Having already reviewed a Picasso Desire, there will be some among my Ciao friends who wonder what I'm doing reviewing another Citroen Picasso.
Am I simply trying to get more Ciao points?
Am I trying to earn an extra pound or two with another review ?
Have I changed my car, and using the ... Read review
Advantages: Low tax rating with good specs Disadvantages: Some think Picassos need a makeover now
...what I'm doing reviewing another Citroen Picasso.
Am I simply trying to get more Ciao points?
Am I trying to earn an extra pound or two with another review ?
Have I changed my car, and using the review as a subtle way of letting my friends know of my upgrade?
It is sad that people have such a low estimate of me, isn't it? Not one of those reasons has spurred me to write this review of one of Citroen's latest versions of ... ...review of my brand new Citroen !
1 Why a VTX ?
&&&&&&&&&&&
Well might you ask the question. When they have Desires and Exclusives, what on earth do they need a VTX for?
The idea is simple and clever.
If you want to sell cars in massive volumes, you need to get fleet and business people on board.
However, fleet and business people have to pay tax and extra National Insurance, if the ... more
Having already reviewed a Picasso Desire, there will be some among my Ciao friends who wonder what I'm doing reviewing another Citroen Picasso. Am I simply trying to get more Ciao points? Am I trying to earn an extra pound or two with another review ? Have I changed my car, and using the review as a subtle way of letting my friends know of my upgrade? It is sad that people have such a low estimate of me, isn't it? Not one of those reasons has spurred me to write this review of one of Citroen's latest versions of the ever popular Picasso. It is more like all three woven together.!
So here is my objective review of my brand new Citroen !
1 Why a VTX ? &&&&&&&&&&&
Well might you ask the question. When they have Desires and Exclusives, what on earth do they need a VTX for?
The idea is simple and clever. If you want to sell cars in massive volumes, you need to get fleet and business people on board. However, fleet and business people have to pay tax and extra National Insurance, if the firm provides a car. Even worse, is the fact that the more expensive the car's list price, the more expensive is the tax bill and the National Insurance contribution.
So Citroen have thought up a way of avoiding paying anything but the minimum. Instead of pricing this car like the rest of the range - quite high, but with whopping big discounts or cash-backs or trade-in prices, they just give a low list price, and make it clear that there are no massive discounts available. To make the taste even sweeter, they have thrown in a few extras over the equivalent Desire models - like cruise control and electric windows all round, and provided upholstery that is unique to this model.
So the answer to the question is that the VTX - ( I don't know what the letters stand for, by the way ! ) - gives you a lot of car for your money, and a possible reduction in your tax bill as well.
2 What's A VTX ? &&&&&&&&&&&&
From the outside, there is not a lot to tell you that the VTX is anything other than an ordinary Picasso. The discerning Picasso person will see that there is a little VTX sign on the tailgate, and there are special alloy wheels. The colour range is not as extensive as the rest of the Picasso range - mine is an Arctic Steel metallic. Your other choices are red, gold, blue, grey and dark grey. Both the alloys and the metallic paint come as standard on the VTX. In fact there are only two possible options which can be specified on this model - a navigation system for £1000 and a full sunroof for £500. Ulster is not big enough for the first and not sunny enough for the second.!
Inside, the VTX sports dark upholstery which is unique to this range, matched to a bluish-grey and black finish throughout. I reckon the goal, again, is to make it look practical and smart for the business user.
The instrument surround and the door handle finishes are in a trendy-ish patterned aluminium - blends in well, and a relief from the usual plastic finishes.
The steering column has an extra control fitted for the cruise control. It is quite easy to use - it was my first experience of having one available - though I do not see me using it too much in Belfast's traffic jams. For long motorway use - it would be brilliant.
The other extra inside, is the addition of electric rear windows, with switches on the rear doors, and also controls on the right hand side of the dashboard.
Under the bonnet, the range of engines for the VTX range is limited to 3 - the 1.6i petrol which I bought, a 2.0 petrol which is an automatic, and one diesel engine - a 1.6hdi. The 1.6i which I am reviewing is slightly up-rated from my previous Picasso Desire 1.6 - producing 110bhp instead of 95bhp. I think it is a noticeable change in nippiness - time will tell how much thirstier it has become - salesman assured me that it is less thirsty.!
If you are only interested in the VTX details that is about it - you could scroll down to the end to find costs. For non-Picasso owners, who want to learn more about owning and running a Picasso, let me give some general impressions that mingle this car with my experiences of owning my previous Picasso for 30 months.
3 What's Not Just VTX ? &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
The Picasso has sold well in the UK as a family mpv. You have a huge boot and 5 good seats. The middle of the three rear seats can be slid backwards or forwards. It, and the other two rear seats, can be folded forward or removed easily. So load space is fantastic - I have carried a wardrobe and a chest of drawers in that space - and I do mean assembled ones, not IKEA flat-packs.!
The driving position is high with great visibility. I have read criticism of the visibility being hampered by the front screen pillars, but have not found any problem, myself - worth trying when doing a test drive.
The gear stick is mounted on the dash area and looks as though it could be very strange to operate. After a very short period, you will find that it is easy to use, and seems the most natural place in the world to have it. It means that the car floor is virtually flat right through.
