Citroen C3 Picasso Review

Citroen C3 Review

The new Citroen C3 Picasso went on sale at the beginning of April (2009) and Citroen set about urging potential customers to think of it more as a family member or part of the household, than simply a car.

Practical versatility is the key thinking behind this and although it isn't in quite the same league as one of its rivals, the Vauxhall Meriva, it does beat its main competitors in terms of space. The Citroen C3 Picasso has the largest boot capacity and more leg- and elbow-room than most of the others and that makes the difference.

Going back to the household analogy, think of the Citroen C3 Picasso as a box-room on wheels or, as Citroen prefers, the 'Spacebox'. Not only is there some 500-litres of boot space before the seats are lowered but good packaging and the long wheelbase also allows for plenty of room in the cabin, too.

The boot capacity is helped by a vertical rear tailgate and inside there is a double floor. The top platform is level with the boot sill for easy loading or hiding valuables underneath. Alternatively, taller objects can be accommodated by dropping the platform to the lower level or removing it completely.

There is also a three-part cover to the luggage area, which can also be stowed under the main floor. The rear bench seats are able to slide forward, either as one or in a 60:40 ratio and are easily folded with a single flick of a lever. When flat, the seat backs form a flat floor and if they have been moved forward, there are magnetic flaps attached to the back of the seats that bridge any gaps. It is all very easy to accomplish, when the maximum capacity of 1506-litres is needed.

As mentioned, rear passengers in the Citroen C3 Picasso have plenty of legroom and, of course, the sliding and reclining seats help. They are a little firm but comfortable, nonetheless. Apart from the length of the wheelbase, the extra legroom comes from the use of thinner seat-backs at the front, plus the fact that the high roof-line means a more upright seating position, moreover, elbow room is said to be the best in the segment.

Citroen C3 Picasso