Car test R0149 October 2001 Citroën Xsara Picasso …

1 Car test R0149 . October 2001. citro n Xsara Picasso Featured model: AT A GLANCE. considering size, price and rivals Overtaking ability . Space/practicality . Controls/displays . Safety . Handling/steering . Comfort . Fuel economy . SPECIFICATION. engine 1749cc, 4-cylinder, petrol;. 117bhp at 5500rpm, 120 lb ft at 4000rpm; belt-driven twin overhead camshafts, 16 valves transmission 5-speed manual, front- wheel drive; in 5th, T. in 4th HE Picasso 'S BACK-TO-FRONT, rear legroom looks merely average due to suspension front: independent push-me-pull-you looks may lose restricted foot space under the front seats. MacPherson damper/struts, coil springs. citro n's Scenic rival a few friends Backing this up is a class-leading bounty Rear: independent torsion bars, trailing on the forecourt, but its blend of of boot space. This isn't only regularly arms. Anti-roll bars and telescopic class-leading space, generous safety kit, shaped with easy, low-silled access, but dampers all round creature comforts and keen pricing is further enhanced by the two stage lifting steering hydraulic power assistance.

2 Proving a popular draw among the tailgate and a handy, collapsible shopping turns lock-to-lock; diameter mid-sized MPV pack. trolley clipped neatly to the side of the load turning circle between kerbs Strictly a five-seater (unlike the quirkily area. brakes ventilated discs front, drums rear styled, six-seat Fiat Multipla, or Vauxhall's All three back seats tip forwards, with electronic anti-lock and brake- force Zafira, which neatly shoehorns-in seating although only the centre one slides fore distribution controls standard for up to seven), the Xsara -based Picasso and aft. There's a plethora of oddments wheels/tyres 6in steel with 185/65R15. has made significant inroads into the spaces, too, and helpfully, the uncluttered 88H tyres (Michelin XH1 on test car);. Scenic-class sales charts since its launch. gap between the front seats considerably full-size spare Having previously sampled the frugal, eases front-to-rear access.

3 Free-running diesel, we turned our Fuel economy can't match the diesel's attention this time to the more powerful thrift, of course, but the still nets a very LIKES .. version of the and petrol- respectable 35mpg overall, with mid-40s powered pairing. easily attainable on gentle jaunts. On top big load area/two-stage tailgate lift The 117bhp livens up the of this, even the cheaper LX comes with a 3-point belts/headrests for all seats Picasso 's get-up-and-go when driven with generous tally of equipment and safety kit, cubby-holes, cupholders, hooks galore gusto, but it loses some mechanical while the Picasso 's roomy, comfortable clip-in, folding trolley in load bay refinement compared with the diesel when cabin and general poise retain their asked to do so. The top-endy power unit appeal long beyond a brief showroom and GRIPES. also feels more at home in a racy, encounter.

4 No tacho/digital dials hard to read pocket-sized hatchback like the Saxo than bay window facia reflects in screen it does in the more sedate surroundings of seatback picnic trays feel flimsy VERDICT. an MPV. cramped pedal layout To some, the Picasso isn't the The also trails the diesel to a degree prettiest of the mid-sized MPVs, but it in on-the-road refinement, trading the delivers a more than generous mix of oil-burner's composed deportment, THE Xsara Picasso RANGE. comfort, space and versatility at a especially over poorer surfaces, with body lower medium (mid-priced) MPV. keen price. For us, though, the fussier, slightly more fidgety progress over trim levels LX and SX. petrol-powered takes (a close). the lumpy bits. engines petrol: 4- litre/95bhp, second place to the finer riding and The musical chairs interior benefits 4 ; diesel 4 more frugal diesel, despite the petrol from the Picasso being a touch wider and drive front-wheel drive, 5-speed manual.

