But even if an airy cabin isn’t quite your cup of tea, perhaps the new infotainment system and instrument cluster might be. The infotainment cluster is displayed on a 7-inch screen with no clickable switches. The buttons to switch between air-conditioning, the stereo or telephony functions are mounted on a touch-sensitive panel with a neat textured finish, the latter calling to mind Citroen’s own funky DS vehicle range.
Impressive as it is, that screen is just under half the size of the gargantuan 12-inch high-definition display that is the Picasso’s instrument cluster. The graphics are crisp, cheerful and certainly add to the car’s futuristic vibe.
In addition to all that, the Picasso will handle decently, too, or at least compared to its predecessor, which drives the way it looks (i.e. dowdy). The new model, thankfully, isn’t the marshmallow it was before. Its new EMP2 platform is responsible for a 100kg weight loss, and despite the 110mm longer wheelbase, has a near-identical external footprint.
That, in addition to the positive benefits brought about by a 40mm drop in ride height and firmer suspension settings, means the Picasso is, if not a completely willing companion on back-road blasts, at least one that will tolerate it in a pinch.
Bold, futuristic styling makes this a standout in the MPV segment.
Regardless, if you’re expecting a hot hatchback experience of the sort you gave up before parenthood, I’d advise caution. There’s still a disturbing amount of body roll, and the comfort-biased Michelin tyres don’t provide a great deal of grip. Besides, the familiar 1.6-litre, 156bhp turbocharged motor is merely adequate for the task, and its top two ratios are so long that dropping a gear (or two) is almost always necessary when overtaking.
That involves a frequent and slightly tedious rowing of gears, although by the time the Picasso arrives here in the second quarter of next year, the 6-speed automatic should take some of the work out of that (self-shifters for petrol-powered Picassos aren’t available at this point yet).
So, while the new Picasso still won’t slake the singleton’s lust for spirited driving, it certainly delivers just about everywhere else, from that “face” taken straight from a sci-fi movie to the huge amount of practicality on offer. It’s easily Citroen’s strongest product in a good long while.
As for whether it can fulfil the patriotic duty of boosting our national birthrate, Citroen is claiming the roomiest second and third rows in the segment. Now, get your mind out of the gutter – I meant the Picasso provides room for an expanding young family, although whether the “planning” for said expansion takes place on those seats is up to your discretion…
2013 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 1.6
ENGINE 1598cc, 16-valves, inline-4, turbocharged
MAX POWER 156bhp at 6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 240Nm at 1400-4000rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed manual
0-100KM/H 9.2 seconds
TOP SPEED 209km/h
FUEL CONSUMPTION 16.4km/L
CO2 EMISSION 142g/km
Check out our review of the five-seater Citroen C4 Picasso here
Check out the equally stylish Renault Grand Scenic here
