There is a joke among some car enthusiasts that says that when you buy an MPV, your life is over, and you're basically trudging along, with children in tow, until the day you pass on.
MPVs are often derided as dull family boxes that put functionality above fun. And early MPV designs certainly helped form that notion, with their square and rectangular shapes that were seemingly the result of artists who only had a pencil and a ruler to work with.
Not anymore though. As more and more manufactures start to offer people carriers in their range, we are seeing bolder and more striking designs for such cars. And some of them even manage to pull it off without much sacrifice in practicality.
Citroen has always been a paragon in style, which you'd expect coming from the French. They are also known for their oddball and wacky ways. So when they decided to come up with an MPV, the automotive world most certainly sat up and took notice. Everyone was curious as to how Citroen would execute the MPV concept in its own style
The first Picasso, which was based on the Xsara hatchback from the late 90s, was a runaway hit in Europe (although it wasn't sold locally). It wasn't hard to see why, as beneath its sleek and smooth lines laid an extremely practical vehicle, which appealed to European families who wanted a stylish people carrier to move their kids and stuff about.
The Xsara was replaced by the C4, around 2004, and the subsequent C4 Picasso MPVs took French MPV design to a whole new level. The jokes stopped, and Citroen proved that you can have supreme practicality in a stylish package.
MPVs are often derided as dull family boxes that put functionality above fun. And early MPV designs certainly helped form that notion, with their square and rectangular shapes that were seemingly the result of artists who only had a pencil and a ruler to work with.
Not anymore though. As more and more manufactures start to offer people carriers in their range, we are seeing bolder and more striking designs for such cars. And some of them even manage to pull it off without much sacrifice in practicality.
Citroen has always been a paragon in style, which you'd expect coming from the French. They are also known for their oddball and wacky ways. So when they decided to come up with an MPV, the automotive world most certainly sat up and took notice. Everyone was curious as to how Citroen would execute the MPV concept in its own style
The first Picasso, which was based on the Xsara hatchback from the late 90s, was a runaway hit in Europe (although it wasn't sold locally). It wasn't hard to see why, as beneath its sleek and smooth lines laid an extremely practical vehicle, which appealed to European families who wanted a stylish people carrier to move their kids and stuff about.
The Xsara was replaced by the C4, around 2004, and the subsequent C4 Picasso MPVs took French MPV design to a whole new level. The jokes stopped, and Citroen proved that you can have supreme practicality in a stylish package.
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Exterior
The C4 Picasso has been around for a couple of years now, but it still looks fresh and outstanding. Citroen most certainly agreed, and for this mid-life update, the French carmaker has done well to leave the design well alone.
The only changes are the slightly redesigned Citroen chevron badge in front, which is curvier than before, and the new tail lamps. Otherwise, the C4 Picasso still looks pretty much the same as before.
For 2011, Cycle & Carriage has opted to drop the five-seater Picasso, and concentrate on the seven-seater Grand version you see here. I personally think that it's a pity, because the five-seater Picasso looks amazingly cool. But market demand rules at the end of the day I guess.
Nevertheless, the seven-seater C4 Grand Picasso is still quite the looker, with its curved lines giving it a futuristic and cab-forward stance. The vast and expansive glasshouse gives the car an airy feel, both from the inside and out. It does give an illusion of compactness, which is promptly shattered when you step inside.
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Interior
First impression upon entering the C4 Grand Picasso's cabin is that it is HUGE.
The aforementioned glasshouse, along with the high seating position, combine together to let lots of light in, and the huge windscreen gives a commanding view out. If you somehow find it inadequate still, there is a panoramic sunroof that you can open for even more sunshine.
The C4 Grand Picasso can accommodate seven in comfort and in some style too. The leather upholstery gives the car a luxurious ambience, while the rear occupants get their own air con vents. It certainly makes travelling in the Picasso a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Practicality has not been neglected too. Lots of cubby holes and storage spaces litter the interior, and you'll find no shortage of places to put your cups, coupons, maps, directories, or whatever it is you want to hide.
There are also several other novelty touches that makes the Picasso's interior such a pleasant place to be in. For example, there is an additional mirror above the usual rear view mirror to assist with reversing, which is thoughtful considering the Grand Picasso's size.
First impression upon entering the C4 Grand Picasso's cabin is that it is HUGE.
The aforementioned glasshouse, along with the high seating position, combine together to let lots of light in, and the huge windscreen gives a commanding view out. If you somehow find it inadequate still, there is a panoramic sunroof that you can open for even more sunshine.
The C4 Grand Picasso can accommodate seven in comfort and in some style too. The leather upholstery gives the car a luxurious ambience, while the rear occupants get their own air con vents. It certainly makes travelling in the Picasso a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Practicality has not been neglected too. Lots of cubby holes and storage spaces litter the interior, and you'll find no shortage of places to put your cups, coupons, maps, directories, or whatever it is you want to hide.
There are also several other novelty touches that makes the Picasso's interior such a pleasant place to be in. For example, there is an additional mirror above the usual rear view mirror to assist with reversing, which is thoughtful considering the Grand Picasso's size.
The back of the front seats also have aircraft-style trays for the rear passengers' convenience, and the feature has clearly been incorporated with kids in mind. The seatbacks can also accommodate a DVD player should you choose to install one. The rear windows also feature retractable sun shades to shield young ones from the sun on hot days.