5 Version's livelier pace and still longer than many in this class, with no automatic option respectable economy. advantages in almost all areas, although more facts and figures . OVERTAKING ABILITY SAFETY . Lively when revved, but more lethargic in higher gears; unit Wealth of safety features (earning 4-star NCAP rating) includes feels more suited to GTi than MPV use. Gearshift slicker than its ABS with EBD, quartet of front and side airbags, 3-point belts and looks suggest, but cramped pedal layout mars driving appeal head restraints for all in rear, plus a trio of Isofix child seat mounts acceleration through braking dry road stopping distance in seconds gears* rd gear th gear th gear 20-40mph pedal feel from 50mph (with standard ABS). in emergency pedal load 10kg distance 44m 30-50mph unhurried handbrake sudden 18 kg 27 m best stop 40-60mph +4kg ie 22kg 28m ABS on 50-70mph 30-70mph EURO NCAP CRASH TEST RATINGS (lhd) tested 2001.

6 Max speed in each gear (*using 6250rpm for best acceleration). front impact 69% side impact 89%. gear * * * overall 79% pedestrian rating . speed (mph) 32 58 80 104 110. SECURITY FEATURES. SPACE AND PRACTICALITY . Roomy, comfortable five-seater, but foot space tight under front central locking alarm . seats and only centre rear seat slides. Excellent rear shoulder room and luggage space, with plenty of storage and neat ideas remote control immobiliser . auto window closure luggage security in centimetres (5-door MPV) inside ( without sunroof) deadlocks . outside front - legroom 83-106. standard 0 factory option not available length 428 - headroom 96-102 . width - inc mirrors 198 rear - typical leg/ 95/. - mirrors folded 181 kneeroom 72 . HANDLING AND STEERING . height (no roof bars) 164 - headroom 94 Safe and stable handling with nicely weighted steering, but load sill height 2/60 - hiproom 137.

7 There's plenty of body roll; lacks appeal for the keener driver (inside/outside) load space (all seats in use). steering (litres/cu ft) 550 turns lock-to-lock load length 82-133. turning circle (metres) (with rear seats removed) 155. easy to park/garage? load width 116-126. load height (to shelf) 57. - 74 with picnic trays in use (to top of aperture) 91-94. CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS . Central (digital) display makes for a tidy, uncluttered facia, but lacks a rev counter and hard to read in bright sunlight. Light coloured facia top causes bad lower screen reflections, too COMFORT . Bags of Gallic poise and home-from home comfort in the cabin, but upstaged by the HDi diesel's superior ride and refinement FUEL ECONOMY . Good pace allied to impressive thrift at the fuel pumps makes the Picasso one of the most efficient mid-sized MPVs, yet diesel version holds more appeal for ultimate mile-stretching economy AA test results (mpg) official figures (mpg).

8 Worst (hard/urban) 23 urban best (gentle/rural) 46 extra urban overall mpg on test 35 combined realistic tank capacity 49 litres CO2 emissions 187g/km typical range 380 miles car tax band D. brakes - best maximum HOW THE Picasso engine cyl/cap/power revs at 70mph 30-70mph through 30-70mph in 5th/4th fuel economy stop from legroom - typical leg/ steering kneeroom - turns/. overall length COMPARES* (no/cc/bhp) (rpm) gears (sec) gears (sec) (mpg) 50mph (m/kg) front (cm) rear (cm) circle (m) (cm). citro N Picasso 5dr [5] 4/1749/117 3205 35 27 /18 106 95/72 428. Daewoo Tacuma 5dr [5] 4/1998/119 3350 29 28 /20 103 103/77 435. Fiat Multipla 5dr [6] 4/1581/103 3780 29 27 /20 106 114/83 399. Nissan Almera Tino 5dr [5] 4/1769/114 3170 33 26 /10 108 98/71 427. Renault Scenic 5dr [5] 4/1598/110 3465 34 26/40 108 102/76 417. Vauxhall Zafira 5dr [7] 4/1796/113 3630 32 27/14 103 102/75 432.

9 * max seating capacity in brackets all with ABS 105/81 as 4-seater; 109/85 as 4-seater The Automobile Association Limited 2001.