Citroen Xsara Picasso

Our verdict

The Citroen Xsara Picasso is cheap family transport, but looks incredibly dated next to Citroen’s own C4 Picasso.

Comfort

Supple ride keeps the kids quiet, but there's plenty of road noise. A good view is a boon, but this isn't on a par with a limo.

Performance

With Citroen preparing to kill the Xsara Picasso in favour of the C4 version there are just three engines on offer; a pair of 1.6-litre Hdis with either 92 or 110bhp and a 1.6-litre petrol with 95bhp. Forget the smaller two if you carry a lot of people or kit - surely the point - and go straight for the 110. That motor will give you 0-62mph in 11 seconds dead and punt the Picasso to 114mph should you so desire. Which you hopefully won't.

Cool

Too bland, too old. Like GMTV.

Quality

Finish is on the cheap side, presumably in preparation for destruction by irate three year olds armed with Bob The Builder plastic spanners. Running gear is well proven and reliable.

Handling

Lots of bodyroll for the Picasso and eventually lots of tyre squeal and a noisy crash. Be calm and careful and it's an average-handling MAV/small MPV, which is to say unremarkable.

Practicality

Very practical thanks to an egg-shaped roofline. Lots of space all round and multi-functional seats make the most of the space. The boot's big at 550litres and kids like being in it because they can see out of it.

Running costs

The 1.6-litre diesels are insurance group 7 or 8 depending on the model and both get over 55mpg. Low C02 emissions also mean they slip tax burdens quite neatly. The only problems are horrific residuals that make grown men cry.