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Photo of a Citroën C3 Picasso

Citroën C3 Picasso

2009 C3 Picasso: cubes, curves and up to 500 liters of luggage in a 4.08-meter body.12

Researched November 2, 2026 from 24 sources

Also called

  • SpaceboxAn advertising identity built around cabin space; a 2010 commercial featured a dog made from luggage and shoes.3
  • magic boxA label for packing larger-class functions into a 4.08-meter body.2

At a glance

0100200
90–120 hpPower
01020
10.9–15.7 s0–100 km/h
0100200
165–188 km/hTop speed
0200400
147–366 N·mTorque
07501,500
1,176–1,408 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.68

Engine
1.2 L triple; 1.4/1.6 L gasoline, 1.6 L diesel fours; Brazil: 1.6 L flex69
Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive6
Gearbox
5/6-speed manuals; 6-speed EGS6 automated manual; Brazil: 4-speed automatic69
Built at
Trnava Plant, Slovakia; Porto Real, Brazil69

The story

Conceived for tight parking spaces, the UK C3 Picasso paired cubes and curves with a sliding rear bench: 385 liters for luggage, or 500 with the seats forward.1245

2008: Paris premiere on PSA PF120082009: France first, then the rest of Europe · Four stars for Confort 90 hp · 150 cars for Citroën's 90th20092010: HDi 110 meets Euro 520102011: Brazil gets its Aircross-based Picasso20112012: Paris facelift brings HDi 11520122015: PureTech 110 and BlueHDi 100 take over20152017: Production ends; Aircross takes over2017 Citroën Xsara Picasso: 1999–2012Citroën Xsara PicassoCitroën C3 Aircross (Brazil): 2010–2020Citroën C3 Aircross (Brazil)Citroën C3 Picasso (Brazil): 2011–2015Citroën C3 Aircross (2017): 2017–Citroën C3 Aircross (2017) 200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones6918
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1999–2012Citroën Xsara Picasso
2010–2020Citroën C3 Aircross (Brazil)
2011–2015Citroën C3 Picasso (Brazil)
2017–Citroën C3 Aircross (2017)
2008Paris premiere on PSA PF1
2009France first, then the rest of Europe
2009Four stars for Confort 90 hp
2009150 cars for Citroën's 90th
2010HDi 110 meets Euro 5
2011Brazil gets its Aircross-based Picasso
2012Paris facelift brings HDi 115
2015PureTech 110 and BlueHDi 100 take over
2017Production ends; Aircross takes over
  1. 2008

    Paris premiere on PSA PF1

    The C3 Picasso debuts at the Paris Motor Show on PSA PF1 underpinnings, related to the C3 and Peugeot 207 SW.6

  2. 2009

    France first, then the rest of Europe

    Sales start in France in February, reach other European markets in March, and arrive in the UK on April 9.6

  3. 2009

    Four stars for Confort 90 hp

    A Confort 90 hp earns four Euro NCAP stars, but the driver's seat offers poor whiplash protection; the test car has no ESC.6

  4. 2009

    150 cars for Citroën's 90th

    The UK's 90th Anniversary edition pairs the 110 hp HDi with MyWay navigation, part-leather seats and a '90 Years' center-console badge.7

  5. 2010

    HDi 110 meets Euro 5

    November brings a Euro 5 1.6 L HDi 110, while VTR+ and Exclusive gain USB connectivity and Bluetooth.8

  6. 2011

    Brazil gets its Aircross-based Picasso

    Production starts at Porto Real. The Brazilian 1.6 L flex-fuel model adapts the Aircross, without its tailgate-mounted spare tire.69

  7. 2012

    Paris facelift brings HDi 115

    The facelift revises the bumper and chevrons, offers LED running lights on VTR+ and Exclusive, and upgrades Exclusive's HDi 110 to HDi 115.610

  8. 2015

    PureTech 110 and BlueHDi 100 take over

    Europe gets the 1.2 L PureTech 110 and 1.6 L BlueHDi 100, both manual-only; Brazilian C3 Picasso production ends.611

