Review of the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2018: petrol

Do you know Picasso? He died long ago. And now the Picasso badge, which has graced Citroen models around the world since 1999, must also die. 

As a result, the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso will be renamed the Citroen Grand C4 Spacetourer, in line with the new van naming convention adopted in Europe. It's a shame because Picasso is undoubtedly one of the most famous names Citroen has... and let's be honest, Citroen needs all the help it can get in Australia. 

But before we see the name change, the company has made an addition to the current Grand C4 Picasso lineup: a new price leader, the petrol Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, is now on sale, and it is lowering the price of the seven-seat model. people's engine for a whopping $6000 compared to a diesel.

That amount will buy you a hell of a lot of gas, so does the new version of the base model in the 4 Citroen Grand C2018 Picasso line make more sense than its expensive diesel sibling?

Citroen Grand C4 2018: Exclusive Picasso Bluehdi
Safety Rating
engine's type	2.0 L turbo
fuel type	Diesel
Fuel efficiency	4.5l / 100km
Landing	7 Places
Price from	$25,600

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

With a price tag of less than $40, the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso suddenly enters a realm of urgency that wasn't there before.

The official list price is $38,490 plus travel expenses, and if you haggle a lot, you can buy it on the road for around forty thousand. 

As mentioned, this is a seven-seater with standard 17-inch alloy wheels. 

Some of the other features include automatic headlights, automatic wipers, LED daytime running lights, puddle lighting, smart key and push button start, and an electric tailgate.

You don't see it in the interior images here, but if you buy the most affordable Grand C4 Picasso model, you'll get cloth seat trim but still a leather steering wheel. And, of course, there's a 7.0-inch multimedia screen with built-in sat-nav, which is displayed on a 12.0-inch high-definition screen at the top.

Inside, there is a 7.0-inch multimedia screen with built-in sat-nav, which is displayed on a 12.0-inch high-definition screen at the top. (Image credit: Matt Campbell)

There's Bluetooth for phone and audio streaming, plus auxiliary and USB ports, but a single USB port isn't such a bad thing these days. My guess is that a first trip to a servo might involve buying a couple of those 12V USB adapters.

What about competitors in this price range? There are a few, such as the LDV G10 (starting at $29,990), Volkswagen Caddy Comfortline Maxi (starting at $39,090), Kia Rondo Si (starting at $31,490) and Honda Odyssey VTi (starting at $37,990). We think that the best people-carrying vehicle you can buy - the Kia Carnival - is relatively expensive, starting at $41,490, and it's also more physically imposing.

Or you can do like the vast majority of buyers and ditch Citroen's French charm and avant-garde styling for a seven-seat midsize SUV. Price examples close to the entry-level Grand C4 Picasso include the Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan X-Trail, LDV D90, Holden Captiva, or even the Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

If you were to assume that there is nothing interesting about the design of the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, it would be a hint that you have vision problems. This is without a doubt one of the most intriguing and interesting vehicles on the market today.

With a front end design that mirrors other models in the French manufacturer's range - sleek LED daytime running lights on either side of a chrome center chevron grille, main headlights at the bottom and chrome trim at the bottom of the bumper - it's easy to tell the difference. Citroen. In fact, you can’t confuse it with Kia, Honda or anything else.

Sleek LED daytime running lights are located on either side of the chrome grille. (Image credit: Matt Campbell)

The large windshield and panoramic sunroof give it a two-tone look, and the beautiful silver C-shaped surround that surrounds the double glazing is one of the best styling touches in the automotive business.

Our car rides on standard 17-inch wheels wrapped in grippy Michelin tires, but there are optional 18s if you want something that fills up the wheel arches a bit more. 

Our test car runs on standard 17-inch wheels. (Image credit: Matt Campbell)

There are some nicely styled taillights at the back, and its wide hips give it a pleasant presence on the road when you're sitting behind it in traffic. 

I think Spacetourer is a better name: Picasso was known for art that was difficult to understand. This car is no such mystery.

The interior is also one of the most stunning in the business: I love the two-tone instrument panel, the stacking of two screens, the minimalist controls, and the massive windshield with an innovative, adjustable ceiling—yes, you can move the front of the car. headlining back and forth, and the sun visors move with it.

The interior is one of the most stunning in the business. (Image credit: Matt Campbell)

Our car had an optional "Leather Lounge" package that adds two-tone leather trim, seat massage features for both front seats, as well as heating for both front seats, and the front passenger seat has an electrically controlled foot/foot rest. This interior trim is nice, but it comes at a price… um, a big price: $5000. 

As you might expect, this is hard to justify if you're trying to save money on your seven-seat vehicle. But ignore that: let's go deeper into the cockpit.

