Built for comfort and designed to be different, the five-seater Citroen C4 Picasso appears to be the ideal urban compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) for small families in Singapore.
However, despite the French 'space egg' bagging European awards such as 'Family MPV of the Year' and 'Compact Family Car of the Year' in 2013 and 2014 respectively, it never really enjoyed the same popularity on our shores.
Replacing the old 1.6 e-HDi ETG6 is a greener and more efficient Picasso featuring Citroen's latest 1.6-litre BlueHDi turbodiesel engine and six-speed Aisin transmission. Will the Picasso finally gain the recognition it deserves?
Up close and Personal
Compared to the quirkier C4 Cactus, the design of the Picasso is a lot more sensible and sedated - but that's not to say that its construction is boring.
Clad in elegantly contoured lines that form its sheet metal and a facial expression defined by the trademark chrome double-chevron grille, which curves into a set of LED daytime running lights, the swanky-looking, lofty Picasso is sure to turn heads wherever it goes.
The Picasso's loft-like external appearance is a teaser of the space and comfort that await you the moment you climb inside its cabin. Even the largest of adults will appreciate the generous amounts of both head and legroom that the car provides.
This spacious ambience is intensified by Citroen's Zenith windscreen with sliding interior sun blinds. A panoramic view (best experienced on night drives with lounge beats) is achieved with the interior blinds slid up - a feeling akin to piloting the Millennium Falcon from the Star Wars movies.
Complementing the roominess of the cabin are equally inviting high-quality and soft-touch materials that canvas the interior - little in this segment can compare to the comfortable driving position and ergonomics of the Picasso. And just like before, you will enjoy the car's ample 537-litre boot even with all the rear seats up.
The Drive
What surprised us the most isn't actually how practical and spacious this MPV is. Instead, the real magic happens once you turn it on and get it moving.
The first thing that impressed us is how quiet this new 1.6-litre BlueHDi turbodiesel engine is on the road. Levels of diesel drone intrusion are so low that we forget it isn't a petrol unit - putting many of the bigger names in the market to shame.
Nonetheless, do not mistake a tame sounding engine for anything weak and uninspiring. Retiring the old ETG6 automated manual transmission, which was infamously inconsistent in behaviour and slow in shifting, is probably the smartest move for the brand.
In its place is an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission that shifts much more smoothly and allows the engine's 120bhp and 300Nm to really come to life. Don't let the Picasso's homely appearances fool you because it packs enough low end brawn to zip you around the city with ease.
The second notable factor about the Picasso's new powertrain is the insanely frugal fuel consumption that Citroen boasts.
What surprised us the most isn't actually how practical and spacious this MPV is. Instead, the real magic happens once you turn it on and get it moving.
The first thing that impressed us is how quiet this new 1.6-litre BlueHDi turbodiesel engine is on the road. Levels of diesel drone intrusion are so low that we forget it isn't a petrol unit - putting many of the bigger names in the market to shame.
Nonetheless, do not mistake a tame sounding engine for anything weak and uninspiring. Retiring the old ETG6 automated manual transmission, which was infamously inconsistent in behaviour and slow in shifting, is probably the smartest move for the brand.
In its place is an Aisin six-speed automatic transmission that shifts much more smoothly and allows the engine's 120bhp and 300Nm to really come to life. Don't let the Picasso's homely appearances fool you because it packs enough low end brawn to zip you around the city with ease.
The second notable factor about the Picasso's new powertrain is the insanely frugal fuel consumption that Citroen boasts.
On paper, the Picasso delivers an 'out-of-this-world' 25.6km/L but in reality, we achieved 15.8km/L with a considerably heavy foot - which is still pretty damn impressive by today's standards.
It also ticks all the right boxes in the handling and ride comfort department. A sharp enough steering paired with a firm suspension system that manages to remain sporty without being overtly rigid translates into the Picasso being able to stay confidently planted around a bend.
Conclusion
Priced at $129,988 (as of 19th November 2015), you really are getting a lot of car for your money's worth. While enjoying the creature comforts and luxuries that the Picasso will spoil you with, driving one will also mean contributing to a cleaner and greener environment.
However, that comes at the cost of you having to top up the engine's AdBlue fluid (the newly-fitted urea-based solution) at every scheduled service interval.
That minor inconvenience aside, if the Picasso is Citroen's attempt at modern automotive art then the French automaker may have just created its masterpiece.
It also ticks all the right boxes in the handling and ride comfort department. A sharp enough steering paired with a firm suspension system that manages to remain sporty without being overtly rigid translates into the Picasso being able to stay confidently planted around a bend.
Conclusion
Priced at $129,988 (as of 19th November 2015), you really are getting a lot of car for your money's worth. While enjoying the creature comforts and luxuries that the Picasso will spoil you with, driving one will also mean contributing to a cleaner and greener environment.
However, that comes at the cost of you having to top up the engine's AdBlue fluid (the newly-fitted urea-based solution) at every scheduled service interval.
That minor inconvenience aside, if the Picasso is Citroen's attempt at modern automotive art then the French automaker may have just created its masterpiece.
