Citroen Xsara SX 110HDi

Advantages: very economical, good performance, comfortable ride
Disadvantages: depreciation, fuel gauge, unnecessary rattles, build quality

...I've always driven diesel cars, and more to the point French diesel predominantly from Citroen and Peugeot [ntably the same company, PSA Group]. Having traded in my 1.9D Citroen ZX Avantage with 150, 000 miles on the clock, I was really looking forward to my first ever brand new car. My main requirements were safety and economy, two qualities the Citroen Xsara SX 110HDi has plenty of. The engine is great, really responsive and lacks the 'tractor sound and vibration' earlier incarnations of the common rail diesel had. Put your foot down, and it goes some, and more. Road handling/suspension is fine, ride 'comfortable', but what irritated me the most were annoying rattles and problems from the day it was driven out of the showroom. The worst was a widely inccurate fuel gauge [a common problem amoung Citroen Xsara owners...

bobjord 20.08.2004 · Read review
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Review of Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi

Citroen Xsara 2.0HDi estate

Advantages: Great engine for power and economy, massive boot, bargain 2nd-hand.
Disadvantages: Dull interior, dull image.

...Well, it has done over 90,000 miles now, but the engine remains powerful, the seats supportive and the trim in good condition. Contrary to Citroen's reputation this car has been extremely reliable over the last 5+ years I have owned it, and the dealer's been fair too. Generally underrated, I have driven far newer cars that don't appear to have progressed much at all. Dirt cheap 2nd hand. The best bits are: The strong and economical engine. It shows a clean pair of heels to plenty of surprised Audi/Merc/BMW drivers and I get 40mpg around town, and over 60mpg on motorways. The nice smooth ride, far better than more modern hard-riding cars. It handles well despite the softer ride and the steering has some feel to it. The boot is big for a car of this size, and gigantic with the rear seats folded down. Tyre wear - on average they are...

clickysteve 09.10.2007 · Read review
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Review of Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi Estate

Xsara Picasso 2.0Hdi Exclusive '03

Advantages: Practicality, looks
Disadvantages: Bulid quality, fuel economy

...We bought our 'Pic' in September 2003, when it was 6 months old with 13k on the clock. Since then we have covered an additional 20k miles. In addition to the usual ABS, passenger / driver airbags etc, the exclusive comes with CD player, climate control, cruise control, trip / fuel computer, panoramic glass electric sunroof and special trim. We have 2 young children, so for the most part the car is the school taxi and as a result only returns around 30mpg around town. On a good motorway run, it will return around 47mpg, this using cruise control and holding around 70-75mph on the motorway. Performance from the 90bhp 4 cylinder diesel engine is a little slow but fine when cruising on carriageways and motorways etc. Comfort and visibility are excellent, I can drive 200 miles non stop with no back ache, only ear ache due to the poor...

jaybay32 30.12.2006 · Read review
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Review of Citroen Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDi

Xsara is not a lemon to be squeezed

Advantages: Comfortable, economical, reliable, excellent on mountain roads
Disadvantages: Poor press, short brake disc life

...Owned from new, my 2001 SX version is one of the best cars in its price range that I have ever owned. When I bought it the "NEW Xsara" was rated highly by many, but it seems to have become fashionable to knock it especially in comparison to more recent designs. Bearing in mind that the car was designed over 10 years ago it isn't that bad in my opinion. I chose this diesel as I knew that as a retired person, it would not suffer with cold running on short journeys like a petrol car, but would offer excellent economy on long journeys such as 62mpg in mountainous Norway. The looks are nothing special, nor do they offend inside or out. The upholstery is uninspiring but is lasting well and sheds marks easily. There is a small amount of imitation wood trim, but not enough to annoy me after initial viewing. The front seats are comfortable...

Segedunum 28.11.2005 · Read review
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Review of Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi

Citreon Picasso HDI

Advantages: Spacious, very comfortable, economical
Disadvantages: a bit underpowered

...I had a white 2.0HDI turbo diesel Picasso for 15 months back in 2001 and was really impressed with it. The Picasso is a slightly oddly styled compact MPV based on the Xsara hatchback. Its quite unique in shape and most drivers find that they either love or hate it. The Picasso seats 5 adults comfortably which is not quite as good as many of its competitors that can seat 7. The interior of the car is large and extremely roomy. There are loads of cuby holes stashed all over the cabin and throughout the vehicle making it ideal if you are using this as a family car. There are large cuby holes located under the rear passangers feet which is a unique and very clever idea. The back of the front seats have fold down tables attached which makes most rear passangers crack jokes that they feel like they are in an aeroplane! The boot is...

kinbuck1 29.06.2004 · Read review
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Review of Citroen Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDi

I fell in love with a C5 2.0 HDi hatchback!

