Three-quarters of new Citroen Grand C4 Picasso models will go into the fleet and business sector, including Motability registrations, and this 114hp eHDi diesel will be ‘far and away the biggest seller’, according to the French brand.

The big seven-seat Grand version differs from the regular five-seat C4 Picasso in front styling, with extra chrome around the grille and a more sculptured bumper, as well as the more obvious squarer rear to accommodate a third row of passengers.

That extra row costs another £1700 over the five-seater, while access to the back seats is easier than any other car in the segment thanks to the large and simple forward movement of the middle seats, although adults will find it easier to access the back row than spend too much time there.

That’s a criticism of all seven-seaters in this class, something also true of the lack of boot room with all three rows in place, although the luggage cover does stow neatly away with all rows in operation – something certainly not true for most of the Citroen’s rivals. 

The seat-folding mechanism is simple enough, but it takes a bit of a heave and they fold with a hefty clunk. 

In the front, the cabin is smart and employs a good-sized seven-inch touchscreen for infotainment controls, as well as the 12-inch HD display behind it. The huge front windscreen stretches back into the roof towards the driver’s head.

To drive, the Grand C4 Picasso is pleasingly unremarkable. It is refined and comfortable, as well as efficient, and the 114hp diesel offers enough power to fit with the character of the car. 

CO2 for this unit is an impressive 105g/km, where a Vauxhall Zafira Tourer is at 109g/km and Ford’s Grand C-max emits 124g/km, and this helps leave the Citroen in the same ballpark as the Vauxhall and Ford on whole-life costs, although the Ford’s better RVs and lower price put it on top financially. But all are good choices. 

 

G C4 Picasso Excl. e-HDi 115
P11D price £23,200
Model price range £17,500-£26,855
Residual value 30.4%
Depreciat­ion £16,147
Fuel £5343
Service, maintenance and repair £2096
Vehicle Excise Duty £40
National Insurance £1665
Cost per mile 52.3p
Fuel consumption 70.6mpg
CO2 (tax) 105g/km (16%)
BIK 20/40% per month £62/£124
Service interval 12,500mls
Insurance (1-50) group 18
Warranty 3yrs/60,000mls
Boot space (min/max) 165/2181 litres
Engine size/power 1560cc/114hp
Top speed/0-60mph 117mph/12.1secs
On sale January 2014