclusive at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=256

More at www.citroen.co.uk

Last updated 19-6-2009

What's Bad

Feedback welcome.

Citroen C4 Picasso rated ‘Poor’ for both front and rear bumpers in ABI Thatchan damageability test results published in December 2007. This rating means that front and rear collision repairs at just 6 mph costs in excess of £1,350 (each end of the car.)

Complaints of reflections of oncoming headlights in the huge windscreen when it is raining at night.

What to Watch Out For

Feedback welcome.

End of plastic dipstick of 1.6 HDI engine can break and drop into sump requiring removal of sump to retrieve it.

Clutch life of EGS can be as short as 24k miles. Should be a warranty issue as Citroen cannot claim driver abuse for failure of an automated clutch over which the driver has no control.