Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 1.6 THP 155 (M) First Drive Review
18 Oct 2013|38,964 views
When the first generation Grand C4 Picasso was launched in 2006, the car garnered a little less of an interest with the potential MPV buyers, no thanks to its awkward and rather dated styling. The fact that it was based on the PF2 platform then didn't help much with the MPV's space and driveability too.
The frontal area of the new Grand C4 Picasso is the most striking feature, thanks to the space-age LED daytime running lights
Seven years later, the French marque decided it was time to replace that platform with the PSA EMP2 platform, which merged the PF2 and PF3 platforms into one new modular system.
Not only is it considerably lighter, this said EMP2 platform is a highly adaptable architecture for a whole series of models that are small and large. Think of it as the equivalent of the MQB strategy at the Volkswagen Group.
Exterior
The car is modern-looking and futuristic to say the least. In fact, the frontal portion of the Grand C4 Picasso is the most striking and well-detailed area, with feline LED daytime running lights integrating seamlessly with the upper chrome strip. Just as cool are the headlights, which are located just below them.
Seven years later, the French marque decided it was time to replace that platform with the PSA EMP2 platform, which merged the PF2 and PF3 platforms into one new modular system.
Not only is it considerably lighter, this said EMP2 platform is a highly adaptable architecture for a whole series of models that are small and large. Think of it as the equivalent of the MQB strategy at the Volkswagen Group.
Exterior
The car is modern-looking and futuristic to say the least. In fact, the frontal portion of the Grand C4 Picasso is the most striking and well-detailed area, with feline LED daytime running lights integrating seamlessly with the upper chrome strip. Just as cool are the headlights, which are located just below them.
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At over four and a half metres long, the new model here has the same length as its predecessor but the designers have cleverly managed to disguise much of its bulk.
The back end of the Grand Picasso isn't too shabby either. Start the engine, turn on the lights and the rear LED tail lamps featuring a 3D effect fire up - showcasing an alphabet 'C' to further emphasise a sense of belonging to the brand.
Designing an MPV to look sleek can be a rather tough job because more often than not they end up looking rather boxy. But the French carmaker's design team has succeeded in making sure that the Grand C4 Picasso looks like nothing else on the road.
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Interior
An equally big splash is also made in the interior of the Grand Picasso, which makes perfect sense since this is where it really counts in an MPV.
The cabin is filled with good quality materials while the bright coloured dashboard further enhances the already airy atmosphere
The requisites of an MPV are taken care of by adjustable seats, a huge array of storage boxes and input/output plugs and sockets for your MP3 and hand phones. There's also an unerring sense of quality here, something that has been lacking in its predecessor.
More relevantly, it has 645 litres of luggage capacity (69 litres increment over its predecessor) to play around with, which further increases to 700 litres when the second row seats are push forward. Needless to say, second and third row of seats will fold flat for a quick transformation into van mode.
An equally big splash is also made in the interior of the Grand Picasso, which makes perfect sense since this is where it really counts in an MPV.
The requisites of an MPV are taken care of by adjustable seats, a huge array of storage boxes and input/output plugs and sockets for your MP3 and hand phones. There's also an unerring sense of quality here, something that has been lacking in its predecessor.
More relevantly, it has 645 litres of luggage capacity (69 litres increment over its predecessor) to play around with, which further increases to 700 litres when the second row seats are push forward. Needless to say, second and third row of seats will fold flat for a quick transformation into van mode.
It feels every bit as spacious as the paper suggests. From the driver's seat, there's a commanding view of the road (good for a short fart writer like this one) with reasonable all-round visibility, thanks to thin A-pillars and standard panoramic windscreen.
Credit going to the afore mentioned EMP2 platform, the wheelbase of the Grand C4 Picasso has increased by 110mm to 2,840mm - which in turns allows for more space for passengers.
Second and third row of seats can be folded flat - perfect for Ikea outings
But don't let this fool you into thinking that adults will be able to fit into seat six and seven over long hauls. Third row remains best suited for offspring and the likes.
Credit going to the afore mentioned EMP2 platform, the wheelbase of the Grand C4 Picasso has increased by 110mm to 2,840mm - which in turns allows for more space for passengers.
But don't let this fool you into thinking that adults will be able to fit into seat six and seven over long hauls. Third row remains best suited for offspring and the likes.
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Drivetrain
The design gels with the car's character on the move. The MPV is comfortable in its skin, behaving more like a big hatch rather than an MPV.
Driven both the BlueHDi 150 and the THP 155 that you see here (manual, of course), the latter is the civilised alternative, and it's hardly a shameful drinker. While the torque figure loses out (370Nm vs 240Nm), the petrol variant that we tested pumps out 156 horses over the diesel's 150bhp.
