User Reviews Citroen Xsara Picasso

= 79%* = 99 km/u = 18%

The combination functions very well indeed. An Alko anti-snake device gives one even more confidence. Towing at 90 kph on French motorways, gives a consumption of 8.3 L per 100 km. Pull away is always smooth, hill starts are no problem. For reasons of driving courtesy, we stick "to lorry speeds" on the flat but do not hesitate to overtake the lorry stream on long uphill stretches, providing we do not obstruct other road users. Simple extion mirrors, secured with rubber straps, give adequate rearward vision.

= 92%* = 99 km/u = 16%

Good Functional tow car. Small good for economy but still plenty of pull. With cruse control - will stay at 62mph hours on end on motorways. I think maximum tow limit of 1300kg is fair.

= 95%* = 86 km/u = 12%

the picasso is an extremely good tug,we found that it towed the ace like a dream,although the stats say we tow at 95% it didn't feel it,we live in wales,(lots of hills) and we have no trouble at all in negotiating any we have come across,at home or abroad.the van has an alko hitch which gives us a lot of stability in any type of weather.lots of storage space inside,comfy ride and extremely good fuel economy,about 35 mpg.this van is a tad heavier than the previous one(abi dawnstar)but the fuel consumtion is about the same.if you need a good,comfortable and economical tug,i have no hesitation in recomending the picasso,works for us.

= 74%* = 99 km/u = 17%

I found the picasso needed a few mile to reach full power as it has covered 41k but mainly short journeys, it was a supprise how slow acceleration was. When I had covered 100 miles the car was happier up long motorway hills in 5th gear. The Ariva was very stable with no snaking or wagging. I did feel a headwind on a bridge pulling the rig back, but no real problem.

However there is a very steep twisty road I have not gone up yet, I think it would be ok as long as I do not have to stop on it. I do not think it would pull again! so I would like more power say 140 BHP plus.

Still it is a very good combination for normal roads, and I am pleased.

= 83%* = 94 km/u = 16%

the citroen towing bailey ranger 460/2,car carring two adults +two chidren
very stable outfit,towing comfortably at 60mph on motorway and taking motorway inclines at 55/60.returning 33mpg on 200mile trip.does not like headwinds and had to drop to 2nd gear climbing haldon hill on the A38 near exeter.
overall quite satisfied with this outfit,but would like afew more bhp in reserve

= 83%* = 101 km/u = 14%

The 1.6 Picasso Hdi with 92 hp is a fine towcar for the Eriba Troll 540GT.(1300kg) Very stable on the route, good performance in headwind, travelled extensively in north Scotland and French and Italian Alps. The van and towcar are the same width, ideal for negotiating towns and villages off the beaten track. Performance does fall off at altitude, there is no reserve of power for hill starts on narrow, really steep routes.
The Troll is brilliant to tow, good ground clearance, easy to manoevre. Toilet space is very cramped, front storage locker is minute. But a truly great tourer.

= 90%* = 89 km/u = 13%

I have owned my present Citroen Picasso 1.6 HDI VTX for aprox 18 months, I have recently come back to caravans after some 23 years ,the van is an Avondale dart 525-4 (1227kg) so far I have only towed the van home but this was quite a first trek some 65 miles from Widnes to Leeds mostly on the M62 although I have had many diesel cars this was the first time I have towed a van with one , I was delighted with the performance of my car it played with the van even on the very long drags uphill over the pennines, mostly done on cruise control, on hitting the M62 I reset the on board computer to see what the fuel consuption was , it turned in an amazing 52.4 miles per gallon by the time I left the M62 at J27 this was mostly at a speed of 50 miles per hour never less as I did not have the stabliser on although I pushed it to 60 at one point and it did it with ease with no problems with van stability, I may add there was quite abit of weight in the van awning spare wheel electric hook up cable battery ect, I am well pleased with my car ,it's sad that it is no longer in production , so I will probably keep this one a lot longer than my usual two years

= 81%* = 85 km/u = 8%

car = Citroën Xsara Picasso 1.6i (66Kw/90hp) year 2000
and caravan = Sterckeman Datcha 450 CP year 2001.
Thanks.

= 91%* = 90 km/u = 9%

UP TO 50MPH IS FINE BUT ABOVE 50 ITS VERY UNSTABLE WOULD LIKE SOME FEED BACK IF POSSIBLE

= 75%* = 93 km/u = 10%

superb car and van, fitted with stabiliser in towing hitch, it drives a dream, except for the fuel economy digits on dash, you would hardly know the Sterkeman was there, no snaking even at 60mph, very stable.

