Citroen C4 Picasso Hatchback 2007 - Present

The mini-MPV market is a competitive one in the UK and Citroen have been dominating it with their Picasso for a while now. It's been the best-selling vehicle of its type thanks to aggressive pricing, marketing and heaps of space in a compact shell.

The new C4 Picasso aims to take up where the Xsara left off, and it doesn't disappoint. These cars are for hauling round families, not screeching around town, so the engines, while satisfactory, won't deliver much on the G-force front. However they're smooth and efficient and With a choice of a 127bhp 1.8-litre or 143bhp 2.0-litre petrol engines or 110bhp 1.6 or 138bhp 2.0-litre diesel units, there's plenty of choice, while you can also decide between a five-seater or a big seven-seater depending on the number of passengers you'll want to invite.

The C4's winning attributes are comfort and incredible visability, with 70 degree range of vision, double that of a standard MPV. In addition to the biggest windscreen you're likely to see, it also has the biggest sunroof, it is so light and airy that the feeling of space is further enhanced. with all this glass it might have been in danger of becoming a greenhouse on wheels but a super air-conditioning keeps everybody cool.

Loads of extras including functions like an electronic automated manual gearbox, lane departure warning systems and the clever fixed hub steering wheel are available, depending on the model you buy. The video screens in the headrests will be very popular with family buyers as will the Picasso's five-star EuroNCAP safety rating. It's more expensive than its predecessor but with all the extra features that looks like money well spent.

Competitors in the class are the Volkswagen Golf Plus, the Ford C-Max, and the Renault Scenic and they're all very good options. The tipping point will probably come down to individual taste for the designs of each car. Some will prefer the smooth lines of the Citroen, and for those that are seduced, I doubt they'll regret it for a minute.

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