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Photo of a Citroën Xsara Picasso

Citroën Xsara Picasso

Britain's best-selling MPV in 2002, complete with a folding shopping cart.12

Researched November 1, 2026 from 34 sources

At a glance

0100200
87–136 hpPower
01020
10.8–16.5 s0–100 km/h
0100200
168–192 km/hTop speed
0150300
135–259 N·mTorque
07501,500
1,240–1,326 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.3478

Engine
1.6/1.8/2.0 L gasoline fours; 1.6/2.0 L HDi diesel fours3
Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive4
Gearbox
5-speed manual; 4-speed automatic (2.0 gasoline)34
Built at
PSA Vigo, Spain; Rennes, France; Porto Real, Brazil; Wuhan, China; Cairo, Egypt4
Units built
At least 1,746,8273

The story

Built to challenge the Renault Mégane Scénic, the 4.28-meter Xsara Picasso combined a 2.76-meter wheelbase with a 550-liter boot, removable rear seats and a folding Modubox shopping cart.234

1999: Vigo starts; December sales debut19992001: Porto Real and Wuhan start building · Pole test exposes an airbag shortfall20012002: Britain's MPV sales leader20022004: Facelift brings the HDi 11020042007: C4 Picasso arrives; Xsara Picasso stays20072010: UK farewell after 270,000 sales20102012: Brazil builds the final 1,8002012 Citroën ZX: 1991–1998Citroën ZXCitroën Xanae concept: 1994Citroën Xsara: 1997–2006Citroën XsaraCitroën Xsara Picasso: 1999–2012Citroën Xsara PicassoCitroën C4 Picasso (5-seat): 2007 launchCitroën C4 Picasso (5-seat)Citroën C3 Picasso: 2009 launchCitroën C3 Picasso 19901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones346171819
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1991–1998Citroën ZX
1994Citroën Xanae concept
1997–2006Citroën Xsara
1999–2012Citroën Xsara Picasso
2007 launchCitroën C4 Picasso (5-seat)
2009 launchCitroën C3 Picasso
1999Vigo starts; December sales debut
2001Porto Real and Wuhan start building
2001Pole test exposes an airbag shortfall
2002Britain's MPV sales leader
2004Facelift brings the HDi 110
2007C4 Picasso arrives; Xsara Picasso stays
2010UK farewell after 270,000 sales
2012Brazil builds the final 1,800
  1. 1999

    Vigo starts; December sales debut

    Vigo assembly began in November; December brought a five-seat MPV on the Xsara platform, with LX and SX trims.34

  2. 2001

    Porto Real and Wuhan start building

    Production reached Porto Real, Brazil, and Wuhan, China; Chinese assembly began in November.34

  3. 2001

    Pole test exposes an airbag shortfall

    In Euro NCAP's pole test, the seat-mounted airbag inflated only to shoulder level, leaving the driver's head exposed.5

  4. 2002

    Britain's MPV sales leader

    Pricing, marketing and cashback put it atop Britain's MPV sales; testers rated the Zafira steadier and more practical with seven seats.1

  5. 2004

    Facelift brings the HDi 110

    February brought new bumpers and the HDi 110; with a particulate filter, it became the first compact MPV to offer one.36

  6. 2007

    C4 Picasso arrives; Xsara Picasso stays

    Rennes joined production, building 65,931 cars in 2007–2009; the Xsara Picasso stayed on alongside the new C4 Picasso.3

  7. 2010

    UK farewell after 270,000 sales

    UK sales passed 270,000 before its farewell; European production ended in September, with the C3 Picasso already launched in 2009.36

  8. 2012

    Brazil builds the final 1,800

    Brazilian production ended after 1,800 cars that year; the worldwide total reached at least 1,746,827.3

Every generation

  • Citroën ZX
    Citroën ZX1991–1998
  • Citroën Xanae concept
    Citroën Xanae concept1994
  • Citroën Xsara
    Citroën Xsara1997–2006
  • Citroën Xsara Picasso
    Citroën Xsara Picasso1999–2012
  • Citroën C4 Picasso (5-seat)
    Citroën C4 Picasso (5-seat)2007 launch
  • Citroën C3 Picasso
    Citroën C3 Picasso2009 launch

Power over the years

From 87 hp to 136 hp in 4 years.

050100150 19982000200220042006200820102012 hp 1999 · 87 hp · 1.6 gasoline launch2000 · 114 hp · 1.8i 16V2003 · 136 hp · 2.0i 16V automatic2004 · 108 hp · 1.6 HDi 1102005 · 91 hp · HDi 922005 · 108 hp · 1.6i 16V gasoline2011 · 111 hp · Movie 1.6 flex 136 hp 2.0i 16V automatic 87 hp 1.6 gasoline launch
278910
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1999871.6 gasoline launch
20001141.8i 16V
20031362.0i 16V automatic
20041081.6 HDi 110
200591HDi 92
20051081.6i 16V gasoline
2011111Movie 1.6 flex

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • LX / SX (UK)

    Standard

    LX / SX (UK)

    2000

  • Desire / VTX (UK)

    Standard

    Desire / VTX (UK)

    2006

  • Standard

    Exclusive (UK)

    2002

  • Standard

    Base / Pack / Génération 2007

  • Standard

    X / SX Top / Exclusive Plus

    2006

  • Special

    Chrono

  • Special

    Brasil / Seleção / Navegador / Wii / Avatar

    2003–2010

  • Special

    Safari (Argentina)

    From 2005

  • Limited

    Etoile (Brazil)

    2002

  • Limited

    Movie (Brazil)

