Citroen Grand C4 Picasso Diesel

If you study this car, you will find some advanced function like parking assist, 360 view etc. But there is not equipped when importing to Singapore.

So we just purchased a basic function car with some nowadays functions like reverse camera...

Before you really want to buy this car, please google its manual, pick up the advanced feature and ask the sales man whether SG Citroen Grand C4 Picasso Diesel have that

Have driven this for over a month already since collecting it from CnC. Last 2 rides was a Volvo XC60 and a Volkswagen Scirocco...So you get a sense of what i am comparing with in terms of luxury and performance.

The Grand C4 Picasso diesel does not compromise much on performance given its MPV classification. Handles very well for a large car and the turbo diesel engine is excellent for city traffic...Have clocked about 740km so far for Singapore driving on a full tank with a new engine.

Stable at speeds with excellent all round visibility! Hardly any blindspots.

Comfort is superb and air conditioning is great too...Perfect for our climate.

Equipment levels are excellent in my opinion for the price.

When it was launched, it captured imagination of many that this was a spaceship on the roads. With its 'hidden' headlights and visible LED DRL, the car exudes some futuristic sense in the current times.

Fast forward today, it still exudes an aura of futuristic car with its bold styling on the front and rear. As an MPV, this is one that I would love to be seen in, rather than loathe that this is another 'passenger van' like some other MPVs with similar 'namesake'.

But once you get into the car, i guess that's where it gets more 'interesting'. First thing I noticed, probably being a bit OCD, is the antennae sticking out from behind the steering. Unfortunately, this irks me BIG time and I just couldn't get around why the signal stick is there. Alas, it isn't the signal stick ... But supposedly the "Gear knob" Or a.K.A. Gear selector. Reminds me of the gear STICK that adorned taxis back in the day when it was Toyota Crown that ruled the roost back in the 90s.

The steering is pretty complicated with all the buttons and controls but i'm sure driving it for a few days, one will get used to it ... Unlike some other simpler control buttons that adorns its other French cousins (ie. Peugeot and Renault).

The engine is punchy and surprisingly smooth for a turbo-diesel engine but the transmission changes need some getting used to. You'll need to lift your feet off the pedal during the gear changes, like how you'd do with a manual car, but i thought this is rather backward. With the advancement of transmission technology, Citroen should have moved on to shift with majority's expectations on transmission selection - and unfortunately, this is one major area why it'll be hard to convince me to purchase the C4.

Otherwise its a fair car to drive but stiff competitions from its French cousins in Renault and Peugeot which offers more attractive models and even pricing!

I've been driving the C4GP for 1 mth+, Previously I've driven kimchi and sushi makes. So far it has been a wonderful ride.

Exterior:

I've looked at other MPVs prior to buying this car, and I think few would disagree with me that for MPVs, this is one of the handsome MPVs around.Even with the stripped down version in SG w/O the 3D LED taillight, it's still a looker.

Interior:

Due to the careful placement of the aircon vents, gear levers etc... The interior space is maximised though from outside the car does not look big. My family absolutely loved the spacious interior! With the super large windscreen and moonroof, the view frm inside is simply unbeatable. Controls and panels are located on a touchscreen and a large LCD display with reduce clutter and make the dashboard look very neat.

Drive:

Drive is quiet and smooth.The grouse is that gear changing between 2 and 3 is sometimes abit jerky even though the new version is using the new Aisin 6AT gearbox. Coming frm CVT cars , this will need time to get used to.Road and diesel engine noise is kept to a minimum by the sound insulation, interior noise is same if not better than my previous petrol cars.The turbo helps the engine to move through the low gears but won't give u the omph like sports car.The engine is frugal and give a comfortable ride.

Features:

Mainly due to the need to keep the price of this car low, many of the features that are available in Europe markets are stripped off. I.E. Massage chairs, electric memory chairs, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance sys, 3D LED taillight, electric tailgate, all round camera and park assist. Seats are easy to fold and unfold though they are mostly manual.

Nonetheless this car is a great choice for those who only need the 6&7 seats 20-30% Of the time.

The C4 Grand Picasso was the best value for money family MPV in its class compared with its peers. Very comfortable ride and quiet without much of the diesel clatter in the cabin. Leather seats are also very well supported and there are many well placed cubby holes for storage. Overall a very nice package... Would recommend to friends who are looking for a mid-sized value for money MPV.

Pickup superb ..Torquey 300Nm @1750 rpm ( highest in Cat A)

Value for money

Low Depreciation abt 11k per yr

Easy to fold n unfold seats

An attractive option for those looking for mid size MPV away from the traditional jap's offerings. Handling is average compared with Opel Zafira, decent engine power with initial lag. Space is good but not for those expecting for full size MVP with large third row seats. Gearbox needs some getting use to but it is fine once you get the feel.

Should be one of the best in its category.

Just had a test drive this afternoon.

Nice exterior, design might last for a good 5 years at least.

It was like driving a tank in terms of size.

It is my first MPV after a Nissan 350Z and a Nissan Murano. After 2 monhs I have to say I enjoy drving this car, of course without expecting the performance of a sport car.

Exterior is eye catching and several people are stopping by to ask more about it. Interior is generally well done and what is important with some personality (not the "deja vu" of many cars in the market).

The gearbox (one of the most criticized part of this car): for me, used to drive for many year manual cars, I actually find the feeling much closer to "real" driving, even if it is true it require some time to get use to it and to get the best out of it.

I love how th engine is used when breaking to increase the breaking power (very much like with manual cars).

In term of practicality nothin to complain about: seats can be folded easily, I can fit my race bike without removing the wheels, 3 single seats in the 3rd row are very confortable.

