I'VE had some marvellous holidays in various models of the Citroen Picasso and have driven many more over the years.

They were all good but the last space-age model is a marvellous family holdall that really is very hard to beat.

Produced since 2013, its forte is a truly comfortable ride for all inside - even those in the rearmost seats of the Grand Picasso seven seater - which is basically the same car.

Citroen still insist on calling all of them ‘C4' Picasso, and their very similar successor the C4 Space Tourer.

But no-one else I know ever uses the C4 moniker, because it is, and always has been, completely superfluous.

Whatever about the name this is a family car par excellence, right up there with the best the rest can offer and at prices to make them wince.

As well as that comfort, it also handles really well through the corners apart from steering that is a little lacking in feel.

All models have excellent grip and tenacious road holding, helped by minimal roll despite their tall stance on the road.

The engine choice over the models production period majors on diesels and the later ones are 1.6 and 2.0-litre units, which have made up the majority of sales.

The 1.6 is available with 90 or 115bhp, giving 0 to 62mph acceleration of 12.9 and 11.8 seconds. Best economy is an excellent 74mpg.

The other diesel is a 2.0-litre with 150bhp that covers the 62 miles an hour sprint in 9.7 seconds and is still capable of 68mpg with very low emissions.

The higher powered 1.6 and the 2.0-litre have either a six-speed manual gearbox, or a six-speed automatic, while the 90bhp model has a five-speed manual.

Petrol engines are 1.2 and 1.6-litre turbos with either 130 or 153bhp. The larger unit gets to 60 in under nine seconds and is capable of 47mpg, while the 1.2 takes 10 seconds for the sprint and can do 56mpg.

All the engines are smooth and quiet until revved, as is normal and all apart from the entry 90bhp diesel offer good to excellent acceleration through the gears.

Those concept car looks might not appeal to all, but they hide fantastic practicality thoughout the interior.

The all-digital instruments work well and there are a number of options selectable by the driver.

There is a huge amount of storage around the cabin and the massive boot will hold everything most families would need for two weeks holiday.

Rear passengers get three individual seats that slide fore and aft for more legroom and fold flat to give extra luggage space.

Even the front passenger seat folds flat, allowing long items to be carried home with ease.

Base VTR spec includes air conditioning, cruise control, alloy wheels, traction control, remote locking, electric windows, good stereo with remote control, and loads of airbags.

And just a couple of levels higher in Touch Edition spec, you get parking sensors, an alarm and heated electric mirrors.

Pay about £5,800 for a '14 14-reg XTR+ 1.6-litre eHDi diesel, or £11,200 for a '17 17-reg Feel BlueHDi 150 2.0-litre.