Test drive Citroen Xsara Picasso 1999 - 2004 Minivan

And yet they are together

The choice of cars for our duel column may seem strange to someone. Well, it would seem, the Peugeot 307 and the Citroen-Csara-Picasso, except for the parent, the PSA concern in common? Peugeot is a beginner, Citroen has been produced for two years. 307th - a classic representative of a golf class, Picasso - a neophyte from the newly emerged clan compactwenes. Even the price of two cars varies somewhat. How to compare them?
Find a similarity
Their wheels is equally. At least this thesis is not in doubt. But the rest of Citroen is a hundred percent minivan. Large, round, even some kind of awkward. However, it is worth coming closer, and Picasso no longer seems to be a kind of boy-grandmother in tall heels. He may, and a little higher than many class C hatchbacks, but along the length easily fit into an average standard. But the main thing is that the eccentric appearance no longer seems to be bus. Not at all. Egg -shaped body - Bio -design on the march! - gives the car quite tangible animation. Which is only emphasized by the front headlights - like pretty playful eyes, kind, but not ingratiating.
Peugeot, on the contrary, is strict and solid. Recognizable and not defiantly daring, stylish, but not indulging in the last squeaks of fashion, compact and ... However, not so compact! The 307th nearby seems much more than it seemed at first. As if the body was inflated with compressed air, after clogging all the holes. So he came. It is tall, very tall, almost as tall as Picasso. Perhaps that is why it seemed to me that from some points of view it was as if it were not difficult to take on tiptoe of the 307th for a single-volume minivan. Don't you think so? And I also noticed that by the convenience of the input-exit, Peugeot is as gallant as Citroen. He does not force you to bend at all, helping to maintain self -esteem. The growth of one and a half meters is affected.
 
A strict and well -readable dashboard of Peugeot lacks originality.

Sitroen digital scoreboard, perhaps even too shocking. It's a pity that there was no place for a tachometer here
      
   
The central consoles of two French cars cannot be confused even despite exactly the same climate control control panels

    
What's how much
In most cases, official Sitroen suppliers in Russia import Xaru-Picasso in one, the most complete configuration. Therefore, let the starting price of $ 18,900 not scare away you. So much is a fully packaged car with a burdened 115-horsepower 1.8-liter engine. You can only decide on the color - everything else on your Picasso has already been installed at the factory in the Spanish Vigo, the only place in the world where this car is produced. The steering wheel amplifier, four airbags, climate control, remote control with a central lock, immobilizer, on-board computer, heating of mirrors and seats, front electric windows, a CD player with six speakers, fog lights, wheels from a light alloy. Only an automatic gearbox and skin is missing. The machine on Picasso is not installed at all. But you can order a leather salon or a soft waterproof hatch in the entire roof. Although the latter in the conditions of Russian winter does not seem reasonable.
 
  Peugeot dealers are also trying to import cars more, but no one will stop you from ordering the basic performance of XR. Then a five-door with a 1.6-liter 109-horsepower engine will cost $ 13,850. (We do not recommend you to buy a 307th with a 1.4-liter engine.) Moreover, the budget of your choice will not be obvious to others. XR includes two pillows, ABS, a brack operator, a fog, a folding rear sofa, a steering wheel with a hydraulic power steering adjustable in height and angle. Of the really necessary bells and whistles, it is worth forking into air conditioning ($ 815), a proprietary alarm ($ 330) and side pillows with inflatable curtains ($ 370). But if you are very overthrown, you can get the XT equipment, which is complete with a Tipronika-Pornshe automaton, as much as $ 18 190. Add cast discs, electric louds, CD-changer Blackuer, and up to 20,000 already a stone's throw.
It remains to add that a three -year (or 100 thousand km of run) is applied to all Peugeot and Citroen.
Regression and progress
But barely being driving the 307th, I threw all the suspicions of his similarity to Minivan. Even a short trip gives a lot of pleasure! After all, it is so great when with an unfamiliar car you from the first meters of the journey. The 307th is just that. The adhesion move is close to the ideal, the moves of the box of the box are light and clear, the steering wheel, in one appearance of which confidence and solidity are read, are poured with a good portion of reactive effort - thanks to the electro -hydraulic system! - And so it calls to go into the turn.
At the same time, the spring rear suspension - Peugeot engineers finally abandoned the favorite torsion - provides very good smoothness and keeps the way perfectly. However, the latter is to blame for the super -profitable body design.
I am glad that even the most powerful version is equipped with rear disc brakes. Great. True, some of the connoisseurs of active driving, transplanting to the seven with Peugeot 306, go out of the steering wheel with sour mine-boring. You won’t write anything - the new Peugeot has become longer, higher, heavier than its predecessor. Therefore, a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 110 liters. p., which turns, say, the 206th into a pocket missile, on the 307th is just a motor. Emolled below, with a good pickup of about 4000 rpm. Here would be a 2.0-liter 136-horsepower, and even better 2.2 HDI, which is drawn on the bottoms that an electric locomotive.
   