In the boot, there is a light that can be removed and doubles as a handy torch light, for emergency situations. When placed in its holder, the torch is charged by the car's electric current. Nifty.
Unfortunately, the boot itself is pretty much non-existent with the seven seats all up, but that is something that afflicts almost all MPVs anyway.
The seats can be folded down if you need the luggage space, and doing so is a cinch. Just pull a lever located at the rear of the seat, and it folds down, just like that.
You just have a feeling that Citroen has put a lot of thought into designing the interior of the C4 Grand Picasso, and it feels like one of the best places to be in while travelling. Passengers will most certainly feel well-treated and comforted in one.
In the boot, there is a light that can be removed and doubles as a handy torch light, for emergency situations. When placed in its holder, the torch is charged by the car's electric current. Nifty.
Unfortunately, the boot itself is pretty much non-existent with the seven seats all up, but that is something that afflicts almost all MPVs anyway.
The seats can be folded down if you need the luggage space, and doing so is a cinch. Just pull a lever located at the rear of the seat, and it folds down, just like that.
You just have a feeling that Citroen has put a lot of thought into designing the interior of the C4 Grand Picasso, and it feels like one of the best places to be in while travelling. Passengers will most certainly feel well-treated and comforted in one.
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The Drive
A comfortable cabin should mean a comfortable drive, and the C4 Grand Picasso doesn't disappoint.
The ride is typically French supple, smoothing out bumps with the greatest of ease. However, some might nit-pick that the suspension might be a wee bit too soft, bottoming out a little at high speeds, but if you're ferrying children, it shouldn't be a major concern.
Unfortunately, the experience is somewhat marred by Citroen's Electronic Gearbox System, which is basically a clutchless automated manual with automatic mode.
The car lurches about jerkily during upshifts in auto mode, spoiling the otherwise fine drive, and it proved really frustrating whenever a short dose of speed is required for overtaking, for example.
Apparently, the gearbox is best used in manual mode, using the paddle shifters to shift gears manually. But in a car designed for comfort, I can't see why most drivers would want to do that, especially in urban Singapore.
As a result of that, the big MPV also feels slightly sluggish during initial pick up. But once you get up to cruising speed, the 1.6-litre THP turbocharged four-cylinder engine is more than capable enough of keeping up with traffic, doing so in a very quiet and refined manner.
For a car of its size, the C4 Grand Picasso handles surprisingly well, and manoeuvres with poise. There is some body roll, as you'd expect from a tall MPV, but nothing too dramatic. The steering is responsive, if slightly lacking in feel, while the brakes stop the car well enough, even if the pedals are a tad soft.
A comfortable cabin should mean a comfortable drive, and the C4 Grand Picasso doesn't disappoint.
The ride is typically French supple, smoothing out bumps with the greatest of ease. However, some might nit-pick that the suspension might be a wee bit too soft, bottoming out a little at high speeds, but if you're ferrying children, it shouldn't be a major concern.
Unfortunately, the experience is somewhat marred by Citroen's Electronic Gearbox System, which is basically a clutchless automated manual with automatic mode.
The car lurches about jerkily during upshifts in auto mode, spoiling the otherwise fine drive, and it proved really frustrating whenever a short dose of speed is required for overtaking, for example.
Apparently, the gearbox is best used in manual mode, using the paddle shifters to shift gears manually. But in a car designed for comfort, I can't see why most drivers would want to do that, especially in urban Singapore.
As a result of that, the big MPV also feels slightly sluggish during initial pick up. But once you get up to cruising speed, the 1.6-litre THP turbocharged four-cylinder engine is more than capable enough of keeping up with traffic, doing so in a very quiet and refined manner.
For a car of its size, the C4 Grand Picasso handles surprisingly well, and manoeuvres with poise. There is some body roll, as you'd expect from a tall MPV, but nothing too dramatic. The steering is responsive, if slightly lacking in feel, while the brakes stop the car well enough, even if the pedals are a tad soft.
Conclusion
Most MPV drivers place comfort as a priority when deciding upon their chariot of choice. After all, if you're going to ferry children and/or grandparents, you would want them to have as fuss-free an experience as possible.
In that respect, the C4 Grand Picasso certainly ranks ride up there as among the most comfortable MPV available on sale currently. Nobody does ride quality as well as the French, and Citroen has proved that theory right again.
It's just a shame though that the gearbox doesn't seem to match the car's qualities, and makes the driving experience somewhat awkward and unbecoming of its character.
Because in nearly every other area, the C4 Grand Picasso makes for a compelling choice if you need a decent people carrier for seven. Plus, you won't get another MPV that looks just as good as it does.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Most MPV drivers place comfort as a priority when deciding upon their chariot of choice. After all, if you're going to ferry children and/or grandparents, you would want them to have as fuss-free an experience as possible.
In that respect, the C4 Grand Picasso certainly ranks ride up there as among the most comfortable MPV available on sale currently. Nobody does ride quality as well as the French, and Citroen has proved that theory right again.
It's just a shame though that the gearbox doesn't seem to match the car's qualities, and makes the driving experience somewhat awkward and unbecoming of its character.
Because in nearly every other area, the C4 Grand Picasso makes for a compelling choice if you need a decent people carrier for seven. Plus, you won't get another MPV that looks just as good as it does.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
