CITROËN GRAND C4 PICASSO (2013-2016)

BY JONATHAN CROUCH

Models Covered

(5 door MPV: 1.6 petrol, 1.6, 2.0 turbodiesel [VTR, VTR+, Exclusive, Exclusive+])

Introduction

Citroen's classy, glassy second generation Grand C4 Picasso aims to offer the most practical, the most versatile and the most elegant solution to families shopping in the seven-seat compact MPV segment. It’s a sector aimed at those who need a big boot and the option to take more than five folk, but don’t want the sheer size and expense of a larger People Carrier. If that’s you, then you’ll find that this lighter, more efficient French contender takes care of the basics of space, safety and cost-effectiveness with ease, but where this model really excels is in the other things: style, technology and a very emotive feel. It's a bit special.

The History

Buying a seven-seat MPV is usually an exercise in sacrifice. You accept the fact that in return for three seating rows, you’ll get something boxy, boring and bland. Or will you? With this second generation Grand C4 Picasso model, Citroen tried to change things on that score.

The Picasso name has been synonymous with Citroen People Carriers since the turn of the century and with 7-seat MPVs since the first generation Grand C4 Picasso model was launched in 2006. That car tapped into the major growth area in this segment amongst buyers who really only needed five seats but wanted the occasional versatility of a couple of extra fold-out chairs in the boot. This one set out to make that arrangement more usable, thanks to extra interior space released without the extra vehicle length buyers in this sector don’t want. This came courtesy of the class-leadingly long wheelbase conferred upon this car by a clever, multi-patented EMP2 platform that was also claimed to sharpen up the previously rather stodgy handling.

Better still, these practical and dynamic virtues were clothed in what is arguably the most stylish shape ever to clothe a family-minded MPV. Emboldened by the success of its boutique DS line of cars, Citroën decided at the beginning of the 21st century’s second decade to inject a measure of style and desirability into many of its other wares. As a result, this design looks like something that's just driven off a motor show stand. With power provided by a range of engines that, at this model’s launch in early 2014, helped it towards easily the most efficient running costs in its segment.

In prospect then, what we have here is a very clever People Carrier indeed, with a glassy, futuristic combination of hi-tech style and efficient practicality that ought to set new standards in this segment. Does the original version of this second generation model that sold until a facelifted variant was announced in mid-2016 make sense?

What To Look For

Most buyers of the second generation Grand C4 Picasso model that we surveyed were very satisfied but inevitably, there were a few issues with some cars. One owner had a problem with the electronic handbrake that stuck on and stranded him. Others complained about starting problems, electric window squeaking and an engine management light that kept coming on in the dash binnacle. One owner had a problem with a drive belt that came off the runners. Look out for all these things when you check out used stock.

On The Road

Climb aboard a Grand C4 Picasso and before you even set off, it’s clear that this is going to be a somewhat different experience. There are no conventional instrument dials and nothing directly in front of you, with key driving information instead displayed on a giant centre screen in the centre of the dash.

The first thing that’ll probably grab your attention though is a windscreen that stretches up and almost over your head, affording a panoramic view not just of the road ahead but also sky above. The wishbone-shaped windscreen pillars have glazed centre sections to further boost visibility and there’s a low window line that not only makes manoeuvring easy but should also give children a better view out and potentially stop them feeling sick. So it’s different to sit in then. But will it be so to drive?

The engine choice is naturally weighted towards diesels because that's what Citroën does very well and it's also what British customers want to buy. There are both 90 and 115bhp e-HDi versions of the 1.6-litre diesel that most buyers choose, with the pokier unit noticeably perkier, making 62mph from rest in 12.1s en route to 117mph. That’s around two seconds quicker than the base e-HDi 90 model, a car that isn’t that much cheaper or efficient and couldn’t be ordered with a conventional manual gearbox.

If you do want something with a little more mid-range pulling power, then you could go for the THP 155 petrol model with a 1.6-litre turbo engine that, not surprisingly, moves this car on rather swiftly, making sixty two mph in 9.2s on the way to 130mph. For all the reasons we’ve already given though, we don’t think such a performance package suits the character of this car. No, if funds permit, the optimum Grand C4 Picasso engine is the one at the top of the line-up, the impressive BlueHDi 150. Its performance figures are virtually identical to those of the THP petrol, yet it’s got around 50% more pulling power and is around 50% more economical. Enough said.

Overall

So, if you want a compact seven-seat MPV with a bit of style from the 2013 to 2015 era, look at the bigger Pic. Is it that simple? Well it depends upon your priorities. There may be some buyers in this segment for whom ultimate driving dynamics dictate the choice of a Ford or a Vauxhall in this segment. We can only imagine these people to be in the minority though. Most in search of a modern People Carrier prioritise practicality, running costs and clever design. If, as here, they can have all of this with class-leading style and technology thrown in, then so much the better.