Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer review

The Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer (formerly known as the Grand C4 Picasso) rules the roost as our favourite MPV, and for good reason. The engine range is excellent, in particular the diesels, which offer strong performance and superb efficiency, while top-spec versions have the sort of equipment you’ll struggle to find from premium brands of a similar price. What's more, constant updates, including a change in name, have failed to dent its ability.

Practicality is superb, as the SpaceTourer offers one of the best folding seat arrangements we’ve seen, while room in the most often-used middle row is truly limo-like. On top of all that, it looks great – unusual for an MPV – with a mix of French flair and surprising solidity.

It's not the most fun to drive, but MPVs are more about ferrying plenty of passengers and their luggage in comfort, and that's something the smooth and refined big Citroen does incredibly well.

First things first, the Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer is the new name for the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso. Like the five-seat C4 SpaceTourer, Citroen rebadged its seven-seat MPV at the start of 2018, firstly so that the company no longer has to pay the Picasso family a royalty for the use of the artist's name, and secondly to put further distance between its MPV range and its crossovers and SUVs.

So as well as the C4 and Grand C4 SpaceTourers, there's the separate Citroen SpaceTourer model, which is based on the Citroen Dispatch van, while the C3 Aircross crossover replaced the C3 Picasso to put it firmly in the crossover sector. This model will be joined by the C5 Aircross and other SUVs at a later date. All clear?

Back to the Grand C4 SpaceTourer. Just like a piano, the Grand is a larger version of the standard C4 SpaceTourer, and they share the same platform, engines and technology. But the Grand has a wheelbase that's grown by 55mm and it's 115mm longer overall. That makes room for a third row of seats, and adds some boot space in seven-seat mode, while also increasing carrying capacity when only five seats are in use.

Like the five-seater, there are three trims, which are the same ones that were offered on the Grand C4 Picasso: Touch Edition, Feel and Flair. Standard kit is good across the range, but the top-spec Flair version gets lots of kit that can only be had as expensive options on rival MPVs: a power tailgate with hands-free opening is one of the highlights. Prices start at around £23,500 and rise to almost £31,500, but even mid-spec models get a respectable amount of kit. These prices are a premium of about £2,000 over the five-seat C4 SpaceTourer, so it's worth considering if you'll use the extra space and seating the Grand offers before taking the plunge.

When you consider the kind of work that MPVs undertake, it might seem like the Grand C4 SpaceTourer's engine line-up is on the weak side. There's a 1.2 PureTech three-cylinder turbo petrol which only comes in 130hp guise (there's a 110hp version in the five-seat C4 SpaceTourer), but it's surprisingly torquey for a small engine. There's also Citroen's 1.6 THP 165hp petrol, which comes with a six-speed auto as standard, although this is relatively thirsty.

If you're going to be regularly driving with more than three passengers on board, we'd go for the diesels. The 1.6 BlueHDi comes as a 100hp or 120hp unit, while at the top of the range is the 2.0 BlueHDi 150. The smallest diesel has a five-speed manual, while a six-speed is standard on all cars bar the 2.0 BlueHDi, which gets Citroen's EAT6 auto. This is also optional on the 1.6 BlueHDi 120. All models are front-wheel drive.

Citroen Grand C4 SpaceTourer alternatives

While sales in the MPV class aren't as strong as they used to be, there are still some talented rivals to the Grand C4 SpaceTourer. The Renault Grand Scenic is its arch-rival, while the Ford S-MAX and Galaxy are also worth considering. The SEAT Alhambra and Volkswagen Sharan have the added advantage of sliding side doors, while the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is an intriguing alternative.

If you only want occasional rearmost seats, then the Kia Carens, Toyota Verso and VW Touran are worth considering, while some SUVs also offer seven-seat versatility, including the Skoda Kodiaq, Peugeot 5008 and Land Rover Discovery Sport, although some of these models can be pretty pricey in comparison to the Grand C4 SpaceTourer.

