Comments:
The Citroen Xsara Picasso looks like a superb family car - they’ve really thought about what a normal family needs, and provided it. Citroen have really thought about the needs of the family while driving in so many ways, from the use of storage compartments, to the big low windows that the kids can easily look out of. And the windscreen at the front slopes out creating a wonderful illusion of great space for both the driver and passenger. In these regards, the car seems to have been designed by a woman who knows exactly what she needs in terms of a family driving experience.
However, on the issue of safety, the NCAP tests were not encouraging. Additionally, another concern that worried me is that a lot of the Citroen Xsara Picasso is made of glass. It is effectively one big bubble of glass in a metal cage. In the event of an impact I would be very seriously concerned about the danger of flying glass to the occupants - ie, my family.
Also, all of the driving instrumentation is provided as an LCD display in the middle of the dashboard, between the driver and passenger. Aside from being something of an unnatural position, I was concerned that even a minor electrical fault could completely wipe out the essential driver functions in a way that couldn’t happen to something using more traditional speedometer needles.
An unfortunate factor that also came into my reasoning was when I looked for a second-hand version the salesmen tried to push a car that had serious corrosion issues on the chassis. I know little about cars, but I do know that if a two-year old car has far more rust underneath the car than my battered old 10-year old Primera had, then there is something inherently wrong. I walked out at point of sale.
I also found salesmen at a range of approved Citroen dealerships generally very pushy, and much more concerned about their commission than making a sale - they were very keen to sell me any kind of Citroen, and fast, without any regard at all for what I might actually want or on what timescale I wanted to purchase on.
Overall, the Citroen Xsara Picasso is a nicely designed car in terms of travelling comforts, but I have serious reservations about the amount of glass involved, and additionally, that the car could be made unusable by the smallest of electrical problems. Also, Citroen salesmen seemed especially aggressive to make a sale that benefited them most, rather than myself.
A cheap car for the price, but when spending that sort of money, you don;t really want niggling doubts.
Description:
From the Citroen Xsara Picasso webpage:
Prepare to be stopped in your tracks, because the Citroën Xsara Picasso is startlingly, refreshingly different. The exterior with its smooth curves and sweeping arch of glass is beautifully compact. Yet step inside and you’re in a vast, comfortable cabin that adapts to almost every need.
The Xsara Picasso rides and handles like a saloon, accommodates people like a multi purpose vehicle and swallows luggage like an estate. Available in petrol and diesel with a wealth of high tech innovations, the Xsara Picasso is one of the most popular and safest choices in its sector.
The fantastic new 1.6HDi 16V 110hp engine combines the power and driveability of the latest common-rail diesel technology with enhanced acoustics and vibration control, while ensuring a significant reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. An overboost function integrated with the engine management system provides additional bursts of torque over a short period, for overtaking or in emergency situations.
Now available in top of the range “Exclusive” trim, offering even more luxury and comfort to combine with its already reknown versatility and practicality, the Xsara Picasso will make your journey not only practical and comfortable but also stylish. You will be driving away in even more style, surrounded by beautiful Dorice velour on seating, armrest and headrest and a bit of understated privacy thanks to the blackout rear side and tailgate windows.
Set yourself apart from the crowd and free your mind! Book a test drive now!
Specifications:
Basic specifications on 2005 models:
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‘Bayonne’ 15″ steel wheels
‘Melbourne’ 15″ alloy wheels (four)
3-speed ‘butterfly’ style windscreen wipers
Body colour painted bumper skirts
Body colour painted bumpers with chrome inserts and side rubbing strips
Body colour painted door handles
Body colour painted door mirrors
Body colour painted rear number plate moulding
Chrome number plate moulding
Leather steering wheel
Metallic/Pearlescent/Black paint
Safety:
The Citroen Picasso hasn’t been tested by EuroNCAP since 2001 - and when it was, it scored 4 stars.
Despite the apparent high score are a range of potential safety issues, though, which resulted in almost every part of the body being open to some danger of minor injury in the standard front impact.
Although the 2005 Citroen Xsara Picasso only certainly has improved safety features, the NCAP tests do not instil confidence.