  9. 2017

    Production ends; Aircross takes over

    The original C3 Picasso completes its 2008–2017 production run, with the C3 Aircross succeeding it.6

Every generation

  • Citroën Xsara Picasso
    Citroën Xsara Picasso1999–2012
  • Citroën C3 Aircross (Brazil)
    Citroën C3 Aircross (Brazil)2010–2020
  • Citroën C3 Picasso (Brazil)
    Citroën C3 Picasso (Brazil)2011–2015
  • Citroën C3 Aircross (2017)
    Citroën C3 Aircross (2017)

Power over the years

From 90 hp to 120 hp in 0 years.

050100150 20082010201220142016 hp 2009 · 90 hp · UK 1.6 HDi 902009 · 95 hp · UK 1.4 VTi 952009 · 110 hp · UK 1.6 HDi 110 DPFS2009 · 120 hp · UK 1.6 VTi 1202012 · 115 hp · 1.6 HDi 1152015 · 98 hp · 1.6 BlueHDi 1002015 · 109 hp · 1.2 PureTech 110 120 hp UK 1.6 VTi 120 90 hp UK 1.6 HDi 90
461011
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
200990UK 1.6 HDi 90
200995UK 1.4 VTi 95
2009110UK 1.6 HDi 110 DPFS
2009120UK 1.6 VTi 120
20121151.6 HDi 115
2015981.6 BlueHDi 100
20151091.2 PureTech 110

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • VT / VTR+ / Exclusive

    Standard

    VT / VTR+ / Exclusive

    2009

  • Attraction / Confort / Exclusive

    Standard

    Attraction / Confort / Exclusive

    2013

  • Edition / Platinum

    Standard

    Edition / Platinum

    2017

  • Special

    Collection / Selection / Millenium / Feel Edition

  • Special

    Music Touch

    2013

  • Special

    Rossignol

    2011

  • Special

    Code (UK)

    2012

    90 hp

  • Limited

    Blackcherry

    2010–2012

  • C3 Picasso by Carlsson

    Special

    C3 Picasso by Carlsson

    2011

  • Limited

    90th Anniversary (UK)

    2009

    110 hp

    150 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Upright, boxy proportions mix straight lines with bold curves.5
  • Brazil-built cars echo the Aircross but omit its tailgate-mounted spare.69

Year by year

  1. 2012–2013 facelift

    New front bumper and chevron grille, LEDs available on VTR+/Exclusive, plus Ink Blue and Pearlescent White paint.5810

  2. 2012–2013 facelift

    VTR+ gains Mistral Mixou cloth; Exclusive offers full black leather. New 15-inch Asterodea wheel covers also appear.5810

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Citroën C3 Picasso
    C3 Picasso
    Photo of a Citroën Aircross (Brazil)
    Citroën Aircross (Brazil)

    Citroën Aircross (Brazil)

    The Brazilian C3 Picasso drops the Aircross's rear-mounted spare and adventure trim, and sits 3 cm lower.69

  • Photo of a Citroën C3 Picasso
    C3 Picasso
    Photo of a Ford B-MAX
    Ford B-MAX

    Ford B-MAX

    The B-MAX's pillarless sliding doors are the giveaway.13

  • Photo of a Citroën C3 Picasso
    C3 Picasso
    Photo of a Vauxhall Meriva
    Vauxhall Meriva