The MPV is comfortable and pliant on the move
As its intended objective, the Grand C4 Picasso doesn't disappoint. It glides over most bumps and ruts with agreeable pliancy while generating little road noise. You seldom feel any shudders around the body.
The only complain that we have isn't so much about the light-weighted steering, which doesn't have much relevance to a car like this, but more of the fact that continual downshifts are needed to maintain any kind of progression on inclines when you're in higher gears.
The design gels with the car's character on the move. The MPV is comfortable in its skin, behaving more like a big hatch rather than an MPV.
Driven both the BlueHDi 150 and the THP 155 that you see here (manual, of course), the latter is the civilised alternative, and it's hardly a shameful drinker. While the torque figure loses out (370Nm vs 240Nm), the petrol variant that we tested pumps out 156 horses over the diesel's 150bhp.
As its intended objective, the Grand C4 Picasso doesn't disappoint. It glides over most bumps and ruts with agreeable pliancy while generating little road noise. You seldom feel any shudders around the body.
The only complain that we have isn't so much about the light-weighted steering, which doesn't have much relevance to a car like this, but more of the fact that continual downshifts are needed to maintain any kind of progression on inclines when you're in higher gears.
On the brighter side of things, the light steering does make parking a cinch. Coupled with the availability of the 360 Vision (which uses cameras to show a birds-eye view of the car) and Park Assist (which parks the car for you), the car practically does the tough bits for you.
It's hard not to take notice of the car on the road even from the back
Conclusion
There are sharper cars, like the Volkswagen Sharan, to drive but the Grand Picasso's cool looks, loft-inspired interior, generous space and pleasant driveability make it perfect for a car in its segment.
The fact that this car has a mix of French flair and German solidity is a mere bonus. What's more imperative is that this MPV will transport your family quietly, comfortably and efficiently from point to point.
Now that's what we call an artist at work.
Conclusion
There are sharper cars, like the Volkswagen Sharan, to drive but the Grand Picasso's cool looks, loft-inspired interior, generous space and pleasant driveability make it perfect for a car in its segment.
The fact that this car has a mix of French flair and German solidity is a mere bonus. What's more imperative is that this MPV will transport your family quietly, comfortably and efficiently from point to point.
Now that's what we call an artist at work.
When the first generation Grand C4 Picasso was launched in 2006, the car garnered a little less of an interest with the potential MPV buyers, no thanks to its awkward and rather dated styling. The fact that it was based on the PF2 platform then didn't help much with the MPV's space and driveability too.
Seven years later, the French marque decided it was time to replace that platform with the PSA EMP2 platform, which merged the PF2 and PF3 platforms into one new modular system.
Not only is it considerably lighter, this said EMP2 platform is a highly adaptable architecture for a whole series of models that are small and large. Think of it as the equivalent of the MQB strategy at the Volkswagen Group.
Exterior
The car is modern-looking and futuristic to say the least. In fact, the frontal portion of the Grand C4 Picasso is the most striking and well-detailed area, with feline LED daytime running lights integrating seamlessly with the upper chrome strip. Just as cool are the headlights, which are located just below them.
Seven years later, the French marque decided it was time to replace that platform with the PSA EMP2 platform, which merged the PF2 and PF3 platforms into one new modular system.
Not only is it considerably lighter, this said EMP2 platform is a highly adaptable architecture for a whole series of models that are small and large. Think of it as the equivalent of the MQB strategy at the Volkswagen Group.
Exterior
The car is modern-looking and futuristic to say the least. In fact, the frontal portion of the Grand C4 Picasso is the most striking and well-detailed area, with feline LED daytime running lights integrating seamlessly with the upper chrome strip. Just as cool are the headlights, which are located just below them.
At over four and a half metres long, the new model here has the same length as its predecessor but the designers have cleverly managed to disguise much of its bulk.
The back end of the Grand Picasso isn't too shabby either. Start the engine, turn on the lights and the rear LED tail lamps featuring a 3D effect fire up - showcasing an alphabet 'C' to further emphasise a sense of belonging to the brand.
Designing an MPV to look sleek can be a rather tough job because more often than not they end up looking rather boxy. But the French carmaker's design team has succeeded in making sure that the Grand C4 Picasso looks like nothing else on the road.
The back end of the Grand Picasso isn't too shabby either. Start the engine, turn on the lights and the rear LED tail lamps featuring a 3D effect fire up - showcasing an alphabet 'C' to further emphasise a sense of belonging to the brand.
