Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2014 Review
Just when you'd lost faith in people movers, along comes Citroen's outstanding Grand C4 PicassoThe new Citroen C4 Picasso, now dubbed Grand C4 Picasso, is sold in just one variant, and retains the virtues of the previous model. However, the new design's goal posts have relocated to the carpark outside the ground.
The Grand C4 Picasso now rides on a tauter platform for improved on-road handling and ride comfort, it's much quieter inside, and delivers a functional, stylish interior.
From the driver's seat, it's a close-run race between form and function, with the latter winning out, offering logical layout and ease of use. Even the engine-start button is in plain sight on the dash, left of the steering wheel.
Some won't like the centre-mounted instrument binnacle, but it does place the speedometer closer to the driver at least. And there's plenty of flexibility in the steering wheel adjustment as a consequence.
The gearshift lever is more like an indicator stalk on the upper right quadrant of the steering column, but is simple to use.
It's not all peaches and cream, however. Navigating your way through different trip computer and infotainment screens is not always straightforward. Finding a tachometer function in the graphic display was time-consuming and unintuitive. But owners will quickly learn the facilities to get the most out of the Grand C4 Picasso.
Interior styling is fresh and modern, featuring soft materials in a cross-hatched design for the dash top and door moulds. An optional lounge pack literally turns the front passenger seat into a recliner rocker, and the seats are very well cushioned for comfort.
Citroen says the hip point is lower, but the previous model already provided easy access to the cabin. A stretched wheelbase is complemented by longer rear doors to ease loading kids in the third-row seat. Everything about access or seat adjustment is 'single-handed', whether it's the snap-folding second-row seats or the deployment of the third-row seats.
The only significant criticism is that the third row in the Grand C4 Picasso remains very much the domain of kids. Only by moving the second-row seats forward is there enough knee room for adults in the third row – and headroom is marginal too.
The Grand C4 Picasso is otherwise very family-oriented however, with an additional 'conversation' mirror for the driver and front-seat passenger to keep tabs on which kid is beating up the others, or threatening to stick something up the dog's nose.
There's plenty of knick-knack storage, courtesy of the removable centre console and the storage bins in the rear footwells. Three adults can sit abreast in the second row, thanks to the separate centre position seat there. At least two of them will benefit from the climate control vents in the B pillars (with separate fan controls for left and right).
Headroom is fine in the front and second rows, even with the standard sunroof fitted. Some of the cars driven in NZ weren't fitted with the sunroof, which is an option in the land of the long white cloud. A lot of Aussie consumers might prefer not to have the standard sunroof, since many don't want a large sunroof in our climate. Conversely, the standard electric tailgate in NZ would be popular in Australia, but it's an option here.
There is no electric seat adjustment without optioning up the car. Yet Citroen claims the Grand C4 Picasso is ahead of the pack and represents good value when compared with its two most notable rivals – the Honda Odyssey and the Kia Rondo 7.
Ordering the Picasso with the full leather pack (a $5000 option), which includes the electric seat adjustment, takes the Citroen's spec-adjusted price to less than $1000 above the Odyssey's.
The Picasso sold to the Kiwis rides on 18-inch alloys. We get 17s. There was no opportunity to try the Aussie-spec wheels, but this much is certain – the 18-inch alloys didn't seem to detract from the Citroen's very composed ride, although they didn't muster sports car dynamics either. Grand C4 Picasso's handling was safe, rather than exciting. Steering response improved at higher road speeds, and feedback through the wheel was impressive, coming as it did in a people mover with electric assistance.
At speeds ranging between 80 and 100km/h the Grand C4 Picasso returned an average fuel consumption figure of 7.3L/100km, with three people on board and a small quantity of luggage. NVH was very well damped. Even on coarser roads the tyres were subdued. The lively and responsive diesel engine didn't dominate unless a window was cracked open.
The automatic transmission went about its business unobtrusively for the most part, very occasionally being caught out by a sudden demand for power with a sharp thump on kick-down. Usually, however, its changes were quick and smooth.
Build quality appeared very good for the most part, although there was a persistent metal-on-metal squeak in the rail above driver's head.
The minor flaws were, however, just that – minor. If you're looking at the groovy new aesthetics and thinking 'this is yet another niche-market Citroen'... don't. The new Grand C4 Picasso has character, but it's as rational as Mr Spock.
2014 Citroen Grand C4 Picasso Exclusive pricing and specifications:
Price: $43,990 (excluding on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 110kW/370Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 4.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 117g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA
| What we liked: | Not so much: |
| >> Quiet, comfortable and frugal | >> Third-row seat not for adults |
| >> Plenty of character | >> Busy exterior styling |
| >> Easy to use | >> It's a people mover |
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