Engines, performance and drive

Focusing more on comfort and convenience than driving thrills, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer isn’t the sharpest car to drive, but it’s certainly fit for purpose. Soft suspension means the car does roll through corners – especially if it’s loaded with people and luggage – but the ride quality is great as a result. 

The car floats over surface imperfections and absorbs big bumps with composure, which makes it comfortable in most conditions for all seven occupants. Poise is more important than cornering ability in a full car – although there’s still enough grip to give a reassuring feeling when travelling faster.

There’s a fraction more road noise than you get in the some of the quietest seven-seat MPVs also on the market, although the Picasso is is quiter than the latest Renault Grand Scenic, while the 2.0 BlueHDi is a little noisy at idle. The smaller diesels and petrols are very refined, however.

With little feedback through the flat-bottomed steering, a notchy manual gearshift and a fair amount of body roll, the SpaceTourer is far from sporty, but there’s plenty of grip and the kit list includes active cruise control, a reversing camera and blind spot warning which all contribute to a relaxing experience behind the wheel.

Engines

While petrol MPVs aren't popular right now, they could be in a few years time - and the big Citroen is ready. The only choice is the small but efficient turbocharged three-cylinder PureTech 130 which makes 129bhp and 230Nm of torque – enough to speed the Grand C4 SpaceTourer from 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds and on to a 125mph maximum. It’s available with a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic.

The EAT6 auto box is vastly superior to the old torque converter that was offered before. The shifter is mounted on the steering column, which is a novel touch that also frees up storage space where the gearshift normally is. It has a tendency to hold onto lower gears for too long, meaning you'll occasionally shift up with the steering wheel paddles, but other than that's is pretty smooth and suits the relaxed nature of the car.

Diesel drivers have a little more choice. The entry-level oil-burner is the BlueHDi 100, a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder unit making 99bhp and 254Nm, which is good for 109mph and a 13.1 second sprint to 62mph. You can only have it with a five-speed manual box, and it's the only one with free road tax - but it's a little sluggish.

The BlueHDi 120 is a more powerful version of the same engine making 119bhp and 300Nm, with a top speed of 117mph. It comes with six-speed manual or auto gears, and the auto is actually a tenth quicker to 62mph at 11.5 seconds - and that powertrain is our pick of the range, as it gives enough performance for most MPV needs.

The third turbodiesel option is the BlueHDi 150 which is a 2.0-litre boasting 148bhp and 370Nm. With manual gears it tops out at 130mph with a 9.8 second 0-62mph time. The automatic version’s figures are 129mph and 10.2 seconds. It's pretty punchy, and if you regularly carry seven people or heavy loads then it may be worth the extra, but it's less refined than the 1.6.

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs

Citroen has managed to offer a seven-seat MPV that comes with CO2 emissions below the 100g/km figure – 98g/km to be precise. It’s the BlueHDi S&S manual model which also claims a combined fuel economy figure of 74mpg. That means company car tax bills for family-orientated company car drivers will be temptingly low.

The BlueHDi 120’s claimed figures are 68.9 to 72.4mpg and 103 to 105 g/km, depending on transmission and wheel sizes, but it's a better engine and  the one we'd choose.

Even the most powerful diesel, the BlueHDi 150, claims an impressive 72.4mpg and 102g/km on 17ins wheels and in manual guise. Pick the same engine with the auto gearbox and 18-inch alloys and the claimed figure drops to 64.2mpg.

On our test of the BlueHDi 150, the 34.6mpg we averaged was some way below the official figure. You could achieve better in gentler driving, no doubt, but the real-world 45-50mpg of the 1.6 makes it a better bet.

Petrol efficiency looks great on paper too, with Citroen claiming up to 56.5mpg (combined) and 115g/km for the PureTech 130 engine, and 48.7mpg and 134g/km for the THP 165 engine. Expect that to drop to around 40mpg in the real world.

Purchase prices are set competitively against MPV rivals, and all models are very well equipped. So you shouldn’t find your budget becoming overstretched by the need to tick option boxes in the showroom.