The interior of Picasso is typically French: light colors, a large area of \u200b\u200bglazing, and also pockets, cup holders, even folding tables
         
The strict and dark interior of the 307th confirms that Peugeot is equal to German competitors and, above all, to Volkswagen
Dreams, dreams ... This diesel is still put on large models of 406 and 607. However, despite some inertia of the motor, I was transplanted into Citroen without much enthusiasm. What is special to expect on the road from such a minibus? ..
Well, it is: a vertical gazelle landing carried out to the central console lever of gear. It remains only to draw checkers on board, they say, a route taxi. Yes, and Picasso rides differently, not as exciting as Peugeot. Especially the difference is noticeable in corners - where the pepper is going on rails, Citroen is already noticeably rolling and, scruging with rubber, begins to straighten the trajectory. A high center of gravity worsens controllability - this is an axiom.
However, to be fully honest, this is perhaps the only gap in the running qualities of a double chevron. Otherwise, everything is quite at the level. The steering wheel of our minibus spins, if not one, then with two fingers - for sure. I amusless pedals, short adhesion, clear switching of the gearbox lever - all this makes, let’s say, a very passenger impression. It is only a pity that the rear brakes are drum. In most life situations, their effectiveness, I am sure, will be more than enough. But sharply tearing off from 150, you can regret the absence of disks. But a 1.8-liter in-line four with a capacity of 115 liters. With. According to subjective sensations, it is better to take 109-horsepower one and six Peugeot. At least the bottom of this engine is clearly richer. In a word, progress is evident. Ten years ago, they did not dream about such dynamics and behavior on the road, say, caravels or Espas.
Charms of furniture pickup
But Citroen should, not, even obligated to compensate for his small loss in the running qualities of Citroen. Of course, it happened.
Moreover, the 307th for its trunk has nothing to be ashamed. 340 l - perhaps the best indicator among the hatchbacks of the golf class, at the focus, asters and golf, for example, the result is more modest. But the transformation options are the most common. You can throw back the back row of seats in full or partially. But just. But in Picasso
Come on, let's go that I will show! ”The photographer shining, like a brand new fifth-tank, like a brand new. Yes, impressive, really. Two huge bauls with cameras, lenses and other photovibambasy plus a massive tripod and three lamps on tripods - all this farm was hardly occupied by half the standard trunk of Picasso. But this is only the beginning.
The main feature of the double chevron is that the seats can be removed from the cabin. The mounts are made very conveniently - the child will understand. True, in order to drag the seats into the garage, the dad still will have to call - they are rather heavy. But believe me, your efforts will not be in vain, the trunk volume (it in the minimum version exceeds the half -cub) will increase almost four times. The headset of General Popova may not fit entirely, but the kitchen for the cottage with a pickup is no problem. And for the money saved, however, it is not for me to teach you.
 
    
Maxibum on minivans
It’s hard to believe, but until 1996 in Europe they did not know what compactwane was. The discoverer of the class Renault-Magan-stage unexpectedly for everyone, including its creators, made a real revolution. In just five years, the share in the M1 segment (aka golf, aka C-class) increased from zero to 8.4%. At the same time, more conservative hatchbacks and classic sedans lost as many as seven percent. In addition to Renault and Citroen, Opel, Fiat, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Suzuki joined the fight for the new market. Very soon, compactwaps will appear on the basis of Peugeot 307, Ford Focus, as well as golf.

