Citroen C4 Picasso (2013-2018) Review

Citroen has always loved people carriers. The French firm can't seem to stop making them - in fact it's probably what it has become best known for in recent years with its range of Picasso models. 

In this Citroen C4 Picasso review we will be looking at the last ever C4 Picasso model, Citroen switched to the name SpaceTourer before the model was dropped completely.

The Xsara Picasso represented affordable and practical family transport. There were few frills but there was also rarely a time when you couldn't get a discount on one. It became the DFS of cars. But much has changed since then as Citroen attempts to shake of its 'value' tag and aim for an association with style and innovation. Which is where the C4 Picasso came in.

Citroen certainly got the styling right. Especially from the front with its smooth front end and slim LED daytime running lights which give it a cutting edge appearance. It's very different from other MPV designs yet is unmistakably a Citroen with an added premium feel. 

Of course what's most important for an MPV is practicality and space. Citroen has often led the way in these departments and the C4 Picasso continues that. The first thing you notice is how light it is inside, helped by more than five square metres of glass including a large glass roof and a panoramic windscreen. We're not huge fans of the latter, if it's sunny then you just get dazzled, but you can at least slide the sunblinds forward.

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Those seats also tilt which is a nice touch. All four doors open wide which makes getting in and out - or fitting child seats - much easier than in a conventional hatchback.

The dash top cubby compartments may have gone but there's still plenty of useful storage areas including a huge compartment between the front seats, clever boxes under the floor in the back and trays under the front seats. But the best is the area in the centre dashboard which is like a little media centre with a USB port, an aux-in and a plug socket. It's an ideal place for keeping phones and the like safe.

The C4 Picasso is miles ahead of the old model in this department, with impressive body control making it genuinely good to drive. The ride is mightily impressive and there's little wind or road noise on the motorway, so it's very relaxing on long journeys, helped by supportive seats. In town the clever thin windscreen pillar design makes pulling out of junctions safer and the light steering and tight turning circle make it easy to park.

It's fair to say that the Citroen C4 Picasso doesn't offer a scintillating drive, but that's unlikely to be something that many buyers are that bothered about. If it is however, the Ford C-MAX is more fun behind the wheel.

Go for the 1.2 Puretech with the EAT6 automatic gearbox and you should see 43mpg in real world driving which is far more economical than the 28mpg you'll see with the 1.6 THP EAT6. If it's outright economy you want, the 1.6-litre diesel is the best choice. There are various versions but most will see more than 50mpg.

Used prices start at around £5000, although you may find the odd high mileage model for less. As ever, avoid anything that's been written off as a Cat C or similar. Despite all the assurances of the seller, you don't know the quality of the repairs and it will be more expensive to insure. A budget of £14,000 to £15,000 will get you one of the last models - in 2018 the name was changed to the C4 SpaceTourer.