Insurance groups

A Grand C4 SpaceTourer with the three cylinder petrol engine falls into insurance group 14, while the flagship BlueHDi 150 diesel is group 25. The rates mirror performance-matched versions of the Ford S-MAX almost exactly.

Depreciation

In recent memory Citroen has always suffered on the depreciation front, and the latest SpaceTourer line-up is not likely to be the exception to the rule. Pay out £25k+ for a high-spec diesel model, and you could face the prospect of £16,000 of depreciation over three years – a strong argument for getting a deal up front on the list price. However, the SpaceTourer resists depreciation better than its rival, the Renault Grand Scenic.

To get an accurate valuation on a specific model check out our free car valuation tool...

Interior, design and technology

Many people carriers are dowdy and dull, but the Grand C4 SpaceTourer is anything but, as it blends space with stand-out styling. At the front, the low-line headlamps are incorporated into Citroen’s double chevron front grille, which runs the width of the car. This means the C4 has a minimalist yet smart appearance, helped by the wide-set second pair of light clusters and fog lights lower down the bumper.

Citroen’s designers have managed to keep the car’s side profile visually appealing – there’s masses of metal, but also enough glass to balance it out, so the overall shape doesn’t look awkward. The doors feature some gently sculpted surfaces, while the large, matt-grey roof rails that run from the base of the windscreen to the rear of the car add extra interest, along with the 18-inch turbine-style wheels on top-spec models.

The design is more reserved at the rear, with the tail-lights acting as the main styling element. This does mean it’s incredibly practical, as the lights are mounted on the boot lid, so it lifts to reveal a massive opening with a low loading lip.

Inside, the SpaceTourer is just as fresh and funky and with soft-touch materials throughout, it feels every inch the plush people carrier, although a leather interior is a £2,000 option. The Grand C4 SpaceTourer's real plus point is space, as its crisp design is also incredibly functional and is very roomy.

The large glass area – including the big front quarter light windows and standard panoramic roof – means the cabin feels light and airy, even in the rearmost seats. The armchair-like front seats are very comfortable (if not that supportive) while the electric fold-out passenger footrest and seat massagers are a neat touch. Citroen’s brochure says the feel is akin to ‘loft living’, and we can see what they mean, 

Standard kit is also generous, while top of the range versions come with electric, heated and massaging front seats included, alongside sat-nav, Bluetooth, DAB radio, Apple CarPlay, all-round parking sensors with park assist, a reversing camera, climate and cruise control and keyless go. When you consider top spec cars are less than £28k, it’s easy to see the Citroen’s appeal.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

Climb into the driving seat, and your eyes are immediately drawn to the 12-inch TFT colour screen mounted high up in the middle of the dashboard – it’s fully customisable, so you can select one of three themes and also display pictures uploaded to your car.

Just below this, there’s a slightly smaller seven-inch touchscreen that operates everything from the radio and sat-nav to the climate control. It's not the most responsive or quick screen, but you do get used to it, while its futuristic layout and mix of colours add visual appeal. However, we found that if you have navigation in the top display, it disappears if you switch the lower display to operate a different function – very odd.

The tech-filled cabin sometimes over-complicates the driving experience, too. For example, a simple task such as adjusting the temperature forces you to take your eyes off the road as you navigate sub-menus in the central touchscreen. Citroen claims to have made it easier to use in the 2016 update, but in reality it's barely any different - but at least you now get Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity. 

Practicality, comfort and boot space

From a driver’s perspective, it’s easy to get comfortable in the SpaceTourer thanks to a wide range of adjustment – including height – on the driver’s seat, plus rake and reach on the steering wheel. Visibility is exceptional too, thanks to the extensive glass areas.

While the instruments and controls look nice, they are not always located with the sort of Germanic rigour that makes everything intuitive. It’s all easy enough to get used to, though the touchscreen isn’t particularly easy to operate when driving.

