Big impression
Can Citroen’s updated Grand C4 Picasso tighten its grip on the MPV class as it meets Volkswagen and Peugeot seven-seaters?
CITROEN’S Grand C4 Picasso has taken the Best MPV title at the Auto Express New Car Awards for three years in a row, so it’s fair to say that it’s a capable people carrier. It’s seen off a host of new challengers over the last 12 months, too – and now there’s a new, updated version.
There are some styling tweaks for Citroen’s latest MPV, along with a pair of new petrol engines on offer, but it’s the frugal 2.0-litre diesel that has always been victorious.
However, we’re testing the less powerful 1.6-litre Bluehdi auto, so in the sizeable Citroen will this 118bhp unit prove enough? VW has plenty of experience with downsized diesels, and installing its 1.6 TDI in the sharp and modern Touran should provide a tough test for the Picasso. Citroen also has some stiff competition close to home, as sister brand Peugeot also offers seven-seat versatility in the shape of its 5008, which has been updated with the same 1.6-litre diesel unit and sixspeed auto transmission as the Picasso.
But the question is, which one of our trio maximises family-friendly practicality with adequate performance and strong efficiency?
MODEL TESTED: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 1.6 Bluehdi EAT6 Flair PRICE: £28,160 ENGINE: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 118bhp
CITROEN is hoping a round of minor updates will keep its Grand C4 Picasso at the top of the MPV sector. However, the car has a raft of new rivals snapping at its heels. We test the £28,160 Flair-spec Bluehdi 120 auto to see if it can maintain its reputation as the best seven-seater around.
Styling 4.1/5
THERE aren’t many visual differences to set the newcomer apart from the previous Grand C4 Picasso, but that’s no bad thing, as the Citroen has always been a head-turner when it comes to design.
A lower, wider front bumper gives the car a little more presence, but it’s more to keep it looking fresh than to add a sportier stance. It hasn’t altered the ‘three-tier’ light structure, with the LED running lamps sitting above the main headlights as before.
The foglamps are now housed in a C-shaped chrome insert lower down in the apron, which adds a bright contrast to the new £520 Lazuli Blue paint. The extra chrome ties in with the twin strips that link the LEDS and form the Citroen chevron badge. Three years after its launch, the Grand C4 Picasso is still an unusual, unconventional design that injects some spark into the rather staid MPV sector.
Elsewhere, an extensive windscreen that stretches above your head, thin windscreen pillars and quarter light windows give excellent forward visibility while still ensuring that safety isn’t compromised. This helps the cabin feel incredibly spacious, flooding the inside of the car with light. Other distinctive design elements include the matt silver roof rails that run the length of the car and wrap around the rear pillars to create a big, C-shaped graphic that again contrasts nicely with the bodywork. The funky 3D rear lights are new, while the big tailgate stretches low down to the bumper, making it easy to load.
Citroen’s unique design approach is also reflected on the inside. Our test car’s expansive dashboard was covered in soft-touch plastic, but it’s the twin-screen infotainment system where the bigger changes have been made. All models now get Apple Carplay and Mirrorlink for Android users. The twin-screen setup adds a hi-tech feel, and the customisable 12-inch upper widescreen display shows driving data.
There are now sharper graphics on the seveninch lower touchscreen that controls the sat-nav, climate control and multimedia system, but it’s still a little laggy to respond to your inputs, while voice control is also standard. Other features on the extensive kit list for our top-spec Flair model include Bluetooth and DAB radio, as well as a colour reversing camera and all-round parking sensors.
Driving 3.8/5
IF you’re going to be carrying plenty of passengers, a comfortable, compliant chassis makes all the difference, and Citroen has always focused on making sure its Grand C4 Picasso delivers just that.
This new car is no different, so while it’s not the most dynamic MPV around, its supple suspension means long distances should be relatively smooth and refined. Badly torn roads do still upset the chassis, and on our test car’s standard 17-inch wheels you’ll feel a few sharp movements. But keep away from big bumps and the Citroen flows along.
The downside to the floating ride is that there’s some body roll in bends, but if you keep your corner speed down it’s not very noticeable. Under the bonnet, Citroen’s 118bhp 1.6-litre unit doesn’t quite have the poke of the larger 2.0, although it never feels sluggish and once it’s up to speed on the motorway it’ll quite happily cruise along. Overtakes are a little more difficult, but if you accept the fact you’re probably not going to go anywhere fast, the Picasso’s comfort comes back into play.
Our test car’s six-speed automatic gearbox shuffled ratios nicely, slurring the changes smoothly. However, ask for a burst of acceleration and it’s hesitant to kick down, while it hangs on to gears for a little too long once you’ve lifted off the throttle.
Raw performance isn’t the most important aspect of an MPV, but the Citroen still fared well at the track. Its 11.0-second 0-60mph time was the fastest on test, while it was the quickest in gear, too, showing the 1.6 still has enough power and performance for day-to-day driving.
Ownership 3.6/5
CITROEN placed 26th in the manufacturers’ chart of our Driver Power 2016 satisfaction survey, with the pre-facelift Picasso just making it into the top 100 in our list of the best cars to live with. Owners singled out its low running costs, ride quality and practicality as highlights, which is no surprise.
Safety should be another highlight, as topspec Flair trim features blind spot monitoring as standard, along with stability control, a tyre pressure monitoring system and cruise control with a speed limiter. If you want to upgrade to adaptive cruise, the £800 Driver assistance package 2 includes this, plus active lane departure warning and active blind spot monitoring, speed limit detection and automatic full beam headlights.
Running costs 3.9/5
THIS automatic Citroen is the most expensive car to buy at £28,160, but add VW’S DSG box to the Touran and that bumps the price up to a more comparable £28,045. However, the Flair-spec Picasso gets more standard equipment than the VW, while options like leather upholstery also cost less.
On finance, the Touran is cheaper. With a £3,000 deposit over four years at 10,000 miles per year, the VW ’s repayments work out to £394 per month compared with £408 for the Citroen. However, add the DSG to the Touran and this figure rises to £412, so again, there’s very little in it.