Road test: Citroën C4 Picasso

Citroën’s Picasso was a hit when it appeared in 1999 and three million cars later, the new C4 Picasso, out in July, maintains the recipe of adaptable family transport, loads of storage and reasonable cost.

Prices range from £17,500 to £24,500 with a choice of three diesel and two petrol engines, the most frugal managing a claimed 74mpg and 98g/km of CO2. More compact but roomier, cheaper and 140kg lighter than before, the snappier styling has a hint of Audi Q3 at the back and a whiff of Ford at the front, but is still unmistakably a Citroën. Inside, the high-tech electronic dashboard has two screens — an adaptable 12-inch HD unit with driving info and your pictures as a backdrop if you want, and there is a seven-inch touchscreen for in-car functions such as AC, connectivity, nav and DAB radio. A panoramic windscreen and sun-roof keep the cabin airy and 537 litres of bootspace can be increased to 630 litres by sliding the rear seats forward.

This is a more efficient car than before, but its high-tech wizardry might prove too complicated for some of its target audience.

Citroën C4 Picasso VTR+ e-HDi 115 manual
Top speed: 118mph;
Combined fuel consumption: 70.6mpg;
Emissions: 105g/km;
Price: £20,255