As you might expect from a dedicated family hauler, there are plenty of neat practical touches for odds and ends all around the car. Up front you get a deep bin behind the gearlever and a useful cubby in the middle of the dash. It’s not perfect, though – the door pockets are narrow, while Citroen hasn’t moved the fuse box in the switch from left to right-hand drive, so the glovebox is small.

The electric parking brake is fiddly and we found that the auto release only worked intermittently. Plus, some of the seat levers and latches feel a little flimsy and require more effort to operate than would be ideal. 

Dimensions and size

At 4,597mm long the Grand C4 SpaceTourer splits the 4,535mm Kia Carens and the 4,658 Vauxhall Zafira Tourer. Its 1,656mm roof height splits the other two as well, but at 2,117 wide the Citroen is broader than both. The Zafira is 2,099mm and the Kia 1,805mm.

Leg room, head room & passenger space

Although it’s the same length as its predecessor, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer has a stretched wheelbase – so there’s 11cm more space in row two and it’s easier to spread legroom between the back rows.

The three middle-row seats slide independently, while the outer pair flip up cinema-style before sliding forward, allowing decent access to row three. 

While the Citroen has excellent middle-row legroom, tall passengers’ knees will rub against the tray tables.

Importantly for families, all three middle-row chairs are the same width and all have Isofix mounts. Space right at the back is tight but it trumps the smaller Kia Carens with better headroom, while roof-mounted vents, climate buttons, and cup-holders mean third-row passengers don’t feel ignored. To keep all the family gadgets charged up, there are 12V sockets in the front and middle rows, plus the boot.

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Boot space

With all seven seats in place, the Grand C4 SpaceTourer has a small-ish boot of 165 litres volume below the load cover.

However the rear seats fold into the floor easily to reveal a decent boot that’ll swallow 793 litres of luggage when the middle row is slid into its furthest forward setting. Folding the middle row is easy, too, and if you do you’re faced with a cavernous flat load deck with a 2,181 litre volume.

The clam-shell style tailgate opens wide with no load lip, and for really long loads the front passenger seat folds as well. While the range-topping model features a powered tailgate, it’s a £400 option elsewhere in the line-up.

Towing capacity varies from 1,300kgs to 1,700kgs depending on model.

Reliability and Safety

Citroen improved its result in our Driver Power 2015 satisfaction survey, climbing six places to 20th overall. For reliability alone, it took 18th spot – but the manufacturer still has plenty of room for improvement as a delve deeper into the results reveals.

The Grand C4 SpaceTourer (and the five-seat C4 SpaceTourer) was voted the 77th-best car to live with out of 200 (and second-best MPV), which is a reasonable higher/mid-table score with readers praising its low running costs, decent practicality and impressive ride comfort. Reliability and build quality ratings weren't quite as high, but as time goes on we except Citroen to improve matters.

When it comes to safety though, the family-focused Citroen definitely delivers the goods. All models come with a raft of safety features including ABS with Emergency Braking Assist, ESP, Hill-Start Assist, automatic hazard lights, and curtain side airbag protections for both front and middle-row passengers.

When awarding the closely-related five-door C4 SpaceTourer five-stars in 2013, Euro NCAP rated adult occupant safety at 86 per cent, child occupant safety at 88 per cent and pedestrian safety at 68 per cent. Highlights reported by the testers include good protection in a frontal impact, and maximum points in a side impact. Maximum points were also scored for toddler protection – at least when seated in rear-facing child seats mounted in the middle row.

With curtain airbags to protect rear passengers, lane departure warning with an active seatbelt system and optional adaptive cruise control, the top-spec models adds extra peace of mind over and above its maximum Euro NCAP safety rating.

Warranty

Citroen’s standard warranty runs for three years with a 60,000 mileage cap, which is fairly standard but not exceptional when you consider the Kia Carens is covered for seven years and 100,000 miles.

Servicing

Citroen has a fixed price menu of repair items for cars under three years old, which includes front brake pads at £115, windscreen wipers at £35 and a new clutch at £699. Intermediate and main services are charged at £115 and £195 respectively, but Citroen also offers monthly plans to spread the cost.