Citroën C4 Picasso e-HDi 115 first drive

Given that Citroën has managed to shift a huge 394,584 examples of the Citroen C4 Picasso MPV (and of its various predecessors) in the UK since the first Xsara Picasso launched in 1999, this is plainly a key model for the brand. So you'd expect Citroën to really put the boat out for the latest version.

They have. Citroën is rediscovering its mildly eccentric design mojo and the latest five-seater C4 Picasso continues that trend. The Picasso's nose is the most striking feature of the car, with those LED daylight running lights looking to many (including me) as though they're a space-age version of full-on headlights – the real ones are just below. It's a very cool visual effect.

There's drama in the profile, too, with a deeply sculpted character line along the lower body and an 'alloy-alike' surround around the side glass that adds a real dash of class. Even if, on closer examination, you realise its plastic.

The back end of the Picasso is the most ordinary feature of the exterior, until you turn on the lights. Then it looks like something out of the Volkswagen stable when those 3D LEDs fire up (can you patent an LED light pattern? Guess not). Either way, it’s a very good look.

Citroën has made an equally big splash with the interior. That familiar massive front screen, which feels a bit like a helicopter canopy, makes a return. But the big news surrounds the two large displays, including a touch screen that looks after regular control functions.

I'm really not sure about this - if, for example, you've got the navigation playing on the lower screen and you want to lower the fan speed, you've got to come out of nav, go into the air-con setting screen and then prod the fan icon. If you had a simple rotary dial, that palaver would take about a second and a half, and you can do it without taking your eyes off the road. Otherwise, this cabin is a very pleasant place to spend time - with the huge panoramic sunroof and that front screen, it's a marvelously airy environment. 

Built on PSA's new EMP2 platform, which will spawn a multitude of new models, the Picasso is 40mm shorter, but with a significant 55mm more wheelbase. That means there's a little more legroom in the back, and even though the new car's roofline is a bit lower, headroom all around is still generous. The quality and finish are still leagues ahead of earlier Picassos, although some of the lower dash plastics are slightly low rent.

We drove the 1.6-litre 115bhp e-HDi diesel, which Citroën reckons will be the UK's favourite. At launch, there will also be a 90bhp diesel as well as a 155bhp petrol option. 

You could live happily with this refined engine, but not so much if you live around a lot of hills — in higher gears, constant downshifts are needed to maintain any kind of progress on inclines. If that's a big issue for you, there will be a 150bhp diesel coming in November.

The new Picasso has a lower centre of gravity than the previous car, and weighs a remarkable 140kg less. But there's a bit more roll through the corners than I'd like, and the speed-variable electric steering isn't particularly feelsome. 

The upside is quite a decent ride quality, arguably the more important feature for a car doing the Picasso's job. Which is carrying five people and their luggage whilst looking like a bit of a Dan Dare hero.