The second generation Citroen C4 Picasso brought a much needed injection of style to the compact five-seater MPV market.

The French brand has treated this versatile five-seat People Carrying contender to an update, with smarter stylng, extra technology and some efficient new petrol engines. Plus of course, it’s still as practical as ever.

The major change when this second generation model was first launched in 2013 was the adoption of a more modern EMP2 chassis that made the car lighter and stiffer. The engine choice is naturally weighted towards diesels because that’s what Citroen does very well and it’s also what British customers expect to buy. The 1.6-litre BlueHDi 120 will continue to be the big seller, but the economical BlueHDi 100 powerplant is sure to claim more than a few sales. There’s also a pokier BlueHDi 150 diesel option too. Petrol customers get a freshly-added PureTech 110 entry-level unit with manual transmission; or there’s a pokier PureTech 130 powerplant, mated with the brand’s smoother EAT6 auto transmission.

On to design. The revised models keep the previous version’s three-tiered light signature at the front, which is synonymous with Citroën’s contemporary design language. Otherwise, it’s much as before, with clever interior packaging that designer Frederic Soubirou is clearly proud of. We like the optional lounge-style front passenger seat that features an extendable footrest and massage function. On a more practical note, there’s a 537-litre boot that’s 60-litres bigger than that of a Ford C-MAX. Slide the rear bench forward and you get up to 630-litres. We’ll deal with the long wheelbase C4 Grand Picasso separately, but the standard length car features three rear seats that can be slid back and forth, reclined or folded flat independently of one another.

In summary, not every family needs seven seats in an MPV and for those that don’t, this improved C4 Picasso offers a smartly-styled, hi-tech equipped and very practical alternative.

It’s an MPV that really seems to have been created with a bit of love. From the panoramic windscreen to the lounge-style massaging passenger seat, from the widescreen HD instrument display, it’s a car that’s a joy to operate. And for me, a joy to look at, as different and refreshing in design as it will be to own.

CAR: Citroën C4 Picasso range
PRICES: £20,175 - £28,200
INSURANCE GROUPS: 13-26
CO2 EMISSIONS: 99-116g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 11.1s / top speed 114mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (PureTech 110) 55.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: stability control, EBD, EBA, ABS, six airbags
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4438/1826/1625mm