Citroen C4 Picasso Edition 1.6 HDi 5dr Car Review - July 2013

The C4 Picasso Edition 1.6 HDi has a 110bhp diesel engine which produces 210lb-ft of torque at 1750rpm. With a top speed of 112mph and a 0-62mph time of 12.8 seconds it doesn’t have the same pace as the 150bhp 2.0-litre diesel option, but does have more low and mid-range grunt than the entry-level petrol-powered models. The C4 Picasso is well-behaved and quiet when motorway cruising, but at higher speed on twisty roads there is a noticeable body roll in the corners although grip levels remain good. The ride is less impressive at lower speeds too, and becomes jumpy on uneven surfaces. The dash-mounted six-speed manual gearbox is smooth enough however, and the steering is light making for a manoeuvrable machine around town.

The Citroen C4 Picasso is a five-seater MPV which sits in between the conventional C4, on which it is based, and the seven-seater C4 Grand Picasso. The design, like most Citroen products, is a dynamic looking design with an airy feel thanks to the large expanses of glass. The entry-level Edition trim comes as standard with power steering, central locking, stability control, climate control, electric door mirrors, electric front and rear windows, cruise control, rear parking sensor, immobiliser and CD player. The list of standard equipment can be added to for an additional cost, for example bluetooth and MP3 connectivity can be included for a combined £210, and metallic paint finish for £495.

Euro NCAP, the independent consumer organisation who perform crash and safety tests on new cars released on the European market awarded the Citroen C4 Picasso a full five stars out of five overall. The C4 Picasso comes with a full compliment of airbags, with driver, passenger, and front side airbags included. The C4 Picasso also comes with a 3-year, 60,000-mile manufacturers warranty. The space inside is impressive, especially with the three independent rear seats which offer plenty of adjustment. Head and legroom is very good, compromised only slightly by the curve of the b and c pillars. With 500-litres of boot capacity the C4 Picasso’s luggage space is only slightly less cavernous than its bigger brother the C4 Grand Picasso, and when the three rear seats are lowered the capacity grows further to 1734-litres.

The Citroen C4 Picasso Edition 1.6 HDi has a price tag of £19.805, making it the cheapest diesel-powered option in the C4 Picasso range. Running costs for the diesel are competitive when compared to its rivals. Its has a combined fuel economy figure of 54.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 132g/km falling into Road Tax Band E as a result. The C4 Picasso is highly regarded by its owners and performs well in the JD Power customer satisfaction surveys. These factors will bolster residual values and make the C4 Picasso Edition 1.6 HDi an attractive buy, as will the decent levels of trim and standard equipment found in the entry-level diesel model.