Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso MPV review

Citroen has come up trumps. The C4 Picasso is a massive step forward and shoots straight to the top of the MPV sector.

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Find your Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Hassle-free way to a brand new car
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Customers got an average £1000 more vs part exchange quotes
Advertisement

Driving:
A relaxed driving experience characterises the C4 Picasso. There are few thrills to be had, but it's safe and reassuring on the road. While lacking the sharpness and feel of more dynamic rivals, it still turns into corners with confidence, and despite more body movement, always remains composed. The ride is also accomplished - it soaks up bumps with ease and is supple enough to isolate imperfections from the cabin. The 1.6-litre HDi diesel is likely to sell well, and boasts smooth power delivery with enough pace in most situations. While manual gearboxes feature, the company is also keen to promote its EGS semi-auto, complete with column-mounted shifter, which is standard on higher-spec diesels. It has a slightly jerky shift, but is easy to use.

Marketplace:
It's clear Citroen has rediscovered its flair for design and innovation. The C4 Picasso is a good-looking compact MPV, with well proportioned dimensions and modern, clean lines, while the huge curving windscreen dominates the front-end styling. Once inside, the sheer amount of glass, combined with narrow A-pillars and large quarter light windows, offers class-leading visibility. It's based on the C4 hatch and is packed with the same technology, but has unique features too - such as optional self-levelling hydraulic rear suspension. Two 1.6-litre diesels, plus 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines, form the line-up, with trims including LX, SX, VTR+ and Exclusive lines.

Owning:
The cabin feels very spacious, as there's nothing but storage trays between the front seats - although they are rather shallow. It's well laid out, with the now-trademark fixed-hub steering wheel. And the driving position is fine, with the seat proving comfortable and supportive on long trips. In the middle row, there are three separate sliding chairs, each with Isofix child seat mountings. Legroom is good in the furthest back position and there's decent shoulder space, while the middle occupant benefits from a flat floor. Best of all is the seat operating mechanism - just pull a handle on the back and the base flips up. The chair then slides forward to give excellent access to the fairly roomy third row. However, luggage space with all chairs in use is a bit tight. Excellent noise insulation makes the Picasso refined on the motorway, while a large, cooled storage box between the front seats of some models is, like the electric parking brake, a neat touch. However, build quality could be an issue. Although reasonable on the whole, the driver's armrest on the test car had worked loose and the rear blinds often jammed when retracted. Standard kit is generous, though, and fuel economy is good. Interestingly, models with the EGS semi-auto are more economical than those using the standard manual.

Engines, performance and drive

0

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

0

Interior, design and technology

0

Practicality, comfort and boot space

0

Reliability and Safety

0
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Grand C4 Picasso

Best used MPVs and people carriers 2024
Best used MPVs - header image
Best cars & vans
15 Jan 2024

Best used MPVs and people carriers 2024

If you’ve got a growing family to ferry around, the best used MPVs and people carriers will do just that for a bargain price
Best used family cars 2024
Best used family cars 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans
13 Dec 2023

Best used family cars 2024

Our guide to the best used family cars on sale in the UK today
Best used seven-seater cars 2022
seven seaters thumbnail
Best cars & vans
5 Aug 2022

Best used seven-seater cars 2022

These MPVs and SUVs place practicality high on the agenda, offering seven seats and a lot of boot space
Skip advert
Advertisement
Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer review
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2016 - front tracking
In-depth reviews
30 May 2018

Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer review

Bold Grand C4 SpaceTourer, formerly Picasso, mixes comfort, style, practicality and efficiency to great effect
Renault Grand Scenic vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Renault Grand Scenic vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso - head-to-head
Car group tests
1 Mar 2017

Renault Grand Scenic vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

Stylish new Renault Grand Scenic meets our current seven-seat class leader, the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. Which MPV has the edge?
Citroen C4 Picasso vs Volkswagen Touran vs Peugeot 5008
Peugeot 5008 vs Citroen vs VW
Car group tests
17 Sep 2016

Citroen C4 Picasso vs Volkswagen Touran vs Peugeot 5008

Can Citroen's updated Grand C4 Picasso tighten its grip on the MPV class as it meets Volkswagen and Peugeot seven-seaters
New Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2016 review
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2016 - front tracking
Road tests
19 Aug 2016

New Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2016 review

Can mid-life tweaks keep the seven-seat Citroen Grand C4 Picasso MPV relevant in a market dominated by SUVs?
MPV of the Year 2016: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
New Car Awards 2016: MPV of the Year - Citroen C4 Grand Picasso
Awards
6 Jul 2016

MPV of the Year 2016: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

The Citroen Grand C4 Picasso is the 2016 Auto Express MPV of the Year, with the Ford S-MAX and SEAT Alhambra commended
Volkswagen Touran vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Volkswagen Touran vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso - head-to-head
Car group tests
5 Feb 2016

Volkswagen Touran vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

Is the new Volkswagen Touran the best seven-seat MPV for a growing family? Or does Citroen’s Grand C4 Picasso still reign supreme?
Skip advert
Advertisement
Ford Galaxy vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso & SEAT Alhambra
Ford Galaxy vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso & SEAT Alhambra
Car group tests
25 Aug 2015

Ford Galaxy vs Citroen Grand C4 Picasso & SEAT Alhambra

We see if Ford’s new Galaxy can divert some of the MPV glare away from award winners from Citroen and SEAT
Ford S-MAX vs rivals - pictures
Ford S-MAX vs BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer & Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Car group tests
14 Jul 2015

Ford S-MAX vs rivals - pictures

Ford is aiming high with its new S-MAX. Can it see off rivals from BMW and Citroen?
Skip advert
Advertisement
Long-term test review: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Long-term tests
28 Oct 2014

Long-term test review: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

Final report: We say au revoir to stylish MPV after 8,000 miles, two countries and countless passengers
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso vs Vauxhall Zafira Tourer
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso vs Vauxhall Zafira Tourer pictures
Car group tests
18 Feb 2014

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso vs Vauxhall Zafira Tourer

Vauxhall has fitted its Zafira Tourer with a clean new diesel. How does it stack up against roomy Citroen rival?
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso prices
News
15 Jan 2014

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso prices

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso starts from £19,200 - a £1,700 premium over the five-seat model
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso vs rivals: Style and substance
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso group test photo 1
Car group tests
8 Jan 2014

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso vs rivals: Style and substance

Hi-tech new Citroen Grand C4 Picasso goes head-to-head with seven-seat rivals from Renault and Kia
Skip advert
Advertisement
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso Exclusive+ BlueHDi
Road tests
8 Nov 2013

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso Exclusive+ BlueHDi

We review Citroen Grand C4 Picasso on UK roads for the first time
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso video review
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso
Videos
2 Oct 2013

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso video review

The Citroen Grand C4 Picasso is comfortable, offers great visibility and is highly practical as we find out in this video review
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2014 review
Citroën Grand C4 Picasso profile
Road tests
24 Sep 2013

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 2014 review

New Grand C4 Picasso MPV offers improved economy, practicality and quality in a super-stylish package
New Citroen Grand C4 Picasso revealed
Citroen Grand C4 Picasso front
News
26 Jun 2013

New Citroen Grand C4 Picasso revealed

Citroen has released first official pictures of the new Grand C4 Picasso seven-seater
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso (2006-2013) review
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso front
In-depth reviews
11 Jun 2012

Citroen C4 Grand Picasso (2006-2013) review

Stylish Citroen C4 Grand Picasso is a comfortable seven-seat people carrier that's roomy and has decent running costs