A practical and spacious MPV, the Xsara Picasso would be the sensible choice for families. It’s inexpensive to buy and doesn’t cost a fortune to keep on the road. There is a lot of room in the cabin and a huge boot. Like most Citroens, it’s pretty reliable and quite safe. Citroen seem to have struck a great balance with this. It isn’t quite as exciting to look at as some of its rivals but it is one of the best in class in terms of standard kit and fuel consumption. On the road, the Xsara Picasso behaves exactly as you would expect it to. There’s slight body roll on the corners but you won’t really feel it thanks to the nimble chassis and suspension. The handling is good, the steering feels a little vague at times but the ride is good, for the most part, and feels supple and smooth.

•  It is known to suffer from the odd electrical fault

•  It has a spacious cabin
•  The Xsara Picasso is great value for money
•  The interior is refined and comfortable
•  There is plenty of standard equipment
•  In terms of fuel economy, it’s one of the best
•  Doesn’t cost a fortune to keep on the road

•  There tends to be some body-roll on the corners