What is it?
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.
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I've noticed a slight shift
I've noticed a slight shift in attitude with the motoring presss towards touch screen control panels. Initially, they were the must-have item, and comparable models without them were criticised for having old fashioned, less up-market fascias. Now I've seen a few reviews actually daring to suggest that having a traditional control dial might be the better (and) safer option. Who'd have thought it..
Hmmm ...
I'm glad Citroen has got its design mojo back (unlike its stablemate, Peugeot) and look forward to seeing a "DS" version in the not too distant future ... Now, all we need is a replacement for the tired C1 (perhaps modelled on the funky-looking Mitsubishi i-MiEV/C-Zero) and all will be well ...