Citroën C3 Picasso (09 on) - Review

Review by Chris Ebbs on
Last Updated: 01 June 2011
The C3 Picasso sets out to create something that offers practicality on the inside with an individual image and funky styling on the outside. The styling certainly sets it apart from anything else this size while its clever use of space and excellent visibility give it an edge over alternatives like the Nissan Note and Vauxhall Meriva. Drive wise it is rather dull and some engines are sluggish, but what it lacks in power and excitement it makes up for in its functional use of space and size. Plenty of rear passenger space and a large boot make it ideal as a family car.
3.5 out of 5

Other Citroën reviews

4 out of 5

Running costs

The diesel manages 20mpg more than the petrol, so makes a better choice for long distance drivers. However, it also requires servicing more often with intervals of 12,500 miles rather than 20,000 miles. Citroen dealers tend to offer good value rates when it comes to routine maintenance and there's also a three-year/35,000 mile servicing programme available for a one-off up front payment. It includes an annual vehicle ‘health check’ and brake fluid replacement.

* based on most recent data

Estimated fuel cost for 10,000 miles per year

Unleaded

£1,306 - £1,395 *

Diesel

£1,034 - £1,125 *

The estimated fuel cost figure is a guide to how much this model will cost to fuel each year, so you can compare between cars. It's calculated by using the model's average mpg (calculated from both town centre and motorway driving) and the average fuel price. It's based on the following cost-per-litre: petrol 135p and diesel 141p. Prices are updated daily.

Summary Running Costs

Servicing period

20,000 miles (petrol), 12,500 miles (diesel).

Warranty

Three years/60,000 miles.

Road tax (12 months)

£30.00 - £135.00

Vehicle excise duty (VED) varies according to the CO2 emissions and the fuel type of the vehicle. For cars registered after March 1st 2001 VED or road tax is based on the car's CO2 emissions. For cars registered before March 1st 2001 it is based on engine size.

Full running costs data

3 out of 5

Green credentials

  • A
  • B
  • C
    119
  • D
  • E
  • F
    149
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M

CO2 emission figure (g/km)

Fuel economy rating

The arrows indicate the best and worst CO2 bands for this model.

Emissions summary

CO2 emissions are quite high for a car of this size especially on the petrol models with the 1.4-litre emitting 159g/km and 163g/km for the 1.6-litre petrol. The 1.6-litre diesel version performs better with 133g/km of CO2 but there is no dedicated low-emissions version available. Both the petrol and diesel model are fairly efficient returning up to 41 and 60 mpg respectively.

Find the exact engine and CO2