Citroen Grand C4 Picasso: Test Drive Review

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.