Citroen C4 Grand Picasso car review

Auto Trader Ten Point Test rating: 80%

Who says a seven-seater MPV can’t be good-looking? The Citroen Grand  C4 Picasso has got style in spades – and the price looks pretty good too.

But the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso isn’t just a pretty face. We drove one for a week and found out it ticks all the boxes marked practical too.

Looks | Looks Inside | Practicality | Ride and Handling | Performance
Running Costs | Reliability | Safety | Equipment | X-Factor

1. Looks

Drivers expect French cars to be good-looking and the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso lives up to expectations. From the vertical rear light cluster to the bonnet which integrates the Citroen chevrons, this car exudes style – not an achievement to be sniffed at for an MPV.

8/10

2. Looks inside

There is even more to like about the car inside. The windscreen stretches back high into the roof to create a very light interior, although this can be blocked by longer sun visors when necessary. The blue-lit information display is housed in a central hooded area and features a digital speedo and rev counter flanking further read-outs. Like most drivers, we are more accustomed to reading the speed et al through the steering wheel but found it easy to adjust. Locating the parking brake on the dashboard has freed up the area between driver and front seat passenger to enhance the feeling of space. Most of the materials used are of good quality though in places, such as the plastic backs to the front seats, it seems inquisitive fingers could cause some early wear and tear.

8/10

3. Practicality

The steering wheel differs from many cars in that the rim rotates while the hub remains static. This has a practical benefit as controls remain in the same place relative to the driver when the wheel is rotated while ensuring better airbag deployment. Beneath the centrally-located information display is a coolbox with integrated cup holders. Other neat touches include positioning the air-conditioning controls next to the doors, making access easier for right-handed drivers.

The Exclusive model we drove also features a child mirror above the rear view mirror for keeping an eye on the little ones in the back. The second row consists of three good-sized, comfortable seats with plenty of legroom while trays with cup holders built in are fitted to the rear of the two front seats. We also put Citroen’s claim to the test that the third row of seats is so easy to fold away and put in place that you can do it with one finger. It passed with flying colours. As is usually the case with MPV third rows, the seats are intended for children and would be uncomfortable for most adults travelling anything more than short journeys.

The maximum amount of space with second and third seat rows flat is an impressive 1951 litres and the boot is easy to lift (the boot sill can also be raised and lowered by 14cm to make life easier). With just the third row of seats flattened there is 576 litres of storage available. With all three rows of seats in place there is only 208 litres of boot space. However there are plenty of storage solutions within the car – including two large bins atop the dash which flank the information display.

10/10

4. Ride and Handling

This is a comfortable car which sails over lumps and bumps in the road just like a Citroen should. Top of the range models also include pneumatic rear suspension for an even smoother ride. The car handles well for a seven-seater but will wallow through corners if they are tackled at speed.

7/10

5. Performance

The Citroen Grand C4 Picasso is available with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines. The petrol models: 127bhp 1.8-litre or 143bhp 2-litre, are quickest off the mark with sub-12 seconds 0-62mph times and top speeds of 115mph and 121mph. The diesel models: 110bhp 1.6-litre or 138bhp 2-litre cover 0-62mph in 12.7 and 13.4 seconds respectively and share a 112mph top speed. Models are fitted with a manual five speed gearbox or a six speed electronic automatic ‘box operated by a steering wheel-mounted stalk which , it is claimed, improves economy by five per cent.

Our 1.6-litre diesel model felt perkier than its 13.4 seconds 0-62mph time suggests. We did find the automatic a little jerky between changes. Manual gear changes are available with paddle shift gears on either side of the steering wheel.

7/10

6. Running Costs

The petrol models both return an average 35.3mpg while the diesels increase this to between 46.3mpg and 49.6mpg. CO2 emissions of 190g/km mean an annual car tax bill of £210 (Band F) while the diesel options range between 150g/km and 159g/km depending on engine size and gearbox, placing them within car tax band C and D with an annual car tax bill of £120/£145.

7/10

7. Reliability

Citroen is the tenth most reliable car manufacturer for the UK market, although figures are not available for this particular model.

7/10

8. Safety

The car achieved a five star rating following EuroNCAP crash tests. And features a host of safety aids including seven airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency braking assistance, electronic stability programme and traction control as standard. Options include a lane departure warning system which vibrates the driver’s seat if he or she wanders over the white line and front and rear parking sensors to help avoid bumps. We’ve driven the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso in adverse driving conditions. Read more about Citroen safety features tested.

10/10

9. Equipment

The Citroen C4 Grand Picasso is available in four trim levels: LX, SX, VTR+ and Exclusive, and even the entry-level model comes with a wide array of equipment. This includes a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, cruise control, automatic windscreen wipers, electric, heated door mirrors, trip computer and all comprehensive safety features (listed above). The SX trim adds air conditioning, and CD/radio. VTR+ models adds 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, body-coloured door handles, door mirrors and bumper inserts, electric rear windows,  roof bars and trays on the rear of the front seats. The Exclusive trim adds body-coloured bumper with chrome inserts, automatic headlights, automatic digital air conditioning, heat-reflecting windscreen, sunblinds and child surveillance mirror.

8/10

10. X-Factor

If there are plenty of times you need a vehicle which will shift five and have the capacity to cart another two about the Citroen Grand C4  Picasso merits serious consideration. It ticks lots of boxes, but we reckon its biggest selling point is its Gallic flair – inside and out, this is one people-carrier that doesn’t look dull.

8/10