On the road: THERE'S no doubting the French have a flair for design and it's the first thing that strikes you about the Picasso. It just is good to look at. It's not the Mona Lisa, admittedly, but it's enigmatic, nevertheless. It's a crowded marketplace and looking like anything but a tarted up school-run minibus is a definite positive. Our test car was powered by a 2.0 litre diesel engine which while a good performer once in sixth gear, didn't always feel happy lower down the order. It handles well for a big car so long as you don't push the envelope, soaking up bumps and ensuring you get to journey in pretty much the same state in which you left.

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On the inside: YOU could spend 24 hours in the C4's cabin and still not find all its functions and hidey-holes. God knows how many people they had working on this car, but the vast majority were surely working on the interior. That's not say it looks like it was designed by committee, far from it. Everything seems to have a purpose and nothing looks out of place. The French obsession with digitising everything is evident, but I can even live with that, despite being a paid up member of the 'old school' brigade. The seats are comfortable and apart from a little rustic noise on start-up, the inside is well cosseted from outside intrusion.

What do you get: THE Grand Picasso comes in four trim levels - VTR, VTR+, Exclusive and Exclusive+. For the extra two seats you pay £1,700 more than the equivalent five-seater. Equipment levels are impressive and you could easily get by with the base level car if your budget is limited. Our top of the range model featured a 7ins touchscreen, 12ins HD central display, park assist, keyless entry, engine start-stop button, leather covered steering wheel, dual zone air conditioning, including vents in row three, reversing camera, DAB radio with six speakers and USB Bluetooth with media streaming and satellite navigation. We also got 18ins alloys, automatic electric parking brake and hill start assist, motorised tailgate, drivers seat with massager and a panoramic windscreen and sunroof with electric blind. I could continue, but I'd be in danger of running into the following page.

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How practical is it: THE trump card of the Grand Picasso. Space is key to a car of this nature and the Citroen does not disappoint. A new modular platform means they have been to extend the wheelbase by 11cm and its no lie to say you can literally stretch out in the rear. All the seats in the middle row move independently of each other and folding them up to increase load space is incredibly easy. Access to row three is better than most - in fact Citroen says its the best in class. Unlike like some seats, which are barely more than deckchairs, the seats in the third row are actually fit for purpose. The boot - at 793 litres - can take anything you care to throw at it. With all the seats dropped that load space increases to 2,181 litres. Theres an array of storage spaces - including compartments under the front seats - and some neat touches such as lights for the trays on the back of the front seats.

Running costs: THE Grand Picasso will set you back a few bob, but its a case of getting what you pay for and you definitely wont feel short-changed. Theres a feeling of quality with the interior and it should easily cope with the rough and tumble. Citroen says you should get just shy of 66mpg on the combined cycle. As is usual, we managed somewhat less, but the figures were still impressive. Opt for the smaller diesel over the 2.0 litre if you want and youll still find you have enough power. CO2 emissions on our car are 113g/km.

Verdict: ATTRACTIVE, innovative and practical. Offers everything you could want in an MPV.