How practical is the interior space? 9/10

It's amazing how much Citroen managed to fit into the Grand C4 Picasso. Its length is 4602 mm, which is only 22 mm (inch) longer than the Mazda3 sedan! As for the rest of the dimensions, the width is 1826 mm, and the height is 1644 mm.

How many seats does the Citroen Picasso have? The answer is seven, whether you choose petrol or diesel, but what's notable is that the petrol model has a compact spare tire under the trunk, while the diesel is out because it has an AdBlue system. 

Yes, by some miracle of packaging magic, the brand's engineers managed to pack seven seats, a reasonable trunk (165 liters with all seats, 693 liters with the rear row folded down, 2181 with the five rear seats folded down), plus a spare tire and a lot of style in a very compact body.

That's not to say that this is a seven-seat car that will satisfy all the needs of buyers who need seven seats. The back row is cramped for those around 183 cm (six feet) tall, and the third row airbag doesn't cover. According to the French brand, the occupants of those very rear seats are fairly inward on the sides of the car, so they theoretically don't need an airbag cover. Depending on your safety position, this may rule this out for you, or possibly make you reconsider whether you regularly use the back row or not. 

Despite this, there is a huge amount of practicality in the cabin. You can fold the third-row seats down and tuck them under the trunk floor, or if you need to use them, there are air vents as well as a fan speed control and a set of rear reading lights. The trunk also has a lamp that doubles as a flashlight and a 12-volt outlet. Above the wheel arches, there is one shallow cup holder and two small storage drawers.

In the trunk there is a backlight that serves as a flashlight. (Image credit: Matt Campbell)

The second row seats are also individually controlled, with all three seats sliding and/or folding as needed. The outboard seats also have a smart seat base recline feature that allows them to move all the way forward for easier access to the third row. 

Space in the second row is ample for three adults, though the average rooftop seatbelt is a little annoying. There are air vents in the B-pillars with fan controls, and there are smart flip-out tables in the backs of the front seats, and there are mesh map pockets at the bottom. There's another 12-volt outlet, a couple of thin door pockets (not big enough for bottles), but no cup holders.

There is enough space in the second row for three adult passengers. (Image credit: Matt Campbell)

The front cockpit is better sorted for storage - there's a pair of (small, shallow) cup holders between the seats, a huge center console drawer with plenty of room for phones, wallets, keys and the like, plus another storage space. near the USB/auxiliary connection. The driver's manual/magazine slots under the steering wheel are neat and the glovebox is fine too, plus there are reasonably large door pockets, but again they lack the sculpted bottle holsters.

I had a little problem with the steering adjustment switch - it's quite springy...so much so that it bounces back and hurts me every time I adjust it. This may not be a problem if you are the only driver, but it is worth noting.

As impressive as the beautiful leather trim is, the dashboard design is what I love the most about this car. There's a huge 12.0-inch high-definition top screen that shows huge digital speed readings, and you can also customize the map and sat-nav display, vehicle vitals, or see where your car is with the standard 360-degree camera.

The lower 7.0-inch touchscreen is where the action happens: it's your point of control for your media system, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, dual-zone climate control, vehicle settings, and your phone. There are additional volume and track controls, plus the steering wheel is pretty well sorted in terms of ergonomics too.

Okay, to clarify: I like this setup to an extent. I don't like that the A/C controls (other than the front and rear windshield defogging system) are on the bottom screen, which means on a very hot day, for example, that you have to rummage through the menu and press the screen button multiple times rather than just rotate a dial or two. Every sweaty second counts when it's 40 degrees outside.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 7/10

Under the hood is a 1.6-liter petrol four-cylinder turbo engine with a capacity of 121 kW (at 6000 rpm) and 240 Nm of torque (at low 1400 rpm). If you think about what other seven-seater vans have, then it's okay - for example, the cheaper LDV G10 van has a power of 165 kW / 330 Nm.

The Citroen may have a smaller engine size and power output, but it's also quite light - it weighs in at 1505kg (curb weight) because it's so small. LDV, in contrast, weighs 2057 kg. In short, he punches his weight, but does not exceed it.

The 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine delivers 121 kW/240 Nm. (Image credit: Matt Campbell)

The Grand C4 Picasso is front-wheel drive and uses a six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and paddle shifters…yes, it seems unnecessary. The shifter is on the steering column, which is an ingenious use of space, but the fact that it has a dedicated manual mode means you can often choose M over D, especially if you're in a hurry.

If you plan to tow a lot, then this car is not for you. Claimed towing capacity is 600 kg for a trailer without brakes, or only 800 kg for a trailer with brakes. The diesel is the better choice if it matters to you, with a rating of 750kg unbraked / 1300kg with brakes… though that’s still below average compared to some similarly priced petrol seven-seater SUVs like the Mitsubishi Outlander (750kg / 1600 kg), LDV D90 (750 kg/2000 kg) or Nissan X-Trail (750 kg/1500 kg).

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How much fuel does it consume? 8/10

Claimed fuel consumption of the petrol model Grand C4 Picasso is only 6.4 liters per 100 kilometers, which is quite impressive. It requires premium 95 octane unleaded gasoline, which means that the cost at the gas station can be noticeably higher than regular 91 octane gasoline. 

In the real world, many turbocharged cars tend to be more power hungry than the claim suggests, but we saw a relatively decent 8.6L/100km during our stay in the Grand C4 Picasso. 

By comparison, the diesel is said to consume a meager 4.5L (17-inch wheels) or 4.6L (18-inch). 

Let's do the math: The average cost per 1000 km based on claimed fuel consumption is $65 for diesel and $102 for gasoline, and you get about 40 percent more mileage per tank of diesel, and diesel is usually cheaper. But even so, the extra $6000 for the initial diesel purchase will still require a lot of mileage before you pay off.

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 6/10

The Citroen Grand C4 Picasso was crash tested back in 2014 and received the highest five-star ANCAP rating. But in recent years, the criteria have changed, and there are some omissions in the petrol model compared to the diesel one.

The diesel, for example, has adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking (AEB), but gas buyers are missing out on these items and they're not available as an option either. And all Grand C4 Picasso buyers overlook the third row airbags, and the airbags only extend to the second row (there are six airbags in total - dual front, front side and double-row curtain).

However, the car is still pretty well equipped with other assistance technologies: it has a forward collision warning system that works at speeds above 30 km/h, a 360-degree camera system (with rear view camera and front corner cameras), Speed ​​Limit. recognition, automatic high beams, semi-automatic parking assistance, steering blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assist with steering function, and driver fatigue monitoring. 

And be that as it may, the view from the driver's seat, combined with the camera system and the clarity of the top screen, is simply magnificent. 

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10

Citroen has just updated its owner-to-consumer promise: passenger cars receive a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty backed by a five-year, unlimited mileage roadside assistance package. 

Previously, the plan was three years/100,000 km - and that's even what some documents on the company's website still say. However, we assure you that the five year deal is legal.

Maintenance is carried out every 12 months or 20,000 km, whichever comes first, in accordance with the Citroen Confidence Service Price Promise. The cost of the first three services is $414 (first service), $775 (second service) and $414 (third service). This cost coverage covers nine years / 180,000 km.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

I have already mentioned the word "charming" in this review, and the adjective that describes how I feel about the driving experience is "charming".

I love it.

It has a French suspension that just doesn't care about sharp bumps because it's been tuned to handle paved lanes. It rides beautifully at high and low speeds, overcoming speed bumps with ease, pleasuring those in the cabin from the surface below.

It's also very quiet, with little to no road noise penetrating the cabin compared to the vast majority of cars. The rough surface of the M4 in Western Sydney usually causes bitterness, but not here.

The 1.6-liter engine is quite frisky.

The steering is similar to that of a hatchback, with a tight (10.8m) turning radius that allows you to turn on yourself faster than you think. The steering is also quite pleasant if you like to drive, but don't push too hard - understeer is an imminent threat, though the grip on offer is pretty good.

The 1.6-liter engine is snappy enough and responds well both in stop-and-go traffic and on the highway - but there's no doubt about it, the 2.0-liter turbodiesel model's 370 Nm of torque allows you to drive with much less effort and strain. It's not that the engine in the petrol model doesn't feel like it's doing its job - it just feels like it could work with a bit more pulling power... Again, that's not enough to eliminate it from competition because it's well-finished. 

The six-speed automatic is efficiency-focused, meaning you can find it in third gear before a hill and drop a gear somewhat hesitantly to gain more speed. I didn't find it too annoying, but it helped me finally figure out why manual shifting and paddles are installed.  

Overall, there's a lot to like about it: it's a family car with family-oriented dynamics on all fronts. 

Verdict

The lack of third-row airbags and AEB may be enough to eliminate this version of the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso from the list of family cars. We would understand it.

But there are many other reasons why it could be a contender for a spot on your human shopping list. It's a well-thought-out car in many ways in a small and beautiful body... no matter what badge is stuck to the back of it.

Do you consider the new petrol-powered Citroen Grand C4 Picasso your favorite vehicle? Let us know in the comments below.