Advantages: comfort, style, economy, space
Disadvantages: not a nippy speedy car

...against stone damage as the lights would be expensive to replace, Our C5 has a diesel 110bhp 1997cc engine. It is not a fast car but it is very economical. It's natural cruising speed seems to be 70-80 mph whereas it was hard to restrain the 307 from 90 mph but for our needs that is absolutely fine. It doesn't seem to lose speed on hills even with a load on it. It is also very economical on fuel - I would think it does about 50 to the gallon. If you want a speedier version of the C5 you would need to look out for the 2.2 HDi version but then I'm not sure if you would get the same fuel economy. I find it really easy to drive. The handbrake seems in a strange place - at least different to what I have been used to - it is a bit off centre towards the drivers seat but you quickly get used to it. It is a big car and seems too big...

laveyri 02.02.2007 · Read review
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Review of Citroen C5 2.0 HDi 16v Hatchback

Citreon Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDI SX

Advantages: Excellent family car, practical.
Disadvantages: Not very interesting drive

...quite unnerving, but i guess if this intended to be a family car your not really going to lob it round islands at 60 mph!! The acceration for this particular model isn't blistering either 0-60 take about 12 seconds which isn't bad for a car of this size but it would have prehaps been better had it been given 16v and a turbo diesel instead of a common rail engine. The other benefit i thought when buying this car was that it was a diesel which meant better fuel economy, i get roughly 45-48 mpg. i'm also led to believe my many people that the diesel engine from this manufacturer is one of the best you can buy, which i must say i am seeing in this car as it uses very little oil and requires pretty much no looking after. Which leads me to another bad point not from the car but from dealer, i looked at having the car serviced by a citreon...

willsby 29.04.2006 · Read review
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Review of Citroen Xsara Picasso

This Citroen Is No Lemon

Advantages: Good eprformance and handling
Disadvantages: Poor rear seat room

...Life can be a lottery. As much as we try to plan our lives sometimes you end up doing something surprising. You may not have planned it but you are glad you ended up doing it. When I travel abroad I often have to hire a car. This gives me a couple of days to try out something different. When I got to the Europcar desk at Brussels Airport the other day they informed me the car allocated to my hirecar booking was a Citroen Xsara 2.0 Hdi. I suddenly thought, I have been driving for 30 years (no, not non-stop before Alkaliguru makes some comment) and I have never driven a Citroen. I have been a passenger in one or two. A relative of mine had a BX, all angles and sharp edges and a ride like a slow rollercoaster. I also went in a recent Xantia which was quite nice if again not the worlds most attractive design. When I arrived at parking...

polydeuces 19.09.2001 · Read review
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Review of Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi

206 SW 2.0 HDi

Advantages: Fuel Economy, Handling, Good Looks
Disadvantages: Bland Gearbox, Minor Storage Problem

...I purchased a secondhand stationwagon (52 plate) from a dealer after weeks of searching. I must say that it's the best car i've ever had. The handling is excellent , you can feel the feedback straight away, and it's not deducted by being the estate version either. The car has remote central locking and an alarm, which isn't standard on all models, so check that yours has. Performance: The 2 litre diesel engine is another boon, lots of low down power and you wouldn't really believe the car only has 90bhp. Acceleration from standing is good and when the turbo kicks in it flies along. 0-60 is around 13 seconds and top speed 113 but it's between 35-80 where the car excels. If you thought that diesels were sluggish think again. Diesel rattle is there at standstill but with the car moving,the noise is nothing that you wouldn't get in...

topspeed007 20.10.2004 · Read review
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Review of Peugeot 206 2.0 HDi

A Breath of French Air

Advantages: good fuel consumption, drives and parks well
Disadvantages: none really - see text

...The ongoing saga of the hired cars goes on and on and on?. The dreadful Vauxhall Zafira went back last Saturday and was replaced by a Xzara Picasso. Initial reactions were that it looked a bit weird but I loaded my stuff into the boot and drove off from the Avis depot. The only gripe, so I will get it out of the way quickly, is the size of the boot. Cars of this size usually have cavernous boots but I struggled to get all my stuff in. Driveability Very good indeed. Despite the odd looking seating position I found that I had near panoramic vision. The engine 1.9 HDI diesel engine pulls smartly and smoothly, it corners well, has a great turning circle and is very responsive. As with most Citroens it is a doddle to parallel park, particularly with the rear parking sensor. The brakes are fine but could feel...

JeffFromPoole 12.01.2008 · Read review
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Review of Citroen Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDi