Test Drive Citroen C3 Picasso since 2008 Hatchback

Citroen C3 Picasso vs Kia Soul. In one target

Citroen C3 Picasso. Price: from 11 090 for sale: C 2009
Kia Soul. Price: 13 311 For sale: C 2009
Citroen began the development of C3 Picasso back in 2004, but the model's output decided to hold, in order to lose the nose to the elderly direct competitors. They aimed for a long time, shot, but they were not alone in the target: Kia with her soul was successfully shot. Who fell exactly in the apple, we still have to figure out

Test pilots
Oleg Kalaushin, 40 years old, car journalist, driving experience 22 years old, personal car - Renault Logan
Igor Kuznetsov, 47 years old, car journalist, driving experience 20 years, personal car - Nissan Quashqai
What C3 Picasso is that SOUL, in photographs produce the impression of quite large cars. The Frenchman apparently because of its excessively spherical shape, and Korean due to the appearance, usually characterized by representatives of another class. Many mistakenly position it as a crossover, although in addition to the forms and slightly enlarged clearance there are no more from Full-grants than from mini-Wen. The French, by the way, also tried to give their car more independence, but, in our opinion, an attempt to approach the fashionable flow was more successful to Koreans. In any case, the chopped soul shapes look much more advantageous than the covered lining on C3 Picasso.
But back to the sizes. That the first thing is that the second car is quite compact and comparable to external dimensions. At the same time, the Frenchman even inferior to Korean in such indicators as the length, width and wheeled base, surpassing it only in height, although this superiority is so insignificant that they can be neglected.
Similar cars and internal dimensions, however, the Citroenoves, designing a car for mobile youth, not only paid attention to the stylistics of the living space, but also took care of a variety of options for the transformation of this very space. First of all, we are talking about the possibility to vary the volume of the luggage compartment by the longitudinal movement of the reverse seats. In the usual position, the C3 Picasso trunk volume is 385 liters. As you need, it can be increased to 500 liters. Of course, in this case, the place for the feet of passengers remains not so much as I would like, but still you can go to the destination in full. In Soul, such an opportunity is not provided. Yes, and the trunk is not so great for the seeking adventures of youth: just 222 liters. True, there is also an almost arc underground organizer, but how comfortable to use it? In the same C3 Picasso shelf, covered by the same underground, you can delete and immerse anything volumetric and sweaty, and with SOUL, such a focus will not pass. The foam organizer, which is the floor, clearly will not endure the load. In general, for the sake of a rubber boat or tent, not to mention the bike or snowboard, you will have to fold the backs of the rear row. In this case, the trunk volume increases to 700 liters. However, in this case, SOUL will fail to surpass Citroen. With the same manipulations with the seat, the volume of the trunk at C3 will be equal to 1506 liters. Miracles, and only.
And yet, I liked the interior more than Soul, rather than C3 Picasso. It hurts a lot in Citroen solutions that have been shot sometime on previous models and today apparent boring. In particular, we are talking about the central location of the instrument panel and double front racks. Undoubtedly, the latter fill the interior with air and light, but also the places that pedestrians or obstacles can hide, becomes twice as much.
Soul for review from the driver's seat is also not a standard, but this remark is appropriate only when maneuvering with reversal: too wide rear racks. But what is the interior of SOUL will not reproach, so it is in boredom. Yes, here is the hard plastic, yes, some solutions, such as the opening button of the central clothing box or a huge niche under the table in the central console on the configuration without a subwoofer, seem controversial, but what flight is fantasy! And if you still remember about the possibility of individualization by changing multi-colored lining, it is undoubtedly SOUL in comparison with C3 Picasso looks like youth.
Yes, and he goes where in front of him. And the point here is not even that the power taken by us on the test of the turbodiesel 1,6-liter SOUL is higher than that of the 1,4-liter C3 Picasso gasoline. The case in sensations from manageability. Soul tougher, responsive, will finally be careful. Let it not like either cross-shutters nor the chosel in the asphalt and a screech (due to insufficient turning) comes into turn. But it's so on youth! C3 Picasso is also quite good, but there is some bourgeoisity in his habits, or something. He is quieter, softer, more comfortable and because of this is not such a mischievous as I would like. He will forgive you unnoticed bodies or pothole. But there is a Citroen one quarreled, which is alarming: almost completely devoid of feedback steering wheel. It is equally easily spinning that when parking, that on the track.
Sometimes it seems that Chishni and immediately will be on another strip. In this regard, it is not possible to completely relax at high speed at the wheel of the Picasso. That is also related to the engine, it is quite appropriate on this car. Of course, 95 forces are less than 128 at Soul, but you need to pay tribute: the dynamics of the cars are very similar. That's just to keep up with Korean, the Frenchman has to unscrew his motor almost until the cutoff.

Citroen C3 Picasso.
Due to the high roof and a sufficiently large wheelbase, this in-gradan coil over the volume of the inner space is even larger than Citroen C4 dimensions. For the convenience of placing the rear passengers, he is also able to compete with a representative brother. True, only if at a minimum to use the volume of the trunk.

Driving
The car has both short fuses around the city and for long-lasting trips on the highway. Puzzled only an empty steering wheel.
Salon
Convenient and practical. Special praise deserves the possibility of its transformation.
Comfort
Moderately, the elastic suspension will make a comfortable ride both around the country highway and on the rougham catering. It is also worth noting good noise insulation.
Security
In the basic configuration ABS and 2 airbags.
Price
Attractive.
 

Kia Soul.
First of all, this model Kia is focused on young people. The reason for this was not only the original appearance making SOUL to be similar to crossovers, but also wide opportunities for individualization. The latter is achieved by making changes to the interior design, or applying branded stickers in the style of tattoo.

Driving
Purchased suspension, a pick-up engine, canceled brakes, adequate steering, which is still needed to have a good time driving this car!
Salon
I am spacious in moderate, moderately. You can only find on a small luggage compartment, however, it is enough for urban tasks quite.
Comfort
Insufficient soundproofing of comfort does not add, however, there is no screaming.
Security
In the basic configuration 2 pillows and ABS system.
Price
Lifting.
 

Our opinion
Citroen C3 Picasso and Kia Soul appeared at the right time in the right place. But to unambiguously say who won in this dough, do not take it. The fact is that in case of similar ideology, cars turned out to be quite different, and we are not only about the appearance, but also on behavior on the road. We still came to Citroen more likely. Why? Yes, because both functionality, and practicality in it is greater than in KIA. But the latter will probably be superpopulated in young people. And here his business is most likely to make a staggering appearance, and not a totality of qualities.
Author: Oleg Kalaushin
Photo: Igor Kuznetsov
 
 
 
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [October 2009]