The C4 Picasso was awarded a maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash test score. All cars have seven airbags (dual front, side, curtain and driver’s knee), ABS with electronic brake force distribution and an electronic stability programme, four Isofix child seat anchor points (an exceptionally high amount) and hill start assist. Plus there is a ‘lane departure warning system’ on top models, which is activated when the driver strays over white lines and an interior mirror for keeping an eye on the kids in the back.

Security-wise, every car gets remote central locking with deadlocks and an immobiliser.

The boot is a very good size even with the rear seats in place – and with 500 litres there’s enough space for a small buggy. The rear seats themselves cleverly fold flat and create an even load space, despite the rather fiddly pull straps and clunky mechanism. The rest of the cabin is designed to make life on board as easy as possible. The boot light can double as a torch and pulls out, which is ideal for finding stray items from your shopping.

Then there’s a coolbox built into the dash (with the exception of LX), which is great in the summer, while the door bins sense when you’re putting your hand in and illuminate. The only disappointment is the lack of a central storage bin – instead the C4 Picasso makes do with a rather shallow and not very useful unit. But there is plenty of other storage including two large cubbies on the dash top (the CD changer is also cleverly situated here) and a decent glovebox.