The Picasso really does feel like a quality car when you sit in it. The padded surfaces have a fine, expensive-feeling grain, there's plenty of fabric and some of the non-padded surfaces have a metallic-look rubberised finish. Chrome accents give an upmarket air and the fittings feel solid and durable. It's almost like being in a topologically distorted C6. The whole car gives the impression of being durable and well made.
As for reliability, it's hard to tell at this stage. C4 hatchbacks have been mainly OK, although our long-termer had glitches with its air con and CD player. There's a lot of electronics, so fingers crossed until the C4 Picasso has proved itself in service.
The windscreen is high, the waistline is low, the pillars are unusually thin and the result is a remarkable view out. On a sunny day the light pouring in at the top of the windscreen can get a bit much, but there's a sunblind.
The dashboard is uncluttered, with many minor controls concentrated in the fixed hub in the centre of the steering wheel - as in the C4 hatchback - and the daylight-backlit digital display (including speedo) in the centre of the dashboard is easy to read. However, in certain lights, the chrome rings around the dash-top storage compartments can reflect on to the windscreen.
There's an electric parking brake in all models, with a switch in the middle of the dashboard if you need to override the automatic operation. Combine that with the auto transmission and driving the C4 Picasso is simplicity itself.
The five-seater is more enjoyable than the seven-seater. It feels better balanced and more composed, whereas the bigger car is often reluctant to settle down when you exit a roundabout or after a poorly surfaced stretch of road. The steering can feel vague on the 2.0-litre petrol car; the heavier 2.0 diesel engine seems to suit both models better. There's more body roll in the corners than you'd get from a family hatchback and no C4 Picasso is exactly a keen driver's delight, but they grip well and the brakes are smooth, progressive and snatch-free.
The windscreen is high, the waistline is low, the pillars are unusually thin and the result is a remarkable view out. On a sunny day the light pouring in at the top of the windscreen can get a bit much, but there's a sunblind.
The dashboard is uncluttered, with many minor controls concentrated in the fixed hub in the centre of the steering wheel - as in the C4 hatchback - and the daylight-backlit digital display (including speedo) in the centre of the dashboard is easy to read. However, in certain lights, the chrome rings around the dash-top storage compartments can reflect on to the windscreen.
There's an electric parking brake in all models, with a switch in the middle of the dashboard if you need to override the automatic operation. Combine that with the auto transmission and driving the C4 Picasso is simplicity itself.
The five-seater is more enjoyable than the seven-seater. It feels better balanced and more composed, whereas the bigger car is often reluctant to settle down when you exit a roundabout or after a poorly surfaced stretch of road. The steering can feel vague on the 2.0-litre petrol car; the heavier 2.0 diesel engine seems to suit both models better. There's more body roll in the corners than you'd get from a family hatchback and no C4 Picasso is exactly a keen driver's delight, but they grip well and the brakes are smooth, progressive and snatch-free.
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