There are several different storage places inside, the neatest being two large boxes under the rear passengers feet.! There is quite a good slide out box under the driver's seat. The battery sits under the front passenger seat, so there's not much room there. For comfort there is air-con, heated, electric mirrors, CD player, leather steering wheel and folding armrests up front. For safety, there is ABS plus fog lights, and plenty of air-bags.
4 Want A VTX ?
There are those who think the Xsara Picasso range is a bit long in the tooth. Even Citroen themselves have been thinking that way, and are well on the way to producing a completely new range sometime later this year. However, I like the fact that this range is well tried and tested. The buyer benefits from the long run that the Picasso has enjoyed.
My experience running around the city, is that I can get 36 mpg overall. On a long holiday run of nearly a thousand miles, that average was well over 45mpg. Running costs are minimal - a yearly service at the Citroen supplier averaged £120. Tyres lasted over 3 years, and the battery was also still causing no problems either. I had no other need to go to the garage at any time and never had a breakdown.
So, what will it cost.? On the road prices will vary a little around the country, but Citroen's price list suggests that the three cars are priced at £11,250, for the 1.6 petrol, £11,650 for the diesel and £13,150 for the 2.0l automatic.
Citroen's site will give you help in calculating the tax and insurance savings that the business user can make.
Advantages: Space, comfort, cost and fun Disadvantages: A wee bit thirsty in town; a couple of visibility problems
...My Joys
======
Citroen provide a contraption in the boot for your shopping - my joy was removing it and storing it in the garage - it is too small and complicated for quick shopping trips.
My car had a dog guard fitted, and, again, my joy was storing it as per the shopping crate.
True joy is a boot big enough for all my fishing gear; With back seats folded, I can get four dustbins of garden clippings down to the refuse dump; And with the rear ... ...bedside cabinet - all assembled - in at one time!
Grandson's joy is the aircraft type trays on the rear seats, and the drinks containers on the middle rear seat when folded down.
If you like storage space, this car is a joy.
My Costs
=======
I have had the car for a whole year, and the average mpg is 38, which is not bad for this size of car, driven mostly in the city.
On long runs 45 is easy to get, and that means about 500 miles on a tankful.
...
trevorbrock 10.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6i
...since we purchased outr New Citroen Xsara Picasso Desire in metalic dusky lilac and although it hasn't covered that many miles I though it was time to write a review.
We wanted a four door car, just for the fact that it they provide easy acess and generally have more boot space. Having test driven many standard 4 door saloons and hatchbacks we heared an advert for the Citroen Xsara Picasso and decided to give one a go.
There is not much to say ... ...not MPV is although it is better looking than many of its rivals. The interior is solidly, with plenty of storage room. Each of the door bins can hold a litre bottle, whilst there in an extra compartment in the centre console, however there are no actual cup / mug holders which at times can be frustrating. In the rear there are two further compartments in the floor wells. The seats are comfy and offer reasonable support and each of the 2 front seat ...
CarlG 07.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6i
Advantages: Fantastic spacious family car. Disadvantages: A bit mumsy!
...model i have is a Citroen Zsara Picasso Desire HDI 1997cc. 2005 model. I get approx 37 mpg.
I've not had any mechanical problems (touch wood) its been a right little trooper. It gets hammered as well. I just don't recommend going round corners too fast, like most higher cars they sometimes feel a little unsafe! As long as you're no boy racer - which you deffinately wouldn't have one of these! - Corners aren't really a problem!
So if you have a ...
pugs26 19.04.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6i
Advantages: Spacious, reliable, kind of kitsch cool about it Disadvantages: a bugger to park
As a new young family who previously owned a Vauxhall Corsa the step up to the Xsara Picasso was a big one. I had only previously driven small hatchbacks (being new to the driving scene, as working in London there is rarely a need to drive). Anyway the test drive of this baby was great. The seats were comfortable and then some. To be honest this car is a danger on long journeys as with the arm rests and very soft, very comfortable seats can make ... ...the mid range model with the 1.6 engine. In the hot weather the air/con is a godsend and cools the car from touching the steering wheel causes third degree burns to the hands to something rather more comfortable.
The front seats have bags of room but this is not at the expense of the rear passengers. The three seperate rear seats are all an ideal size and you can comfortably get someone in next to a baby car seat (a problem I have had in the past). ...
pmsbony 19.08.2003
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6i
Advantages: Spacious, good value for money, comfortable, easy to park (due to length) Disadvantages: Windscreen pillars obstruct view
Citroen Xsara Picasso "Desire" 1.6 petrol.
After 6 yrs of driving a Fiat Punto, it was time for a change. I wanted something entirely different to the Peugeot 106 we also have use of. My options were to get a family hatchback, of the Ford Focus class, or for less money, I could get a Citroen Xsara Picasso.
As a young man of 28, with no kids, the idea of driving a "kiddie carrier" was going to take some getting used to. However, the wheelbase and ... ...hatchback, such as a Focus, or the standard Xsara, so it really made sense to buy something which offered more as regards practicality. In any case, what can you do with a Focus which you can't do with a 106 (except drive faster).
I've been driving the Picasso for nearly a year now, and I've gradually got used to it. Loading it with bikes, hardware and the like is no problem, as it serves as a van just as much as a "people carrier". Long journeys ...
jimbobfruitbat 17.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6i
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Loads of room even for the teenagers in the family we have a 17 a15 and a 11 year old plus a large dog and there is room for all.
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