Used 2012 Citroen C3 Picasso Sedan Review & Ratings

Launched in 2009 and successor to the wildly popular and profitable Citroen Xzara Picasso, the 2012 Citroen C3 Picasso Sedan aims to please the modern driver of multi-person vehicles by offering something that, on the inside, is prim and practical while remaining funky and fresh on the outside. It is the family car that wants to scream individualism and expression, and in that sense it carries on its predecessor's legacy as the coolest car in the supermarket parking lot. Unlike its competitors, which the Citroen C3 Picasso was launched in full contemplation of, the ladylike eyelash style headlights and rounded nose stand out from a mile away.

The same cannot be said for what's under the hood. On the road, the engine options all seem rather pedestrian and dull. While it could be said that multi person vehicles aren't designed to rip up the road, one would expect something a bit more out of the ordinary for a car that styles itself as the trendsetter among family cars. While it doesn't exactly blow the reviews over, the light power steering and ahead of the curve visibility make driving the Citroen C3 Picasso a pleasing if not remarkable experience. What it does have, as has been noted in reviews, is its functionality in terms of size and space. Its rear has plentiful legroom and headroom - at no point does one feel cramped or boxed in by the rear window or front seat. This, coupled with a large boot, ensures that the Citroen C3 will remain a hassle free experience years after it is bought, with no niggling complaints or regrets.

The cars this model was targeted to blow out of the market, namely the Vauxhall Meriva, the Nissan Note and the Fiat Idea, are not under immediate threat from the Citroen C3 Picasso. It has matched them in terms of style and creativity, but the latter three offer more options and, arguably, a more exciting driving experience. The Meriva is more flexible in terms of seating as its second row can be moved backwards or forwards as well as flat stored. It also sports a more powerful engine. The Nissan Note's 1.6 Liter HR16DE petrol engine has also been touted in reviews as offering the most exciting drive in the current MPV market. The Fiat Idea, while in the opinion of reviews the ugliest of the bunch, is also not without its charms. Like the Meriva it has a versatile interior and, with the option of a 1.9 liter diesel engine, is the most powerful under the hood. All these retail around the $15,000-$20,000 price tag depending on the many different options. If your priority is design and style, you know where to spend your money.