Renault Scenic vs Citroen C4 Picasso vs Ford C-MAX

As with traditional saloons and estates, MPVs have come under increasing sales pressure from fashionable SUVs and crossovers. Five-seat models have been particularly hard hit, despite delivering a blend of unrivalled practicality and family hatch running costs.

However, people carrier pioneer Renault has kept the faith with this family-friendly format, and its all-new fourth generation Scenic aims to tempt buyers with its bold styling, upmarket interior and acres of space. As before, there’s a choice of standard five-seat or extended seven-seat models, but it’s the former we test here.

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Yet Renault isn’t the only French firm with a desirable and daringly designed MPV on its books. The Citroen C4 Picasso is our current class favourite, thanks in no small part to its blend of style, brilliant packaging, refined driving dynamics and lengthy kit list.

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Completing our trio of contenders is the Ford C-MAX. It’s been around for a while now, but a facelift last year has kept the car fresh, while its agile chassis and fine ride set the standard for driving dynamics. So which of these versatile vehicles takes the spoils?

Head-to-head

Renault Scenic

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The Mk4 Renault Scenic is out to prove that crossovers aren’t the only fashionable family wagons. It has all the ingredients to succeed, as it mixes concept car looks, a classy cabin, impressive practicality and penny-pinching running costs. Here we test the £25,445 Dynamique S Nav 1.5 dCi 110.

Tester’s note: Early next year a Scenic Hybrid Assist will be introduced. Combining a small 10kW electric motor with our car’s 108bhp 1.5-litre diesel, the mild hybrid claims 92g/km and 80.7mpg

Citroen C4 Picasso

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The Citroen C4 Picasso is our reigning MPV champ, with its design flair, efficient engines, roomy cabin and affordable prices. A facelift earlier this year has kept it fresh, but can it see off the new Scenic? We test the £25,110 1.6 BlueHDi diesel in top Flair spec – although the car in our pictures is a Feel.

Tester’s note: The Picasso scores on family-friendly details. Parents will love the three rear Isofix seat mounts in the rear, while the central dials allow kids to watch mum or dad’s speed.

Ford C-MAX

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The Ford C-MAX has always been great to drive, and a facelift last year injected some much needed kerb appeal. It also offers decent practicality, while the £26,045 1.5 TDCi Titanium X PowerShift tested here mixes low running costs with a long list of kit. 

Tester’s note: The Grand C-MAX carries a £1,470-£1,600 premium over the standard car. As well as a third row of seats, it gets sliding side doors. But it’s not as roomy as rival Grand models.

Verdict

First place: Citroen C4 Picasso

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If you’re looking for a family car that delivers space, style, comfort, low running costs and a brilliantly thought-out interior, the Picasso still reigns supreme. In 1.6-litre BlueHDi guise, it serves up a winning blend of performance and efficiency, while Flair trim offers luxury car kit. It’s also the most refined choice. Crucially, it feels like it’s been designed from the inside out with families in mind.

Second place: Renault Scenic

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The new Scenic upholds Renault’s reputation for producing practical and desirable MPVs. It rivals the Citroen for style, while its interior is fractionally ahead for quality and upmarket appeal. It’s also spacious, well equipped and cheap to run. Yet it’s undermined by its inconsistent ride and the poorest refinement here, plus it can’t match the Picasso for family-friendly features 

Third place: Ford C-MAX

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Keen drivers should look no further than the fine-handling Ford. Take the wheel and its polished driving dynamics and smooth ride are in a different league. Plus, this is backed by a smooth and eager diesel and a slick box. Yet the focus here is on practicality, and this is where the C-MAX falters. Not only is it smaller inside, it also lacks many of the features that take the stress out of family motoring.

Other options for similar money

New: BMW 216d Sport

Price: £25,495Engine: 1.5-litre 3cyl, 114bhp

The first front-wheel-drive BMW retains the sharp dynamics of the brand’s traditional saloons, while the MPV body covers a roomy, beautifully finished interior. It’s not as well equipped as these cars, but oozes upmarket appeal.

Used: Mercedes E 300 Hybrid Estate

Price: £25,000Engine: 2.1-litre 4cyl, 204bhp

If space is your priority, the vast E-Class Estate is unrivalled. The E 300 diesel/electric hybrid matches our new models for efficiency, but delivers far more pace. Our budget secures a 2014 AMG-Line model with just 17,000 miles. 

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