    Vauxhall Meriva

    The Meriva's rear-hinged back doors are the giveaway.8

Against its rivals

  • Peugeot 207 SW

    C3 Picasso vs Peugeot 207 SW

    Price before bonus lower is better

    C3 Picasso18,950 €
    Peugeot 207 SW19,250 €
    19
  • Renault Grand Modus

    C3 Picasso vs Renault Grand Modus

    Price before bonus lower is better

    C3 Picasso18,950 €
    Renault Grand Modus17,650 €
    19

Prices

Value today $2.2K–$8.7K22

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K 2010201520202025 Value today: $2,200–$8,700 2009 · $17,932 · UK VT VTi 95; approx. USD2009 · $24,328 · UK Exclusive HDi 110; approx. USD2010 · $23,552 · UK Blackcherry; approx. USD2012 · $24,955 · UK Code HDi 90; approx. USD2012 · $20,662 · UK facelift base; approx. USD2012 · $27,785 · UK Exclusive HDi 115; approx. USD 2026 · $3,740 · 2016 PureTech 110 Exclusive, 100508 km; fees incl., VPauto2026 · $4,070 · 2012 HDi 90 FAP Business, 92970 km; hammer, ALCOPA AUCTION PARIS SUD $4.1K ALCOPA AUCTION PARIS SUD, 2026
41015162324
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2009Price when new$17,932UK VT VTi 95; approx. USD
2009Price when new$24,328UK Exclusive HDi 110; approx. USD
2010Price when new$23,552UK Blackcherry; approx. USD
2012Price when new$24,955UK Code HDi 90; approx. USD
2012Price when new$20,662UK facelift base; approx. USD
2012Price when new$27,785UK Exclusive HDi 115; approx. USD
2026Auction sale$3,7402016 PureTech 110 Exclusive, 100508 km; fees incl., VPauto
2026Auction sale$4,0702012 HDi 90 FAP Business, 92970 km; hammer, ALCOPA AUCTION PARIS SUD
2026Value today$2,200–$8,700

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Spacebox and a dog made of bags and shoes”
    • “Sébastien Loeb's football tie-in”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 24 sources
  1. Citro�n C3 Picasso UK citroenet.org.uk
  2. François Garrigoux chef de Projet C3 Picasso à la Direction des Produits Citroën - L'argus largus.fr
  3. Citroën : on restyle aussi la pub pour le C3 Picasso! - Automotive-Marketing automotive-marketing.fr
  4. Citro�n C3 Picasso UK citroenet.org.uk
  5. Citroen C3 Picasso (2008-2017) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  6. Citroën C3 Picasso - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. UK: Citroën celebrates 90 years of Créative Technologie | OneShift by Carousell oneshift.com
  8. Used Citroen C3 Picasso review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  9. Citro�n C3 Picasso estreia por R$ 47.990 - AUTOO autoo.com.br
  10. Citroen C3 Picasso restyled and upgraded | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  11. Prix C3 Picasso (2015) : deux nouveaux moteurs - L'argus largus.fr
  12. Guide d’achat pour le Citroën C3 Picasso - blog Kidioui.fr voiture.kidioui.fr
  13. Citroën C3 Picasso MPV (2009-2017) | Carbuyer carbuyer.co.uk
  14. Citroën et Rossignol poursuivent leur partenariat caradisiac.com
  15. Citroen turns utility into style with new C3 Picasso Code - Autoblog autoblog.com
  16. Citroën C3 Picasso, édition "Blackcherry" - L'Auto-Journal autojournal.fr
  17. Citroën C3 Picasso by Carlsson - DS DS3 - Die News angurten.de
  18. Citroën Xsara Picasso - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Le C3 Picasso face à ses rivales - L'argus largus.fr
  20. Citroen C3 Picasso: Citroen recall 20k to stop the passenger braking carsuk.net
  21. Bilan occasion : Citroën C3 Picasso - L'argus largus.fr
  22. Quotazione Citroën C3 Picasso usata (novembre 2026): prezzi medi anno per anno veymoov.com
  23. CITROEN C3 Picasso PureTech 110 Exclusive White | VPauto.fr vpauto.eu
  24. CITROEN - C3 PICASSO HDI 90 FAP BUSINESS - GO…, adjugé 3 700 € adjuge.io
  • citroenet.org.uk
  • largus.fr
  • automotive-marketing.fr
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • oneshift.com
  • autoo.com.br
  • carbuyer.co.uk
  • voiture.kidioui.fr
  • caradisiac.com
  • autoblog.com
  • autojournal.fr
  • angurten.de
  • carsuk.net

Photo credits

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