Advice - Diesel Picasso or Meriva

bluep

Am starting a new job soon and for a very low monthly price indeed, they offer company cars as a benefit. I've narrowed it down to the Citroen Xsara Picasso 2.0 Diesel Exclusive (so top of the range accessories there) or the Vauxhall Meriva 1.7 CDTi Diesel Design with AC (so again top range accessories).

Both seem to come with AC, 5dr, isofix child seat fittings, electric windows, sunroof, relatively similar mpg costs.

The Meriva has a MP3/CD player which is a bonus for me (any Picasso owners out there confirm that the Exclusive cd player DOESN'T play MP3s?) but the Picasso looks so much bigger in terms of boot space (any Meriva owners counter this, especially with the fold down and moveable seat options).

Any other opinions about problems/good points that people have found with these? I'm not worried about breakdown/mechanic/servicing costs or insurance as all those are completely covered by the company car scheme, and equally cost of colours/accessories/depreciation are not factors either as it will be a 12 month lease arrangement. Oh, and they cost pretty much exactly the same per month on the scheme and the list price for the cars is pretty much the same too, as is the taxable benefit cost via the Inland Revenue.

My main priorities are:
-low cost fuel wise
-comfy to drive as I have a 100 mile round trip commute each day
-good stereo - mp3 preferable or option to link my mp3 player to the system
-boot space as when we travel anywhere with our baby...we really fill the car up
-being higher up than the traffic (just for fun )
-still "nippy" even though diesel

Am going to take both for a test drive soon, just interested to hear other opinions. Thanks!

Poppy9

I looked at both these cars at a Car Show recently. The Picasso felt far roomer and more comfortable than the Mervia. The Mervia seats are boxy and uncomfortable. Have you looked at the Ford Focus C Max? This was my favourite. Lots of room, nicer trim, nicer feel to it.

bluep

Thanks Poppy - these are the only 2 cars I can choose from on the company scheme - they are on special offer at the moment so MUCH cheaper than anything else suitable. I'm erring towards the Picasso myself as it just looks so much bigger and nicer. The Meriva looks a bit like a smaller "not quite there" MPV.

MarkyMarkD

My boss had a Meriva as a hire car in France and said it was awful - that was with the 1.7 CDTI engine too. He found it not very economical but not very fast either.

Conversely, my father has just bought a Xsara Picasso Exclusive (not the diesel; but only because I couldn't get him to change the order in time - d'oh). It's very comfortable indeed and a very nice family car. The only adverse thing about the Picasso is that it's an ancient model - but for all that, it's still a very good car.

I'd choose the Picasso.