Adult occupant
Citroen asked for the C4 Picasso to be re-assessed against Euro NCAP's 2009 requirements. The driver knee airbag fitted to the test car in 2006 no longer qualifies for assessment, as it is not expected to be sold as standard equipment in sufficient numbers. Therefore, Euro NCAP has performed a repeat frontal impact test, and has carried out its new whiplash assessment to give a star rating for 2009. In the frontal impact, the passenger compartment remained stable, the windscreen pillar moving rearward only 4mm. Dummy readings indicated good protection for the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger and there were no structures in the dashboard likely to pose a risk of injury to occupants of different sizes or those sat in different seating positions. In the side barrier test, the car provided adequate chest protection. In the more severe side pole test, dummy readings of rib deflection indicated weak protection of the chest. The seat and head restraint provided marginal protection against whiplash injury in a rear impact.
Child occupant
In the frontal impact, forward movement of the head of the 3 year dummy was not excessive (the 18 month was sat in a rearward facing restraint). In the side impact test, both dummies were properly contained by the protective shells of their restraints. The passenger's airbag can be disabled by means of a switch, allowing a rearward facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information presented to the driver regarding the status of the airbag was not clear enough.
Pedestrian
The bumper scored maximum points for the protection it offered to pedestrians' lower legs. The part of the bonnet likely to struck by a child's head was also rated predominantly 'fair'. However, that part of the bonnet which might be struck by an adult's head scored no points for the protection it offered.
Safety assist
All variants of the C4 Picasso are equipped with electronic stability control as standard. The car has a standard seatbelt reminder system for the driver and second row seats. The system is optional for the front passenger seat, but is sold as standard in sufficient numbers to be rewarded by Euro NCAP. A driver-set speed limitation device is standard across the model range.