Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 VTi 16v VTR 5dr Car Review - March 2012

The four cylinder 16v engine delivers a fair supply of power to this large vehicle, with a maximum output of 120 bhp and118 lb-ft of torque. The maximum speed of 116 mph is decent for a family car and acceleration speeds are fairly good for a car of this size and weight. The car reaches 0-62 mph in 12.1 seconds which is quicker than some of the other models in the C4 Picasso range.

The style of the C4 Picasso is highly attractive and the overall design uses sweeping lines and striking features, such as Citroen’s trademark radiator grille, to create an attractive exterior.

Within the cabin, high quality materials are used and this makes the interior comfortable and secure. This model comes with a fairly average trim level which includes power steering, central locking, stability control, air conditioning, electric door mirrors, electric front windows, cruise control and a stereo system compatible with CDs as standard.

Despite this, some popular features are missing. The stereo lacks MP3 connectivity and there is no option to have Bluetooth connectivity either. Rear parking sensors, climate control, leather seats, alloy wheels and an alarm are also unavailable whilst a metallic paint finish on the exterior will cost an additional £450.

Buyers receive a three year warranty for 60,000 miles with this model to provide additional assurances, and reliability levels are expected to be high. A service interval of 20,000 miles is recommended and this means maintenance should not be too expensive or frequent.

Overall, the quality of the build feels high and that means the model feels safe and sturdy to drive. The 1.6 VTi VTR C4 Picasso also comes with driver, passenger and front side airbags fitted as standard in order to enhance the safety levels which are on offer. The C4 Picasso also fared well in the NCAP crash tests where it achieved the maximum five star rating for overall safety.

Internal comfort is high within the vehicle thanks to some of the features and the suspension does a good job of keeping the drive smooth and enjoyable. Internal space is also used well to provide high levels of comfort and the boot boasts an impressive and practical supply of space with 1,734 litres on offer with the rear seats folded down and 500 litres available with all the seats in place.

The cabin is also fairly quiet thanks to the refined engine although there can be some noise disruption from the wind and road at higher speeds and when driving on motorways.

Priced at £17,055 the 1.6 VTi VTR C4 Picasso isn’t the most expensive people carrier on the market. Despite the size of the vehicle, performance levels remain fairly high and that means it is ideal for large families.

The only downside is that running costs may be higher than expected but considering the other benefits which are on offer this is somewhat compensated for.

Fuel efficiency is fairly average for a family car, achieving 40.9 mpg. This means refuelling will not be overly regular but will still be more frequent than in some rival models. Green credentials are also fairly poor with the car emitting 159 g/km of carbon dioxide. This places the car under road tax band G which is relatively expensive for families on a budget.