    2011

  • Sbarro Picasso Cup

    Special

    Sbarro Picasso Cup

    2002

    235 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • Look for the rounded back and large lights.3
  • Launch UK SX cars had standard front fog lamps; these were accessories in the Netherlands.11

Year by year

  1. 2003 Exclusive

    Exclusive gained alloy wheels and body-color bumper strips and side moldings ahead of the main facelift.3

  2. 2004 European facelift

    Revised bumpers became body-colored across the range, gained upper chrome trim, and were joined by clear-optic headlights.3416

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Citroën Xsara Picasso
    Xsara Picasso
    Photo of a Renault Mégane Scénic
    Renault Mégane Scénic

    Renault Mégane Scénic

    The Citroën stands out through its rounded back and large lights.3

Against its rivals

  • Vauxhall Zafira

    Xsara Picasso vs Vauxhall Zafira

    Seats

    Xsara Picasso5 seats
    Vauxhall Zafira7 seats
    1

Prices

Value today $875.0–$2.8K29

Auction saleValue today
$0$1K$2K$3K 202420262028 Value today: $875–$2,750 2025 · $770 · 2001 2.0 Hdi, 212,220 km, Veiko2025 · $2,420 · 2009 1.6 Hdi Exclusive, 207,837 km, Veiko2026 · $2,255 · 2004 2.0 Hdi SX, 166,925 km, Veiko2026 · $1,870 · 2010 1.6 Hdi LX, 252,353 km, Veiko2026 · $1,100 · 2006 1.8 i EX, 137,937 km, Veiko $2.4K Veiko, 2025
3031323334
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2025Auction sale$7702001 2.0 Hdi, 212,220 km, Veiko
2025Auction sale$2,4202009 1.6 Hdi Exclusive, 207,837 km, Veiko
2026Auction sale$2,2552004 2.0 Hdi SX, 166,925 km, Veiko
2026Auction sale$1,8702010 1.6 Hdi LX, 252,353 km, Veiko
2026Auction sale$1,1002006 1.8 i EX, 137,937 km, Veiko
2026Value today$875–$2,750

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 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “3 Picassos on Spanish motorsport rescue duty”
    • “3 Picassos for Uncle Bryn”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 6 generations

  • Market

    • 5 things to check before buying one
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

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

See all 34 sources
  1. Citroen Picasso Exclusive | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  2. Road Test No. 6 - 2000 Citro�n Xsara Picasso - by Brian G. Thornton carenthusiast.com
  3. Citroën Xsara Picasso — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  4. Citroën Xsara Picasso - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. Crash Test Citroen Picasso sicurauto.it
  6. Citro�n Picasso - adieu citroenet.org.uk
  7. Nuevo motor HDI 92 en el Citroën Xsara Picasso | Galicia Digital galiciadigital.com
  8. Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 HDi Desire (2004) - Car Keys carkeys.co.uk
  9. Citroën Xsara Picasso 1.8i 16V - Avto-magazin.si avto-magazin.metropolitan.si
  10. Citro�n lan�a s�rie limitada Xsara Picasso Movie - AUTOO autoo.com.br
  11. Xsara Picasso Road Test citroenet.org.uk
  12. Scrapyard Gem: 2006 Citroën Xsara Picasso Desire - Autoblog autoblog.com
  13. Citroën Xsara Picasso (ab 1999) - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  14. Citroën lança o Xsara Picasso Etoile | Mecânica Online®| 26 anos | Do jeito que você entende mecanicaonline.com.br
  15. Citro�n Sbarro Picasso Cup citroenet.org.uk
  16. Ženeva: Citroen Xsara Picasso 2004 – facelift a nový motor | Auto.cz auto.cz
  17. Citroën ZX - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. Citroën Xanae — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  19. Citroën Xsara - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Donato Coco - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Picasso clan fail to airbrush out car name | World news | The Guardian theguardian.com
  22. El Xsara Picasso, elegido vehículo "R" por la Real Federación Española de Automovilismo autopista.es
  23. Ronnie Pickering road rage video: Hull YouTube sensation selling iconic Citroen Xsara Picasso on Ebay | IBTimes UK ibtimes.co.uk
  24. On Screen Cars nationalmotormuseum.org.uk
  25. The Gran Turismo 2: Beige Edition Mod Celebrates Automotive Mediocrity | CarThrottle carthrottle.com
  26. Bland Ambition: Gran Turismo Gets a New Beige Edition with Boring Cars You'll Love to Race caranddriver.com
  27. Bien acheter un Citroën Xsara Picasso (1999-2010) autoplus.fr
  28. Citroën Picasso caradisiac.com
  29. Citroën Xsara Picasso occasion prijs & waarde (november 2026) | SB Fleet sbfleet.nl
  30. Citroën Xsara Picasso 2004 adjudicado en subasta | Veiko veiko.es
  31. Citroën Xsara Picasso 2010 adjudicado en subasta | Veiko veiko.es
  32. Citroën Xsara Picasso 2006 adjudicado en subasta | Veiko veiko.es
  33. Citroën Xsara Picasso 2.0 Hdi 90cv 2001 adjudicado en subasta | Veiko veiko.es
  34. Citroën Xsara Picasso 2009 adjudicado en subasta | Veiko veiko.es
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • carenthusiast.com
  • fr.wikipedia.org
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • sicurauto.it
  • citroenet.org.uk
  • galiciadigital.com
  • carkeys.co.uk
  • avto-magazin.metropolitan.si
  • autoo.com.br
  • autoblog.com
  • autobild.de
  • mecanicaonline.com.br
  • auto.cz

Photo credits

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