Only the French can make a people carrier look interesting.
In fact the new Citroen C4 Picasso is stylish enough to make you want one even if you don't
have a family.
Yes it may still be effectively be a box on wheels but Citroen has added so much jewelry
to it that it's more like a tiffany box -- and just like with one of those what's inside
is even better.
This dash design is so contemporary its worthy of its own exhibition at the Tate modern.
What's more Citroen has thrown so much kit at it -- there's as much tech as you'll find
in an Apple store.
All models get stuff like climate, Bluetooth, digital radio and this touch screen.
But exclusive cars with come with this additional 12-inch HD display with sat nav.
If you want you can change the colour theme and even add your own photo.
You can also get parking cameras with junction and birds eye view to help you maneuver and
an auto park facility if you really can't be bothered to do it yourself.
The new C4 Picasso is slightly smaller than it's predecessor yet it has more room inside
than before.
This makes it an even better at playing van with the seats folded.
And with them up the boot is bigger than on its rivals.
The C4 Picasso has three individual chairs each which have isofix for a child seat.
What's more the floor is completely flat so the person in the middle isn't at a disadvantage.
Also you can recline the seats on all models and slide them too on higher spec exclusives
models.
These cars also get foldable front passenger seats for the full business class experience
while the, fold down rather than fold up picnic tables feel a lot more robust than on other
MPVs.
You can get the C4 Picasso with a choice of two petrols or two diesels.
Most people will be best off with the 115hp 1.6-litre diesel as it's smooth, quite, reasonably
swift and capable of a claimed 70.6 miles per gallon.
The C4 Picasso is easy to drive in town as the controls are light and the gearbox slicker
than you normally get on a Citroen.
The raised seating position gives you a good view out, and the thin a-pillars and large
quarterlights help let light into the cabin, as does the - panoramic windscreen....
And if sun gets in your eyes you can just do this...
This people carrier is good on faster roads too.
It's fairly quiet at speed has comfortable suspension and handles well enough.
Generally it's pretty good to drive - only when you push it do you notice that it's dynamically
inferior to the Ford Focus CMax.
It does roll a bit in the bends, the steering doesn't feel as if its connected to the front
wheels and when you hit a big pot hole the otherwise supple suspension does give you
a jolt.
And that's how it is with the rest of the car.
On the surface it seems brilliant at everything, but after a while you notice
some the C4 Picassos shortcomings.
For instance, yes the dash may look cool and free from buttons it means you have to access
the touchscreen to change the cabin temperature -- which is annoying when you are driving.
Also you wonder how much of this tech will go wrong.
After all Citroen isn't know for it's reliability having finished in the bottom quarter of the
2013 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey -- which, incidentally, you can take part
in by visiting driverpower.co.uk.
Other niggles include the fact that while there are plenty of cubbies because Citroen
couldn't be bothered to move the fuse box as well as the wheel over to the right hand
side for UK models the most important one -- the glovebox is half the size it should
be.
Finally there is the space in the back.
Head and leg room is good, but due to the curved body those in the outer seats end pressed
up the door, which is annoying -- good job curtain airbags come as standard.
In fact the C4 has an impressive array of safety kit.
Though really the thing that sets it apart from other MPVs and helps you overlook any
shortcomings is the design.
MPVs have no business looking this good.