The Citroen Xsara Picasso has been a big sales success for Citroen, aided by some fairly aggressive pricing. We have already seen the new Citroen Grand C4 Picasso with seven seats, but this will be joined in the first quarter of 2007 by the five-seat Citroen C4 Picasso. With the Xsara Picasso still available, Citroen is the only manufacturer to offer a choice of three 'compact' MPVs. Add in the C8 for those with larger needs, and the Citroen MPV range is the broadest in the company's history.

The C4 Picasso takes its styling values from the C4 hatch, continuing the welcome return to Citroen design of days gone by, conventional it isn't!

Despite being a compact MPV, the C4 Picasso is anything but compact inside with space for five passengers and a class-leading luggage capacity of 500 litres under the rear shelf/cover. Fold the rear seats down and this expands to a massive 1,734 litres. If that's not enough, there is also a new version of Citroen's 'Modubox', a removable folding trolley which can divide boot space and transport objects outside of the vehicle.

The rear seats are allocated as three separate full-size seats rather than the usual 60/40 spilt arrangement for added rear seat comfort, and of course each folds flat into the boot floor when not in use.

Up front, the impression of spaciousness is heightened by the uncluttered dash layout and airy vista provided by the large windscreen and slim pillars. Add in the optional panoramic sunroof and the impression of being out in the open is complete.

It's a 'proper' Citroen so we're disappointed that the trademark Citroen pneumatic suspension is only an option, especially as so much of the C4 Picasso design is aimed towards comfort, relaxation and making life for the occupants so much more stress-free. Neat features include reading lights in the backs of the front seats, and a portable torch in the boot. Rear seat passengers have their own individual air flow controls, an air quality sensor and built in scented air freshener adding to the pleasant atmosphere.

If you want to spend on extras, you can have laminated acoustic side windows to further cut outside noise, and folding video screens for the rear seat passengers to keep them entertained on longer journeys.

Citroen seems to have its bases covered with the Picasso range. The C4 Picasso also brings in thoughtful touches such as four ISOfix seats, seat belt warnings for all seats and seven airbags all as standard. Citroen fully expects to repeat the 5-star Euro NCAP rating of the Grand C4 Picasso, which is based on the same platform.

There will be four engines available in the C4 Picasso, ranging from 1.8 and 2-litre petrol engines (127bhp and 143bhp) to 1.6 and 2-litre HDi diesel engines (110bhp and 138bhp). Hopefully Citroen will give us the opportunity to drive the new car later this year, following its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

Trevor Nicosia - 19 Jan 2007