Independent body Euro NCAP has awarded the Picasso a five-star overall rating for safety. It scored 86% for adult occupant protection and 88% for child occupant protection in crash testing.

Citroen C4 Picasso safety levels can be bolstered further by plenty of optional safety systems, including a lane departure warning system, which vibrates the driver’s seatbelt should the car cross a white line without indicating. A good idea in theory, but it’s a system you’ll quickly turn off as it is enormously sensitive. Touch a white line with the merest edge of a tyre and the seatbelt jostles uncomfortably.

More useful is the blind spot monitoring system, which illuminates LEDs within the door mirrors if there is another vehicle hovering out of sight over the Picasso’s shoulder.

‘Intelligent Beam Lights’, which dip the full beam automatically at night to avoid dazzling traffic ahead, is also available as is radar-guided active cruise control which automatically applies the brakes to maintain a safe distance from the car in front.

At the end of the day, this is what a people carrier is all about and Citroen C4 Picasso practicality levels don’t disappoint. The doors open to a wide 65-degree angle to aid access and the three individual rear seats can be tilted forwards or folded flat completely. The front passenger seat can be folded flat too to help with carrying longer items.

There are three ISOFIX child seat fittings on the second row of seats and a small-scale extra mirror is integrated into the main rear view mirror to help parents keep an eye on kids in the back.

Boot space has been increased by 40 litres over the previous model (to a total of 537 litres) and the height of the boot floor can be adjusted to help with carrying taller items. Top Exclusive+ models feature an electric tailgate as standard.

There’s no shortage of interior storage pockets and cubby holes. They’re scattered throughout the cabin, with compartments in the floor for rear passengers, reasonably commodious door bins front and rear and a couple of drinks can holders ahead of the gearlever.

In the centre of the dashboard below the touchpad there’s a hinged storage compartment a little like an extra glovebox, which houses USB and aux-in ports along with an iPhone connection for the higher-trim level versions.

Automatic cars also get an extra removable cubby box between the two front seats.

The 2013-on C4 Picasso is built on an all-new platform with a longer wheelbase than before, making for 2cm extra rear leg-room. Despite the roofline having been dropped by 4cm, the generous rear headroom is unchanged from before.

An ever-so-slightly shorter overall length and shorter front overhang makes parking easier too.