Funky C3 drives as well as it looks

Some small MPV’s are like boxes on wheels. Citroen new C3 Picasso is a small MPV and yet it looks really cool. It is over twelve months ago since I first clapped eyes on this funky motor at the Geneva Motor Show 2009. I fell for its looks then and I still haven’t changed my mind now that I have had the chance to test drive it last week. It was an all-embracing test drive that took me to Donegal and the Inishowen peninsula over roads and terrain that would stretch any car. There was a lot of driving - over 1,500 kilometers in all – on some of the best and worst roads in the country. 

At lot of clever thinking has gone into the fabrication of this car. The interior is spacious, family friendly and there is a multitude of cubby hole, storage areas and cup holder to take everything you could ever need on a journey. You get a firm flexible seating system, buckets of head room and a general layout that makes everything easy to reach and easy to read. The cabin is peppered with elliptically shaped air vents, dials and panels which are both unusual and pleasing to the eye. The switchgear is sturdy and the driver’s seat has plenty of adjustment for anyone to find a favourable position. The second row is split-folding and they slide independently for legroom or load space. 

On the road, you get the standard amount of body roll we now come to expect from these small MPV’s. I suppose it is unfair to be overly critical but it is the one area that would turn me off ever wanting one. Not just this car let me add, most of them. Yet you never get yourself into any trouble in the bends. It will go where it is pointed under most conditions. Although Citroen would be known for a softer suspension setup in their vehicles this car is stiff enough to give a solid ride. That though and the size of the cabin does contribute to a fair bit of travel noise inside. It is not too much to spoil your journey but it is there and you may have to turn up the volume of the radio or your iPod.  

Under the bonnet Citroen use their preferred 1.6HDi 90hp engine. It is the same PSA unit that we regularly applaud. It is an accomplished performer and offers decent economy. In a car of this size it is more than enough for the job at hand. I managed fuel consumption of 5.6L/100kms. It has a 5-speed gearbox that is light and accurate and the shift is placed at a nice height in the center console.  

Citroen, when designing the C3 Picasso VTR+ obviously gave a lot of attention to the manoeuvrability of this car. European city drivers want a car that is easily parked and can be squeezed through the narrow streets of many large cities. The contradiction here is the ability to do that with this car and yet enjoy the amount of room it provides. Citroen have split the A pillar and added addition glass that gives you superb visibility – one of the best I’ve seen – making it a joy to drive around town. It also adds to the brightness of the interior and to the pleasure of travelling in it for passengers.  

The Citroen C3 Picasso is fairly priced at €19,900. This one version is well serviced with good equipment levels including Cruise Control steering mounted audio controls and front fog lamps. It is in the same market place as the Nissan Note, the Opel Meriva and the likes. It has one distinctive advantage over most others; it has the looks. It isn’t easy to bring much style to this shape of vehicle. Citroen, as only they can has managed it here.