In the MPV arena there is a clear champion. The Citroën Xsara Picasso, the top-selling people carrier for the past two years, has sold more than 120,000 in the UK since its launch only three years ago.

Citroën is the king of the deal makers, offering cash back, Vat refunds and low-rate finance to entice buyers. Yet despite big discounts on new cars the values of second-hand Picassos are strong, proving just what a fine vehicle it really is.

A 137bhp petrol 2 litre option has been added recently but the Xsara Picasso was originally available with a choice of three engines: 95bhp 1.6 and 117bhp 1.8 litre petrol units and a 2 litre diesel.

The smaller petrol engine offers groups five and six insurance, returns close to 40mpg and is a fine buy if your journeys are short and light. However, spending another £400 on a 1.8 not only buys you more power but an extra 20 lb ft of torque that together make for faster yet more relaxed progress at a negligible price in fuel consumption (36.7mpg combined compared with 37.7). The 1.8’s insurance rating rises to group eight but your premium should be only a little more each month.

The turbodiesel might have only 90bhp but with 25% more torque than the petrol 1.8 the engine is perfectly suited to a people carrier. Load up the diesel Picasso and it remains unruffled. Fuel consumption is a genuine 50mpg, but ironically that economy comes at a price, diesels costing up to £1,000 more than their petrol equivalents.

In terms of trim, the base LX offers no-frills motoring but you still get all the space and comfort. Stepping up to the SX will cost you an extra £350 but gets you air-conditioning (vital on a car with so much glass) as well as alloy wheels, front foglights and a CD player.

In December 2001 Citroën added the Exclusive model. Available only with the 1.8 litre petrol engine or the diesel, it comes with an electric glass sunroof, on-board computer and electric rear windows. Since then a Desire specification has been slotted in between LX and SX in the 1.6 and diesel line-ups.

On the road a Picasso is a very nice place to be, and even if the dash-mounted gearlever feels slightly odd at first within a few miles it will fall naturally to hand.

Accommodation in the rear is good and all three of the individually removable back seats offer plenty of room, even for adults. Folding the centre one creates a useful table complete with cup-holders, and underfloor bins provide useful hidden storage space.

All models come with antilock brakes, front seatbelt pre-tensioners and twin front and side airbags. The Picasso scored a highly respectable four stars (out of a possible five) in the Euro NCAP crash tests.

Servicing on petrol and diesel models is every 12,500 miles or once a year. No elaborate suspension systems or quirky engineering (as in Citroëns of yore) mean it can be done by an independent specialist or one of 240 franchised dealers. Since December 2000 all Citroëns have had a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, so have a prospective purchase fully checked before the cover expires.

USED BUY: Citroën Xsara Picasso

Check it out
Storage Underfloor storage ahead of rear seats ideal for children's toys
Convenience Tables fitted on seat backs will be welcomed by youngsters who like drawing, colouring, etc
Size 11 1/4in shorter than a Ford Focus estate but plenty of space inside
Versatility Three individually folding and removable rear seats, comfortable on long journeys
Safety Centre rear seatbelt is a proper three-point harness Sunroof Standard on Exclusive only
Air-conditioning Standard on SX and Exclusive but a £650 option on LX
Colours Best in metallic finishes
Gearbox No automatic option on all but 2.0 petrol SX and Exclusive but five-speed manual easy to use
Bodywork 12-year corrosion warranty on all cars
Security Engine immobiliser and remote central locking standard
Insurance Petrol 1.6s groups 5 and 6, 1.8s group 8, 2.0s group 9, diesels groups 6 and 7
Wheels Alloys standard on SX and Exclusive
Brakes Discs at front, rear drums, ABS standard
Model Citroän Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDi SX
Engine Four cylinders, 1997cc
Power 90bhp @ 4000rpm
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 51.4mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0 to 60mph: 12.6sec
Top speed 109mph

The one to buy
Citroën Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDi SX (diesel), 2000 W-reg with 40,000 miles. Pay £8,095 at a dealer, £7,250 to a private seller


Or for similar money ...
1999 V-reg Renault Scénic 1.9 dTi
1999 V-reg Vauxhall Zafira 2.0 Di Comfort
2000 X-reg Fiat Multipla JTD 110 ELX
1998 S-reg Honda Shuttle 2.3i ES
2002 51-reg Mitsubishi Space Star 1.8 GDI



VALUES Citroën Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDi SX

Mileage 30,000
2000 W Trade £7,100. Retail £8,395
2001 Y Trade £7,875. Retail £9,175
2002 51 Trade £8,325. Retail £9,625

Mileage 40,000
2000 W Trade £6,750. Retail £8,095
2001 Y Trade £7,475. Retail £8,775
2002 51 Trade £7,875. Retail £9,175

Mileage 60,000
2000 W Trade £6,075. Retail £7,375
2001 Y Trade £6,850. Retail £8,150
2002 51 Trade £7,350. Retail £8,650

Diesel worth £800 more than 1.8 petrol and £1,200 more than 1.6; SX worth £350 more than LX
Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. 'Trade' is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; 'retail' is what you would pay a dealer