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CitroenC3 Picasso (2009-2017)

Used only
MPV
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£3,052Typical price

Test score

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Citroën's mastery of the MPV genre is legendary, and its C3 Picasso - launched in 2009 - is a compact MPV that's more stylish but less practical than the company's similarly priced Berlingo. How good is it as a family car? Find out in our full road test review.

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What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable is the Citroen C3 Picasso (2009-2017)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Jan 2023Last checked by Which?
Apr 2009First reviewed by Which?
Apr 2009Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

19 Oct 2023

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (large cars, SUVs and MPVs)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of three stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Which? safety

Model reliability 5-9 years

How we test model reliability 5-9 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Car reliability 10-15 years

How we test car reliability 10-15 years

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	MPV
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£3,052 - £8,247
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	38.9 to 54.2mpg
Length	4,078mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,766mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,040 to 2,050mm
Height	1,631mm
Driver max height
Second row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.05 m
On sale date	01 April 2009
Lowest pence per mile cost	£12.79

Latest tested engine
Engine name	Vti 120 Exclusive
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (120hp)
Transmission	5-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	15.77p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£72
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Extremely Low (trace)
CO level	Extremely High
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	155
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	186
Official Euro emission level	Euro 5
Braked tow load (KG)	1100kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	635kg
Engine test date	20 February 2014
Test programme	2012-2016

Engine two
Engine name	1.6 Hdi 90 8V Exclusive
Fuel	Diesel
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (92hp)
Transmission	5-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	12.79p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£76
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	157
Braked tow load (KG)	1200kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	675kg
Engine test date	18 October 2011
Car test programme	2001-2012

Engine three
Engine name	1.4 Vti Exclusive
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.4-litre (95hp)
Transmission	5-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	16.17p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£72
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	163
Braked tow load (KG)	1100kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	650kg
Engine test date	23 March 2009
Car test programme	2001-2012

Engine four
Engine name	1.6 Vti Exclusive
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (120hp)
Transmission	5-speed manual
Driven wheels	Front-wheel-drive (FWD)
Fuel tank capacity	50 litres
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	16.84p per mile
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	170
Braked tow load (KG)	1100kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	675kg
Engine test date	29 June 2009
Car test programme	2001-2012

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CitroenC3 Picasso (2009-2017)

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