It feels very eager under the toe, swallows highway kilometres and hills effortlessly and will push that pregnant armadillo shape to a very respectable top speed of 195 kmh. And, on the open road, return a very family-friendly fuel consumption figure of 5.9 l/100 km. Combined fuel use is claimed to be 6.1 l/100 km, though we averaged 8.1 l/100km on a ‘tight’ motor. (Such a thing would have been unthinkable just five or ten years ago.)
As a bonus, that HDI mill is one of the better sounding diesel units you’ll come across in a day’s driving. Clatter… there is none. When working hard it emits a tuneful, rounded groan. On the highway, just a pleasant hum tells you it’s there.
The soft suspension and high centre of gravity means there is a fair whack of body roll when pushing on. But it’s a bit like older Citroens (and Renaults) here: it can take a lot of ‘corner lean’ before it feels unstable. Some reviewers haven’t twigged to this (or have never driven a Dyanne or Renault 16). But let’s face it brothers and sisters, we’re not talking sports handling, but we are talking a competent handling package for a car of such versatile function.
Wherever you choose to take them (and the Picasso has seating for seven), you will get the family there capably. There are stowage boxes and cup holders everywhere; door bins; sun screens cleverly integrated into the passenger doors; rear luggage cover, and, if you need to carry some serious luggage, the capacity of the back rises to 1951 litres with the seats folded away.
In summary, there is a lot to like about the Picasso. It’s an intriguing car – no doubt you’ll get used to its quirks: its slightly oddball lines, the unusual dash, the unfamiliar ergonomics, its low-speed ‘bumps’ and soft ride. You’ll get used to them, because you’ll enjoy driving it.
Its price though, at the upper-end of its segment, is likely to make the going tough in the showroom. At $39,990 for the 2.0-litre petrol, and $44,990 for the HDi 2.0-litre turbo diesel, the Picasso is competing against the likes of Territory, Commodore Wagon, and Kluger. Citroen will have to sharpen the pencil here.
Of course, for families, the value proposition is helped by the five-star adult occupant rating (Euro NCAP testing), dual front, side and curtain airbags as well as a driver’s knee airbag, traction and stability control, ABS with EBD and brake assist.
2009 BMW 335i Sedan 
2010 BMW 120d Hatch manual (E87) 
2009 Holden Commodore SS Sportwagon 
2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 
2009 Ford Mondeo MB (Titanium) 
2009 Honda Civic Type R 
2009 Nissan 370Z Auto 
2009 Volkswagen Passat CC V6 FSI
another well written review TMR. MY concern with the french brands is how long they will last out here and what they cost ot service. Ive heard horror stories.
That aside, they design some brilliant cars when they put their minds to it.
It’s a lot safer buying Australian made if you are worried about durability and service costs harro. Buy French if you want that bit of flair and a car that is comparatively unique.
Great write up, very entertaining. Who is ‘The Insider’ and why don’t we know his real name. Is The Insider like the dentists who cant show us their faces? What gives here?
I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours?
RM
The Insider won’t give his name, because when he does, the PR guys won’t give him anymore cars for TMR.
Yars ‘R’… enticing proposition this ’showing’ of stuff; would I… could I… should I?
Alas, I must decline.
And the Insider? “He’s just a man, honey, just an ordinary man, but one who puts himself on the line for you, and me, everyday…” “Ooh, thank you Insider!”
I think that’s how it goes.
You see ‘R’, because there is such a lot of ill-informed crap masquerading as advice appearing on the web these days (have you seen some of the other car sites…? Give me strength…) you have to be terribly careful who you associate with.
This lot, TMR, they’re rabbits, they know that, but they’re sorta loveable in a ‘rabbit-stew’ kind of way. I might fess up one day, tell them who I am… maybe… one day. (Perhaps soon; I’m getting sick of walking backwards into meetings because I can’t show them my face…)
The Insider
I AM getting a bit sick of you sitting in the darkest corner of every meeting room…
Great review Insider, and I really appreciate your understanding and history of the appeal of the French marquees. The car you tested is an identical twin to the one that I’ve had for nearly 18 months, except mine also has the massive moonroof which makes it feel like you’re driving a convertible!
Whilst the majority of your review is accurate, there’s a few points that I’d like to clarify:
1. The model you drove was not the “Exclusive” top of the range, so it didn’t have the hydropneumatic suspension on the rear axle that you alluded to.
2. The bumps that you kept feeling at low speeds are mainly because of the low profile tyres and 17″ alloys. If you had driven the petrol version with 16″ alloys, and higher profile tyres, the ride would have been a lot more Citroën-like.
3. Your negative commentary on the styling is counter to the majority of comments that I receive. Most people love both the interior and exterior look.
4. The torque figure that you quoted (270Nm)is for the 1.6L HDi. The 2.0 HDi that you tested actual has a torque of 320Nm (actually 340Nm with overboost).
5. You managed to break an Australian journalistic record for a review of a French car in using the “Q” word more than 4 times!
Damn I hate being wrong… no… that’s not quite right… damn I hate being discovered I’m wrong.
But yes, the torque figure is wrong (Madame Le Lash is on her way to administer the thrashing); it has now been fixed and it won’t happen again… although that might depend on how much I enjoy the thrashing.
I can only count “quirk”, “quirky”, and “quirks” three times, but I am sure there are more.
But I’m with you Pikachu on the “discrete charms of the French automobile”. (I’ve owned more than a few in my day.)
The Insider