Many of the good features of the car are easily found in other reviews by non-owners. So, I will just share only two points from the (biased) perspective of an owner who chauffeur family members to and from school and work daily:

Safety:

Safety for the C4GP is not restricted to the passengers but extends to pedestrians too. ABS, EBA, 6 airbags are quite standard among MPVs today. But, the unique glass extension before the A-pillar reduces the amount of my driver's blind spot when turning corners. I had previous close encounters when turning corners becos of pedestrians who are unaware of huge blind spots of MPVs including Touran and Zafira-B which I was driving previously. Enhanced safety for others, not just for self, is what drivers would find in this car.

Fuel economy:

Manufacturers' published consumption rates almost never match real-life figures. However, I am quite happy with the 16.3 km/l figure that I am getting based on a 90% city, 10% highway driving pattern. A respectable figure given the size and weight of this MPV.

I do not own this car… therefore my reviews are base on the short time experience i had at the showroom… I usually like to go to car showroom in shorts and sandals… just to see if there's any discrimination over appearance…

Upon entering the show room looking rather sloppy… a sales gal approached me within mins to offer her assistance. Overall service, still not too bad.. unlike some showroom whereby I was ignored totally juz for looking sloppy…

Ok, back to the car, 1st impressions, futuristic, high-tech and solid built… love the shape and the built quality.

This my 3rd MPV owned and my 8th car since 1999. I have owned the Intensive Plus (+) version since July 2014, so I guess I should be a good position to review the car after about 4 months plus of daily driving .

When I first test drove the car, my first impression of the gear shift system was the same as most of the people.. feels weird. That's because of the semi-auto gear. Guess what, it's not an issue anymore as I got used to it very fast. Besides that, the car is almost "Perfect". It is the smartest and most fuel efficient car i've ever owned and the features especially on the Intensive plus model is like "wow".. especially the safety features! I guess the features are on par with any luxury brands. A car with park assist function is nothing new nowadays but with added "360 viewing angle" on the huge screen in front is something that I've never seen in any other car and often my passenger will ask the same question "Is there a camera on top?" lol.. very useful when parking, never regret getting the plus model.

The fuel consumption on average, I can easily hit 15km/l on city driving which is about 800km plus per full tank of diesel and as far as I know i'm on the low side as I always in a rush, on highway I can hit 1000km plus per full tank. This translate to a lot of savings especially when one needs to travel a lot. The blind spot monitoring system is very useful safety features that help me avoided a few near miss collision with car beside me but of course we could not take it for granted. The tyres pressure sensors also very useful which I sometimes neglected, I didn't know about this feature until recently my tyres pressures is on the low side and the system alerted me.

Driving the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso has reaffirmed that I like practicality and versatility, with comfort and technology and no car combines these qualities better as of now.

Being a owner of the best previous Grand Picasso C4, this new version is a major upgrade and improvements from its predecessor. I must say that all of those issues I encountered previously are gone. I never had so much fun driving around in this awesome car.

Why I love this car so much? Firstly, the built quality from inside to outside are comparable to BMW and Audi. Secondly, the features are top notch and can only be found in high end car. From built in GPS navigation to sun roof to park assist to mood light setting, you name it, you have it. Thirdly, the issue of jerky gear change is not as bad as people think. Ride is smoother than previous version, and can be easily overcome. The ride is powerful and can overtake traffic with ease. As for turning, there is hardly any rolling. If you need storage, there are plenty of practical designed storage areas all over the car. A fuel tank will run for more than 1200km before next pit stop!

Last but the most important of all, this is the most family friendly car you can find. The safety and child friendly features give us a piece of mind while driving with kids around.

This car is not meant for everyone... but it'll be perfect for you if the following is true:

1. You need to ferry up to 7 passengers.

2. You want an exterior that looks hip and cool.

3. You want an interior that feels posh yet comfortable for the young & old.

4. You want to save fuel (up to 25km/l).

5. You want to be environmentally friendly (Diesel Euro V).

6. You want a smooth driving experience.

7. You want lots of glass to have a bright environment inside the car and to enjoy the outside view (panoramic sunroof).

Test drove the Picasso a week ago.

Looking for a MPV for my family of 6.

The saleslady was very knowledgeable and there were many features packed into this MPV. The huge windscreen is just great for visibility...

Many compartments to keep stuff and kids will love to hide stuff everwhere.

The diesel chatter is a slight humm during casual driving but starts to gowl when pressed.. The torque is there to haul the entire family around and it will not break out too much of a sweat if it encounters slopes.

Exterior is aeronautically appealing and the interior have plenty going for it..

I was so close to signing up and the cheque was in my wallet...

Then, the one and only upset ..... Was the gearbox....

It took so much of my attention during the test drive that I totally forgot about the engine noise, the traffic around me (extremely dangerous) and the comfortable seats I was seated on...

From idle, I was asked to jab the pedal in first gear launch and release it as quick, so that the manual/auto gear can change smoothly... .?? Huh ?

Then jab it again for the 2nd gear and ease off for the change for a smoother gear change... ?? Huh again? The gearbox will change effortlessly from 3rd upwards as it is in full auto mode... Hmmmm?

It's a 2 manual gear & the rest full auto gear kinda setup that I thought would make it in Just For Laughs.. But for the price tag, this is a cruel joke...

Then I was shown the use of the pedal shift. That I have full control and I can

totally drive with shifters/gas pedals with ease , effortlessly in fact.

But I was told I should not be driving on the shifters as a permanent option, something about the gears not under warranty after the 3rd year and permanent shifter use will wear the gears out..

My cheque stays in my wallet..