One of the fanciest MPVs out there, the second generation Citroen C4 Picasso received a facelift in 2016, adding even more style and technology to the previous build.
Starting with the visuals, the 2016 C4 Picasso comes with a new front end, dominated by a split grille this time - a smaller upper air intake and a big gaping grille bellow. The Citroen logo gets continued into two thin chromed strips that also surround the upper LED daytime running lights now, while the foglights are now part of the lower grille, surrounded by a black matte finish. The side profile is quite the same while the rear received new stoplights with 3D effect and a matte black with chrome badge. The interior is now available in four customizable schemes, new 7-inch more responsive touchscreen infotainment system and more soft-touch materials. New intelligent driving aids are part of the change and include Coffee Break Alert, Speed Limit Sign Recognition and Recommendation, Driver Attention Alert, Active Lane Departure Warning System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop Function and Collision Risk Alert.

The second generation Citroen C4 Picasso is built on the new EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform 2) designed by the Peugeot-Citroen PSA Group.
Made using high-strength steel and aluminum, the new MPV is 70 kg (145 lb) lighter that the old generation. The car is still large within the C-segment measuring 4,430mm in length, 1,830mm wide and 1,610mm in height. The overhangs are reduced and the engine block was mounted lower. Wide lower grille, slender headlamps and LED day-running lights that extend the lines of the upper grille, marks a renewal in Citroen’s styling. The side of the car features an eye-catching C-shaped chrome trimming that surrounds the windows to emphasize the available passenger space and give more personality to the vehicle. At the back, the tailgate offers easy and generous boot access and the LED taillights feature a profound and futuristic 3D effect. The C4 Picasso has an uncluttered loft-style interior that makes every trip a relaxing experience, aided by the “Relax” seats and the panoramic view. The dashboard has an asymmetric design and provides full digital driving interface with features like 360 Vision from the four cameras placed around the car, Park Assist, active cruise control, automatic high beam operation, blind spot information and many more.

The European MPV market was not that big anymore by the late 2000s, but the French car-makers still had an advantage on the market due to their history in that segment.
Citroen insisted on offering spacious vehicles with a high level of on-board safety for its customers. The C4 Picasso was a good example of its egg-shaped form and sharp frontal area, typical for Citroen.

From the exterior, there were minor modifications to the car. At the front, a line of LEDs installed on top of the fog-lights formed the daytime running lights, which became mandatory. The front bumper was modified to support the new elements. The chromed lines that formed the brand’s logo on the hood were thicker to enhance the car’s image.

The interior was good for up to five adults on the regular size or up to seven for the Grand Picasso version (long-wheelbase). With its instrument cluster installed on top of the center stack, the driver could not hide the actual speed from other passengers. A small and thin lever was installed on the steering column’s right side for the automated transmission versions. The manual version still hed the floor-mounted gearstick.

The European customers preferred diesel engines over gasoline ones on the MPV market. That’s why the C4 Picasso was offered with just two gasoline versions and up to five diesel. A mild-hybrid was introduced and helped increase the in-city fuel-efficiency.

Citroen still believed that there was a good market for MPVs in Europe and introduced a second generation for the compact-segment Picasso lineup in 2007.
While the first generation of the Picasso was based on the Xsara platform, the 2007 model relied on the PF2 base, used for more vehicles within the PSA (Peugeot-Citroen) Group. The carmaker used simple solutions for that, with independent front suspension and trailing arms for the rear ones.

Since the bio-design era was gone, the carmaker stepped into the new-edge-design trend and made the C4 Picasso with angular-shaped headlights. Its broad trapezoidal grille was crossed by a horizontal element that supported the license plate. Several side louvers on the sides of the bumper made the front fascia more pleasant. Citroen introduced on the C4 Picasso its new signature with two wide chromed slats underlining the “double-chevron” badge from the hood. On its sides, the MPV showed its tall stance with wide windows for all passengers but smaller, triangular ones behind the rear doors. At the back, a sloped windscreen ended the vehicle in a Kamm-back style.

Inside, the carmaker installed five individual seats with an option for four. At the front, the vast and deep dashboard took the entire space between the A-pillars and the bottom of the raked windshield. Due to the center-mounted instrument cluster, even the rear passengers could have read the vehicle’s speed, which was shown on a large LCD. As an option, the carmaker added a panoramic, fixed glass roof to emphasize the car’s airy feeling.

Under the hood, the carmaker installed a wide engine range paired to either manual or automated transmissions.