We realize for three
But the single -volume body of Picasso is not in vain proudly called the cargo -passenger. And your fellow travelers will not regret that they went on a trip to this Citroen. Individual chairs of the back row without any discounts take three adults into their arms. And how much space above your head! Not that in these tight hatchbacks of golf class although you may stand. After all, the driver and the front passenger can literally sit in Peugeot without taking off their hats. Yes, and the comfort of the location on the back sofa of the 307th at the level - at least throw your foot on your leg. And only the central tunnel does not allow you to call the Peugeot sofa really three -seater. A surprise, a surprise ... although, probably, it should be, given the increased dimensions of the machine.
 
Bag-telephone for a supermarket in Citroen trunk not so much comfortable as a stylish little thing
     
   
Spacious and deep trunk Peugeot one of the most spacious in class with
 
Ice and flame
But in the salon, Peugeot remained faithful to his conservative style.
The 307th is classically strict and elegant. Large, well-readable devices, high-quality plastic, stuffed with seats adjustments, which have become stiff almost in German, the original finish for aluminum. In general, a very rainbow look. In which, if they are not annoyed, then at least only two things do not please. Firstly, plastic, for example, in the lower part of the torpedo (that is, where it is not striking), is not too pleasant to the touch and clearly budget. And, perhaps, Swabian features are too clearly visible in the style of the salon. Or does it just seem to us?
No, perhaps, does not seem. After all, Citroen is individual to extreme. The digital device located in the center has already become an object to follow and, although it has its own flaws - the absence of a tachometer, small indicators - in general it looks cool. Like the whole salon with plush seats.
However, with all striking differences in the eyes of Citroen and Peugeot, there is some elusive similarity. The interior of the first and incredibly spacious - the salon of the second became so comfortable and cozy.

The moment of truth
But they are really very similar, these seemingly different cars. Remember the high body of Peugeot, from some points of view perceived by almost minivan, the convenience of landing and spacious salons of both machines, quite passivity of Citroen ... like second cousins, in which the genes of one of the common ancestors were manifested, these offspring of one French family are very similar in along essence and differ only in detail. That is why, I’m sure that for many, there can be small things like a stylish headlight design, more pleasant upholstery or fidelity to a brand. Yes, a noticeably more capacious Citroen trunk is by no means ephemeral. But for some, a less causing appearance and more gambling control of Peugeot 307 will overpower. Immediately, the price plays an important role. The 307th in similar configuration will be a couple of thousand cheaper than Citroen.
So, after all, they are together! That is why we brought two such different cars in the duel - in fact it turned out that they were almost classmates. After all, Picasso is far from a minibus, but a full -fledged car.
And Peugeot escaped beyond the traditional hatchback of the golf class - it is much more than an ordinary passenger car. It’s just that it will be interesting to see how the French engineers minivan see on the basis of the 307th, which will appear very soon.
 
The 115-horsepower in-line four Picasso pleases with a good traction from the bottom itself. It is not surprising that the same engine is installed on the noticeably heavier sedans of the C5 and 406 models
    
 
A 1.6-liter 16-valve as a whole copes with a heavy Peugeot. However, less powerful versions of the 307th will arrange only phlegmatic natures

 
 
Citroen-Csara-Picasso
 
Per
Very spacious salon
a spacious trunk with enormous transformation capabilities,
lightness of landing, good assembly quality,
a painful engine
Against
Ambiguous appearance, rear drum brakes
 
   
Peugeot-307
 
Per
Very spacious salon
good assembly quality,
competitive price,
reliable and understandable handling,
attractive appearance,
lightness of landing
 
Against
Deprived of aggression, character,
insufficient engine power (1.4),
limited possibilities for transformation of the salon
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo Maxim Goncharov
 

Source: Magazine "Limousine" [01-02/02]