= 89%* = 88 km/u = 8%

Pulled a 515-4 nearest i could get on list
Went from Aberdeen to York - ok at 55-55 unstable at 65
got about 21mpg, hard slog up th A1 but as a first time ok, have chage to a 2lHDCI mondeo and Bailey Indiana this year, should feel different, also told by local caravan van dealer with new computer system, that the Picasso is only capable of 900kg, which is different from book, would like to thiink what it was doing to engine and did struggle of steep inclines at traffic lights

= 85%* = 90 km/u = 10%

i have no ploblem with my car and my caravan.

= 85%* = 110 km/u = 11%

Generally this combination is very good. Although there is a noticeable slowing when an incline is encountered. But I haven't come across one I haven't been able to get up. That said the car when solo slows appreciably when going up hill. petrol consumption suffers though 38 miles per gallon solo (about 7.5lt/100kilometres I think), down to 28 -30 when towing (10 - 9.5 lt/100km approx).

= 91%* = 109 km/u = 10%

Hi I couldn't get and exact match for car and van but this was the closest. I have a 2ltr Picasso Automatic and it is absolutely great

= 88%* = 89 km/u = 10%

last week we went to the pirineo catales region
and mountains and going up to roads 12 and 14% with 1 and 2 gear ... any problems...best regards

= 83%* = 93 km/u = 9%

My car pulls fine but struggles on motorway inclines - it's a bit of a battle with the gears. That said, we always get to where we're going! When finances permit I will get a proper towcar...

= 94%* = 90 km/u = 8%

1.8 petrol picasso towing an abi award brightstar.
no problem at all i only loose a litlle speed on m-way inclines but gain it back on the straights or slopes.

= 80%* = 105 km/u = 16%

Xsara Picasso 2L petrol Auto, Has proved to be excellent tower of my 96' Abbey 414. Having had the car for 3yrs it has coped even in extreme mountain track conditions (by accident didn't mean to take that route !) . takes everything in it's stride solo & towing, good roadholding, super cruiser, easy access & comfortable to drive. Getting a new one in April even though i've seen the new C4 Picasso 7seater with it's stylish lines. The natural successor (ie 5seater C4) isn't available til later in year, as a 2LDiesel with semi auto might be a good buy but isn't proven. Perhaps this model (which as been out now for 7yrs) might be classed as getting dated, but i still think it looks well up against it's competitors. I'm one very satisfied customer & the wife enjoys driving it as well.

= 86%* = 117 km/u = 16%

Hi Finally got models sorted out. The Citreon Xsara Picasso -2.0 16v Auto Towing my Eriba Troll is absolutely a dream to drive. I agree with everything Robert Gardiner says on a previous Review

= 108%* = 84 km/u = 12%

I find the car does well on the flat,but could use a turbo for the up hill. I have tow my van around Scotland & as be fore only the hills give any promles.

= 75%* = 105 km/u = 15%

You could probably tow the Kip Kompakt with a motorbike - it is effortless with the Picasso diesel. Its lower roof makes it stable in crosswinds or with white vans overtaking. It tackles hills without too much gearchanging. The fuel consumption is 35+ mpg on a long journey (<6.7 l/100km). I don't need extended mirrors as the Kip is narrow. Great combination!

= 91%* = 89 km/u = 13%

Firstly the picasso diesel does have a turbo contrary to what an earlier review has implied. It tows my lunar satisfactorily on the flat, but struggles on steep hills and some motorway inclines. It is an impressively stable outfit however. My picasso does not have traction control, and I would suggest going for this if possible as it will help uphill starts particularly in the wet or where you are on a gravelly surface.

= 97%* = 87 km/u = 13%

Very happy with towing performance, tows better than previous Mondeo and Marea. Mirrors give decent rear view and nose weight limit is slightly higher than most cars in this class.

= 97%* = 88 km/u = 13%

Very happy with performance of the Picasso. Very stable and good economy of around 32 mpg. I find fifth gear isn't worth the effort, i always seemed to be changing between forth and fifth, so i tow in forth gear all the time. I try and obtain a nose weight of around 75 kg. I did once put the awning in the boot but would not recommend this and the outfit is far more stable with the awning over the caravan axle.

= 90%* = 87 km/u = 14%

Towing performance is ok but does struggle slightly on steeper hills. Generally though, The outfit feels very stable. If only there was just a couple more BHP's.

= 75%* = 92 km/u = 15%

PIcasso 2.0 HDI (90bhp) tows my Elddis Mistral XL with no trouble, though progress up steep inclines requires a changedown on the gearbox. Picasso suspension is on the soft side though, towing the van does make a significant difference to the ride.....but nothing too drastic.

= 98%* = 86 km/u = 12%

My Picasso 2001 2.0HDi tows 1999 Swift Challenger 490SE well. I load the van to 50kg below max & the outfit with car top boat & everything required is about 350kg below max gross train weight. Gearbox has to be used & consumption drops drastically but has no trouble going to Lake district via M6 & Shap summit. Figures in table are way out from manufactures for both car & van & were modified to suit.

