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You Couldnt Have Seriously Considered Citroens Xsara Picasso As An Alternative To Larger MPVs Until The Arrival Of This 2.0-litre Version. Jonathan Crouch Checks It Out
Citroens Xsara Picasso may be the UKs best selling mini-MPV, but until the arrival of the 2.0-litre 137bhp version featured here, it didnt have the kind of powerful petrol engine likely to appeal to up-market customers downsizing from something larger. Now things are different, the last remaining impediment to continuing sales success seems to have been removed.
True, Renaults Scenic 2.0 has 136bhp at its disposal, while Vauxhalls Zafira 2.2 has 147bhp on which to call. Having said that, most likely users will probably find that the on the road differences arent that great.
This Xsara Picasso can, after all, make sixty from rest in 10.9s on the way to 119mph. And thats with the sprint-sapping drawback of an automatic gearbox (theres no manual option). Compare auto with auto and youll find Citroen, Renault and Vauxhall all much of a muchness in the performance stakes.
Not that performance is a particularly important issue for mini-MPV buyers of cars like these. Top of the line 2.0-litre petrol variants of the kind were looking at here will account for a tiny proportion of sales but, having said that, in terms of overall importance, they punch well above their weight. For a start, theres the halo effect: a dealer will typically run a top-of-the-line version to make the test drive customer feel better about choosing the humbler variant he or she will probably end up driving away. Then theres the push for downsizers, customers more used to running a larger People Carrier who no longer need all that space but still want the performance theyd got used to, particularly over longer journeys. For these people, Citroens failure, in the original Xsara Picasso range, to offer anything with more than 117bhp (the output of the most powerful petrol 1.8) was a major problem.
"Citroens failure in the original Xsara Picasso to offer anything with more than 117bhp was a major problem. This car puts things right"
The 2.0-litre 137bhp variant featured here belatedly filled this hole in the product line-up. Prices start at 16,620 for the Desire model and 17,420 for the plusher Exclusive variant. Which looks good value in comparison to a 2.
2-litre Zafira and a 2.0 16V Scenic. Whats more, Citroen cashbacks and discounts of as much as 2,000 should make all the difference when it comes to hammering out a bottom line figure. Downsizers from more sophisticated large people carriers will be looking for more sophisticated electronics, so Citroen has fitted these 2.
0-litre flagship models with the ESP Electronic Stability Programme and the EBA brake assistance feature. These people will also appreciate the standard inclusion of cruise control, operated via more ergonomic steering wheel controls that are these days fitted throughout the range. As is the trend with automatic gearboxes these days, the automatic transmission is one of those with a manual option, enabling users to flip up and down the gearbox by hand if theyre feeling sporty. In reality, youll probably try this feature once or twice then dismiss it as rather pointless.
Go, as many Picasso 2.0-litre customers will, for the top Exclusive model and youll find plenty of kit included as standard. Over and above the Desire tally, you can expect alloy wheels, automatic digital air conditioning, automatic headlamps and an electric glass full-sized sunroof. This last-named feature relieves the feeling of claustrophobia familiar to rear seat passengers in many mini-MPVs, plus it also helps that all three rear seats can slide independently solving at a stroke the all too familiar big brother/little sister elbow to head scenario.
Electrically retractable door mirrors and a refrigerated glove box make the team sheet as do a black leather-trimmed steering wheel and illuminated courtesy mirrors. Beige velour upholstery is fitted as standard, but those who really want to give their Exclusive the luxury touch can fork out an additional 1,250 and, for the first time in a Picasso, trim it in leather. Satellite navigation is another option available to Exclusive customers, ensuring that "Lost In France" will forever remain just another bad Bonnie Tyler song. There is a further trim option known as VTX but this is aimed specifically at fleet customers. In addition, all Xsara Picassos now feature front and rear reading lights as well as lumbar adjustment on the drivers seat to take the pain out of crushing continents. The Picasso has always been a supremely pragmatic vehicle.