Designing an MPV to look sleek can be a rather tough job because more often than not they end up looking rather boxy. But the French carmaker's design team has succeeded in making sure that the Grand C4 Picasso looks like nothing else on the road.
Interior
An equally big splash is also made in the interior of the Grand Picasso, which makes perfect sense since this is where it really counts in an MPV.
The requisites of an MPV are taken care of by adjustable seats, a huge array of storage boxes and input/output plugs and sockets for your MP3 and hand phones. There's also an unerring sense of quality here, something that has been lacking in its predecessor.
More relevantly, it has 645 litres of luggage capacity (69 litres increment over its predecessor) to play around with, which further increases to 700 litres when the second row seats are push forward. Needless to say, second and third row of seats will fold flat for a quick transformation into van mode.
An equally big splash is also made in the interior of the Grand Picasso, which makes perfect sense since this is where it really counts in an MPV.
The requisites of an MPV are taken care of by adjustable seats, a huge array of storage boxes and input/output plugs and sockets for your MP3 and hand phones. There's also an unerring sense of quality here, something that has been lacking in its predecessor.
More relevantly, it has 645 litres of luggage capacity (69 litres increment over its predecessor) to play around with, which further increases to 700 litres when the second row seats are push forward. Needless to say, second and third row of seats will fold flat for a quick transformation into van mode.
It feels every bit as spacious as the paper suggests. From the driver's seat, there's a commanding view of the road (good for a short fart writer like this one) with reasonable all-round visibility, thanks to thin A-pillars and standard panoramic windscreen.
Credit going to the afore mentioned EMP2 platform, the wheelbase of the Grand C4 Picasso has increased by 110mm to 2,840mm - which in turns allows for more space for passengers.
But don't let this fool you into thinking that adults will be able to fit into seat six and seven over long hauls. Third row remains best suited for offspring and the likes.
Credit going to the afore mentioned EMP2 platform, the wheelbase of the Grand C4 Picasso has increased by 110mm to 2,840mm - which in turns allows for more space for passengers.
But don't let this fool you into thinking that adults will be able to fit into seat six and seven over long hauls. Third row remains best suited for offspring and the likes.
Drivetrain
The design gels with the car's character on the move. The MPV is comfortable in its skin, behaving more like a big hatch rather than an MPV.
Driven both the BlueHDi 150 and the THP 155 that you see here (manual, of course), the latter is the civilised alternative, and it's hardly a shameful drinker. While the torque figure loses out (370Nm vs 240Nm), the petrol variant that we tested pumps out 156 horses over the diesel's 150bhp.
As its intended objective, the Grand C4 Picasso doesn't disappoint. It glides over most bumps and ruts with agreeable pliancy while generating little road noise. You seldom feel any shudders around the body.
The only complain that we have isn't so much about the light-weighted steering, which doesn't have much relevance to a car like this, but more of the fact that continual downshifts are needed to maintain any kind of progression on inclines when you're in higher gears.
The design gels with the car's character on the move. The MPV is comfortable in its skin, behaving more like a big hatch rather than an MPV.
Driven both the BlueHDi 150 and the THP 155 that you see here (manual, of course), the latter is the civilised alternative, and it's hardly a shameful drinker. While the torque figure loses out (370Nm vs 240Nm), the petrol variant that we tested pumps out 156 horses over the diesel's 150bhp.
As its intended objective, the Grand C4 Picasso doesn't disappoint. It glides over most bumps and ruts with agreeable pliancy while generating little road noise. You seldom feel any shudders around the body.
The only complain that we have isn't so much about the light-weighted steering, which doesn't have much relevance to a car like this, but more of the fact that continual downshifts are needed to maintain any kind of progression on inclines when you're in higher gears.
On the brighter side of things, the light steering does make parking a cinch. Coupled with the availability of the 360 Vision (which uses cameras to show a birds-eye view of the car) and Park Assist (which parks the car for you), the car practically does the tough bits for you.
Conclusion
There are sharper cars, like the Volkswagen Sharan, to drive but the Grand Picasso's cool looks, loft-inspired interior, generous space and pleasant driveability make it perfect for a car in its segment.
The fact that this car has a mix of French flair and German solidity is a mere bonus. What's more imperative is that this MPV will transport your family quietly, comfortably and efficiently from point to point.
Now that's what we call an artist at work.
Conclusion
There are sharper cars, like the Volkswagen Sharan, to drive but the Grand Picasso's cool looks, loft-inspired interior, generous space and pleasant driveability make it perfect for a car in its segment.
The fact that this car has a mix of French flair and German solidity is a mere bonus. What's more imperative is that this MPV will transport your family quietly, comfortably and efficiently from point to point.
Now that's what we call an artist at work.
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