= 93%* = 84 km/u = 12%

My Picasso 2001 2.0HDi tows our ABI Tristar with no problems at all we find only a slight diference in power going up hill and also manage to tow in 5th most of the time

= 93%* = 87 km/u = 12%

I tow an avondale pearle ulysses 6 berth(1100kg) with xsara picasso 2.0hdi no problems .as good a match as my 1.9td xantia was.

= 99%* = 84 km/u = 11%

My Citroen 2004 2.0HDi tows 2001 Bailey Pageant Champagne ok. Though I wouldn't ever load the caravan to the max. Towing up steep inclines means changing down to 2nd or 3rd gear.Fuel consumption was about 33mpg.

= 93%* = 87 km/u = 12%

we tow a avondale dart 525-4 (1240kg) to be honest i have had my engine computer chiped upto 115bhp / 270lb torqe but even before this the picasso towed fantastic with no problems.

= 53%* = 116 km/u = 16%

We tow a Puck 120GT with our 2005 Picasso 2.oHDI and it's a really great car for towing and the puck follows as good as gold. No trouble at all and hooking up couldnt be easier with such good all round visibility in the Picasso

= 86%* = 86 km/u = 12%

my citroen picasso 2.0 HDI tows my bailey ranger 460/4 verry well . In a verry strat line with no problems at all

= 94%* = 86 km/u = 12%

As with other reviewers find could do with a little bit more zip on inclines but otherwise tows remarkably well and stable and agian average around the 30mpg mark

= 86%* = 86 km/u = 12%

We tow a 98 Bailey ranger 460/4 with a Picasso 2 litre Diesel. Just about ok, but I can't help thinking i would like some extra welly. MPG average drops from 45 to 32.

= 92%* = 85 km/u = 12%

We towed our Bailey Ranger 550/6 (1300kg) to Devon this year. Although we had to drop through thegears on the odd steep hill We were able to keep in 4th and 5th most of the time. MPG was 34.

= 88%* = 92 km/u = 15%

Our 2003 HDi 90 BHP tows a 1994 Elddis Wisp 450 (MIRO = 850 Kg) with ease.

When towing, can turn 40 MPG at 56 MPH on motorways, but does drop off to mid 30's on A roads. 60 MPG easily achievable when solo. Needs 4th gear only on the very steepest of motorway hills; Saddlesworth Moor and Avonmouth for example.

Rear suspension a bit soft, so keep nose weight around 65 to 70 Kg for trouble free touring, and like Peter suggests, better to keep heavy items over caravans' axle, and the car boot light. A good tow car overall.

= 107%* = 100 km/u = 18%

Have fitted a "chip" to boost the 2.0 hdi from 90 bhp up to 115 bhp, and torque up a bit to 265 nm. This makes a big difference. Now pulls easily in top gear with just light throttle, I am sure the fuel consumption has increased as well, I recorded 40.5 mpg on A roads and towns. Used the outfit to go to south of France last year and copes well on the long drags uphill.

= 92%* = 86 km/u = 12%

Espero un comportamiento aceptable; anteriormente he remolcado una Sun Roller Jazz 420 de 950 kg de peso

= 106%* = 82 km/u = 11%

no probs really pulling my bailey just the usual limited use of fifth gear but thats ok,good mileage but thinking about rear spring assisters as it seems a bit low and all i carry in the back when towing are my two small dogs

= 88%* = 84 km/u = 12%

We tow an Adria Unica 502 UK 5 berth 2000 model van which we think is approx 1000kg miro, the Picasso was steady at first but has since been re-mapped by Shires Performance tuning giving approx 15% more torque & bhp, This has transformed the car giving much livelier performance with better economy, solo at 70mph = 57mpg, around town 45mpg, towing on A / B roads up to 65mph 31-33mpg. Outfit is very stable but there is an ALKO stabiliser fitted to van. Also very pleased with Adria van, very similar to Altea model. Have not tried it yet on the motorway. Towing mirrors difficult to find due to shape of mirror causing them to slide off during driving. Now use black duck tape on straps of mirror to prevent this, not pretty but effective. Would like a wider car inside (above 54") as we have 3 children, 2 in baby seats & one 12 year old who complains of being cramped in the back, but am struggling to find a better overall package. Strongly recommended especially when re-mapped

= 101%* = 83 km/u = 11%

Fitted an adjustable "synergy chip" and the Picasso is excellent with the Challenger. Toured Austria & Italy on the way to Greece, coped across Alp roads very well.

= 88%* = 86 km/u = 12%

my picasso tows the ranger with no trouble even have went from Penrith over the A66 to scotch corner the start from Penrith up the hill is a very good towing test really steep the picasso managed ok but takes its time but no hurray when towing

* Calculated weight ratio according to the British Towing Code (loaded weight caravan / kerb weight car)